Name: __________________

WARM-UP: Film Survey

Answer the following questions:

1. What kind of movies do you generally prefer? (You can pick more than one.)
a. classics (1920s-1950s)
b. comedy
c. drama
d. romance
e. action/adventure
f. horror/terror
g. mystery/suspense
h. independent films
i. other _________________

2. Name three movies that you really enjoyed. For each, give one reason why you enjoyed this movie.

3. Name an actor/actress that you really like. Why do you like this person?

4. What attracts you to see certain films?

a. actor/actress
b. special effects
c. story
d. country
e. reviews from movie critics
f. "word of mouth" (advice from family, friends, acquaintances)
g. other _______________________

5. How often do you rent a DVD?

6. How often do you go to the cinema?

7. Do you know what a multiplex cinema is? Have you ever been to one?
 VOCABULARY PRESENTATION:
Components of a Movie
What kind of movie is it?
Who is in it?
Who’s starring in it?
Where does it take place?
When does it take place?
What’s it about?
What happens in it?
How does it end?
What happens in the end?
What did the critics say?
What kind of reviews did it get?
Important Language/Examples Can you name a movie . . .?
. . . that is a sci-fi?
It’s a ______________________
. . . that is a horror film?
It’s a comedy. It’s a sci-fi. It’s a horror.
It’s an action movie. It’s a romantic comedy.
. . . that is an action movie?
. . . that is a romantic comedy?
_______________ is in it.
. . . with Brad Pitt in it?
_______________ is starring in it.
. . . that is starring Julia Roberts?
Orlando Bloom is in it.
. . . with Mike Meyers in it?
. . . starring Sean Connery?
It’s set in _______________.
. . . that takes place in space?
It takes place in ______________.
It’s set in New York in the 60s. . . . that takes place in WWII?
It takes place on the moon in the future. . . . set in Asia?
It takes place in a prison. . . . set on a train?
. . . that takes place in the 1800s?
. . . set in the countryside?
It’s about _____ who __________. . . . that takes place in Europe?
It’s about two young people who fall in love on a
sinking ship. It’s about a meteor that is going to
destroy the Earth. . . . about people who fall in love?
. . . about people who take drugs?
. . . about police who are corrupt?
. . . about someone who wants to
destroy the world?
In the end, __________________.
In the end, the ring is destroyed.
In the end, Harry decides he really loves
Sally.
The critics _________________.
It got ___________ reviews.
The critics said it was good. The critics
panned it. The critics raved about it. It got
great reviews. It got poor reviews.
VOCABULARY PRACTICE:
READING COMPREHENSION 1: You want to watch the film Beowulf but before you rush to the cinema, you
decide to read the reviews it got in your local newspapers. Decide if they are thumbs up (positive) or thumbs
down (negative). Will you watch the film?

1) Has anyone here actually read the Beowulf story? This was overall the worst adaptation they could’ ve made for
it. First off, Grendal attacked people in their sleep, he didn’t just burst in and start screaming like a stubborn child.
The king was NOT Grendal ’s dad, they never even mentioned his father. And what was that about the dragon being
Beowulf’s demon son? Also Beowulf was a leader of his own country, not the one he saves. I don’t know if this is an
adaptation of some knock off version of Beowulf or not but it definitely is not based on the legendary poem that
started the epic hero trend. This was a total disappointment and the only reason it deserves a C is for animation,
good dragon fight and they at least showed one part from the original poem, which is the swimming race where he
fights the sea monsters.

2) Hollywood has definitely turned another corner with the release of this film. What started as morbid
curiosity, quickly turned into pure engrossment. I have to say that the production team spared no detail,
while doing a good job of not over-producing any scene. As with any 3D movie, perhaps too much effort
was given to squeezing in 3D enhanced events. Most of the time the 3D events were blended well into
the action and did not detract from the overall sequence as it so frequently does. I thought story writers
did a fantastic job of turning a one-dimensional story, one that everyone knows the end to, into a
relatively gripping plotline. The facial features were rendered much better than the critics give them
credit. Though, the women did seem to have too perfect of features, while the men were rendered
beautifully with every wrinkle and scar seeming to tell its own tale. See the movie in 3D if you can. You
won't be disappointed, unless you are absolutely against computer rendering. I thought I was in the
'against' category, until now.

3) I must agree with most people in regards to this movie. This movie is one of the worst transitions
from a book to the big set that I have ever seen. But I guess it was all done for the action and
entertainment for the fans. But by far the best part of the whole movie was when Angelina Jolie rises
from the water and begins to talk... sorry I guess I'm just about as weak as Beowulf. But in a serious
note now, Angelina in this movie came out so realistic it almost looked as if they added her into the
animation movie and just slapped on a lot of makeup. I give this movie a B, but only because of the
massacre that they did of the book. But if you still want to go and watch a good movie and enjoy some
pretty cool medieval action, go watch this movie.

4)I don't understand...why cartoons? Is there something wrong with all the actors or special
effects persons, that we can't make action movies with real people anymore? Despite the great
3-D, I had trouble convincing myself I wasn't watching a grown-up Toy Story. I for one loved the
epic poem because Beowulf was like a god, he knew exactly what had to be done and his will
could not be shaken. In this movie, he is much more human, corrupt, and less satisfying as a
hero.

