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Post by Vits on Nov 1, 2018 15:47:05 GMT
THE GENERAL is classified as a comedy and it's considered to be one of the best of the genre. I disagree with both things. It's more of an action thriller with a lot of humour in it. The technical achievements are noticeable even for someone who isn't an expert on film history (the train falling into the river was amazing to watch), but I didn't find it thrilling nor funny enough. When they were writing the script, directors Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman forgot to give JOHNNIE GRAY (the protagonist) a real personality but, luckily, Keaton's performance turns him into a fairly likeable guy. Also, he has good chesmitry with Marion Mack. 5/10 ------------------------------------- You can read comments of other movies in my blog.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Nov 1, 2018 16:14:20 GMT
"forgot to give JOHNNIE GRAY (the protagonist) a real personality " just
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Post by mikef6 on Nov 1, 2018 19:17:31 GMT
The General is a constant reminder that it was Keaton who for all intents and purposes invented the light comedy action adventure thriller, not Steven Spielberg 56 years later in Raiders Of The Lost Ark.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Nov 1, 2018 22:16:14 GMT
mikef6 Buster was the master of the less is more school of comedy ... that tiny scene with the girl and the little scrap of wood and the strangling turning into a quick kiss = comedy gold ! 'Course, he was also the master of the more the better school of comedy !
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Post by BATouttaheck on Nov 1, 2018 22:20:07 GMT
Surprised to see that there is no citing of a "Great Train Locomotive Chase " franchise since the story was re-told by the Disney Studio in 1956.
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Post by Vits on Nov 1, 2018 23:18:56 GMT
Surprised to see that there is no citing of a "Great Train Locomotive Chase " franchise since the story was re-told by the Disney Studio in 1956. I've never seen nor heard of it.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Nov 1, 2018 23:32:02 GMT
I've never seen nor heard of it. IF you had, I am pretty sure you would be calling it a "franchise" since it's based on the same incident as THE GENERAL even though the two films are totally not related to each other.
Similarly there is no A CHRISTMAS CAROL "franchise" or MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY "franchise". FYI"Long-running film franchises were common in the early studio era, when Hollywood studios had actors and directors under long-term contract. Examples include Andy Hardy, Ma and Pa Kettle, Bulldog Drummond, Superman, Tarzan, and Batman. The longest-running modern film franchises include James Bond, Godzilla, Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Star Trek. In such cases, even lead actors are often replaced as they age, lose interest, or their characters are killed. Media franchises tend to cross over from their original media to other forms. Literary franchises are often transported to film, such as Nancy Drew, Miss Marple, and other popular detectives, as well as popular comic book superheroes. Television and film franchises are often expanded upon in novels, particularly those in the fantasy and science fiction genres, such as The Twilight Zone, Star Trek, Doctor Who and Star Wars. Similarly, fantasy, science fiction films and television shows are frequently adapted into animated television series, video games, or both. FYIen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_franchise
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Post by mikef6 on Nov 2, 2018 1:42:51 GMT
BATouttaheck Vits Here is a little something I wrote up not too long ago on the old boards’ classic film weekly thread. The Great Locomotive Chase / Francis D. Lyon (1956). When I saw this movie during its first release in theaters, I didn’t like it much – probably for the same reasons other people didn’t like it either. It was one of Disney’s least successful live-action films of this period. Those reason are mainly because the Civil War plot of the Union to steal a train in the Confederacy and then destroy tracks and burn bridges in its wake mostly failed and the hero of the plan is executed. (I have put this under the spoiler warning for everyone’s comfort, convenience, and personal hygene even though it is a matter of fairly well-known historical record.) Watching it now as a…uh…mature (yeah, mature, that’s it) adult, I can tell that it is a well-crafted adventure film that can be appreciated for its pacing, historical fidelity (as much as any commercial film can be), and some good performances. The main story is bookended by a scene of Secretary of War Stanton presenting the very first Medal of Honor awards to about a dozen Union soldiers. The camera closes in on one man, a chronicler of the mission, William Pittenger (John Lupton). Pittenger flashes back to meeting James J. Andrews (Fess Parker) who recruits him and others to go behind Confederate lines. Andrews has the entire caper planned down to the second, but doesn’t count on the stolen train’s conductor (Jeffrey Hunter) who pursues the Northerners by foot, hand cart, and commandeered train of his own. Hunter does the best acting in the film. This true incident had been used once before in film, the highly fictionalized but classic silent comedy The General , with Buster Keaton as the never-give-up conductor. “The Great Locomotive Chase” seems to be the “sleeper” of the Disney live-action films, but I highly recommend it to any who hold dear Pollyanna, Johnny Tremain, Swiss Family Robinson and any others from the ‘50s and ‘60s.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Nov 2, 2018 2:40:59 GMT
mikef6 Very nice write up ! thanks ! I saw the film when it came out, caringnot a whit about the historical veracity and enjoyed the film immensely. I also bought, and still have, the comic book version of it. I went to Atlanta and wanted to see the trains BUT it was pouring rain as hard as Noah's flood waters and it was impossible to even get out of the car to run to the enclosed part of the museum so that is for another trip to the area. Would love to see the Chase again and consider THE GENERAL to be one of, if not THE best of my favorite silent star's many awesome films.
