Tag: cinema

Malaga Film Festival for film buffs

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”Since 1998, the city of Malaga in Andalusia has hosted this festival dedicated to showcasing and promoting Spanish film.

Every year the festival includes feature-length and short films and documentaries in Spanish. Malaga is transformed into a centre for debate and a meeting point for figures in the film industry, as well as a platform for showcasing a wide range of productions. Besides paying homage to various professionals from the industry, film cycles, exhibitions and parallel activities are also organised. It’s is a good opportunity to get to know Malaga, an open and cultural city.”

Fancy expanding your cinema and vocabulary? OK, check out the film section.

Film Directors

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Film Directors:

Have you ever wondered who your favourite film director is? No?!

romeoWell, the brilliant, Australian director, Baz Lurhmann, really ‘floats my boat’. This is very curious because in general I can’t stand musicals. It’s just not normal to be walking down the street and then start belting out a tune.

On the whole, I think these kinds of movies are ‘a sandwich short of a picnic’. Luckily, Baz Luhrmann has, up to a point, changed my mind as one of my all time favourite films is his musical Romeo and Juliet. Although his version is based on Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, the film is set in modern times and the tragedy of the star-crossed lovers unfolds against a backdrop of guns, drugs and fast convertibles.

If you haven’t seen this movie yet, then I suggest that you see it immediately. Check out the official trailer here.
tangoSo, despite the fact that musicals aren’t my cup of tea, music is definitely a part of my life that I couldn’t give up. With that in mind, when I first watched Moulin Rouge I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

Yes, it’s a musical, and blow me over, yes, it’s that good! Seriously, the soundtrack is second-to-none, and in my opinion mixing the song Roxanne by The Police with the Tango to emphasize the raw emotions of love, passion, betrayal, jealousy and suspicion was a stroke of genius. Not seen it? Click here

The main characters, Christian and Satine, are played by Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman; and their acting is priceless. So, although this love story didn’t break my heart of stone it definitely caused a mini crack.

There are lots of different types of films

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Going to the cinema, or watching films and DVDs at home is definitely one of the most popular pastimes of the last 50 years.

Watching movies is an easy way to learn new things, to switch off, to be entertained, and if we are lucky, to be inspired.

Are you keen on going to the cinema? What are your favourite film genres?

  1. Comedies
  2. Animation Films
  3. Science Fiction Films
  4. Thrillers
  5. Horror Films
  6. Action Films
  7. Westerns
  8. Documentaries
  9. Crime and Gangster Films
  10. Adventure Films
  11. Dramas

Film Directors: Love them or loathe them!

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Have you ever wondered who your favourite film director is? No?!

romeoWell, the brilliant, Australian director, Baz Lurhmann, really ‘floats my boat’. This is very curious because in general I can’t stand musicals. It’s just not normal to be walking down the street and then start singing a tune.

On the whole, I think these kinds of movies are ‘a sandwich short of a picnic’. Luckily, Baz Luhrmann has, up to a point, changed my mind as one of my all time favourite films is his musical: Romeo and Juliet. Although his version is based on Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, the film is set in modern times and the tragedy of the star-crossed lovers unfolds against a backdrop of guns, drugs and fast convertibles.

If you haven’t seen this movie yet, then I suggest that you see it immediately. Check out the official trailer here.
tango

So, despite the fact that musicals aren’t my cup of tea, music is definitely a part of my life that I couldn’t give up. With that in mind, when I first watched Moulin Rouge, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

Yes, it’s a musical, and blow me over, yes, it’s that good! Seriously, the soundtrack is second-to-none and in my opinion mixing the song Roxanne by The Police with the Tango to emphasize the raw emotions of love, passion, betrayal, jealousy and suspicion was a stroke of genius. Not seen it? Click here

The main characters, Christian and Satine, are played by Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman; and their acting is priceless. So, although this love story didn’t break my heart of stone it definitely caused a mini crack.

Film Reviews

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filmReviewLogoImagine you recently saw this advert in a local English language lifestyle magazine.

Reviews Needed!

  • We are hoping to add a Film section to our magazine. We would like you to write a review about your favourite film of all time. Describe the film and explain why you would recommend it to others.
  • Get writing as the best review will win £500 and free tickets to the cinema.

