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Transformers

Transformers

Date: Sep 12 2007

Themes: Pop Culture

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.

Why would you want a toy car when you could have a toy car that transforms into an alien attack robot? In the 1980s, Transformers emerged as a really popular animated TV show and toy line.

Recently, a live-action film revived interest in Transformers. While it would be hard not to have fun at a movie about fighting robots, some people find the amount of product placement in the movie to be really annoying. Amanda isn’t one of them.

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.

Amanda

Amanda

Marni

Marni

Amanda:  So. What did you do this weekend?

Marni:  Not a lot, I, uh, just kinda hung around and I wanted to go see Transformers but I didn’t make it. Have you seen it?

Amanda:  I took my kid on opening day. First of all, line around, outside, down the corner. And I was that mom that took the kid that was four because it’s PG-13, so kind of hiding out behind the handbag.

Marni:  But you know your kid can handle it. You’re gauging...

Amanda:  Exactly. And I went for selfish purposes. I think we’re about the same age and I don’t know about you, but I grew up with Transformers.

Marni:  I did too, yeah.

Amanda:  Always obsessed with it…

Marni:  Really? You were?

Amanda:  It’s a very creative toy!

Marni:  Good point.

Amanda:  So two and a half hours…visual dessert.

Marni:  That’s kinda what I figured.

Amanda:  But not only the crazy action, but the cast. Josh Duhamel, Shia LaBeouf, uh Megan, I don’t know her last name…

Marni:  Fox?

Amanda:  Megan Fox, model turned actress. Tyrese. So it is an all-star cast, but a lot of people are complaining that it is a two-and-a-half-hour commercial. But if it entertains? Can you really complain?

Marni:  You’re not really going to watch serious…

Amanda:  No. It’s not up for an Oscar.

Marni:  Exactly. It’s just mindless entertainment.

 

Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

Even though Transformers is rated as a movie that’s only appropriate for children over the age of 13, Amanda took her four-year-old to the movie. She and Marni agree that a parent usually knows what his or her child can handle.

Plus, Amanda really wanted to see the movie. She grew up playing with Transformers. The movie looked really good, not only because of the action sequences, but also because of the beautiful cast members, one of whom used to be a model.

Amanda says that the only complaint she’s heard against the movie is that it’s essentially a commercial because there’s so much advertising in it. But the advertising didn’t bother her. She was still entertained, and after all, that’s the point.

What was your favorite toy when you were a kid? What would a movie made out of it be like? Would you want there to be advertising in it?

 

Comments

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milly2011

milly2011

China

from a movie , even if it is unwell-know one , we can learn something from it. sometimes a piece of move ; sometimes a warning the world. it is significative to dig something through the surface.

02:39 AM Sep 15 2007 |

smile7661

China

Although i've not seen this film till now, some of my friends talked me about that many times. This film takes me back to my childhood. One day i took my children to toy shop to buy a transform mask. When i weared it, i felt very nice.

08:07 AM Sep 13 2007 |

sweety_bubbly

India

oh i love this moviee….its a good one

07:11 AM Sep 13 2007 |

Eddie.jung

South Korea

I love watching a movie, so transformers also give me impressions which have amazing computer graphics and scale. Even if the story is monotonous that is no emotion, it is OK.

04:13 AM Sep 13 2007 |

yang yang xu

China

I grew up with transformers and I bought a lot of toys. I'm so excited about this cartoon. Before this movie came out, I expected that I can watch it as soon as possible. The movie looked very good. I don't agree that this movie is for a commercial. Because transformers had already been popular, it don't need to be crown. Every movies hs its way to make some advertisment, but it doesn't matter. It's still fantastic.

12:58 AM Sep 13 2007 |

Maggie-china

China

i haven't seen it yet. but i am happy that there are so many people like  it. i think the most important thing is you can enjoy yourself when  watching it. that's really enough.

12:36 AM Sep 13 2007 |

mariagirl

Morocco

hi

11:55 PM Sep 12 2007 |

carlosbertholdi

Brazil

I kinda don’t remember to have a toy like that, but I played videogames that resemble to this transformers but it is called mechs. Last time I played a mech game(sort of) was “Lost Planet” on my Xbox 360 a third person shooter in which your character Wayne could ride a big walking robot called VS (Vital Suit) in the game. It’s an action intense game with a lame story-line, but it is good anyway.

11:12 PM Sep 12 2007 |

Alexi

Poland

nowadays i think there are a lot of kids who love such live- action movies… otherweise i'd also say that Transformers placement in a movie influence their fancy.

i can't remember what was my favourite toy in my childhood, but i can surely say, that i wasn't kind of girl who only plays with boy-toys. i was quite girly…:) barbie and etc. 

10:09 PM Sep 12 2007 |

romail_2682

Pakistan

I haven`t seen it yet SealedCry

07:40 PM Sep 12 2007 |

_Jasmine_

_Jasmine_

Poland

I don't liked this movie. For me it was very boring. I admit that this is a huge commercial.  

07:01 PM Sep 12 2007 |

Mallow

Mallow

China

i went to see this movie sevral weeks ago with my friend, at the end my friend told me that : wow, it's too splendid and i can'y move my body out of the seat now!

haha, from his words you know this movie impressed us a lot, both of us reminded our childhood, it's really pretty good!

03:41 PM Sep 12 2007 |

isleah

Philippines

i grew up with transformers too but im not really a fan, although i find them really interesting and i think i have to see the movie first before i give a comment or suggestion about it…..but i hope movie makers make a movie of astroboy hehe

12:33 PM Sep 12 2007 |

somebody09

Philippines

it was an awesome action movie!!!ilove it when i was a kid and i still love it until now.its worth the wait…

11:02 AM Sep 12 2007 |

wuthering heights

Turkey

For me,flipper is the one that ı like.and Power Rangers is again one of my favourtive moive.by

09:32 AM Sep 12 2007 |

Yunncy

Yunncy

China

Mabe  just a little girl when the cartoon was popular,i havelittle feeling with it till now.

08:57 AM Sep 12 2007 |

Noah Lee

South Korea

I do not watch movie yet. But I think the movie, Transformers, is an amazing. And it is true that movies are like big advertising. So, movie sometimes give us pleasure and confusion. I mean sometime I really want to buy some stuff that I see on the screen.

08:16 AM Sep 12 2007 |

Johnny bai

Johnny bai

China

transformers is the coolest movie i have ever seen so far. I grew up with transformers like Amanda, whereas i have no kid to take see PG-13:)

I think it is okay that commercials in the movies. There is nothing to complain, just enjoy the movie, such visual dessert

07:43 AM Sep 12 2007 |

explorer143

Pakistan

captain planet, micky mouse is my favourite cartoon when i was child…i never see this film,, but want to see it…

07:09 AM Sep 12 2007 |

randy-liu

randy-liu

China

 

a very good job, guys. when it is teatime, a good thing to do is  enjoy this kind of conversation. that is real the bomb.but the chat room is really boring, vain. haha virtual reality.

 

 

06:50 AM Sep 12 2007 |

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