What's really cool about Keaton's acting is that he'd been onstage with vaudeville since he was a small child, and vaudeville acting is all about the broad gesture and loud declamation, not at all subtle. But in a very short time, he took to the way-more intimate acting to a movie camera, and took on a stoneface aspect that is actually very expressive. It's a whole 'less is more' approach, which renders his persona still easily appreciated by modern audiences, whereas the contemporary theatrically-influenced acting of the 20s put on film really takes some getting used to.

OK, I think I've used up my allotment of Buster-fangirlish glee for the day....

To tie them together, Jackie Chan did a stunt like the falling facade one in homage to Keaton.

me too, P-C! Fellowship was my least favorite.

I think that's mine too!

In fact, I'm told that the wreckage is still there in the ravine to this day.

I think they were there until WWII.

But in a very short time, he took to the way-more intimate acting to a movie camera, and took on a stoneface aspect that is actually very expressive.

Heh. One thing I noticed was that were no close-ups. But that was a 1927 thing. As for the acting, I guess I was also surprised that it wasn't broader throughout. With the exception of one scene in the beginning, no one did that hilariously over-the-top stuff you see in the older silent films and silent film parodies.

When Hec gets up, I'm going to send him in to tell the story of the secret shame of Buster Keaton that almost ruined an entire movie, 'cause he tells it better than me. But it's very funny and cool, and it says a great deal about him as a proto-action star.

Oh dear. I don't even know where to start.

Uh oh. I didn't mean to denigrate the film in any way. I'm just saying that while it's clearly a great movie, for 1927, the greatness is generally in the filmmaking, and not in the story or characters or anything. It's not emotionally affecting (besides the fact that it sure feels weird to be rooting for the Confederates), but it's fun.

Me too! Yay. And I think I remember that we both hated Raising Arizona. We're kindred spirits!

Totally! Raising Arizona is ridiculously overpraised!

::high five::

I'm still irked that the Coens never bothered to see Tempe, Arizona. Other than that, I suppose I would think it's kind of funny, but no "Big Lebowski", for instance.

Raising Arizona is ridiculously overpraised!

Cue to say: NUH and UH! Best of the Coen Bros!

Raising Arizona is by no means my favorite Coen Bros. movie, but I think it's hysterical. Certainly not my least favorite either (of the ones I've seen; I couldn't bring myself to see LADYKILLERS).

HBO has optioned the books for a possible series.

Oooh. Given how freakin' LONG the saga is and the number of characters involved, this is probably the best format for the adaptation. Plus, HBO, so hopefully not sanitized.