“Some of the movies we watch are like time capsules,” a member of the Classic Film Club said while describing the club.
Although there are various other movie-watching clubs at Carlmont, the Classic Film Club is unique. While the other clubs choose popular movies that have recently been in theaters, the Classic Film Club typically chooses older, less common movies.
Don’t be fooled by the name, though. The Classic Film Club watches all types of movies, depending on the content. The club introduces club members to movies that only a small population would know about.
“As the current president, I strive to expose people to and enthrall people with great works of cinema. By ‘classic films’ I don’t just mean old films. A film is only classic if it has the ability to stand the test of time,” said William Yonts, a senior and president of the club.
As described by Yonts, these classics stand the test of time by “pushing boundaries, setting trends, experimenting, and by being intelligently crafted.”
So far, this year the club has watched a few old movies such as Psycho and 12 Angry Men, less recent movies such as The Royal Tenenbaums, and Isle of Dogs, which came out this year. They also watch less popular short films such as World of Tomorrow.
The Isle of Dogs, which came out earlier this year, was reviewed as being elaborate and visually appealing by the New York Times.
These movies are for avid movie watchers who can truly appreciate the art of cinema.
“Our club is unique because it’s the only club on campus, at least to my knowledge, that takes cinema as seriously as we do. The club really cares about cinema, and I choose films that expand our appreciation for it,” Yonts said.
With many popular movies nowadays, most people have seen them, especially movie watchers. There are tons of old movies that most people have not seen, even if they are spectacular.
“There are a ton of great old movies that nobody knows about, and they have more variety to choose from,” said Emily Yonts, a sophomore who helps run the club. “There is a lack of access to old movies rather than new ones.”
After the club finishes a movie, they talk about the plot, character, visuals, and other aspects. They also share their feelings on the movie as a whole. This is another reason why this club stands out against the others.
All members of the club appreciate the art of film and filmmaking.
“It’s a fun environment. You know that everyone there appreciates great movies. It’s a place for people with the common interest appreciation for film,” William Yonts said.