“Peaches Peaches Peaches:” UTC Hosts Mario Movie Night

Students sit in Derthick Hall to watch Super Mario Bros. Movie for Screen on the Green. Friday, August 25, 2023.

One character in the “Super Mario Bros. Movie” captured a universal feeling-- one shared across campus last week.

Before leaving to save Luigi from Bowser’s fiery castle, Toad reassures Mario with, “our big adventure begins now!”

The end of Welcome Week started when hundreds of students pitched their blankets on Chamberlain Field Saturday night. A combined effort of campus organizations, this year’s Screen on the Green played “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.”

Students laid their blankets and lawn chairs on the grass, grabbed popcorn and candy to eat during the movie and settled into their spots. Around 8:30 p.m., the venue’s lights darkened and the movie’s start menu appeared on a blow-up screen.

UTC’s Student Success Programs, Housing and Residence Life and the Center of Student and Family Engagement arranged the event and voted on the movie, which they originally hoped to screen on Chamberlain Field; however, just as the projector powered on, thunder roared and lightning struck nearby.

Students rushed off the field and clustered into Derthick Hall, but event staff resolved to relocate the show, rather than canceling it. They pushed their equipment and the movie in room 201; meanwhile students settled under their blankets in the room’s auditorium-style seating.

Despite the new location, students, with their friends and roommates, remained excited to witness favorite video game characters spring to life.

“I can’t wait for Mario to win,” a student in the crowd exclaimed. “I want to see Mario Kart.”

Many students attended Screen on the Green looking for a distraction, but they left singing Bowser’s song “Peaches” and laughing at the cute, nihilistic blue star.

Student Trinity Anthony remarked, “I could definitely tell it was a kids movie...I thought the star thing was really funny.”

Students sang along to “Peaches” and danced along to iconic songs such as “Thunderstruck” by ACDC and “Mr. Blue Sky” by Electric Light Orchestra whether it was their first or second time watching the film.

Student Devon Gibson said, “I’ve seen it before…I thought it was just fun to see it again.”

After a whirlwind first week of stress and responsibilities, the outing proved a fun activity to attend with new friends. For instance, sophomore Liz Bright and freshman Jayden Gaddes watched the movie together after bonding in their Women and Gender Studies class last week.

Although Gaddes had already seen the movie, she happily shared it with her new friend.

“Eight out of ten,” Gaddes said. “[The Super Mario Bros. Movie] has a lot of very well-known artists but you can’t really tell…they changed up the voices.”

Many students, including Bright, felt intrigued by the movie’s animation style. They commented on the excellent visuals and effects.

Even though Screen on the Green didn’t go exactly as planned, Director of Student Success Programs Crystal Edenfield wanted students to enjoy a carefree night, reminiscent of childhood fun. Given that laughter and smiles filled the auditorium, she felt successful.

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