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anti0918
Reviews
He Who Gets Slapped (1924)
Not what I expected
This film's story is indeed peculiar. That is probably what set it apart in 1924. The main character, played perfectly by Lon Chaney, is the most serious character, while at the same time never being taken seriously by those close to his heart. He is degraded to the life of a clown, whose main act is to be slapped repeatedly in the face, to the audience's amusement. Every time he is slapped or laughed at, the viewer can't help but feel the pain as well.
The first half of the film doesn't focus on Chaney's character, instead building up the relationships of those around him. Norma Shearer and John Gilbert are excellent in their performances. This all builds up to a very touching ending.
TR's Arrival in Africa (1909)
Not much
Not much happens in this short, 24 second-long, animation. The introduction reads: "Teddy's arrival caused some commotion in the Jungle..." This cuts to a scene of various animals up in a tree, and a monkey standing below, looking off into the distance. As the dot on the horizon comes closer, the monkey realizes who the person is, panics, and runs up the tree to join the other animals. Then the person gets closer and is revealed to be a caricature of Teddy Roosevelt, with rifle in hand. That's it.
About the only interesting part of the animation is the caricature, which looks much like others of TR.
The God Who Wasn't There (2005)
Mediocre
This film questions the historicity of Jesus of Nazareth as found in the Christian Bible. Writer director Brian Flemming, a former fundamentalist Christian, leads the viewer through the life of Jesus, attempting throughout to apply them coherently to an actual time-line. He discusses the lack of historical evidence and gaps in the history related to Jesus and the years following his life. The film ends with the director talking to the head of the Christian-based school of his youth.
Yes, I'm an atheist, but no, I don't think this movie is worth viewing.
The historical discussion in the beginning is mildly interesting, although not detailed enough to be compelling. As the director talked to the head of his school, I wondered why I should care what he or this person think. Flemming's attitude throughout the film, and especially during his talk with the principal, put into question for the average viewer anything else he has said.