Embedded Files
These films are ones that I saw before I started officially reviewing the films. So if you're scrolling through and are asking yourself "How has he not seen __________?" this list probably answers that
"The Kid" 1921
8/10 Stars, Favorite Scene: The reuniting
Not only the first Charlie Chaplin feature film but also his most personal. It's about the little tramp accidentally finding an abandoned child and deciding to raise it himself. This film has such parallels to Chaplin's childhood. He designed the set to specifically look like the poor neighborhood he grew up in. He's essentially writing himself to be the father figure he never had. He was also sent to an orphanage as a kid despite wanting to stay with his mom, this reflects the heart-wrenching climax of the film where Chaplin fights his hardest to get the kid back. This film has some great gags and a really personal story.
8/10 Stars, Favorite Scene: The reuniting
Not only the first Charlie Chaplin feature film but also his most personal. It's about the little tramp accidentally finding an abandoned child and deciding to raise it himself. This film has such parallels to Chaplin's childhood. He designed the set to specifically look like the poor neighborhood he grew up in. He's essentially writing himself to be the father figure he never had. He was also sent to an orphanage as a kid despite wanting to stay with his mom, this reflects the heart-wrenching climax of the film where Chaplin fights his hardest to get the kid back. This film has some great gags and a really personal story.
"Safety Last!" 1923
8/10 Stars, Favorite Scene: The Clock
A man with glasses is climbing a building when he holds onto the hand of a clock. The clock hand slowly leans down as he's helplessly dangling above the city. This is one of the most iconic images in film history and it's for good reason. This was my very first Harold Lloyd film and it made me fall in love with his movies. It's about a man trying to impress his girlfriend by making a fortune in New York City. He soon finds that it's harder than he thought, but just then a store offers 1,000 dollars to anyone who can draw customers in. He crafts a plan where his friend climbs that building and they split it half and half, but the friend in trouble with the law so has to do it himself. Other than the incredible finale, there are great gags and editing that make this that classic it is today
8/10 Stars, Favorite Scene: The Clock
A man with glasses is climbing a building when he holds onto the hand of a clock. The clock hand slowly leans down as he's helplessly dangling above the city. This is one of the most iconic images in film history and it's for good reason. This was my very first Harold Lloyd film and it made me fall in love with his movies. It's about a man trying to impress his girlfriend by making a fortune in New York City. He soon finds that it's harder than he thought, but just then a store offers 1,000 dollars to anyone who can draw customers in. He crafts a plan where his friend climbs that building and they split it half and half, but the friend in trouble with the law so has to do it himself. Other than the incredible finale, there are great gags and editing that make this that classic it is today
"The General" 1926
7/10 Stars, Favorite Scene: The Train
My very first Buster Keaton movie and this is a great one to start with. It has the iconic train scene where he gets unintentionally picked up by a train. The plot is alright being about a train with the main character's girlfriend on it being stolen during the civil war, so he has to track it down and get it back. You're mainly here for the gags which are done expertly by Keaton. An all-time classic in my books
7/10 Stars, Favorite Scene: The Train
My very first Buster Keaton movie and this is a great one to start with. It has the iconic train scene where he gets unintentionally picked up by a train. The plot is alright being about a train with the main character's girlfriend on it being stolen during the civil war, so he has to track it down and get it back. You're mainly here for the gags which are done expertly by Keaton. An all-time classic in my books
"All Quiet On The Western Front" 1930
8/10 Stars, Favorite Quote: "You still think it's beautiful to die for your country. The first bombardment taught us better. When it comes to dying for country, it's better not to die at all."
I remember watching this in a history class and being shocked at how well it held up. This is a true anti-war film and does a great job of showing the horrors of war. It's a truly depressing film where we follow a group of young German boys wanting to become soldiers and risk their lives for their country, but when they get there they realize that war is more than just a game. This totally deserved to win the best picture Oscar, just amazing
8/10 Stars, Favorite Quote: "You still think it's beautiful to die for your country. The first bombardment taught us better. When it comes to dying for country, it's better not to die at all."
I remember watching this in a history class and being shocked at how well it held up. This is a true anti-war film and does a great job of showing the horrors of war. It's a truly depressing film where we follow a group of young German boys wanting to become soldiers and risk their lives for their country, but when they get there they realize that war is more than just a game. This totally deserved to win the best picture Oscar, just amazing
"City Lights" 1931
8/10 Stars, Favorite Scene: The boxing scene
It was such a bold decision to keep this film silent. Chaplin could've easily have gone with the "talkie" approach. It would've felt wrong if this film had dialogue. It's such a perfect story with some really inventive gags (the choreography in the boxing scene is insane, I highly suggest watching the movie just for that). Also, what I love is how all the gags are there for a reason and suppliment each other.
8/10 Stars, Favorite Scene: The boxing scene
It was such a bold decision to keep this film silent. Chaplin could've easily have gone with the "talkie" approach. It would've felt wrong if this film had dialogue. It's such a perfect story with some really inventive gags (the choreography in the boxing scene is insane, I highly suggest watching the movie just for that). Also, what I love is how all the gags are there for a reason and suppliment each other.
"The Public Enemy" 1931
4/10 Stars, Favorite Quote: "I wish you was a wishing well. So that I could tie a bucket to ya and sink ya."
I feel like this is a very important gangster film, but it just hasn't aged well in my opinion. It's plot and characters are very basic and just feels like a shallow attempt. It's way too short to tell the whole story of Tom Powers (James Cagney) and it feels like they speed through important parts. Also, the opening was really funny to me because it's such a serious film and yet they use a sitcom-like opening
4/10 Stars, Favorite Quote: "I wish you was a wishing well. So that I could tie a bucket to ya and sink ya."
