Underworld

A fairly exciting crime film and a very interesting precursor to the gangster genre. You can definitely tell how influential it was to films like Scarface 1932 and Little Caesar, it also blended some lovely melodrama into the action which was fantastic. I found that the film being silent slightly affected the pacing and action but was overall not much of a problem, in fact quite a few scenes worked out well being silent for the gritty atmosphere. Also those last 10 minutes were absolutely terrific, full of engaging action, they very much reminded me of the ending to Scarface 1932 actually. Overall a pretty decent film!

A fairly exciting crime film and a very interesting precursor to the gangster genre. You can definitely tell how influential it was to films like Scarface 1932 and Little Caesar, it also blended some lovely melodrama into the action which was fantastic. I found that the film being silent slightly affected the pacing and action but was overall not much of a problem, in fact quite a few scenes worked out well being silent for the gritty atmosphere. Also those last 10 minutes were absolutely terrific, full of engaging action, they very much reminded me of the ending to Scarface 1932 actually. Overall a pretty decent film!

* 1 out of 52 for the 2026 Criterion Challenge *

Gangster films definitely benefited a ton from sound. Still had some great performances regardless, especially from George Bancroft. You can also see how parts of this served as inspiration for Howard Hawk's Scarface. The plot could of been more complex but it does a good job for what it is. I just hope that the little kitten was okay.

* 1 out of 52 for the 2026 Criterion Challenge *

Gangster films definitely benefited a ton from sound. Still had some great performances regardless, especially from George Bancroft. You can also see how parts of this served as inspiration for Howard Hawk's Scarface. The plot could of been more complex but it does a good job for what it is. I just hope that the little kitten was okay.

I wasn’t super excited about watching this, but then I saw that shot of the clock tower. Locked in

It held my attention pretty well, I struggle with silent stuff.

I wasn’t super excited about watching this, but then I saw that shot of the clock tower. Locked in

It held my attention pretty well, I struggle with silent stuff.

Now that I’m out of Gilmore Girls purgatory, this was a nice palette cleanser. 

This felt like reading a book to me which I did not expect. 

Also, “Framed you, since when are you a picture” is funny asf 

Criterion Challenge 202441/5241. 1920s

Now that I’m out of Gilmore Girls purgatory, this was a nice palette cleanser. 

This felt like reading a book to me which I did not expect. 

Also, “Framed you, since when are you a picture” is funny asf 

Criterion Challenge 202441/5241. 1920s

Some of my favorite filmmaking of the silent era. The cinematography, the lighting, the editing, the visual performances. Really damn good stuff.

Some of my favorite filmmaking of the silent era. The cinematography, the lighting, the editing, the visual performances. Really damn good stuff.