Use this pose for NEXT WEEK. Remember-5 hours of listening per week!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
About Me
- Anthony
- My name is Anthony Prato and I teach English as a Second Language at The City University of New York (http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/clip/) and Columbia University (http://ce.columbia.edu/node/295). I have been an ESL teacher for 6 years, and a teacher or trainer for 10 years.
24 comments:
TITLE:
American Beauty
LENGTH:
2 hours
SUMMARY:
This movie tells the story of Lester burnham. He is an ordinary man. He has a two family whom are his wife and daughter. His life is so routine and boring because he do not have good relationship with his wife and his daughter dislike his parents. Lester and Carolyn go to Jane`s school in order to see her dance. In there, Lester discoveries the overflowing sexuality of his 16-year-old daughter's best friend. Her name is Angela. Jane is pursued by Ricky, the mysterious boy next door who carries a video camera around with him at all times. She keeps company with him. Also, Lester likes him because Ricky offers him illegal smoke. One day, Lester quits his job and he has a time for himself. When Jane invites Angela, they quarrel each other so Angela is alone at living room. Then Lester confesses that he want her. He tries to have sex with her but he realizes something and then he is murdered.
REACTION:
When I rent this movie, officer told me it is a very good movie. I agreed. I think although Lester`s life was boring and he tried to be fault, he felt how to be happy.
NEW WORD/PHRASE:
flatter
-to compliment someone excessively or insincerely
weird
-supernatural
jerk off
-to masturbate
TITLE:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
LENGTH:
115 minutes
SUMMARY:
Charlie, warm-hearted ordinary boy, lives with his parents and grandparents in a humble house. He hears a news about a Golden Ticket. Five tickets are hidden inside Wonka Bar randomly, which is a chocolate bar produced by legendary Chocolatier Willy Wonka. His factory was closed to public, since spies was caught inside the organization. Therefore the ticket is the only entrance to the mysterious chocolate factory. A miraculous event happens. Charlie found the ticket. Five lucky children, including Charlie, enter the factory and meet unbelievable sight-dwarf called Oompa-Loompa working instead of workers, structures made out of sweets and machineries never seen before. Children other than Charlie disappears one by one due to their odd characteristics. Wonka suggests that Charlie work with him and leave his family. Charlie rejects this suggestion as he loves family above any other thing. After recognizing that Wonka has a painful memory concerning his family background, Charlie lead Wonka and his father to reconcile. In the end, Charlie and his all family are accepted into the chocolate factory and Wonka recovers good relationship with family.
REACTION:
It is one of my favorite film. Tim Burton's imagination is far beyond the people. Chocolate factory is described as a wondrous land, which is sufficient enough to temp all the viewers. Even bizarre-looking Willy Wonka seems lovely for sure.
NEW WORD/PHRASE:
Hue: A color, tint or shade
Despicable: Deserving contempt, mean
Lena Yasmina Sakaly
Title: real time with Bill Maher
Length: 1hr
Summary
Bill Maher is a political TV show host/comedian; he talks about politics and current events with humor and sarcasm.
He invites politicians, celebrities and influential journalists and they shared their opinions about the electoral campaign.
Reaction
I really like this show because he describes the republicans and other politicians with humor and also with a touch of sarcasm but it still is a serious show.
New words
Litany: a series of supplications
He is smoking hot: he is very popular, in
Counter punch: to punch back, a reply
Surge: an advance, increase
Lay out: to arrange according to a plan,
Lena Yasmina Sakaly
Title: black book
Length: 2hr 26min
Summary
Rachel stein is a beautiful Jewish hiding out in Holland from the Nazis. She tried to escape with her family towards Belgium but the Nazis kill them except her. She managed to take on a new identity and joined the resistance side. Those asked her to infiltrate the enemy. Unfortunately she felt in love with one of the Nazis officer. Working for both sides turned against her, but she finally succeeded
Reaction
This movie was dramatic and took place at the end of World War II.
