Ever wish you could share an old movie you absolutely love with your friends, but not have the right setting to do so? Film Club Throwback Thursdays are for you!
“Cinema, as a medium, is over 100 years old and everyday manifests in new and exciting forms. How better to appreciate Taylor Swift’s Eras than by watching Spice World? How better to understand the latest A24 film then by reexamining Donnie Darko?” said cinema studies and public speaking teacher, Mr. John Moss.
So far, film club has featured movies like The Princess Bride, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Thing, Spice World, Donnie Darko, My Science Project, Small Soldiers, and most recently Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
“We watched Donnie Darko last week and I sure do love Donnie Darko!” said senior Max Estep. “It made me extremely happy to get to share that movie with people.”
When it comes to outside of school schedules, a lot of students might find it difficult to find time to meet up with friends to go do something as simple as watch a movie. With the benefit of having Throwback Thursday, students have the opportunity to meet in Moss’s room to watch an old movie during after school hours.
“We live in a world where, for better or for worse, you can watch the latest big budget action spectacle on your phone riding the bus,” said Moss. “Throwback Thursday provides an opportunity for students to share in the communal fellowship of watching a movie together. To hear when someone else laughs at a joke or gasps in terror. To share in that emotional journey together.”
Even newcomers feel welcomed.
“My favorite aspect of Throwback Thursday was the extremely welcoming atmosphere. I was nervous that it would be awkward showing up for the first time, but Mr. Moss and the rest of the film club were extremely nice and welcoming,” said senior Nassir Foster.
Take in a physical copy of any (school appropriate) movie over 15 years old and Moss can play it on a Thursday afternoon.
“I am always amazed by the sheer diversity of films. So far, we have watched John Carpenter’s The Thing and Small Soldiers. We’ve watched The Princess Bride and the ‘no-budget’ horror film Feeders,” said Moss. “After every film we have a group discussion, and the level of engagement is always surprising.”
This club means a lot to students. Coming in on Thursdays means you’ll most likely see a bunch of familiar faces from Thursdays before.
“I think it’s important for students to experience films that may be older than them because that’s the majority of films nowadays,” said Estep.
