Friday, June 7, 2013

Old Reviews: Steamboat Bill Jr. and Reds

Classics.

Buster Keaton's 1928 "Steamboat Bill Jr." Steamboat Bill is the owner of a pretty shitty paddle boat. He's excited though because he's about to see his long lost son, Steamboat Bill Jr. (Keaton). He expects a grizzly, tough SOB like himself, but when Jr. shows up he's anything but. What is more, he's planning to marry the daughter of Steamboat Bill's nemesis! Obviously it's fantastically hilarious. Keaton's deadpan slapstick is spot on as usual. It includes one of Keaton's crazies/best stunts: the front of a house falls down and he misses getting squashed thanks to an open window. It's the kind of stunt that would later inspire folks like Jackie Chan. Check it out on Netlfix Instant!

Warren Beatty's, perhaps, under-appreciated, 1981 epic, "Reds," starring Beatty and, my all-time favorite actress, Diane Keaton. The story follows the life of the journalist (Beatty) who chronicled the Russian Revolution and his partner (Keaton). Jack Nicholson, as always, is great and plays Eugene O'Neill. It's also kind of cool because it seamlessly incorporates some documentary aspects. That might be my favorite thing about it, but the acting is top-notch as well. I actually feel like I even learned a bit of history from watching this movie! It's on Netflix Instant! Check it out if you have the time for a big fat epic!

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