The first thing you need to know about the last two movies of the year is that they’re pretty short. So they won’t take up too much of your valuable partying/studying time. The second thing is that they’re awesome. Third: They both contain cautionary tales for those of you who are graduating. 1) Don’t go to Europe—you’ll be kidnapped and forced into prostitution, which is only awesome if your dad is an ass-kicking ex-spy. 2) Don’t sleep with people and then try to marry their children—it won’t make you any happier than a job in plastics.
It’s been a great year, and you might be wondering, “Can they do it again?” Answer: “What makes you think we haven’t already?” The calendar for next semester has been pretty much picked out, though not confirmed, and without breaking my vow of silence, I can assure you that we hope to have you boogying all night long on a glorious path to die-ing hard. Plus, midnight movies will be making an overdue comeback next year, and who knows what kind of fictional pulp we’ll get into on the graveyard shift?
But I’m getting ahead of myself, because it’s not goodbye just yet! We’ve got the most exciting event of the year coming up, the premiere of the Film Studies Senior Thesis films! Come see the Class of 2010’s raw visions at their pink and bloody best on both 16mm and digital film next weekend.
Finally, I’d like to wave a tearful goodbye to our graduating film board members, Ethan Berger, Zoe Beyer, Pete Binswanger, Maegan Houang, and David Kongstvedt. We’ll miss you guys.
TAKEN
Although we don’t like to admit it, the Film Board does make mistakes every once in while. But like the Pope always tells me, “Repent and ye shall be saved!” If you were devastated when we didn’t play this one after its release, rejoice, for we have seen the light. And that part where Liam Neeson shoots a dude with the dude’s own gun through a door on a yacht. Since its release, however, TAKEN has gotten a lot of attention for more than just its imaginative eliminations. Compelling characters and a gripping script by French veteran Luc Besson have won the film a cult following. If you’re looking for a bang to start your weekend off with, I can’t think of a better way.
THE GRADUATE
Songs written for the film by Simon & Garfunkel. Dustin Hoffman’s first film role. Mike Nichols’s Oscar-winning sophomore directing attempt. One of the best-known endings in movie history (WAYNE’S WORLD 2, anyone?). And, oh, yeah, it’s fucking THE GRADUATE. Honestly, if you don’t already know why you should come and see this classic, that’s a pretty good sign that you should come and see this classic. Say goodbye or BRB to the Film Series with one of the most iconic films of the 1960s, and find out why Jesus loves Mrs. Robinson more than she will know.
P.S. We’re always looking for more suggestions, so if you see any awesome movies this summer that you think we should check out for next year, let us know, at wesleyanfilmseries@gmail.com.
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