Movies No More-Extra Credit

   Filmmaker Pankaj Rishi Kumar presents a personal nostalgic documentary that shows how cinema has affected people in the small town of Kalpi, India. Kumar Talkies was a cinema hall started up by Pankaj's father and his friend. After his father died, Pankaj made a documentary interviewing people and family within the small town. Most of the questions involved the past theaters that use to be around and how Kumar Talkies was the only one in town since the rest closed. After the film, he answered questions from the audience. Kumar Talkies has been closed since 2005, and there are no longer any cinema halls within the town. 

   I thought the film was put together very well. There were some parts he could've edit out such as this one scene where he tells the driver to back up and drive slower so he could get a better shot of a building. The main reason people went to Kumar Talkies was because it was cheap and there was nothing else to do besides work and eat. They were willing to put up with the many interruptions such as entire reels missing or only half of the movies being presented for one day. I was surprised they would put up with the problems and instead of staying home and watch TV instead. I felt bad for the Pankaj when he was interviewing family. His mother would recall when the theater was at its prime, his uncle would say that he only helped run it because it was nice property, and his siblings left town to find work. It seems that he and his father were the only ones to be truly invested in the theater. Before I wasn’t attached to the town, but now I hope there will be another theater opening up in Kalpi. 

Rising From the Ashes

 After submitting my deposit and the rest of the paperwork to live in the dorms at UMBC, my mother and I were looking forward to returning home. I still can't believe what I saw that day. I have lived in the same house for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I would play on the field and now I am just standing there with my brother. Seeing my house on fire and seeing the damage that was done inside was hard to bear. Living in a hotel for 7 months, my family often fought over bills, the insurance company, and many small things. Some of us gave into the dark moments for a while.

  Thankfully, over the summer I found out who were the people that I should trust. My senior class raised some money for my family and I. Cousins that I haven't seen in a while offered to take us places so that we wouldn't be stuck in a hotel. I didn't go to school that first week and my closest friend got upset with me. The last time I saw her was on graduation and she never replied back. She got upset that I couldn't help out on the final project and she refused to talk to me throughout that whole summer. I couldn’t believe that someone I trusted with my pain and secrets would just leave without any explanation. I was so confused. That fire may have broken down my family for a while, but we overcame it. I'm thankful for that fire because now I know all the people who truly care for me.

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Point: There is always a silver lining.

Mathematics and Humanities-Outside Cultural Event Nov. 26

 "The Mathematics of Being Human," is about two professors who are forced to create an interdisciplinary course in order to keep tenure. Mike Pearson, an mathematics professor, is adamant in showing that he does not support this but Naomi Kessler, an English professor, sees this as a fun opportunity. We are then introduced to two freshmen: Burt is the stereotypical comedic character who is always quick to make jokes and Sandra is a girl who honestly tries to learn the material. Throughout the play the professors bicker in front of the students, Burt cracks jokes, and Sandra either makes interesting insights. Burt and Sandra do their final presentation that consists of a play that incorporates literally everything from the class. In the end, Sandra decides to apply for some advance math courses and Burt, who was only taking the class because it was require for his scholarship, decides that although he still doesn't like math, he does appreciate it more. Pearson has started enjoying English literature. Kessler also learns from the experience by stating that although it was rough, she never felt so passionate about defending what she believed in and would gladly do it again. 

    I kind of enjoyed the play. I noticed President Harbowski and a few other professors in the audience that were laughing so I know I wasn't the only who enjoyed it. It was funny, but sometimes Burt and Sandra felt over-the-top. Pearson and Kessler felt like real people because they were actual professors. Some of the math material that was presented were things that I've already learned and I felt like I would've gained more from the experience of the play if I at least read one of the five readings that were presented.

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