Get money's worth with free ARHS movies at HUB

By KATHRYN GRAHAM
Collegian Staff Writer

As Sandra Bullock engages in a heated conversation with Aidan Quinn, a microphone leers extremely close to the top of Bullock's head. As the microphone moves near Bullock's brunette locks, it quickly jerks back up.

This scene from the 1998 movie Practical Magic ended up on the cutting room floor instead of in the film's national release, but students get to see these types of scenes each week at the Association of Residence Hall Students Cinemas.

Each week, ARHS sponsors movies during HUB Late Night. Some recent ARHS movies include Urban Legend and Halloween: H20.

Although these movies are fairly new, ARHS buys all of the films for a relatively low cost from second-run production companies.

"Each movie is about $800, basically due to licensing," said Ryan Broadwater (senior-political science), vice president of ARHS. The $800 comes from the Student Activity Fee. Other student groups, such as the Student Union Board, sponsor free movies on campus.

Before ARHS works out deals with its suppliers, the second-run producers have to obtain the actual film reels from major studios such as Paramount and Twentieth Century Fox. The movies tend to be unedited versions, explaining the visible microphones.

"It's distracting, but it's not enough to detract from going to the movies," Jessica Hartnett (sophomore-psychology) said. "Giggles would go through the audience during the first couple of times of seeing the microphones, but then you just get used to it."

Though the microphones might be noticeable, the movies have other qualities making them popular.

First of all, the movies are new. They're out of the theaters but have yet to make it to video.

Secondly, they're free.

"As a college student, I miss the movies in the theater either due to time constraints or wallet constraints," Laura Devitt (sophomore-mechanical engineering) said.

The convenience of ARHS Cinemas also is attractive.

"Some days, you don't want to bother with getting dressed up and just want to see a movie with your friends," Hartnett said.