Finals Week '99: Day 2

That's two! I just returned from my second of three finals and feel like I met it with success. American Film History was a great class because it showed me exactly from where and how far film has come since the days of Edison's Black Maria. I was stunned mostly with three films in that class (although I can't say that any of the viewings were unpleasant): The General, It Happened One Night, and On the Waterfront. The first two are comedies that shattered what I presumed of early film's attempt at making people laugh. Buster Keaton's expressions and actions/stunts in The General are wildly funny to me and It Happened One Night is a shining first in the romantic comedy genre. I guess I just didn't truly believe that old movies could make me laugh (with then rather than at). On the Waterfront's stunning performances are a model to follow. Brando did amazing especially considering how young he was at the time but I was particularly impressed with Karl Malden as the priest. Both set themselves in those roles without a perceivable flaw. I guess my bottom line here is that there is no reason to pass up a primary viewing of a film no matter what its age. Giving it a chance and visiting it with an open mind might open up some incredible doors in the vast and youthful world of motion pictures.

Don't quite know what inspired all that. Nevertheless, two finals down, one and a bit of GEOS labs to go. From Hong Hall B18, this is Kevin Freitas reporting from Finals Week '99. Back to you...

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