This movie reminds me that sometimes destiny can be cruel especially when your entourage betrayed you. Furthermore, it takes time but everything has an end,
However, some scenes were very hard to watch
New words
Cozy up: to get close to, to get comfortable
Truce: a temporary cessation of hostilities
Scarf: a square piece of material worn around the neck or over a woman’s hair
Curfew: a signal for the extinction of fires at a fixed evening hour
Lena Yasmina Sakaly
Title: million dollars listings
Length: 1hr
Summary
It is the story of 3 real estates agents who live in California.
They are very young but successful. They make profit listing very expansive houses
This show follows them while they interact with clients and make deals
Reaction
I like this show because it describes craziness and superficiality of rich people. It is also helpful to know the real estate world, to know how to buy a house and avoid mistakes
New words
To get it twisted (slang): don’t get confused or mixed up
Escrow: house has sold already in real estate terms
TITLE:
Felon
LENGTH:
2 hours
SUMMARY: There was a man who lived with his sweetheart and a kid. They were going to get marry and everything were going to be happy, but one day, a thief came into his house, so the man killed the thief. when police started a criminal investigation, the theif didn't have anything what can kill someone. so the man arrested by the police and he went to the jail.
The judge sentenced a convict to 2 years in prison and he joined the maphia team for survive in jail, but his penalty was increasin because of a jailer. Finally, he called his sweetheart and she called to FBI, therefore he came back his home.
REACTION:
When I watched this movie I was driven to depair again and again cause of him, but finally, the movie showed me that justice is always win.
NEW WORD/PHRASE:
life imprisonment- the penalty what living in jail until you die
Lena Yasmina Sakaly
Title No reservations with Anthony Bourdain
Length 1hr
Summary
It was the best of because it was the last episode of the season. He showed the funniest moments of the show and also the most embarrassing.
Reaction
It was very funny as usual with a touch of sarcasm but I was sad because it was the last episode
New word
Hey “ buddy”(slang): friends
Breathtaking: so beautiful, tremendously extraordinary
Batch: a quantity of loaves or cakes produced at a single baking
TITLE:
300 (movie)
LENGTH:
127 min (2 hours)
SUMMARY:
It is a true story. It took place 480 BC. Xerxes the king of Persia wanted to include Sparta to his land. So he sent a messenger to Sparta’s king tilling him to surrender and give the keys of Sparta to his messenger. However, Sparta’s king was very angry of this request. So he killed the messenger and all who was with him except one because he wanted some to till Xerxes what happened. When Xerxes knew about it, he gathered a one-million army to attack Sparta. Sparta’s king gathered the bravest 300 soldiers in Sparta and they went for a battle of death. The 300 soldiers hide between two huge mountains so the Persian army can’t go around them. It was very smart idea and it worked. For four days the Persian army couldn’t kill any of Sparta’s soldiers because they were very strong. Also, many of the Persian soldiers were slaves. So they were not really soldiers. However, the king of Persia was very angry because for four days he didn’t achieve anything, he just lost a lot of soldiers. So he stopped the war and he asked for the king of Sparta to meet him personally to make a deal. The deal was to give Xerxes the key of Sparta and become under his command. Also, the king of Sparta will be given a lot of money and Sparta will be very rich. BUT Xerxes told Sparta’s king should bow to him. At that moment Sparta’s king took his sword and throw at Xerxes. Unfortunately, he didn’t die and he ordered a full attack at the 300 soldiers. At the end all of the 300 died in the battle.
REACTION:
It was very good movie I enjoyed it. The movie is a true story. This is why I wanted to see it. I read about the story and I think this was not the end. I think after that, Sparta’s army went after their king but they arrived after he died. They fought Xeroxes’ army and they did beat him and saved Sparta.
NEW WORD/PHRASE:
Madness: it means crazy.
Strategy: the way of doing something.
TITLE:
The perfect escape
LENGTH:
2 hours
SUMMARY:
The movie is about a man accused with a murder. All the evidences showed him guilty. He was actually not guilty. He went to jail with 25 years in prison. He didn’t give up. He made a smart plan. He had a picture in his cell. So he decided to dig a hole using a spoon. At night he removes the picture and he starts digging. At day, he covered the hole with the picture. After six months of digging, he reached the end of the wall. He decided to escape at night. And so it was. At night when all the guards left, he went through the wall and got out of the prison. He went to a friend that knows that he was not guilty and used his boat to travel to Indonesia. He found freedom there.
