The formal ceremony at which the awards are presented is one of the most important award ceremonies in the world. It is televised live in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and gathers large numbers of viewers elsewhere throughout the world. This year's ceremony was watched by more than 40 million Americans. It is said that only the Super Bowl, the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, and the Football World Cup Final draw more viewers in the United Sates.
However, the Academy Awards are not without criticism. It has been observed that several of the Academy Award winners have not stood the test of time. Critics claim that many films with artistic value, cultural influence and innovative qualities have not received enough attention. Since the 1980s, money-making blockbusters have often been Best Picture winners, but they are not necessarily great films with depth. The Academy Awards have also been criticized for favoring certain types of films and neglecting other types. The Best Picture prize has rarely been given to an animated film or a science fiction film, with Avatar as an exception The Academy Awards or the Oscars
recognize excellent professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers The Award Ceremony
? one of the most important award ceremonies in the world ? televised live in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and gathering large numbers of viewers elsewhere throughout the world
? watched by more than 40 million Americans ? Only the Super Bowl, the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, and the Football World Cup Final draw more viewers. Criticism
? Several of the Academy Award winners have not stood the test of
time.
? Many films with artistic value, cultural influence, and innovative
qualities have not received enough attention.
? Money-making blockblusters without depth have often been Best Picture winners. ? The Oscars favor certain types of films and neglect other types.
The Best Picture prize has rarely been given to an animated film or a science fiction film.
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IV. Speaking Out
Model 1 Will you come with me?
John: Laura, I am wondering if you’re free tomorrow night. Laura: Well, I guess I am. Why?
John: I’ve got two Star Wars premiere tickets. Will you come with me? Laura: Yeah, definitely! Thanks for inviting me! John: It’s my pleasure.
Laura: I really wanted to see Star Wars on the opening night, but the tickets were sold out. How did you manage to get hold of them? John: A friend of mine works at the “Pepsi” headquarters, which is a major sponsor of the movie. So he was able to get the tickets for free. Laura: Wow, people are paying as much as $200 each on the black market. I’m flattered you went through all this trouble just for me. John: You’re welcome. Now Your Turn SAMPLE DIALOG
A: Hi, are you busy this weekend? B: Yes. What’s on your mind?
A: I’ve got two tickets for the car exhibition. Would you like to go with me?
B: Sure. Thanks for your invitation. A: It’s nothing.
B: I’ve been wanting to see exhibition, but it was not at all easy to get a ticket. How did you manage to get two tickets?
A: A friend of mine works at the exhibition center. She was able to get three free tickets.
B: Wow, people are paying almost 100 yuan for a ticket on the black market. Thank you very much indeed for inviting me. A: No problem.
Model 2 What did you think about the movie? John: So? what did you think about the movie?
Laura: Well? I think this Star Wars episode is an excellent piece of work, but not as good as the previous ones.
John: Really? But I think this Star Wars episode was incredible! Laura: Why do you think so?
John: Well, one of the most spectacular things about it was the special effects. State-of-the-art
special effects were the main reason for the success of the previous episodes.
Laura: You’re right. The special effects were amazing! And I like the fact that they created so
many fantastic settings and other-worldly costumes, weapons and creatures. Now Your Turn SAMPLE DIALOG
A: What did you think about The Lion King?
B: Well? I think this cartoon was pretty good, but not as good as Beauty and the Beast. It’s a killer flick.
A: Really? But I think The Lion King was unbelievably good. B: I thought it was just OK. Why do you think so?
A: Well, it’s so interesting that the lives of the lions were similar to the lives of human beings.
B: You’re right. The murder in The Lion King was almost the same as the murder in the Shakespearean play Hamlet. Model 3 the plot is first-class.
John: It’s kind of cool that they still used the same Star Wars theme song for this movie.
Laura: Yeah! It just reminds me of the previous Star Wars scenes.
John: I know exactly what you mean! Hearing that song makes me think of the past.
Laura: I think the plot was first-class. But I don’t think the character development was that strong.
John: Do you think that has anything to do with the casting of the movie? Laura: No, the casting was great; the actors are excellent, but I think the acting was a little weak. They just didn’t have a lot of funny or meaningful lines.
John: Well, maybe, but I liked the little kid that played “Skywalker”. I can’t imagine anyone else playing that part. Laura: Yeah, I liked him too. He’s soooo cute! Now Your Turn SAMPLE DIALOG
A: What do you think about the movie?
B: I think the plot was first-class. But I don’t think the character development was so strong.
A: Yes, the characterization was rather weak. Do you think it is because of the casting of the movie?
B: No, the cast was strong. But the acting was rather poor. And the lines are not interesting at all.
A: Well, maybe. But I liked the heroine of the movie. She is excellent. B: Yeah, I liked her too. She’s adorable! V. Let’s Talk Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock was a British director. His movies frequently show innocent people caught up in situations beyond their control or even understanding.
Hitchcock preferred the use of suspense in his movies. In surprise, the director provides the viewer with frightening things. In suspense, the director tells or shows things to the audience which the characters in the movie do not know, and then skillfully builds up tension around what will happen when the characters finally learn the truth. Hitchcock had a great sense of humor. Once at a French airport, a suspicious customs official looked at Hitchcock’s passport, which was marked simply PRODUCER. The curious official asked, “And what do you produce?” “Gooseflesh.” replied Hitchcock.
Alfred Hitchcock always managed to make a brief appearance in his movies: He was sometimes getting on a bus, or crossing a street, pr walking in front of a store, or across the courtyard in an apartment. However, for the movie Lifeboat in 1944, he was faced with a difficult problem. The entire movie was set in a lifeboat out at sea, and there were only a few characters in the boat. Originally, he wanted to float by as a dead body, but he was afraid he’d sink! His clever solution was to place a photograph of himself in a newspaper that one of the characters read during the course of the movie. 1. A 2.B 3.C 4.D 5.D
VI. Furthering Listening and Speaking Listening
Task 1: Only One Line
Peter has always wanted to be an actor, but never succeeded because he had a hard time memorizing lines. A friend of his told him about a small part in a play. He promised Peter that he could do it because he’s only have to remember one line. Peter decided to take the part. His only line was, “Listen, I hear the guns roar!” Peter practiced and practiced, “Listen, I hear the guns roar!” On the opening night of the play Peter was very nervous. Backstage, he practiced his line, over and over again, “Listen, I hear the guns roar! Listen, I hear the guns roar!” Finally came his turn, Peter went onto stage. He heard a loud BOOM and cried out in spite of himself, “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?” 1. memorizing lines 2. remember one line 3. I hear the guns roar 4. a loud boom 5. forgot his line Task 2: Movie Reviews
I love movies! And after I see them, I like to comment on them. These are movies I saw this year I would like to recommend: Among comedies I highly recommend “Monsoon Wedding”. It’s an Indian movie. The story is about an Indian wedding. Preparations for the wedding bring out funny and sad situations touching on love and a past rape. This movie shows some of the wonderful customs of India, and the importance of family and love. It’s great!