How do we treat people who are different? How should we treat them?

"The Elephant Man" introduces us to a character who is very different from other people in his physical appearance. People around him don't always treat him well. Below is a clip from a movie about another person with a similar physical difference. Like "The Elephant Man" it is also based on a true story. If you would like some extra credit, watch the clip and answer some questions in the comments!

If you would like some extra credit, answer one or more of these questions! How do people treat the main character, Rocky? What do they do? What does Rocky do when people treat him differently? Describe Rocky's personality. If you met Rocky, what would you do? What would you say to him?

Describe a Character: Keith "Some Kind of Wonderful"

This week in class we practiced describing a character. Here is the full clip from the beginning of the movie "Some Kind of Wonderful." What can you tell me about Keith to introduce his character? Try watching a few more minutes of the clip. What new information can you learn?

Now write your ideas in the comments! If you write a lot, I will increase the extra credit value of your comment!

MOVIE CHOICES PART 5: Animation, Musicals and Fantasy

This semester, you will write an essay about a movie character. You can choose from many different movies. On the blog this week, I will post videos and pictures from some of these movies. See what you think! If you have any questions, ask in the comments!

 “Up” (2009) – Carl Fredericksen (animation, adventure) LOUNGE     

The first scene of this excellent animated movie (watch the clip below)  always makes me cry. Always! Every. Single. Time. The rest of the movie is equally touching. If you love animation or sentimental movies, I highly recommend "Up." 

“Hook” (1991) – Peter Banning (fantasy, adventure)           

This fantasy and adventure movie follows a real-life Peter Pan who grew up and forgot who he was. This movie is directed by Steven Spielberg and stars some of America's best actors - Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, and Julia Roberts, as well as the famous British actress Maggie Smith. 

“Big Hero 6” (2014) Hiro Hamada (animation, adventure)

I haven't seen this one yet, but my husband wrote this description: "This computer-animated adventure story takes place in the imaginary city of San Frantokyo (San Francisco + Tokyo).  A 14 year-old boy genius invents technology to solve a mystery, but he needs the help of a funny healthcare robot named Baymax and his friends." Recommended if you love animation!

“Annie” (2014) Will Stacks (musical)

If you enjoy musicals or you dream of becoming suddenly rich, you might enjoy this movie. It's a remake of an old musical, updated with new music styles, and a very good performance by Quvenzhané Wallis as Annie. 

What do you think? Do you have any questions about these movies? If you do, please comment below! Also, check out the other blog entries about dramas, romance movies and comedies! 

MOVIE CHOICES PART 4: The Comedies!

This semester, you will write an essay about a movie character. You can choose from many different movies. On the blog this week, I will post videos and pictures from some of these movies. See what you think! If you have any questions, ask in the comments!

“Yes Man” (2008) – Carl (comedy)       

Jim Carrey is both funny and inspiring in this hilarious comedy about a man who learns to say "yes" to everything. I have watched this movie at least 10 times, and I always love it. 

“Groundhog Day” (1993) – Phil Connors (comedy)   

This is one of the most famous and funniest comedies from America, and Bill Murray is one of the best comedians/actors there is. This is also a really unique story, about a man who has to live the same day over and over and over again... What would you do if you couldn't move ahead in time? 

“About a Boy” (2002) – Will Freeman (comedy)               

Hugh Grant stars in this touching British comedy about a selfish man who learns to care about other people. I always feel happy when I watch this movie, because the characters are so realistic and the story is very beautiful. 

“The Internship” (2013) Nick Campbell (comedy)

In this comedy, two older guys take an internship at Google. I watch this movie a lot when I just want to relax, because it's not too serious. If you are getting interested in using Google Drive you might also find this movie interesting. The real Google campus was used in many scenes, and the founder of Google even makes a cameo appearance. "Cameo appearance" means that he doesn't do much acting, he just walks through or says one thing. 

“Freaky Friday” (2003) Tess Coleman or Anna Coleman (comedy)

What would happen if you had to live your mother's life? In this movie a mother and a daughter switch bodies and have to figure out how to get back to their own life. For this movie, you can choose to write about either character - the mother or the daughter.

                                                           

“The Princess Diaries” (2001) – Mia Thermopolis (comedy) [first movie only]

Many people know this movie, the first big starring role for Anne Hathaway.This movie has a little fashion, a little romance, and is good for people who would like to be a princess or a queen. 

