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Changeling

Changeling

Date: Nov 26 2008

Themes: Family, History

Grammar: Passive Voice

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

There’s nothing more annoying than knowing you’re right about something when everyone else thinks you’re wrong. It’s enough to drive you crazy.

That’s exactly what happens to Angelina Jolie’s character in the new thriller Changeling. Jolie plays Christine, a single mother whose son was kidnapped in 1928. Later, the police find the boy and return him to Christine. She insists that the boy isn’t her son, but nobody believes her. Listen to Marni tell Beren about the film.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Marni

Beren

Beren

Marni:  Have you seen the Changeling by chance?

Beren:  No, but I’ve seen a ton of previews.

Marni:  It’s got a huge ad campaign, right?

Beren:  Yes.

Marni:  Yeah, I felt like I was inundated for ads for it when I was in New York. It was just everywhere. All over the subway. And I got totally excited about it, ‘cause it looked kinda scary and…

Beren:  Totally.

Marni:  And it’s just really not so great.

Beren:  Really?

Marni:  Unfortunately, yeah. I figured it’s kind of a period piece, an Oscar contender, perhaps because of the combination of Angelina Jolie and Clint Eastwood. But it’s just really melodramatic and just…Not very good. Like, do you know what the story is?

Beren:  Yeah, totally. A kid gets kidnapped and…

Marni:  Angelina Jolie, the main character, her child gets kidnapped, then gets returned to her, but it’s not her child. So she says. But everybody’s like, “You’re crazy, it’s your kid.” And so, it drives her insane, and she ends up in a, you know…

Beren:  A mental institution.

Marni:  Yes.

Beren:  Where she often ends up in these Oscar...

Marni:  In these Oscar performances. It’s like this winning combination. But it just…It wasn’t, I don’t know…

Beren:  So, like, the story doesn’t gel? I know Clint Eastwood got some flack for Mystic River. It was a really good movie. Slightly heavy-handed, but…

Marni:  I think it’s kinda interesting looking, visually…

Beren:  He has a great eye.

Marni:  He does have a great eye. And, you know, John Malkovich? Also in it. You know, good cast. But sometimes that just isn’t a winning combination.

 

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Discussion

Changeling got a lot of hype before it was released. There were tons of ads and previews for it, and some people believed it would be nominated for an Oscar. The film’s director, Clint Eastwood, and its star, Angelina Jolie, have both been nominated for Oscars in the past.

Marni saw the film and was disappointed. She found it a little melodramatic and heavy-handed. On the other hand, she liked the way the film looked. The sets and costumes were beautiful and it was a convincing period piece.

Do you like movies about history that take place in the past? What do you think it takes to make an award-winning film?

 

Comments

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miffoo

miffoo

Slovakia

Angelina Jolie is very beautiful women

07:45 PM Nov 26 2008 |

Totto

Totto

Sudan

I like  documentary films and I like movies based on historic events.  an award-winning films take a lot of hard work.  

 

04:04 PM Nov 26 2008 |

lizbcar

China

good  movie

03:49 PM Nov 26 2008 |

zeus2006

zeus2006Super Member!

Turkey

I didn’t see it yet, but topic drew my attension .

03:43 PM Nov 26 2008 |

zeus2006

zeus2006Super Member!

Turkey

Movie’s topic is interesting. Mother’s feeling!!! It remind me of Sofy’s choice. Maryl Streep acted.Date was during second world war in Germany. She had two children and SS told she can take just one of them. How can she choose one of them?

03:40 PM Nov 26 2008 |

carlosblack

Brazil

I JUST DON’T LIKE IT,’CAUSE IN THIS KIND OF MOVIE THERE ARE TOO OBVIOUS THING

02:42 PM Nov 26 2008 |

609366027

China

I agree with Marni, the moive is not subtle

02:21 PM Nov 26 2008 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

Films of the 20’s and 30’s doesn’t call my attention…I prefer epic films on the media age,for exemple :)

01:09 PM Nov 26 2008 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

I have not seen this film yet,but I was curious…I like some Angelina Joile's films and I adore epic films,but media age,I belive that one of my lifes it was there :D

01:05 PM Nov 26 2008 |

sd2772290

sd2772290

China

i will see this film tonight

 

10:40 AM Nov 26 2008 |

dia_nna29

dia_nna29

Malaysia

i have to see this film first before i can make any fair comments. even if the story is heavy-handed, at least i got to watch angelina jolie again. i love her!! she is as great an actor as she is a looker. besides, a film with so much hype must be worth the viewing. im definitely NOT gonna miss this one !! 

09:11 AM Nov 26 2008 |

hanabluestar

Yemen

is not necessary any film takes a place in the past should be an oscar contender . it depend on the story and events. i watched some movies end up such as what happened to Angelina Jolie and i do not like it . i like when the ends be happy.

06:53 AM Nov 26 2008 |

RISEPEARL

RISEPEARL

Afghanistan

I like angelina Joile is very good actor and goos social worker for walefare .. i like her and her husband too .. i like her flim TOBM RIDDER.It's a good leasson i like it..                

06:50 AM Nov 26 2008 |

hebema

hebema

China

I like Angelina Jolie who is very beautiful and very warm-hearted, everyone knows that she adopted many children from another countries. By the way, Brad Pitt is my idol too, hahaha!!

05:47 AM Nov 26 2008 |

within

within

China

Both two of the moives mentioned I interested in

01:19 AM Nov 26 2008 |

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