first blog: Purple Rose and Sherlock

This is my first blog in film studies. So far we have watched The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) and Sherlock Jr.(1924).  I have extremely enjoyed both films. I observed that many students were disappointed with the ending of Purple Rose, however I felt it was perfectly unexpected.  You would figure Cecilia would end up happy with the man she loves and who loves her in return. The whole movie had an uplifting tone with upbeat music and Cecilia finding not one, but two men who love her and can take her away from her terrible, ungrateful husband.  Then it ends with the girl being used by a hollywood star only looking to further his career and leaves her without a word.  The director, Woody Allen, was once quoted saying that the ending was one of the reasons he even made the film.  

My thoughts on Sherlock Jr. are that it was incredibly entertaining and funny.  This film made me wish that more current movies could have similar aspects such as using a simple magic trick as humor.  Buster Keaton is also clearly doing his own stunts regardless of how dangerous.  He has the ability to create humor with his facial expressions and actions without speaking.