Professor Elam

thursday Jan 25, 2012

Second Saturdays at TAMUSA are our free film festival. February is my turn. If I had my way, and in this instance I do, every student would be required to view and write his or her impressions about this film. 

This is not To Sir With Love. More like, having Darth Vader for the Dark Arts course at Hogwarts. John Houseman plays Professor Kingsvfield, advisor to Presidents and the Supreme Court and recognized authority on his topic-Contract Law. 

Timothy Bottoms plays the ubiquitous freshman law student Hart. Kingsfield's class transforms Hart. As he remarks in the most important scene in the film 

It's only Octoer, and already half the class has given up. 

Yep the gang is  all here as the students form a study group and outline their share of hte assignments. The obsessive dismissive know it all with his 800 page outline, the thoughtful student, the up against a force he can't handle student, and the rest of the rabble, not really up for the contest. No doubt you will recognize some of your former class mates portrayed in the film. Times change, students don't. 

Previous students tell me they insisted their teenagers watch this film with them, bring them along, it's not too early to set life goals. 

I will have some history on the film, movies about teachers, and why this is One of the Essentials. 

See you Second Saturday at 6 PM. A quiz grade for those that post a good review and refllection on the BB Discussion Site.