Friday Night at the Movies | Faculty Commons

The purpose of Friday Night at the Movies is to provide an opportunity for students to be exposed in a thought-provoking way to the big questions about life and to engage in discussion of these questions.

Carefully-selected movies that clearly frame these big questions are used to launch the discussions. The objective is to help students question whether their personal weltanschauung or worldview, if it leaves no place for God, is ultimately rational or personally satisfying.

For two or three evenings each semester I invite my students to an open house and a “Friday Night at the Movies.” Usually at least 50% of my students come for one of the three nights. Students often come each time, once they see how interesting and rewarding it can be to discuss the “big questions” about life.

The discussion following the movies usually lasts 30-60 minutes and is always done in a very cordial way. No one is forced to land on any conclusions. This high-quality food for thought is provided in abundance, not only by us but also by the students themselves. For many of them, this is their first real opportunity to have a serious intellectual discussion in college.

General Format:

We normally schedule our event from 5:30pm – 8:30 pm, to avoid conflict with other plans the students may have for later in the evening.

We include pizza (approximately two slices per student, not an all-they-can-eat), beverages, and popcorn. We serve the pizza immediately and get the movie started, letting the students eat while they watch the movie.

We always pose three questions before the movie starts to help the students not just enjoy the movie but also to think more carefully about the message of the movie. The questions that work for most movies are as follows:

1. What is the primary question that the movie raises?

2. What answer to this question does the movie give?

3. Do you agree or disagree and why?

Careful selection of the movie will allow one to easily have a very exciting discussion of the big issues of life.

Details of Strategy:

I recommend that you get students to sign up, indicating their intention to come to the program ahead of time so that you can prepare the right amount of food. It will also avoid loss of attendance by last minute distractions. Most students who sign up on a pad that is circulated around the class will show up.
Be sure to make it clear to the students that their attendance (or non-attendance) at this event will not in any way affect their semester grade. I also emphasize that we will not be discussing any classroom related subject matter during the evening; this is not an extra help session.
When I invite my students, I normally say something like this:

“The university was once the place where the consideration of ‘big questions’ and the search for universal principles about life was central to the mission. In our modern specialization at the university, most faculty and students look only at their little piece of the mosaic and not the bigger picture.

“We should call ourselves Texas A&M Particulars, since we almost never talk about universals. In my own small way, I want to try to remedy this situation. To do this, I want to invite you over to see a movie that will frame a thought-provoking question about life, and following the movie we shall enjoy a very stimulating discussion about the issue or question raised by the movie.”

We have learned through experience that it is best not to tell the students ahead of time what movie you have selected. Let this be an element of surprise for the evening. I tell them that the movie will be one that is technically well done and both entertaining and thought-provoking, trust me. I also offer a “money back guarantee.”
We usually allow the students to bring one guest if they like. This is usually either a roommate or regular date that they have. We consider it a plus that the person with whom they are most likely to discuss the ideas from the evening can come be a part of the evening.
During the discussion, we try to not be too directive. We also try not to tip our hand at the beginning of the discussion, potentially squelching the discussion. However, we do review the movie carefully ahead of time and have good answers of our own to include beyond the three general questions mentioned above.
My favorite movie to begin “Friday Night at the Movies” each semester is Crimes and Misdemeanors by Woody Allen. It very clearly frames the question, “If there is not a God, can there be moral structure to the universe?” A debate in the middle of the movie sets up the opportunity during your discussion to also consider whether the choices about belief in God are just (1) rationalism leading to atheism or (2) blind faith.
Additional movies we have used successfully include:

Les Miserables

CitizenKane

OutofAfrica

TheMission

Other movies that might be interesting include Contact, The Truman Show, The Matrix, and Fighting Temptations.

There are many other movies that clearly argue for good values. However, if I have only one or two evenings to visit with my students, addressing their moral dilemmas is not my top priority. Also, don’t limit your choices to movies that give the “right answer.” Crimes and Misdemeanors does not. I prefer a movie that gives the wrong answer but frames the question in a thought- provoking way to one that gives the right answer in a very dull or preachy story line.
A sample invitation that I might pass around (not pass out, forcing students to take one whether they are interested or not) is provided below. I would pass a stack of such invitations around after making my verbal invitation.  We have received some wonderful responses from students who have attended our “Friday Night at the Movies.”
Here are some excerpts:
“ I would like to thank you and your wife for opening up your house and allowing your students to enjoy an evening of hospitality and fellowship. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it does my heart good to know that there are a few professors who really do care more about my education and the values they are passing along than just their research. I just wanted to let you know that you have truly been an inspiration to me this semester.”  
“I’ve had tremendous respect for you since the first day of class when you presented your mission statement and goals.”
“You will be someone I will remember many years from now when I reflect on my education and my ‘other education’ here at Texas A&M University.”
A note after the student received his Ph.D.: “I always point to the group discussion at your house (after watching Crimes and Misdemeanors), and the letter you sent me while I was in the German hospital as turning points in my life. Those things that you did, I hope to emulate when I am a professor.”

Walter Bradley retired recently as a distinguished professor of engineering at Baylor University. He was previously a professor of mechanical engineering at Texas A&M University for 25 years, including 10 years as department chair.