REACTION:
Actually I didn’t enjoy the movie. I only watched it to have something to write in the blog.
NEW WORD/PHRASE:
Dude: friend or man.
To sum up: to say shortly.
Title: perfume; the story of murder (2006)
Length: 147 min
Summary: Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, orphaned as a newborn in the streets of Paris, is alone in the world. A Grenouille is alienated from others but blessed with a remarkable gift. His sense of smell is so refined, so he can discriminate all of smell. Unfortunately, it's tragic when he's sold into slave to a tannery and surrounded by the foul odors that accompany his labor. But when Grenouille does an errand in town and discovers the object that will transform his life: perfume. Eager to learn the art of creating sophisticated fragrance, he is changed to be a best perfumer. He wants to make a perfect perfume. When he discovers the most intoxicating scent he has ever experienced - the natural fragrance of a beautiful young girl - he learns that the only method to preserve her innocence and fresh beauty will require murder. In the end, by killing 12 beauty girls, he achieves to make a perfect perfume. Through this perfume, he also can obey the world by magical smell. However, the ending is tragic.
Reaction:
Even though means of making the perfect perfume was cruel and immoral, I really want to smell this perfume. I wonder that how smell can obey the world.
New words:
Orphan : An orphan is a child whose parents are dead.
Fragrance : A fragrance is a pleasant or sweet smell.
Intoxicating : If you describe something as intoxicating, you mean that it makes you feel a strong sense of excitement or happiness.
TITLE:
Friends (2 episodes)
LENGTH:
40 minutes
SUMMARY:
It started at a bar when a guy fought with his girlfriend because he thought that she liked another guy. While he was in the bar, he decided to call her. When she picked up the phone, he heard the other guy’s voice so he thought something really happened. Actually nothing happened between his girlfriend and the guy. So he went on drinking. Then a pretty girl came on him and started flirting. She asked him for a dance. He knew she wanted more, but because he was drinking and he thought that his girlfriend was cheating on him, he said yes. Drink after drink and dance after dance, they spent the night together. The next morning, the door knocked and he opened without knowing who was knocking. It was his girlfriend she came to his apartment to apologies.
REACTION:
I think in the next episode she will see the girl and maybe they will break up. I enjoyed it a little bit because I think this show represents the American culture.
NEW WORD/PHRASE:
Flirting: when a girl likes a guy and starts giving signals to him.
Break up: it is the end of a couple’s relationship.
era: certain period of time.
Title:
Mission: Impossible III
Length:
124 min.
Summary:
This is a story about secret agents. The main character 'Ethan' goes everywhere to perform his mission. Lots of tragedies are coming to Ethan, even his wife is trouble. But, he makes everything safely with his colleagues.
Reaction:
There are lots of mysteirous in the world. Also But, there's a brave person to solve the problem for peace like a main character in the movie. I should learn a courage from him.
New words/phrases:
1) I'm gonna hurt her
: I'll tease her.
2) Excue? rexcue?(I don't know exact spelling)
: Let's start to perform our tactics
Title:
The day after tomorrow.
Length:
123min.
Summary:
Someday, there comes expextacular hurricane and sudden fall in temperature. So, many people in United States are dead for earthshock. And the U.S Government annouced people to go to Mexico.
Reaction:
I realizzed nature has a horrible power which can destroy people's world. We should lessen emissions of substances like CO2 harmful to earth. And I must have thanksful mind to the nature because it gives a lot of things to human. So I will use it with sound min.
NEW WORD/PHRASE:
1) refugee
: people who have to leave their homes or their country.
2) chauvinist
: a man who loves his counturies very much.
3) dissipate
: to becomes less or becomes less strong until it disappears or goes away completely
TITLE:
The queen
LENGTH:
105 minutes
SUMMARY:
Few months after the election of the minister princess Diana, beloved by public, dies from a car accident. Prime minister gives a speech, describing her as the people's princess. This phrase arouses great support from the citizens. People accuse queen of not showing grief. Minister suggests that queen attend public funeral. This proposal makes queen doubt her firm status in monarchy. However she decides to take advices of the minister. She gives a public speech which moves mind of people. When the minister visited her in the palace, she tells him that he might also one day experience public turning back against him.
