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.
Star Wars. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Ghostbusters. Ocean’s Eleven. Terminator. Batman. What do all these movies have in common? They are remakes, old movies that were filmed again with new actors and better special effects. Remaking old movies is one of the most popular trends in Hollywood. It’s an easy way for a studio to make money and for actors to make names for themselves.
There are different ways to remake movies. Ocean’s Eleven was a direct remake. The 2001 movie was the same as the 1960 movie. A sequel is when a new movie continues the story of an old movie, like in the Terminator series. A reboot is when the movie changes the story and the characters, like in Ghostbusters. Some people enjoy watching remakes while others think no new movie can be as good as the first movie.
Jessica just found out that Hollywood is going to remake another old movie. Andy isn’t very happy about it. Listen to today’s English lesson to find out why Andy thinks remakes are a slippery slope.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
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Jessica: Andy, I just found out they’re doing a remake of The NeverEnding Story.
Andy_H: Nooo!!!
Jessica: I’m so excited! I can’t wait to see it. Technology has come so far since that movie came out, and I can’t wait to see what they do with all of the special effects.
Andy_H: But what about the sanctity of all these wonderful old Hollywood movies? I mean, they did it to Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, and we saw what happened there. They did it to Ocean’s Eleven. They even did it to those poor turtles with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Jessica: It’s funny. I actually didn’t see most of the remakes you just mentioned, but some of them could be incredible, just to see how the current trends play into the story that we loved twenty years ago, just to see what they do. I can’t wait.
Andy_H: You know, the special effects are amazing. The technology is far reaching, but I can’t help but think that this is just another way for a studio to make more money and for people to make names for themselves. I mean, are we going to see The Maltese Falcon or Casablanca remade?
Jessica: See, that breaks my heart. Those hold such a special place in my heart. I couldn’t imagine them being better.
Andy_H: Hey, it’s a slippery slope.
Jessica: It is.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
The NeverEnding Story was a very popular movie made in 1984. It told the story of a young boy who read a magical book. Jessica found out that Hollywood will remake The NeverEnding Story soon, and she can’t wait to see the new movie. Jessica thinks remakes are exciting. She hasn’t seen many remakes, but she likes the idea of watching movies she already knows with new special effects.
Andy isn’t so sure about remakes. He agrees that today’s technology and trends are far reaching, but he thinks movies need more than cool special effects. To Andy, a remake often destroys the sanctity of the old movie. He talks about several old movies that became terrible remakes. After listening to Andy, Jessica understands how remakes can be a slippery slope. After all, some old movies are too perfect to change.
What is your favorite old Hollywood movie? If you found out the studio was going to remake it, would you feel like Jessica or like Andy?
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