Movies

Posted by MichikoNakamura Sat, 24 Nov 2007 18:41:47 GMT

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In America, people are really "into" movies. "Into" means almost the same things as like or enjoy. Now read this opening conversation:

Michael: Michiko, would you like to go to a movie tonight?
Michiko: Sure, what's playing?
Michael: It's called "Beethoven 2."
Michiko: "Beethoven 2" I've never heard of that. Is it about the composer?
Michael: No, actually, it's about a dog.

When people invite you to go to a movie, they might ask you one of these questions:

"What's playing?"

"What's the movie?"

These questions are important because the answer will help you to make your decision about whether to go or not. After you find out the movie's title, you will want to know what the movie is about. You can use one of the following sentences:

"What's the movie about?"

"What kind of movie is it?"

Michiko: Michael, what kind of movie do you like the best?
Michael: I like many different kinds, but I would have to say my favoriteis comedy. How about you?
Michiko: I really like drama, like "Schindler's List"

There are lots of different kinds of movies, for example: action and adventure movies, horror movies, drama and suspense movies and comedy.   There are also westerns, science fiction, and musicals. What kind of movies do you enjoy the most? Read these example sentences:

"Comedy movies are hilarious"

"Horror movies terrify and shock me"

"Drama movies are usually complex and intense"

"The Movie theme songs can be very moving"

"The action in that movie was non-stop"

"I was on the edge of my seat all night"

Michiko: Do you like western movies, Michael?
Michael: Yes, I do. I'm a big Clint Eastwood fan.
When I was younger, I used to watch those spaghetti westerns all the time.

The movie critics will rate the movies by giving them stars. A one star movie is so-so while a five star movie is great.

Now, read this next conversation:

Michiko: Michael, where is the movie playing?
Michael: It's playing at Pearlridge.
Michiko: That's a little far. Is it playing anywhere closer to town?
Michael: Yes it is. It's playing at the Marina Twins.
Michiko: That's ok. Let's go there.

What do you say when you want to know where a movie is playing? You can use one of these sentences:

"Where is the movie playing?"

"What theater is the movie at?"

The next thing you will need to know is what time the movie is playing.   There are different times for movies. The first show is called the "early show" while the last show is the called the "late show." Read these example conversations:

Michael: What time does the early show start?
Michiko: It starts at 6 o'clock.

Michael: When does the late show begin?
Michiko: It begins at 10:45.

Michael: What time does the matinee start?
Michiko: It starts at 12:30.

A "matinee" is shown in the afternoon.

How can you find out how long movies are? One way is to check your daily newspaper. Another way is to call the theater and ask someone.

Read this conversation on the telephone:

(ring)
Michiko: Hello, consolidated theaters. May I help you?
Michael: Yes. I'd like to know how long "Schindler's List" is.
Michiko: Let's see. "Schindler's List" is 3 hours and 15 minutes long.
Michael: OK, thank you.
Michiko: Your welcome.

So, in summary, you can ask:

"I'd like to know how long"Schindler's List" is"

"When does "Schindler's List" end?"

or
"What time does "Schindler's List" end?"

If a friend invites you to go to a movie, you might want to know if any other people are going.   Read this next conversation:

Michael: Michiko, how would you like to go to a movie on Sunday?
Michiko: OK. Is anyone else going or is it just you and I?
Michael: I called Osamu and Rona. Rona was busy and
Osamu wasn't sure. He said that he would call me back later.
Michiko: I know. Why don't we call Polly?
Michael: That's a good idea.

Read these example sentences:

"Is anyone else going?"

"Is it just you and I?"

"Who else is going?"

After you have decided what movie you are going to watch, there is one more important piece of information that you should know. You should know the rating of the movie.

Read this conversation between a mother and her son:

Son: Mom, let's go see "The Deadly Wolf"
Mom: What's it rated?
Son: It's rated "R".
Mom: I think that movie is too violent for you to watch.
Son: Please, mom. All of my friends went to see it.
Mom: I'm sorry. You are only eleven years old. You have to be at least 17 years old to watch a movie that's rated "R". You can't see it and that's final.
Son: That's a bummer.

After deciding what movie to go to and where, you will have to purchase the ticket. Read this conversation at the box office.

Michael: 2 adults for "The Fugitive"   please.
Michiko: Here you are.
Michael: Thank you.

That was easy wasn't it.   By the way, another word for box office is ticket counter.   You can also ask for a ticket at a later time.

After buying your tickets, you will have to stand in line. If you go to a place where there is more than 1 theater, you will have to find the right line to stand in. The best way to do this is to ask someone who is already standing in the line.

　　　　　　　　

Read this conversation:

Michiko: Excuse me, is this the line   for "The Fugitive"?
Michael: No, this is the line for "Schindler's List". Try over there.
Michiko: OK, thanks. (pause) Excuse me, is this the line for "Schindler's List".?
Michael: Yes it is, but the line starts over there.
Michiko: Oh no. This line is a mile long.

Read these example sentences:

"Excuse me, is this the line for "The Fugitive"?"

"Excuse me, is this the line for "Schindler's List"?"

If someone tries to cut in line, you can use one of these sentences. Read these example sentences:

"Excuse me, the line starts over there"

"Go to the end of the line"

"No cutting in line"

In that situation, you should say:

"I'm sorry"

and go to the end of the line. It's not fair to the rest of the people when someone is allowed to cut in line. After the movie is over, there is usually a long list of names. This is called the credits. Some people like to stay and read the credits but most people begin to leave at this time.   Read this conversation after watching a movie:

Michiko: What did you think of the movie?
Michael: It was the worst movie I have ever seen.
Michiko: Really!
Michael: Yes. I wasted my hard earned money.
Michiko: Wow, I'm surprised. I thought it was a good movie.
Michael: I guess we have different tastes.
Michiko: I guess you're right.

After the movie is over, people usually ask each other about the movie.   When you ask your friends about the movie, it's ok to give your honest opinion.   Read these example sentences:

"I thought it was great"

"The ending was really touching. I almost cried"

"I thought it was so - so"

"I thought it was fair"

If you would like to know someone else's opinion about a movie, you can ask them one of these questions:

"Was it worth seeing?"

or
"Would you recommend it?"