Seven Samurai (1954)

I read a Twitter comment not long ago that cited this movie as a favorite, saying that even though it's 3 1/2 hours long, there's not a single dull moment. I remember thinking at the time that couldn't possibly be true for my experience with it - it's just not a genre I find interesting - but it was really, really close to being true. The characters in this movie shine through each as their own unique personality. This is definitely a movie that would benefit from multiple viewings. It feels like there are a lot of little moments I didn't catch my first time through it but would the second time around. My first Kurosawa film - well worth the watch. 4 stars.

The Balloonatic (1923)

The Balloonatic is short and silly. There are a few very funny physical gags. It's not laugh-out-loud hilarious, but for fans of Keaton's or slapstick, it's absolutely worth watching. 3 stars.

Neighbors (1920)

This is not one of Buster Keaton's best shorts. There's far too long in between gags, and you can't really afford that when your movie's short to begin with. Add to that the fact that there weren't any spectacularly funny scenes, and what you have is something very disappointing. 1.5 stars.

Seven Chances (1925)

This Buster Keaton short is one of his more entertaining, since it has a very simple premise and just let Keaton do the wonderful physical comedy he does best. The image of dozens of women in bridal veils chasing him all over the city is very funny. Nicely done. 3.5 stars.

The Meaning of Life (1983)

This film is a collection of short sketches, most of which, unfortunately don't actually work. I'm a huge Python fan, so I was very disappointed at this. The sketches were overly long and held onto one joke for the entire time. I did laugh a couple times, but those moments were few and far between. My favorite sketch: the one about marching up and down the square. 2.5 stars.

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

This movie was very on-and-off for me. There were a few moments that were absolutely perfect (I loved the casual delivery of the line, "I can eat fifty eggs") but there was a lot of in between that didn't quite work for me. Paul Newman is good in this, but it's one of the classics that mostly just doesn't resonate with me. 3.5 stars.

Chaplin (1992)

Robert Downey, Jr. is phenomenal as Charlie Chaplin. I'm always fascinated when they manage to make screen legends come to life in biopics, and this is one that really strikes me. The movie is never boring. The very opening scene showing him removing his makeup sets the tone for the movie - funny but bittersweet, like Chaplin's films. 4.5 stars.