The Unknown

Title: The Unknown 
Year: 1927
Country: USA
Director: Tod Browning & Waldemar Young 
Producer: Irving G. Thalberg 
Genre: Horror & Romance 
Runtime: 60 minutes 
Viewed: January 17, 2015 

Review: Well, I need to start by saying that the rendition I viewed, if I read correctly, had the music redone. This was by far the most captivating (silent) movie I have watched so far. It is twisted and with the music it just captures your attention from start to finish. Lon Chaney will draw you in with the different faces he makes and of course the fact that he primarily uses his feet throughout the movie. I am happy the music wasn't coming from the actual film since I can't imagine Lon could actually play the guitar with his feet. I definitely would watch this movie again, which I'm not sure I would watch any of those previous. Lon is extremely talented, I wish we could see him in a modern day film and see how he does. But like I said, he brings your attention to the movie and will keep you entertained. 

That being said, this movie is twisted. I'm not sure it would be considered "horror" in today's society, probably more of a thriller. The plot itself is crazy, a woman who doesn't like being touched so Lon's character is perfect for her because he "has no arms," until she starts to actually care about him and he realizes she will notice he has arms eventually. I'll let you watch the movie if you so choose to see how that turns out. It is really interesting, I'm not sure how someone even comes up with the concept for this film, but well done. 

Rating: 
4 Shamrocks 

Movie 33 down... 968 to go! 

The General

Title: The General
Year: 1927
Country: USA
Director: Clyde Bruckman & Buster Keaton 
Producer: Buster Keaton & Joseph M. Schenck 
Genre: Comedy, Romance, & War 
Runtime: 80 minutes 
Viewed: July 17, 2015 

Review: So, obviously if you are following my journey you will notice that I took a bit of a hiatus. It wasn't intentional, but life got busy and I hate sileny films. The combination of those two scenarios makes for the perfect storm. I actually watched this movie back in August of 2014, but failed to 1) pay attention and 2) blog about it, so I rewatched. I enjoy Buster Keaton, he is a funny guy. However, it doesn't change my opinion that I really wish there was audible speaking parts. I know, I know, film wouldn't be where it is today had we not gone through this phase of cinema, but I am grateful we are where we are instead of stuck in silent films. 

Now, the movie itself, it definitely is a comedy. The book stated that it, "may be counted among the finest (and funniest) in cinema's entire comic output." I am not sure I would necessarily agree, while I did chuckle a few times, it didn't have me rolling on the floor. It is very much what I was raised to understand "slap-stick" comedy, reminds me a lot of The Three Stooges. Buster Keaton is of course his silly self, just as we have come to love him previously. He has two loves, a woman and a train. I think my favorite parts of the movie were when he is being pushed by the train trying to get a piece of wood out of the way of the track, when he is sliding down the mountain to try to get back to his girl and train, and lastly, my favorite of all was when he has his uniform on and is standing so proud and goofy looking. I imagine that if it were today he would have said something about how swag he looks. 

This is definitely a family safe movie, if your kids can sit through a silent film. There is enough I think to keep probably 4 and up entertained. I should let my nephew (if you remember him from one of the other reviews) watch it and see what he thinks. 

As a side note and I'm honestly surprised I didn't see this earlier, how much do Buster Keaton and Jimmy Fallon look alike? 

Rating: 
2.5 Shamrocks 

Movie 32 down... 969 to go!