REACTION:
I admire Mirren for her excellent acting in this film. She showed dignity, resolution and intellectual which are all essential components of a queen.
NEW WORD/PHRASE:
grieve: to feel very sad, especially because someone has died
TITLE:
The Devil Wears Prada (film)
LENGTH:
110 minutes
SUMMARY:
Andrea becomes a junior assistant to Miranda Priestly, who is the most influential figure in fashion world. She is told that a year in that work would enable her to choose any journalistic job she wants. She suffers from not only Miranda, who is extremely cold and selfish but also from coworkers who look down on her since she lacks of knowledge concerning fashion world. While striving to survive in the fashion world, relationship with her family and boyfriend is weakened. She start to successfully assist Miranda. Miranda seems satisfied with loyalty Andrea showed. But Andrea suddenly leaves her boss and recovers her former daily life. She also gets a job she craved for thanks to Miranda who sent a fax telling an employer that she must be accepted.
REACTION:
It was an enjoyable film. Various customs in vivid color, sceneries of big cities and brisk music was good enough to attract viewers.
NEW WORD/PHRASE:
pick on: to repeatedly criticize or treat someone unkindly
moot: unlikely to happen
TITLE:
Meet the parents
LENGTH:
1 hour 10min
SUMMARY:
Greg and Pam are couple. Greg want to marry her but he have to recieve her parents`s consent. They go to her parents`s house. In there, Greg start to suffer acute hardship because pam`s father don`t want to marry her. Greg kill a cat but it is accident and he meet her ex-fiance. Greg is in an agony of embarrassment, so Greg decied to forgive her. However, Pam`s father realize which choice is good. He approve to their marriege.
REACTION:
Heart of having a daughter parents are same thing in the world. I think they don`t want to leave their daughter.
NEW WORD/PHRASE:
tomcat: a male
fume:smoke, gases or vapour
retrieve:to get or bring something back again
TITLE:
In tate street coffee shop
Open mic night
LENGTH:
1 hour 30 minutes
SUMMARY:
I did'nt catch what's the name of the MC' but he talked about policy when he would be .. something like president of the North calolina, he criticized these days policy and also about the oil prices
REACTION:
It was really hard to catch American's natural speech. I almost couldn't catch it what he tried to say, but i could guess a little bit, but I realized that my English should be impove more. when he was speaking, i catched some word that i didn't know before, so i used dictionary.
NEW WORD/PHRASE:
candidature - candidacy .. something like who wants to be a president they should candidature before
political measures - policy
TITLE:
Resident Evil 3
LENGTH:
2 hours
SUMMARY:
All of people dead in Las Vegas,because all of people was infected with t-virus of Umbllera Company. There were no more hope and the vurus destroyed the earth, but some people who was not infected with t-virus was finding the other people who was not infected. they were finding the final of human's hope, finally, they found the reseach institute where was reseaching the t-virus. finally,they destroyed the institute
REACTION:
I love this kind of movie what appear zombie. Sometimes the sight made me crawly, but i attached it !
NEW WORD/PHRASE:
the cutting edge - it's like a high technology
go out of existence - destoryed everything
Title: The dark Knight
Length: 155 min
Summary: Batman who protects the Gotham from the devil, sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets raises the stakes in his war on crime. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker. The police try to catch him, but, they fail to catch him. However, Batman does try again with Harvey Dent. Unfortunately, Harvey Dent was lost his face and his lover by Joker. By this event, Harvey Dent is changed to devil like Joker. In the long run, Batman leads the victory.
Reaction:
The movie was long than I thought. However, real action makes me exciting for 155min.
New words:
1.dismantle : take apart.
2.Chaos : confusion.
