I decided to watch Modern Times last night.

Blew it through my PJ and stayed up late watching it. For some reason, I just absolutely LOVE to watch black and white movies on the PJ, even more than modern films for some strange reason...:o:p I suppose part of it is because I can pretty much go see whatever new/modern film in the actual theater if I want to go out.

I like the idea of watching well restored b&w BDs on the PJ as I feel as if I am sort of re-creating the experience that audiences during the era would have had.

Anyway, on to my thoughts regarding the film.

First, I want to say that I am a little torn in how I feel about this film. I felt as if the "plot" of the movie only served as a way to get Chaplin to the next bit. Sure there was a bit of a story, but the story was completely inconsequential to the film. It could have replaced by ANY thin plot device to get him from scene to scene. This was easily the films biggest weak spot IMO.

This could have been easily overlooked however, if you really have a love for Chaplin and his comedy style. For me the comedy was a hit or miss affair. I will not run through all of the various setups and situations here, instead I will just mention some of the gags I thought worked best.

Easily my favorite section of the film was when he was in jail the first time and eats the "salt" left behind by another prisoner. This scene had me laughing VERY hard all the way through. Chaplin's manic persona was perfect for this type of physical comedy. :rotfl::lolcry::rofl::D

I also got a huge kick out of the department store section where he wanders into the toy section. I don't want to give it away but WOW!!! I had no idea Chaplin had those kind of skills. With the way he kind of waddles around in this movie (my first Charlie Chaplin movie so I am not sure if it's just the way the character walks or the way Keaton always walks) I never would have seen that coming. :eek::cool:

I also liked the part when he puts on his bathing suit and jumps off the dock into the water. :rotfl: I totally didn't see what was coming and got some genuine chuckles out of it.

Another impressive segment was the final one as a waiter. I don't know if that was really him or a recording, but if it was really him it is yet another big WOW moment.

Now I would like to talk about the way the film was put together. It is a pleasing blend of silent film making techniques along side the more modern era "talkie" films, complete with some sound effects and even some dialogue. I think the reason Chaplin went this direction was because he was from the silent film era. That was his strong suit, his bread and butter so-to-speak. At the same time, he probably felt it was important to cater somewhat to the audiences of the day, who at that time were surrounded by films with sound and may not have fully embraced a completely silent film. I am just guessing/assuming all of this though, I do not know for sure and I never really watch the special features on movies. :o

As per Criterion's usual releases, this film has been restored/repaired/cleaned up and looks absolutely amazing on Blu-Ray! The films grain structure is still there, clarity is great, and it has a surprisingly high level of detail for a movie of its vintage.

Charlie Chaplin was a true performer/entertainer. This is very clear from watching only one of his movies. Although the comedy was a mixed bag for me, it definitely gets me interested in seeing more of his work. I am excited to see more of what made this classic film icon the legend he is today. For film buffs, or even just the curious uninitiated (as I was) I highly recommend checking out Criterion's release of Modern Times. As a historic document and showcase for Chaplin's enormous talent, it almost becomes "required viewing" for any moviegoer.

Overall I would give Modern Times a 2.75/4 stars. If you are already a Chaplin devotee, you can add an extra star to that score. ;)

Thanks for reading.

-Dave

EDIT: There was a movie made about Charlie Chaplin that starred Robert Downey Jr. and the titular hero. I always thought that was an odd bit of casting until seeing Modern Times. It is almost uncanny how mush these two actors look like each other at times. Actually, I felt that Chaplin looked like a cross between Robert Downey Jr. and Mike Meyers. :p:D

sorry painted_klown, you seem to be talking about Modern Times but you keep saying references to Keaton as if he is in the movie or I am just reading you wrong?

Oops! :o:o:o:o Sorry about that, had a brain lapse there...I should have them all fixed now. :p That totally made me feel like an idiot...I don't know what I was thinking while typing...

Pretty much: He was still basically improvising the central storylines out of specific routines on his early features as he filmed--And after solving the sound-transition problem on City Lights, he wanted to write the "Singing"-waiter routine as a climax for this film.

In fact, kind of makes you wonder how RDJ would have re-enacted the "salt" scene, from experience... :p

Well, try. (Not sure if they kept the old French M2K features on the Criterion disks, but they're pretty extensive, and right up Criterion's snooty alley.)
And since you probably haven't seen the RDJ movie either, this might help clear up the question:

I was not sure but I am well known for my miss reading stuff in English here :)

Glad you liked it by the way it's a great movie. I suggest you have a look at The Great Dictator next if you never seen it.

You're also known for your misspelling of the English word "misreading" in here, as well. ;)

With June coming up, was curious what everyone was excited about & had pre-ordered? Here's my lineup, although I will probably have to cancel one to stay within my blu-ray budget for the month. For some reason, I'm feeling a little bit more excited about July & August titles...

Makioka Sisters
Kiss Me Deadly
Zazie dans le Metro
Black Moon

Have you seen Insignificance? I'm thinking of blind buying it since it looks intriguing. However, I still have several Criterions sitting on the shelf that I still need to watch.

Kiss Me Deadly is the only Criterion title I'm really interested in for June. I'm just looking ahead to August, to be honest, but July has some really good ones too.

Just People on Sunday.

Anyone know if I would be able to get a replacement case for Third Man digipack this late? It's on backorder at the Criterion store, so do you think there's a chance?

I'm looking to buy a used one, but its a digipack version :(

Opposite actually, there's no reason to believe they will have another one. Just because someone does something once doesn't mean it's always going to happen.

:o I will get better, one day I promise :o

Holy crap! Monterey Pop, the complete set just dropped to 40.99! I had to order it, even though I was going to cut back! Gah, I am just not going to go to Amazon anymore. Even with the shipping and import tax, the set was still a dollar less than the actual Canadian selling price, as MP was 10 bucks cheaper on Canadian Amazon. I really hope the postal workers don't strike on Thursday now.

It's always a good idea to check Amazon.com before jumping on something on Amazon.ca. Sometimes even with the shipping and everything you get it much cheaper then you would on Amazon.ca. For Criterion is even more worth it since the prices on Amazon.ca for Criterion are just crazy.

With the exception of the BBS set in November (didn't know we could order from the American site up here/dollar wasn't so high either), I've ordered all of my Criterions from Amazon.com. :) I was hemming and hawing about Monterey Pop for awhile, holding out for the B&N sale, but when I saw Amazon.com dropped it, I figured I'd better order it now, as I can't depend on the B&N sale, and my mom now wants her own Nook Color, in addition to buying one for me. :) Criterions are addictive.

Ahh, one of the least talked about Criterion Blu-rays in this thread!

I love the set. The audio quality is fantastic. The main feature is great and I LOVE the Redding and Hendrix sets :rock:

I've been wanting Monterey Pop on home media for years! It's my favourite Music Festival from that era. Woodstock is overrated, and wasn't created as a festival for peace and love, but for profit. Monterey Pop was all about charity, and was more of a "true hippie" festival. I've studied a lot of the 1960s counterculture, and the music, so this is a must have for my collection.

Oh, Monterey also had better performers for the most part as well, despite half of them being the same.

I have been curious about this set for a while, and my father-in-law loves concert dvds, so I might have to pull the trigger. Does anyone know how this price compares to the BN sale? I was planning on picking it up then, but if this is better...

It will be roughly 10 bucks less at the half off sale, as it's 62.99 in B&N's site, might be more in-store. I couldn't guarantee the sale, as I'm in Canada, and it might not match when my parents go on vacation.