Not sure how to start? Well, think about the following 5-step structure to help you organise your ideas. In addition, there is a sample example in the Reading section of DOWNLOADS.  Remember you will need to use the password.

1) Title: Short and Catchy: For example: ‘Sophie’s Choice – Not a Dry Eye in the House’

2) Introduction:

  • General information: the name of the film, genre, the name of the director, the main stars, any awards won.
  • Include overall opinion about the film, for example: ‘This fast-paced, action-packed thriller is a must see’.
  • Try to write a strong expression or a phrase that will catch the reader’s attention

3) Paragraph 1

  • Where and when it was set. A brief summary of the plot, with comments on the acting

4) Paragraph 2

  • Additional aspects of the film: special effects, the musical score, supporting roles
  • If appropriate, you might include some negative opinions here ( either general / personal)

5) Conclusion

  • Personal recommendation with reasons
  • Consider using a direct question, or a memorable expression at the end

Famous quotes from well-known movies:

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Do you know which films the following quaotes are from?

  1. ‘Get away from her you bitch!’
  2. “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.”
  3. “May the force be with you.”
  4. “A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.”
  5. Monday, Tuesday, THURSDAY, Wednesday, Friday, SUNDAY, Saturday”
  6. “Here’s Johnny!”
  7. “Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
  8. “Houston, we have a problem”
  9. “I’ll get you my pretty, and your little dog todo!”
  10. “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”
  11. “Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me,  aren’t you? “
  12. “A boy’s best friend is his mother.”
  13. “I see dead people.”
  14. “Show me the money!”

Film festivals

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cinema vocabularyGoing to the cinema, or watching films and DVDs at home is definitely one of the most popular pastimes of the last 50 years.

Watching movies is an easy way to learn new things, to switch off, to be entertained, and if we are lucky, to be inspired.

Thankfully, Málaga is on the Film Festival Circuit and what better place to roll out the red carpet afilm1nd glam up with a mini skirt and a pair of high heels. Yes, film making is definitely something to celebrate, or at the very least we all have an excuse to sit on over-sized plastic armchairs, drink cheeky beers and stuff our faces with popcorn.

If you want to learn more about films and the cinema in general, then check out the Topic of the Month section, Films and Cinema.

 

Could you be the next top film scriptwriter?

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paramount picturesParamount Pictures is an international film and television production studio. It is consistently ranked as one of the top-grossing film studios in the world and it is well-known for movie blockbusters such as Grease, Friday the 13th and Mission Impossible.

The studio has employed most of the best script writers in the world but it is sick to the back teeth of their whingeing behaviour.  The studio has decided to put its foot down and open an academy to develop new talent.

Do you think you have the right skills and personality? If you want to apply for the academy, write a postcard to the talent manager answering the following questions:

  1. If you were granted three wishes, what wishes would you ask for?
  2. If you had to choose one thing that represented your personality, what would it be and why?
  3. If you had to change into an animal, what animal would you choose and why?
  4. If you had to write a script about a famous person, who would you write about and why?

WRITING ACTIVITY THREE: An Oscar Acceptance Speech

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kateThe Oscars are one of the most prestigious awards for people who work both on screen and behind the camera.

We all have our favourite actors, actresses and celebrities, but do we know the people who make it all happen. The producers, the directors, the sound recordists, the camera operators, the stunt men and women, the interpreters, the lighting directors, the writers……. etc. Unfortunately, for many of us the answer is no.
The Oscar’s aren’t really my cup of tea as I’m not that keen on fashion, neither listening to the stars thanking their parents, husbands, wives and children for their patience and support. Not to mention the crying and boo hoo hoo-ing; why do they all blubber so much?

If I were in their shoes, I would be jumping for joy, shouting: ‘I am a WINNER – GIVE ME THE STATUE’.

So, imagine you are the best; you are brilliant and you have just won an Oscar. What would you write in your acceptance speech?

Do you need inspiration? Ok, no problem, check out what Forrest Whittaker said when he won Best Actor in a Leading Role for The King of Scotland. Click here.