At The Movies

Oz, the Great and Powerful Runtime: 75 min Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Franchise: Wizard of Oz Franchise Position: 2 A silent fantasy film inspired by L. Frank Baum’s Oz series, following a young magician who is transported to the Land of Oz, where he faces magical challenges and discovers his own abilities. Ratings: My Rating: 6.8 The Dove Foundation: NR IMDb: 6.5 Rotten Tomatoes: N/A Metacritic: N/A Plot Summary: A magician is carried to the magical land of Oz, where he encounters witches, fantastical creatures, and magical obstacles. Through cleverness, courage, and resourcefulness, he works to restore peace and order in Oz while learning about responsibility and self-reliance. Critics Review: As a silent-era film, critics value it primarily for its historical importance and early special effects. While some storytelling elements are simplistic, it was innovative for its time and contributed to the enduring popularity of the Oz universe. Christian Perspective: The film illustrates C...

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Runtime: 14 min Studio: Thanhouser Film Corporation Franchise: Wizard of Oz Franchise Position: 1 Based on: Book A silent short film adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic tale, following Dorothy as she is transported to the Land of Oz and begins her journey to meet the Wizard, encountering magical friends and obstacles along the way. Ratings: My Rating: 6.5 The Dove Foundation: NR IMDb: 5.8 Rotten Tomatoes: N/A Metacritic: N/A Plot Summary: Dorothy is carried by a cyclone to the magical land of Oz. In this brief silent adaptation, she meets the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, and sets out to find the Wizard to help her return home. Despite its short runtime, the film captures the essence of Baum’s story with visual storytelling and early cinematic techniques. Critics Review: As an early silent film, it is recognized for its historical significance rather than cinematic quality. Critics note the creativity in visual effects for the time and its importan...

The Birth of a Nation Runtime: 193 minutes Studio: David W. Griffith Corp. Country of Origin: United States Franchise: Standalone Franchise Position: N/A A silent epic drama depicting the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, following two families—one Northern, one Southern—through love, conflict, and social upheaval. Ratings: My Rating: 5.8/10 The Dove Foundation: PG IMDb: 6.9/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 72% critics, 55% audience Metacritic: Not available Plot Summary: The film tells the story of the Stonemans of the North and the Camerons of the South before, during, and after the Civil War. It dramatizes the war’s impact on families and society, showing battles, homefront struggles, and the Reconstruction era. The film is notable for pioneering cinematic techniques, including cross-cutting, close-ups, and large-scale battle sequences. Controversial Content: Racist Portrayals: The film glorifies the Ku Klux Klan and portrays African Americans in demeaning, stereotypical ways. Historica...

VIDEO: Steam Trek: The Moving Picture Runtime: 12 minutes  Studio: ad hoc film soc. Country of Origin: [Not specified] Franchise: Standalone Franchise Position: N/A A steampunk silent-film parody of Star Trek, transforming the classic spacefaring adventure into a Victorian-era, steam-powered spectacle. Plot Summary: Steam Trek reimagines Star Trek as a silent, black-and-white steampunk adventure. Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy, and the crew embark on a mission aboard a steam-powered “Enterprise,” navigating mechanical contraptions, boiler-powered engines, and whimsical steampunk technology. They encounter alien challenges, solve problems with Victorian ingenuity, and face humorous predicaments that mirror iconic Trek episodes—all presented with exaggerated silent-film style and title cards in place of dialogue. The complete version now available on YouTube restores the full parody, celebrating both the Star Trek universe and the charm of early cinematic storytelling. Criti...

The Shadow Runtime: 60 minutes Studio: Ideal Pictures Franchise: N/A Franchise Position: N/A Ratings: My Rating: 7.0 The Dove Foundation: N/A IMDb: 7.2 Rotten Tomatoes: N/A Metacritic: N/A Plot Summary: In this early silent adaptation, The Shadow confronts a criminal mastermind plotting a series of robberies and abductions. Using his powers of invisibility and intellect, The Shadow works from the shadows to outwit the villains and protect the innocent, establishing the template for his later heroic persona. Critics Review: The film was noted for its inventive visual techniques for invisibility and suspense, though limited by early sound and silent film constraints. Critics praised the clever portrayal of The Shadow’s dual identity but noted some narrative gaps due to the short runtime and silent format. Christian Perspective: The story emphasizes justice, the protection of the innocent, and moral responsibility, reflecting the timeless value of using one’s abilities to defend others fr...

Silent Movie Runtime: 83 minutes Rating: PG Release Date: July 15, 1976 Studio: Paramount Pictures Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 5 Run time in minutes: 83 Tagline: The funniest silent movie ever made. Ratings My rating: 6.5 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 6.3 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 75% Metacritic rating: 41% Plot Summary A mostly silent comedy about filmmakers trying to save their studio by making a silent movie. Full of slapstick and visual gags paying homage to early cinema. Critics Review Mixed at release but now appreciated for nostalgia and inventive visual comedy. Christian Perspective Clean humor with little objectionable content. Lighthearted and family-friendly. Family Friendliness Rated PG; suitable for families and children who enjoy slapstick.