5) Gorgeous animation is about all there was to Beowulf. The storyline is a

poor rendition of the original story and throughout the movie I felt nothing
for any of the characters. I found myself sitting in the chair daydreaming
about what I could have done with my afternoon. Yes there is action, a
little drama, and some big old monsters, but besides that it failed to excite
me. I went into the movie hoping for a beautiful retelling of the epic of
Beowulf and came out bored and tired.

6) Computers have come a long way. And so have 3D glasses. No more red and green lenses,
just gray lenses with the nerdiest of frames. While the 3D aspect made this movie, the digital
rendering of well-known actors was incredible. There were times I would think to myself, "that's
really Anthony Hopkins" and then 4 seconds later, something would throw me back into the
digital world. The story is pretty simple. Technology rules.

SPEAKING 1:
Make two movie
riddles using the
clues in the boxes.
Read your movie
riddles to the class
(or your group) and
they will try to guess
your movies. Wait
until all five clues
have been read
before guessing.
Movie #1 _________________________________ (Movie Title: Keep this a secret)

Clue #1 It’s a _____________________________. (Genre)

Clue #2 It takes place __________________________________. (Setting)
Clue #3 ___________________ is in it. (Actor)
Clue #4 It’s about _____________________________________ (Plot)
_____________________________________________
Clue #5 In the end, ____________________________________ (Climax)
_____________________________________________

Movie #2 _________________________________ (Movie Title: Keep this a secret)

Clue #1 It’s a _____________________________. (Genre)

Clue #2 It takes place __________________________________. (Setting)
Clue #3 ___________________ is in it. (Actor)
Clue #4 It’s about _____________________________________ (Plot)
_____________________________________________
Clue #5 In the end, ____________________________________ (Climax)
_____________________________________________
SPEAKING 2: You're the Critic

Write a review of a film that you have recently watched. Your review can be either positive or negative. Be prepared to
give a brief presentation for your classmates in our next lesson. You can prepare short notes, to help you remember all
your points:
1. Provide a brief summary of the film.
(Two or three sentences are fine; you don't need to include a lot of details. For example, you might summarize
the film Titanic by saying, "This film is a classic love story set on the only voyage Titanic ever made. The young
woman, who is played by Kate Winslet, comes from a high society family. Meanwhile, the young man, played
by Leonardo Di Caprio, is poor and travelling in third class.")
2. Express your opinion of the movie.
What are its strengths (=good points) and weaknesses (=bad points)? Provide examples (scenes, situations)
from the film. (About Titanic, you might say, "Generally, I really liked this movie. For one, I'm romantic, so I
really loved the story. I liked the way that the photographs at the end showed how Rose went on to do
everything she and Jack had talked about together--like riding a horse in California. Also, I thought the filming
was beautiful. I really liked a lot of the shots. For example, I loved the shot at the beginning that showed the
whole length of the ship. It gave you a feeling of how big the ship was! I also really liked the scene with all of
the china floating in the dining room. As far as weaknesses go, I didn't like the fact that this movie makes this
tragic historic event seem romantic. It was a nice story, but it was fictional (=imaginary).")
3. What character(s) do you find you have most similarities with? What are the main personality characteristics of
this (these) character(s)?
(About Titanic, you might say, "I really identified with Jack. He's a free spirit. He doesn't have any money, but
he's traveled all over the world looking for adventure. And maybe he will find more adventure than he wants on
Titanic, but he's strong.")
4. Finally, give the movie a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down."
Do you recommend this film to your friends or not? (Obviously, Titanic gets the thumbs up.)
 Sample Conversation:
The Film Festival
A: I’m bored. Do you want to do something The film festival is on town. Find out what
tonight? movies are playing from other students in the
class. Find out as many details about the movie
B: Sure. What do you feel like doing? as you can. Write the details down in the table
below:
A: Well, the film festival is in town. And I’m in
the mood for seeing a movie. How does that Also, try to use various expressions for saying
sound? ‘I want to . . . ‘

B: I could go for a movie. What’s on? I’d like to see a movie.

I feel like seeing a movie.
A: ‘Attack from Planet Q’ is on at the Odeon
theatre. I’m in the mood for seeing a movie.
I wouldn’t mind seeing a movie.
B: What’s that about? I could go for a movie.

A: It’s a sci-fi about aliens who invade China.

It takes place along the Great Wall during the
Ming Dynasty. Title/ Plot Setting Actor/ Show times/ Critics/
Genre Character Theatre Awards
B: Who’s in it?

A: It’s starring Will Smith. He plays a palace

guard who uncovers an alien plot to kill the
Emperor.

B: What do the critics say about it?

A: The critics say it’s frightening and entertaining.

It won ‘Best Film’ at the Cannes Film Festival.

B: OK. Let’s see that. What time does it start?

A: Show times are at 6:45 and 8:30.

B: Why don’t we catch the 9:30 so that we can

have a bite to eat before we go?