2008 Woodie Awards
Actions speak louder than words at Buster Keaton film series
By: Matthew Freundlich
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: Lifestyle
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Man's bewilderment with nature is the main subject of meditation here, and it eventually explodes when the entire band of cattle invade a city where the scared-shitless city folk wreak more havoc than the cows. As Buster scatters to save his boss's ranch and bring the physical world back to order, he trades his cowboy threads for a devil costume, leading a chase that reaches a higher level of chaos following the rip roaring Roman candle battle that capped his previous film.
Breezy and without dead time, "Go West" is remarkable for its concealed precision. What may simply appear like a junk drawer of sight gags is, in fact, very deliberate. Every bit of humor foreshadows, preparing Buster to bring peace to an anarchic world so he may finally feel at home.
Accompanying these astounding silent films and the rest of Kompletely Keaton is an impressive variety of live musicians, whose performances will compliment his sense of rhythm that enters in sway and gradually builds to breathless speed.
Local jazz group The Carol Beth Trio will make music to "The Navigator," while accomplished soundtrack artists The Rats and People Motion Picture Orchestra will melodicize "Go West" with horns, accordion, percussion, and strings. Within the theater's comfy confines, both acts will bring an intimacy that not even the loudest, most jarring digital surround sound system is capable.
The "Kompletely Keaton" series continues at the Webster University Film Series at 8 p.m. Oct. 4 through Oct. 7 in the Winifred Moore Auditorium. "The Navigator" screens Oct. 5. "Go West" plays Oct. 6.
'Kompletely Keaton' Itinerary
•Oct. 4: "Battling Butler"
•Oct. 5: "The Navigator"
•Oct. 6: "Go West"
•Oct. 7: "Seven Chances"
•Oct. 11: "College"
•Oct. 12: "Steamboat Bill Jr."
•Oct. 13: "The Cameraman"
•Oct. 14: "The General"
Breezy and without dead time, "Go West" is remarkable for its concealed precision. What may simply appear like a junk drawer of sight gags is, in fact, very deliberate. Every bit of humor foreshadows, preparing Buster to bring peace to an anarchic world so he may finally feel at home.
Accompanying these astounding silent films and the rest of Kompletely Keaton is an impressive variety of live musicians, whose performances will compliment his sense of rhythm that enters in sway and gradually builds to breathless speed.
Local jazz group The Carol Beth Trio will make music to "The Navigator," while accomplished soundtrack artists The Rats and People Motion Picture Orchestra will melodicize "Go West" with horns, accordion, percussion, and strings. Within the theater's comfy confines, both acts will bring an intimacy that not even the loudest, most jarring digital surround sound system is capable.
The "Kompletely Keaton" series continues at the Webster University Film Series at 8 p.m. Oct. 4 through Oct. 7 in the Winifred Moore Auditorium. "The Navigator" screens Oct. 5. "Go West" plays Oct. 6.
'Kompletely Keaton' Itinerary
•Oct. 4: "Battling Butler"
•Oct. 5: "The Navigator"
•Oct. 6: "Go West"
•Oct. 7: "Seven Chances"
•Oct. 11: "College"
•Oct. 12: "Steamboat Bill Jr."
•Oct. 13: "The Cameraman"
•Oct. 14: "The General"
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