TITLE:
National Treasure
LENGTH:
2 hours
SUMMARY:
Ben Gates who is third generation treasure hunter is searching for a treasure no one believed with his friend(Riley). One day, He knows that clue of hidden treasure is in the Declaration of Independence., so he steel the Declaration of independence with beautiful officer(Abigail). However, they have to run away because the other treasure hunter wants to it and FBI also want to get back the Declaration of independence. After that, ben`s team and the other team find a last clue together. Then ben`s father announce wrong clue to other team whom are bad guys. Finally, Ben Gates find treasure, so Ben and Riley receive one percents of indemnity.
REACTION:
I really like this movie. Also, It is helpful to listening. Actors didn`t use abuse and slung.
NEW WORD:
Descend; to go or move down from a higher to a lower place
Monumental; especially huge and impressive
itle/ Cindy McCain speaks at the Republican National Convention on Thursday night.
•
• Length of listening/one hour
Summary/ She started her speech talking bout her husband John McCain and McCain family. She said this convention celebrates a special and exceptional Republican Party . Also she mentioned the US was born struggle for freedom and no one and no other party for that cause. In addition she mentioned her husband history that John was a hero in Vietnam. Moreover she mentioned many achievements that John has done. Also she said a good idea to have a women's hand on the wheel, as well like Sarah Palin. Finally, she promise that John will support America freedom and to serve it.
• Opinion of listening/ I think it was a strong speech from Cindy McCain and she mentioned many points which is useful for United States. Also his speech support to John too much because he is her husband.
Vocabulary/ Dignity(noun) : calm serious behavior, even in difficult situations, that makes people respect you: • a woman of compassion and dignity
Tempered(v) : formal to make something less difficult or severe: • criticism tempered with humor.
Steadfast(adjective) : faithful and very loyal
Title/ The mummy 3
• Length of listening/two hours
Summary/ This movie explains that mummy in cavern located in China. There was king who dominate in the world before thousands years and he was very strong and merciless when he treats people and he used violence with them. One day he kill guy who love the sorceress girl front her. Suddenly, she revenged for the guy and she drown the king with his soldiers in the mud, thus they became mummy. On the other hand there are group from United States who heard about the Emperor Mummy will returns again because one solders he get up during the war. They plan to discover that and try to kill the king. they met Chinese girl who help them to reach to their goal After that the battle started between the king and other group accompanying several actions, finally the group killed the king after many attempting.
• Opinion of listening/ I think the movie was very interesting, but wasn't more interesting as the mumy2. Also the movie tells us something we have to imagine it; I mean it is fiction and unrealistic movie.
• Vocabulary/
Merciless (adj): from mercy (noun): [kindness, pity, and a willingness to forgive: The boy was begging/pleading for mercy.
Sorceress (noun): a woman in stories who uses magic.
Lena Yasmina Sakaly
Title 1408
Length 2hr 35
Summary
It is the story of a man who specializes in debunking paranormal occurrences checks into the fabled room 1408 in the Dolphin Hotel. Soon after settling in, he confronts genuine terror. As research for his latest book, Enslin is determined to check out the notorious room 1408 in a New York City hotel by personally staying as a guest in the fabled room. He believes that 1408 is just a myth perpetuated by stories and rumors that Enslin has collected for his past works. However, hotel manager Mr. Olin has strong objections to Enslin's stay and only warns him of the danger. Enslin is determined to go anyway. Unfortunately it was not a myth, 1408 truly is a room where the guests don't check out and die.
Reaction
It was a suspenseful movie but I didn’t like it because it was so scary
Therefore, the end was abstract and made no sense
New word
Tangle: to twist or become twisted into a confused mass
Synopsis: a summary
Swamp: to overwhelm, flood or soak with water
Lena Yasmina Sakaly
Title the air I breathe
Length 1hr37
Summary
This movie is a drama based on the four basic human emotions: love, pleasure, sadness and happiness
There are four main characters and each of them felt one these emotions
A banker discovers true happiness
A mobster finds hope through the love of a young lady
A celebrity sees life lose its luster and a doctor wrestles with matters of the heart that cannot be addressed within the confines of an operating room
Reaction
I really like this movie because it shows the real aspect of our life and what is essential. Sometimes we are focusing on details while the real part of our life is occulting because we are not able to make the difference between priorities and feelings
However, some scenes were very sad
New word
Shantytown: a town consisting of poor houses, the part of a town where poor people lives
To have a crush on: to feel in love with someone
Mumble: to speak or utter indistinctly
Lena Yasmina Sakaly
Title real time with Bill Maher
Length 1hr
Summary
The theme of this episode was McCain's choice of Palin as VP
He invited Actress Kerry Washington, Gov. Michael Steele (a republican) and Scott McClellan to talk about the republican’s politics and choices.
