By: Belle Martinelli
Love is in the air as students and their friends flock to the Stood for Purchase Movie Club’s Valentine’s Day screening. They breeze in, laughing with their friends, carrying blankets to cozy up with and snacks to munch on, ready to enjoy the 1999 cult classic “10 Things I Hate About You.” The Barenaked Ladies count the crowd in with their song “One Week” as the opening credits roll over the Seattle skyline. Seconds later, the femme fatale herself, Kat Stratford, interrupts, blasting “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts from her own car stereo. Students settle in, ready for the next hour and a half to be packed full of teenage love, angst, and great music.
“10 Things I Hate about You” on the big screen in the Stood cinema room (photo via Allison Iacuzzo)
This Valentine’s Day special screening is not the only trick Purchase Movie Club has up its sleeve. Founded by Maverick Gazzillo, a senior cinema studies and film major, Movie Club was born from Gazzillo’s passion for film. He spent the better half of his junior year trying to
transition from friendly movie nights to official club status, in order to reach all film buffs on campus.
“It’s really nice,” says Gazzillo about the community within the club. “I really like people to come to them because it’s a good way to meet people and make friends, and you can always have some fun with it.”
Founder and President Maverick Gazzillo at the fall 2023 Club Fair (Photo by: Belle Martinelli)
Sophomore Liam O’Dell has been treasurer of Movie Club since his second semester of freshman year. Essentially, he acts as a figurehead so the club can be officially recognized by the school, but even before then, he and his friends loved going to Gazzillo’s movie nights. “There have been times where I feel I’ve been important to the foundation of the club, like when I represented us in the meeting that made us into an official club while Maverick was in class,” he says. O’Dell describes Movie Club as a fun and welcoming environment, where you can meet people from all different backgrounds, and he praises Gazzillo for pioneering this environment.
O'Dell said, “Maverick is very friendly and always tries his best to make sure everyone feels included and gets a say in what’s picked to watched!”
Movie selections are made based on a free poll open to all members (and potential members) to make sure everyone's voice is heard.
Sophomore Allison Iacuzzo has attended a few screenings and really enjoyed the “10 Things I Hate About You” showing. “Everyone was laughing and making funny comments and it made it more fun!” she says. She is already planning on returning for future screenings, “If they pick good movies!”
Although the club has a group of five to 10 regulars, according to Gazzillo, attendance can vary based on students’ availability and the movie selection. Last semester’s Halloween screening of “Scream” had a crowd of 40, and Valentine’s Day this year brought in 20 students.
Senior Ray Ugalde, who has attended a couple screenings with his friends, says, “It’s always a good vibe, judgment free, and Maverick comes in clutch with snacks and drinks!”
Movie Club’s next screening is a childhood favorite, “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie,” on Wednesday, March 13 at 8:30 p.m. in the cinema room of the Stood. Snacks will be provided.
Movie Club also holds screenings on other Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. in the cinema room of the Stood.
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