Every term, the Dartmouth Film Society picks a theme for the Film Series which unifies the approximately 30 films shown.
Usually there are a few films that would fit the series perfectly, but do not make the cut.
The major reason is the "Four Year Rule" which prevents any film from being shown more than once in four years, thereby ensuring that students can see as many different films as possible during their time at Dartmouth.
This series, entitled "I Coulda Been a Contender!" from the classic Marlon Brando line in "On the Waterfront" (shown in this series), is a collection of the films that would have fit perfectly into past series, but for whatever reason, were not available.
The premise of the series is a little shaky, and essentially seems like an excuse for DFS to put in whatever unrelated films it feels like. But who cares, because this series looks to be one of the best in recent memory.
The series has an excellent selection of recent releases, including three of last years nominations for Best Picture: "Shakespeare in Love", "Saving Private Ryan", and "The Thin Red Line".
In addition, there's the visually stunning "Matrix", which this spring, breathed new life into the sci-fi/action genre as well as Keanu Reeves' career.
There's also the "Truman Show" and "A Simple Plan", both widely regarded as two of the best films of last year.
And don't miss "Central Station", a simple, but heartrending Brazilian movie that features a wonderful performance by the Oscar nominated Fernanda Montenegro, and "Rushmore," a hilarious comedy starring Bill Murray that many said was the funniest movie of last year.
The series is also incredibly strong in the classics department. For musical fans, be sure to catch "An American in Paris", starring the dazzling Gene Kelly with songs by George and Ira Gershwin. "On the Waterfront", one of the all time classics of American cinema, follows Marlon Brando as an ex-boxer who finds the courage to stand up against tyrannical union bosses.
And definitely do not miss "The General", Buster Keaton's masterpiece that will feature a live piano accompaniment by Bob Merrill. Merrill's silent film accompaniments are always one of the highlights of the series.
Also be sure to see "His Girl Friday" and "Bringing Up Baby", both starring Cary Grant, who teams up with Rosalind Russell and Katherine Hepburn respectively.
Both are delightfully hilarious comedies which display the sharp witty banter between the sexes and the pairing of male and female stars which unfortunately is rarely, if ever, seen today.
There are also two modern classics which are essentials in American cinema: "Jaws," which ushered in an age of blockbusters in cinema, and "Bonnie and Clyde," which ushered in an age of violence in cinema.
Film series usually tend to lag towards the end of the term, but "I Coulda Been a Contender!" stays consistently strong.
The later films in the series, which are often too obscure or eccentric to find a large audience, especially around finals time, provide a nice mix.
Along with the aforementioned "Bonnie and Clyde" and "A Simple Plan," there is "Cinema Paradiso" a film about the magic of movies which won an Oscar for best Foreign Film, as well as "The Professional" a high caliber thriller, featuring a very impressive screen debut by the then 12-year-old Natalie Portman.
And "The Farm: Angola, USA," the documentary of the series, is a shocking look at incarceration that won awards at Sundance.
The series ends strongly as usual with "Night of the Hunter" and "My Life as a Dog," a sensitive and truthful look into childhood.