“Accepted” (2006) Bartleby Gaines (comedy)

Everyone in our class qualified for university - but what if you didn't? Bartleby Gaines has to find a way to keep his parents from finding out that he didn't get into school. What he does ends up being much more impressive than just going to school. If you like to watch movies about crazy ideas and university life, check this out!

What do you think? Do you have any questions about these movies? If you do, please comment below! Also, check out the other blog entries about dramas, romance movies and other movie possibilities!

MOVIE CHOICES Part 3: Dramas About Older Characters

This semester, you will write an essay about a movie character. You can choose from many different movies. On the blog this week, I will post videos and pictures from some of these movies. See what you think! If you have any questions, ask in the comments!

“Blue Jasmine” (2013) – Jasmine (drama)      

Cate Blanchett won an Academy Award for her amazing performance in this movie, directed by one of the most famous American directors, Woody Allen. Jasmine is one of the most interesting characters in all the movie choices. There will be a lot to write about and talk about if you choose this movie. 

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (2013) Walter Mitty (drama, adventure)

If you're interested in traveling or photography, this movie is a good choice for you. Ben Stiller plays a timid man who embarks on adventure in this popular recent movie.

“Passion Fish” (1992) May-Alice Culhane (drama, comedy) 

This is one of the ten best movies I have ever seen in my life, and I watch A LOT of movies. The characters and the dialogue in this movie are excellent. It also shows the music and landscape of a really unique area in the American South. Check to make sure you can find it first, but this is a fantastic film if you can get your hands on it!

What do you think? Do you have any questions about these movies? If you do, please comment below! Also, check out the other blog entries about comedies, romance movies and other movie possibilities!

MOVIE CHOICES Part 2: Dramas About Younger Characters

This semester, you will write an essay about a movie character. You can choose from many different movies. On the blog this week, I will post videos and pictures from some of these movies. See what you think! If you have any questions, ask in the comments!

“Good Will Hunting” (1997) – Will Hunting (drama) 

This movie was nominated for many Academy Awards in the U.S., and it won the award for Best Screenplay. It's about an unexpected math genius played by Matt Damon. If you're interested in math or American university life, you might find it interesting. 

    

“Bend it Like Beckham” (2002) Jesminder “Jess” Bhamra (drama, sports)

If you're a soccer fan or soccer player, I strongly recommend this movie, about an Indian girl in London who dreams of being a soccer star. You can also see Keira Knightley before she became famous. Finally, this is a good choice if you want to learn about British culture and hear British English. 

“Girl, Interrupted” (1999) Susanna (drama)  

Can you imagine if your parents sent you to a mental institution? This movie tells the story of one girl who has this experience in the U.S. in the 1960s. This is also one of Angelina Jolie's first movies. 

“Precious” (2009) Precious (drama – very intense)

 This is a very intense drama about a teenage girl who endures terrible hardships and abuse and begins to look for a better life. It's an independent film which won Academy Awards for best supporting actress and screenplay. You won't forget this movie! 

What do you think? Do you have any questions about these movies? If you do, please comment below! Also, check out the other blog entries about comedies, romance movies and other movie possibilities!

MOVIE CHOICES Part 1: The Romance Movies

This semester, you will write an essay about a movie character. You can choose from many different movies. On the blog this week, I will post videos and pictures from some of these movies. See what you think! If you have any questions, ask in the comments!

“Dirty Dancing” (1987) – Frances “Baby” Houseman (romance, dance). 

This is an early scene from the movie which shows the 1960's style dancing in the movie. This movie is very, very popular in the United States with people of all ages. It's a classic!  

“Casablanca” (1942) – Rick Blaine (drama, romance) LOUNGE   

This is the oldest movie on our list, and it is considered one of the greatest films of all time. If you're interested in film studies, you should see it! This is the trailer. This movie is also available in the lounge!

 

“Romancing the Stone” (1984) – Joan Wilder (romance, adventure, comedy) 

This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and it's a really good choice if you like comedy, action and romance. The story is very exciting and the dialogue is well-written. The action takes place in New York and Colombia. Check it out! Here is an interview from the main actor in "Romancing the Stone". It shows some clips from the film. 

“Tootsie” (1982) Michael Dorsey (comedy, romance) 

This movie is really unique! It's a comedy and romance about an actor who pretends to be a woman to get an acting job. Unfortunately, the girl he loves doesn't know he's a man! 

What do you think? Do you have any questions about these movies? If you do, please comment below! Also, stay tuned for blog entries about comedies, dramas and other movie possibilities!