Becky's Book Reviews: Century of Viewing, Month Two, Thoughts and Lists

Friday, February 28, 2025

Century of Viewing, Month Two, Thoughts and Lists

Century of Viewing Challenge

I was able to watch 86 things. (Things = movies, shorts, cartoons, television seasons, etc.) Twenty-three I rated five stars. I'll probably share (below) what makes a five star a five star. (Besides pure whim on my part). Ten were four and a half stars. Fifteen were four stars. Again blurry lines between five, four and a half, and four. Forty-four of the eighty-six star or co-star Buster Keaton.

What Makes a 5 Star a 5 Star (Besides Pure Whim)

A movie absolutely MUST, MUST, MUST, MUST have again-again appeal OR evoke such a strong emotional reaction/connection that even though I might not ever choose to watch it again it will never be forgotten. (Typically, it's all about the power of the again-again).
I must have a strong emotional connection/reaction. It might be laughter. It might be tears. It might be grinning from ear to ear with a smile that will not come off my face. It may be the fact that I can't stop gushing about it. It has to MOVE me.
It must be memorable. This could be visual scenes OR it could be dialogue OR it could be characters OR it could be soundtrack OR it could be costumes OR it could be setting. Usually a blend of the above.
A strong combination of favorites: FAVORITE ACTOR + great story + memorable scenes for example. Or Favorite actress. I have a lot of Ginger Rogers movies planned--and I've watched quite a few already. Same with Doris Day. Or it might be a musical with amazing songs and favorite actors/actresses.
It doesn't have to have a happy ending, but, it certainly doesn't hurt.
If it is an adaption it either needs to a) be faithful to the book or b) be so good independent from the book that it is able to stand alone and doesn't suffer as a comparison.
I need to *stay* in the movie while I am watching the movie. I don't want to be thrown out by over-thinking.
The difference between a five and a four and a half stars might be just a few "flaws." (For example, My Cousin Vinny was *so, so, so, so* close to five but the language in it--for me--downgraded it to a four and half star.) Since You Went Away was an absolutely wonderful movie, but, I didn't like how the main character was having an emotional affair (at the very least) with her husband's best friend.

Observations

Obviously still head over heels in love with Buster Keaton. Though I think you could say I've fallen harder and deeper.
I have finished TWO decades (though that won't stop me from watching more). I've finished the 1920s (no surprise thanks to Buster) and the 1930s.
I am one year away from finishing the 1940s. (1945)
I am one year away from finishing the 1950s. (1958)
Rounding up, Buster Keaton makes up 43% of my overall viewing for the year--not counting rewatches.
55% of my movies are "talking" movies, 45% of my total movies (January and February) are silent movies!!! Which is so wild considering that before January 2025, I'd never seen a single silent film.

5 star movies in no particular order

Benny and Joon (1993)
Vivacious Lady (1938)
My Wife's Relations (1922) (Buster Keaton, watched three times)
Groundhog Day (1993)
The General (1926) (Buster Keaton, watched an additional three times in February)
Battling Butler (1926) (Buster Keaton, watched twice)
Go West (1925) (Buster Keaton)
The Goat (1921) (Buster Keaton)
The Cameraman (1928) (Buster Keaton)
Inception (2010)
Help (1965)
Spite Marriage (1929) (Buster Keaton)
The Passionate Plumber (1932) (Buster Keaton)
The Navigator (1924) (Buster Keaton)
The Electric House (1922) (Buster Keaton)
Top Hat (1935)
The Glenn Miller Story (1954)
By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953)
The Silent Partner (1955) (Buster Keaton)
IT (1927)
The Saphead (1920) (Buster Keaton)
Parlor, Bedroom, and Bath (1931) (Buster Keaton)
Sun Valley Serenade (1941)