Pub.lished Movie Reviews
Sherlock Jr. (1924)
"Sherlock Jr." is a silent film that continues to resonate with today's modern audiences. It spans a brief 45 minutes, with the first 15 minutes exploring romantic comedy, the second 15 minutes delving into surrealist comedy, and the final 15 minutes radiating action comedy.
The comedic aspect of the movie is effectively amplified by Buster Keaton's famous stone-faced expression. This renowned deadpan look was adopted by Keaton during his vaudeville days when his father would toss him around onstage.Buster's father threw Buster so far that a suitcase handle was sewn into Buster's clothes so he could be thrown even further. The audience found it less amusing if the young Buster giggled during the act, so he mastered the art of maintaining a stony expression even while being flung into the audience.
The surrealist segment of the film intriguingly features a movie within the movie. Buster walks into a movie, being projected on a screen. It remains a mystery how Keaton executed the special effect that allowed him to walk seamlessly into a movie being projected in a theater. Although it is known that in 1924 he used surveyor equipment to create invisible cuts, the color matching and match cuts are so flawless that it boggles the mind.
Keaton not only acts in his movies, but he also directs them and performs his own stunts. The action part of the film showcases one of the most astonishing motorcycle stunts ever filmed. Keaton sits on the handlebars of a motorcycle, which is initially being ridden by someone else. However, the rider gets thrown off while riding over a huge bump in the road, leaving Buster alone on the motorcycle, pretending there is still a rider operating the vehicle, while the motorcycle continues to operate as normal. Buster then proceeds to ride between speeding vehicles, through speeding vehicles, and on top of speeding vehicles. All of this would be impressive even if done in a conventional manner, but the way Keaton pulls it off is nothing short of insane.
While some may argue that movies like "Skyfall" or "Fury Road" present more thrilling motorcycle stunts, it's crucial to note that these films typically employ professional stuntmen, quick-cuts, and safety wires. Keaton, in contrast, relied solely on himself in long, continuous shots without any safety wire.
And while Tom Cruise's ability to "back it in" or base jump from a motorcycle is technically impressive, he didn't accomplish these feats while sitting on the handlebars of a motorcycle. Keaton's unique blend of daring stunts and comedic acting make "Sherlock Jr." a timeless classic.
" The girl's father had nothing to do so he got a hired man to help him"
- You are not a fan of silent films.
- You do not have the patience for older film techniques.
- You prefer movies with modern, advanced special effects.
- You are unable to appreciate historical films.
- You need a complex storyline to enjoy a movie.
- You're looking for a movie appropriate for children under 6; while not inappropriate, young children might not be as engaged.
Warning: The following may contain spoilers:
What's the deal with "Sherlock Jr."? First off, we've got a guy who's a movie projectionist by day and a detective by night. I mean, talk about a side hustle. Most people deliver pizzas or drive for Uber, but this guy's solving crimes in his spare time. And not just any crimes, but ones that happen in his dreams. Is there a sleep detective agency I don’t know about?
There's also this whole thing where he dreams himself into the movie he's projecting. Talk about getting lost in your work! I mean, I've taken work home with me before, but this is ridiculous.
Lastly, there’s the ending. After all the chaos, Sherlock Jr. wakes up and everything is just fine. The girl forgives him, the real thief is caught, and life goes back to normal. I guess the moral of the story is, when life gets tough, just take a nap and dream yourself into a better situation.
The General (1926):
If you enjoyed "Sherlock Jr." for its comedic genius and innovative storytelling, then you should check out "The General". Like "Sherlock Jr.", it features Buster Keaton in the lead role. In this silent comedy, Keaton plays a Southern railroad engineer who ends up caught between the Union and Confederate armies in a hilarious series of events. It's an outstanding example of silent film comedy that pushes the boundaries of cinematic storytelling just as "Sherlock Jr." does.
City Lights (1931):Following in the tradition of great silent comedy-dramas, Charlie Chaplin's masterpiece "City Lights" offers a different style of comedy than in "Sherlock Jr.", but may appeal to you for its masterful blend of humor, pathos, and romance. In the film, Chaplin's iconic Tramp character falls in love with a blind woman and works to help her regain her sight.
The Kid (1921):Another silent comedy-drama by Charlie Chaplin, "The Kid" features Chaplin's Tramp character caring for a young boy abandoned by his mother. This film is ideal if you appreciated the unique blend of comedy and drama in "Sherlock Jr." As with "Sherlock Jr.", "The Kid" masterfully mixes physical comedy with moments of emotional depth.
Modern Times (1936):Again featuring Charlie Chaplin's legendary Tramp character, "Modern Times" is another perfect choice if you loved "Sherlock Jr.". This film offers a hilarious critique of industrialization, with Chaplin's character struggling to survive in a modern, mechanized world. Its combination of physical comedy and social commentary could be right up your alley if you appreciated the humor and storytelling of "Sherlock Jr.".
Safety Last! (1923):This silent film comedy is best known for its iconic scene of star Harold Lloyd hanging from the hands of a skyscraper clock. "Safety Last!" exhibits a similar style of visual, physical comedy that made "Sherlock Jr." such a delight. If you're a fan of inventive, risk-taking comedy, this film is a must-see.
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