They were arguing because they said that how a lady who was the mayor of a town of 7,000 people a few years ago, and has a couple of years on the job as the governor of Alaska, population 600,000 can become the second most powerful person on earth.
Furthermore, it was a very cynical pick, from McCain who says that he is always thinking about "Country First,"
Reaction
I really like this show even if sometimes Bill Maher makes mockeries about the republicans; he talks about serious issues that people are not aware.
I think that American should learn from past mistakes because during 8 years the republicans have manipulated them and those never serve their causes.
Also he made a point when he said that
Americans are narcissist because they want a candidate just like them, not very bright
New word
Tackle: children with special needs
Narcissist: person who likes himself
Bait: used to entice fish
Title:
Prison Break
Length:
30 min – two episodes
Summary:
This week I watched the first two episodes of the new season of the series Prison Break. The main character Michael wants to save his brother who was in the prison. Michal’s brother Lincoln was blamed for a murder which he didn’t do. The brothers succeed to escape from the prison but the government started to chase them because their father has worked for the government and stole some very important information. Now the brothers want to find the information which will reveal the government’s “dirty laundry”.
Title:
One Tree Hill
Length:
30 min
Summary:
This is a story about a group of friends who have to cope with a lot of problems in their life. The main character Lucas has problems with his girlfriend because he wanted to marry her but she wasn’t ready to do it and turned him down. After a while Lucas wanted to marry his new girlfriend but she also declined his offer because she knew that Luke still loves Peyton. Finally Lucas and Peyton got married.
Title:
Wacked out Videos
Length:
30 min
This is a show for crazy videos. People do different stupid and dangerous things and record them. Some of the videos are extremely dangerous and from time to time people get hurt.
Skeet shooting - a form of trapshooting in which two traps are used and targets are hurled singly or in pairs at varying elevations and speeds so as to simulate the angles of flight taken by game birds
Title:
America’s got Talent
Length:
2 hours
Summary:
America's Got Talent is an American reality television series. It is a talent show that features singers, dancers, magicians, comedians and other performers of all ages competing for the advertised top prize of $1 million.
Title:
Everybody loves Raymond
Length:
30 min
Summary:
The main character Raymond lives in a neighborhood with his parents. They always get involved in his life and he is willing to try everything so he can get rid of them at least for a little while.
Title/ Roast of Bob Saget
•
• Length of listening/one hour
Summary/ I watched the comedy actors like Jeffrey, Greg and John. They were making fun of each other and the audiences laughing. For example: Jeffrey stabbed his friend. Also he takes aim at Bob Saget's penchant for dating younger women. Also he was joking when he asked someone where are you from and he said New York, Where in NYC, New Jersey, then people laugh so hard. Also he asked one of audiences and he took his shoes and he said this "CSI Evidence". Also he looks at his clothes and said" Landry day what the hell ". He jokes with the people who set front him. He had a lot of jock.
•
Opinion of listening/ I really enjoyed when I was watching Roast of Bob Saget. I watched many actors, but the best one I really admire me is Jeffery Ross. He is a real comedy person and has a high ability to make people laugh.
•
Vocabulary/ Penchant (noun: a liking for something that you do as a habit
Mourn (verb): to feel very sad because someone has died, and show this in the way you behave.
Mace (noun): a chemical that makes your eyes and skin sting painfully, which some people carry to defend themselves
Ditch (noun): a long narrow hole in the ground for water to flow through, usually at the side of a field, road, etc.
Ditch (verb): to get rid of something or someone because you do not like or need him, her, or it:
Post a Comment