I feel like this is a very important gangster film, but it just hasn't aged well in my opinion. It's plot and characters are very basic and just feels like a shallow attempt. It's way too short to tell the whole story of Tom Powers (James Cagney) and it feels like they speed through important parts. Also, the opening was really funny to me because it's such a serious film and yet they use a sitcom-like opening
"The Invisible Man" 1933
7/10 Stars, Favorite Quote: "An invisible man can rule the world. Nobody will see him come, nobody will see him go. He can hear every secret. He can rob, rape and kill!"
A classic universal monster movie strangely written by Preston Sturges. I remember really liking this movie as a kid and thinking that the pacing and the invisible man himself was really great. As a whole, this film was very solid.
7/10 Stars, Favorite Quote: "An invisible man can rule the world. Nobody will see him come, nobody will see him go. He can hear every secret. He can rob, rape and kill!"
A classic universal monster movie strangely written by Preston Sturges. I remember really liking this movie as a kid and thinking that the pacing and the invisible man himself was really great. As a whole, this film was very solid.
"It Happened One Night" 1934
8/10 Stars, Favorite Quote "Oh Yeah?!" "Wow! What a great comeback, I can't believe I didn't think of that"
This film set the blueprint for comedies for years. The chemistry between Gable and Colbert is incredible, the jokes are still hilarious, and the plot is really smart. It's about a spoiled, rich girl having to trek through the east coast to try to escape her wedding, where she meets a street-smart middle class reporter who agrees to take her with him, if he gets the story rights. Frank Capra wrote and directed this film and it shows. This was the first comedy Best Picture winner, and it deserves it.;
8/10 Stars, Favorite Quote "Oh Yeah?!" "Wow! What a great comeback, I can't believe I didn't think of that"
This film set the blueprint for comedies for years. The chemistry between Gable and Colbert is incredible, the jokes are still hilarious, and the plot is really smart. It's about a spoiled, rich girl having to trek through the east coast to try to escape her wedding, where she meets a street-smart middle class reporter who agrees to take her with him, if he gets the story rights. Frank Capra wrote and directed this film and it shows. This was the first comedy Best Picture winner, and it deserves it.;
"Modern Times" 1936
10/10 Stars, Favorite Scene: The Ending
One of the most perfect films ever made. Charlie Chaplin beautifully blends comedy and drama to talk about the difficult times America was in during the Great Depression. I literally love every aspect of this film, there's a reason why so many people love it
10/10 Stars, Favorite Scene: The Ending
One of the most perfect films ever made. Charlie Chaplin beautifully blends comedy and drama to talk about the difficult times America was in during the Great Depression. I literally love every aspect of this film, there's a reason why so many people love it
"Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" 1937
7/10 Stars, Favorite Quote: "Thirsty? Have a drink!"
An absolutely beautiful film that has some flaws. The animation and characterization is fantastic in the film (especially the witch transformation), but the plot and pacing is off. It's very cliche and the gags slow it down a little bit. It's still an landmark film that has such a powerful ending that solidified animation as a geniune artform.
7/10 Stars, Favorite Quote: "Thirsty? Have a drink!"
An absolutely beautiful film that has some flaws. The animation and characterization is fantastic in the film (especially the witch transformation), but the plot and pacing is off. It's very cliche and the gags slow it down a little bit. It's still an landmark film that has such a powerful ending that solidified animation as a geniune artform.
"The Wizard Of Oz" 1939
8/10 Stars, Favorite Quote "There's No Place Like Home"
Such a magical film that has some of the best musical numbers put to film. Some of the plot just boils down to "and then this nonsense happens", but it's cheeriness is a treasure more than a burdon. There's a reason why this is looked at as such an iconic film
8/10 Stars, Favorite Quote "There's No Place Like Home"
Such a magical film that has some of the best musical numbers put to film. Some of the plot just boils down to "and then this nonsense happens", but it's cheeriness is a treasure more than a burdon. There's a reason why this is looked at as such an iconic film
"Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" 1939
6/10 Stars, Favorite Quote "it's not too late, because this country is bigger than the Taylors, or you, or me, or anything else. Great principles don't get lost once they come to light. They're right here; you just have to see them again!"
I feel like this is a sweet story, but a very weak political satire. They aren't really satirizing too much of the American Government (it's honestly more a satire of the rich), but it has it's moments, Jimmy Stewart is great as always.
6/10 Stars, Favorite Quote "it's not too late, because this country is bigger than the Taylors, or you, or me, or anything else. Great principles don't get lost once they come to light. They're right here; you just have to see them again!"
I feel like this is a sweet story, but a very weak political satire. They aren't really satirizing too much of the American Government (it's honestly more a satire of the rich), but it has it's moments, Jimmy Stewart is great as always.
"Gone With The Wind" 1939
6/10 Stars, Favorite Quote "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn"
This film has some of the most gorgeous visuals in any film with some pretty horrible racism. I swear it feels like this film ended 5 times and yet it kept going. It does an alright job at keeping your attention for those 4 hours, but as I whole I don't see myself rewatching this at any time. They should've ended it at my favorite quote.
6/10 Stars, Favorite Quote "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn"
This film has some of the most gorgeous visuals in any film with some pretty horrible racism. I swear it feels like this film ended 5 times and yet it kept going. It does an alright job at keeping your attention for those 4 hours, but as I whole I don't see myself rewatching this at any time. They should've ended it at my favorite quote.
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