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Post by Vits on Nov 2, 2018 10:56:31 GMT
IF you had, I am pretty sure you would be calling it a "franchise" since it's based on the same incident as THE GENERAL even though the two films are totally not related to each other. Hahaha! Good one! However, I wouldn't have done that. I just looked that movie up and, while they're both based on the same event, they're not based on the same memoir.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Nov 2, 2018 13:15:44 GMT
IF you had, I am pretty sure you would be calling it a "franchise" since it's based on the same incident as THE GENERAL even though the two films are totally not related to each other. Hahaha! Good one! However, I wouldn't have done that. I just looked that movie up and, while they're both based on the same event, they're not based on the same memoir. even IF they were .. they would NOT BE FRANCHISES ! I posted a link (again)to the definition of franchise in one of your posts. I suggest that you read it.
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Post by Vits on Nov 2, 2018 16:32:55 GMT
even IF they were .. they would NOT BE FRANCHISES ! I meant that it wouldn't fit my parameters of what franchise means.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Nov 2, 2018 16:42:39 GMT
Vits just what are YOUR parameters that define "franchise ? as they certainly don't seem to fit the generally accepted and traditionally understood definition of "franchise" . As an example: Would you say that there is a "A Christmas Carol "franchise" ?
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Post by Nalkarj on Nov 2, 2018 17:07:22 GMT
Vits just what are YOUR parameters that define "franchise ? as they certainly don't seem to fit the generally accepted and traditionally understood definition of "franchise" . As an example: Would you say that there is a "A Christmas Carol "franchise" ? I suppose it’d be mean if I asked him his opinion on the generally accepted, traditionally understood, and regionally variant pronunciations of caramel.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Nov 2, 2018 17:14:43 GMT
Nalkarj that and you COULD recommend that he watch Sheila
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Post by Vits on Nov 2, 2018 20:17:24 GMT
Vits just what are YOUR parameters that define "franchise ? As an example: Would you say that there is a "A Christmas Carol "franchise" ? 1) Cases where there's more than 1 installment. 2) Does that fit my parameter. I actually posted comments of those movies a long time ago. I suppose it’d be mean if I asked him his opinion on the generally accepted, traditionally understood, and regionally variant pronunciations of caramel. Hahaha! Joking aside, English isn't my first language, so I wouldn't want to participate in such a debate. Nalkarj that and you COULD recommend that he watch Sheila Who's Sheila?
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Post by Nalkarj on Nov 2, 2018 20:48:00 GMT
As you say, Vits , English isn’t your first language, so we might as well bring our discussion to a close, both here and on the other threads. Just a friendly piece of advice, though: I’ve had several people PM me saying they were a little bothered by your posting the same material in multiple places as well. How about choosing one where you think you’ll get the most visibility? I wish you all the best.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Nov 2, 2018 23:05:21 GMT
Franchise according to Vits : Cases where there's more than 1 installment.
NONE of the movies you have been writing about are INSTALLMENTS … they are usually re-makes of the SAME STORY ! Even if English is not your "first language" you know enough English to read the LINK about "franchise" that has been provided to you several times. You are apparently not interested in doing that. This is not worth me getting a headache about. It would be easier to explain why dissing the dead in a tribute thread is just not done or why providing an answer via a link is not trolling.! and so Have a nice life !
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dimaggio
Sophomore
@dimaggio
Posts: 116
Likes: 15
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Post by dimaggio on Nov 3, 2018 18:42:16 GMT
A classic can't be missed.
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Post by Vits on Nov 3, 2018 18:51:52 GMT
I’ve had several people PM me saying they were a little bothered by your posting the same material in multiple places as well. Why would they PM you about me? Even if English is not your "first language" you know enough English to read the LINK about "franchise" that has been provided to you several times. I mentioned that because of that joke; I wasn't using it as an excuse for not understanding your point. I do understand it. I simply don't think it's a big deal.
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