Do you ever read one of Cadenza’s stellar movie reviews, sprint over to your local theater for the next showing, only to find that you don’t have any money? No? Well, why not? Movies are fantastic, especially when observed in their natural habitat, the darkened theater. Sure, ticket prices have gotten ridiculous in recent years and the ease and convenience of DVDs are tempting, but come on people. Movies are meant to be seen on the big screen in 35 mm prints backed by booming soundtracks while sitting among the unwashed masses.
I understand that it can be tough to spend upwards of eight dollars for a ticket to a movie you haven’t seen yet (I mean, if for some reason you are unable to read the informative and entertaining reviews Cadenza puts out). But what about the classics? Movies you know are not just good, but life-altering. Sure, you can watch your HD-DVD copy of “Casablanca” on your 46 inch plasma widescreen TV, but if you do, everyone will think you’re an idiot for buying an HD-DVD player and a jerk for bringing a giant TV to college. So don’t do that. Get out of your dorm room and watch “Casablanca” on the big screen with fellow students who share your love of classic film.
When, where and how can you possibly accomplish seeing “Casablanca” or even other movies for free with the convenience of never leaving campus? Sneak into a film class. They are constantly holding screenings in Brown 100 for students who have “signed up for the class” and are “getting credit.” Why not enjoy such classics of cinema as “The Apartment” or “Night of the Living Dead” on the big screen without ever having to write a paper about it? As for when these screenings are, well, that’s where Cadenza comes in. Now that we run three times a week, every week, Cadenza will be able to update you on all the free movie screenings coming up on campus, and maybe even throw you some advice on which ones aren’t to be missed.
We at Student Life understand and appreciate that being a poor film fan while in college can be frustrating. We also understand that being a poor filmmaker while in college can be even excruciating. But Cadenza has love for you all as well. In fact, we suggest that both fans and artists alike make their way to Steinberg Auditorium this Thursday because at 7 p.m. the Department of Film and Media Studies is sponsoring a screening of the 2007 Student Academy Award winners. The program consists of six short films made by college students from around the world that excel in the areas of narrative, documentary and animated filmmaking.
Below is our inaugural Free Movie Calendar, consisting of all the sweetest free movie events on campus this week. Know about a movie event going down that hasn’t made it onto this list? Well, show up and enjoy it, but also drop us a line at cadenza@studlife.com so we can help all the socially awkward kids to get there. We’re all in this together folks; let’s enjoy the campus while we can.
“Casablanca”
Wednesday 1/30
4 p.m.
Brown 100
Do you really need any more info than that? One of the greatest movies of all time in gorgeous 35mm. Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart and even some sweet Peter Lorre action! What more can you say about Michael Curtiz’s wartime classic? Experience this amazing picture for yourself and see what it means when old folks say they don’t make ’em like they used to.
“Transport from Paradise”
Wedneday 1/30
7 p.m.
Brown 100
This Czech film from the 1962 is not exactly the most popular movie around, (it boasts only 26 votes on IMDB) but don’t let that deter you. That just means you can impress all your Werner Herzog loving hipster friends by referencing something even more European and obscure. The story, about a Nazi concentration camp where the lax guards allow the Jewish prisoners to do what they please, is certainly a unique one and is supposedly based on a true story. If you actually want to expand your worldview you won’t miss it.
Student Academy Award Winners Program
Thursday 1/31
7 p.m.
Steinberg Auditorium
See some of the best student films from around the world. A character from a painting explores her museum, a robot tries to stay alive, a TV reporter witnesses a hit and run, a group of developmentally disabled artists find a voice, a man begins to see himself as a work of art and a 10-year-old boy loses his father at sea. Now maybe all of those don’t appeal to you but one of them has to. Support student filmmakers from other schools by seeing their work for free.