I hate depressing movies...

[NoHall]

Dead Poets Society.

For an end-of school treat, I rented it to show to my drama class tomorrow and Monday (we don't have class this Friday.) Most of them have never seen it, believe it or not. (Some of them actually think it is banned at our school! )

I'm watching it tonight because I haven't seen it in a while and couldn't remember if I should be careful with parts of it...dang...it still upsets me!

 

[Rudyjohn]

Dead Poet's Society.

For an end-of school treat, I rented it to show to my drama class tomorrow and Monday (we don't have class this Friday.) Most of them have never seen it, believe it or not. (Some of them actually think it is banned at our school! )

I'm watching it tonight because I haven't seen it in a while and couldn't remember if I should be careful with parts of it...dang...it still upsets me!

I tried watching a little bit of it again a few years back and I had to turn it off. Just too sad. We've had 2 teen suicides just this year alone at my son's HS.

I'd be interested in hearing what your students think of this film.
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[NoHall]

I tried watching a little bit of it again a few years back and I had to turn it off. Just too sad. We've had 2 teen suicides just this year alone at my son's HS.

I'd be interested in hearing what your students think of this film.
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I am actually a little bit nervous about showing it because I have a student in that class (according to the student rumor mill) who has been on suicide watch a couple of times.

But I have emphasized to my anxiety-riddled boys that high school angst is a temporary condition, that high school is not the best time of their lives, that they will be through it for better or worse in just a few years. It's a good place to mention that suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems--I don't believe that the movie glorifies suicide, but shows it as a horrible waste of a good young man.

I also like the fact that the structure of the academy in the movie is much like what my kids live with every day. Kids rat on each other to save their own skins, and do so under the pressure of the school. But I loved how they showed Mr. Keating in the end--the boys knew that they had been dishonorable for the sake of the "honor code" and that Mr. Keating forgave them for it and understood. I would like my boys to end the year knowing that we want them to make good, honorable choices, but that we're still there for them if they stumble along the way. (Or that we might get fired. )

What do y'all think? Too risky?

 

[Rudyjohn]

I am actually a little bit nervous about showing it because I have a student in that class (according to the student rumor mill) who has been on suicide watch a couple of times.

But I have emphasized to my anxiety-riddled boys that high school angst is a temporary condition, that high school is not the best time of their lives, that they will be through it for better or worse in just a few years. It's a good place to mention that suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems--I don't believe that the movie glorifies suicide, but shows it as a horrible waste of a good young man.

I also like the fact that the structure of the academy in the movie is much like what my kids live with every day. Kids rat on each other to save their own skins, and do so under the pressure of the school. But I loved how they showed Mr. Keating in the end--the boys knew that they had been dishonorable for the sake of the "honor code" and that Mr. Keating forgave them for it and understood. I would like my boys to end the year knowing that we want them to make good, honorable choices, but that we're still there for them if they stumble along the way. (Or that we might get fired. )

What do y'all think? Too risky?

I agree with your statement above.

I think this is a very good choice of a movie to show them at the end of the year. It will hopefully provoke some conversation or at least some thoughts.
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[gardening1970]

Yes, this is the kind of movie you must make time to discuss afterward. Not something to show and just walk away. It is a very emotional movie and we all know that teenagers (I have 2) are emotional creatures. Could be a terrific opportunity to touch some lives in a positive way if handled responsibly. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Beach Boy]

My favorite depressing movie:

A Walk To Remember....................... When he gets in the car to go ask his father (physician) for help, I cry, even though I've seen it a thousand times!

 

[Miss Critter]

My Life was the biggest sobfest I've ever seen. Not really depressing, just sad and touching in a Terms of Endearment kinda way

You beat me to this one. I cried like a baby, and STILL get sad when I think about it all these years later.

Regarding hormones, I had my son nearly 15 years ago. When does the postpartum hormonal hell end? My husband would really like to know.

 

[NoHall]

I agree with your statement above.

I think this is a very good choice of a movie to show them at the end of the year. It will hopefully provoke some conversation or at least some thoughts.
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Yes, this is the kind of movie you must make time to discuss afterward. Not something to show and just walk away. It is a very emotional movie and we all know that teenagers (I have 2) are emotional creatures. Could be a terrific opportunity to touch some lives in a positive way if handled responsibly. Just my 2 cents.

We started it today, and I'm having to fast-forward through some of the non-essentials (like the party at the Danbury's and running through the woods at night) in order to have time to finish it. But I'm glad I'm showing it. We're actually discussing it a bit as we go.

Turns out that the only student in the class who has seen it is the one I was worried about, so all is well.

Meanwhile, my art classes are watching "Gladiator." We study a lot of Roman architecture, and some of the boys even went to Rome over spring break. But it's also cool because I have a degree in philosophy and get to talk to them a little bit about Marcus Aurelius.

 

[Rudyjohn]

We started it today, and I'm having to fast-forward through some of the non-essentials (like the party at the Danbury's and running through the woods at night) in order to have time to finish it. But I'm glad I'm showing it. We're actually discussing it a bit as we go.

Turns out that the only student in the class who has seen it is the one I was worried about, so all is well.

Meanwhile, my art classes are watching "Gladiator." We study a lot of Roman architecture, and some of the boys even went to Rome over spring break. But it's also cool because I have a degree in philosophy and get to talk to them a little bit about Marcus Aurelius.

And the Gladiator soundtrack is the best! Love Hans Zimmer's compositions.
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[NoHall]

And the Gladiator soundtrack is the best! Love Hans Zimmer's compositions.
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No kidding...I kept humming along...it was kind of annoying!