Dana Stevens delivers a superb biography of silent film comedian Buster Keaton in Camera Man that isn’t just a book but a book-length essay. Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin? Anyone talking about the great silent film comedy stars start with one of the two. They both have their own quirks which is what makes the debate so hard. After all, the list of the best comedy movies of all time is one that features a…
"Camera Man by Dana Stevens"Tag: Buster Keaton
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum brings the 1962 stage musical to the screen in the 1966 feature directed by Richard Lester. I spent last night watching the classic musical comedy in honor of Richard Lester’s 90th birthday today. After all, we should pay tribute to them while they are alive instead of waiting until they pass away. I’ve watched a number of Dick Lester’s films recently: A Hard Day’s Night,…
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"
Sunset Boulevard isn’t only Billy Wilder at his finest but the film is easily the best film ever made about Hollywood in cinematic history. The fate of Joe Gillis (William Holden) is doomed from the start. Upon flashing back, we later learn how he came to be in this most unfortunate situation. It turns out that Joe is having the worst luck as a screenwriter. He was unsuccessful in Sheldrake (Fred Clark) on a story. …
"Sunset Boulevard: Billy Wilder At His Finest"
It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is one of the best ensemble comedies and the star-studded film remains a classic to this day. Imagine yourself being surrounded by some of the best comedy stars of the day. It sounds impossible, right? Think again because this film doesn’t have a few of them but brings everyone together in an epic race to find the Big W. Let’s get one thing straight though. This isn’t a…
"It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is a Classic" The Great Buster: A Celebration is a well-deserved cinematic tribute to Buster Keaton–one of the greatest silent comedy stars to have ever lived. Discussing the great silent comedy stars must include Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and Harold Lloyd. Interestingly, Keaton starred in College as a response to Lloyd’s The Freshman. Where Lloyd starred as a freshman who played football, Keaton would play every other sport. As for Chaplin, he directed Keaton in 1952’s Limelight. This…
"Chicago Film Festival 2018: The Great Buster"