Sherlock Jr. (1924)

An incredibly fun, accessible adventure that still holds audience engagement. Cinematography-wise there are dream sequences, cutting between different scenes that take place at the same time, moving shots, and a theatre scene that needs to be seen to be believed. I was super impressed. But this film goes beyond simple camera work, instead it rests on its genuinely funny gags and stoic lead, Keaton. Near singlehandedly, Keaton brings you into a story that actually grips and makes you feel for its participants.

Nearly all of the story is told through physical acting/visuals so there is not much reading involved. Your time as a viewer is not wasted, but instead rewarded through clever visual cues that keep your eyes glued and your attention piqued. The entire thing is densely packed with gags, stunts and character moments. And not to mention the bike scene at the end oh my god! I cannot believe some of the stunts. Very impressive.

The most heartbreaking thing about Sherlock Jr. is that it was not initially received well and was a box office failure. HOW???