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Semi-Pro

Date: Apr 02 2008

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.

When people talk about “professional sports,” they’re usually talking about huge organizations like baseball’s major leagues. But the phrase really just means people who play sports for money. It could be for $10 million or $10.

There are lots of smaller professional sports organizations in the US and there were even more in the past. In Semi-Pro, Will Ferrell plays a 1970s singer who buys a basketball team in a small league. A league so small that he is a coach and a player as well as the owner. But his team has a chance to move into the NBA, the largest basketball league there is. So they play hard and do a lot of crazy things, like wrestle bears.

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.

Marni

Devan

Marni: Oh my God, so I cannot stop laughing because I just watched the trailer for Semi-Pro. I haven’t seen the movie, but…

Devan: Do you really think that’s going to be a good movie or do you think it’s just going to be another standard Will Ferrell movie? That’s what it looks like to me…

Marni: You know, it seems to work for him! I agree. It’s like the same sort of formula. You’ve got the sort of schlocky guy…

Devan: It’s same movie but a different sport. He’s had NASCAR, this is basketball, what else…

Marni: ...ice skating.

Devan: It’s the same recipe, same formula, different movie.

Marni: But for some reason, he gets paid $20 million a movie, you know? So, something’s working for him. And I gotta say, I think he’s funny.

Devan: Do you think this is going to be a breakout movie for Andre from Outkast? Do you think that he’ll start doing a lot of movies now? I heard he’s supposed to be pretty funny it.

Marni: I really like him, so I don’t know. It could be. But I think the Will Ferrell thing, that’s what’s brining in the people. You know, that’s why people are going to see it, Will Ferrell. And whatever he’s doing seems to be working for him.

Quizzes

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Discussion

Neither Marni or Devan have seen Semi-Pro. But Marni thinks it looks great. Devan’s not so sure. It reminds her of some other movies, namely Blades of Glory and Talladega Nights, two recent Will Ferrell movies that are pretty much the same as Semi-Pro if you substitute basketball for auto racing or ice skating.

But Marni doesn’t care. It’s funny, and that’s the point. What movie would you not mind seeing made over and over again?

Comments

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EstebanM

Colombia

I like Will Ferrel, but I prefer his perfomances on Saturday Night Live.

xiaobeibeiqi

China

I vevy like paly basketball

hramesp

Mexico

I like BasketBall, but not that kind of basketball with will ferrel, I don't like his movies, ... ,

flornt717

Togo

me i would be never be tired to payin’ basketball. if i can i’ll play averytime. so mornin’ to night.
i do’t have girlfriend because of that. i haven’t time to make friend whith girls.

browneyes.no1

Viet Nam

I like Basketball too ^ ^ but i can't play it =.= .

I often watch NBA on TV .

Jeff456

Taiwan

The Quiz is kinda easy, right?

harDy

Egypt

i dont like this movies but i luv the drama its really make u think alot like cindrella man , godfather and iam a lagend

Orl@ndo

Puerto Rico

This is a really good movie I recommended to everyone your going to laugh star to finish and I like more basketball than other sport.

wandey

China

I like whating basketball game!But i don't like playing!

Chiachi

Taiwan

The title Semi-Pro is what I think. Always, the same movies of two way still attracted people, just like the two movies of "Secret" and "The Lake House". The core of the two movies were focus of love, and even though they played in the similar way of story, they were still in my mind until now.

It just like that, a pair of twins who were seemed in the same face, but they were indeed two different and characteristic men!.....Anyway, this analogy is just kidding.

elizabeth84

Azerbaijan

it is ok but i don t like when people involve bread in such dirty things

SÉRGIO

Brazil

cool!!

SÉRGIO

Brazil

CIDADE DE DEUS!! It's a great brazilian movie which i saw at least three times, very good!! it show the reality the majority of brazilian society!

zoebaby

China

i’m a huge fan of Will Smith who is amazing in “pursuit of happiness”,i got lessons when i watched this movie.it’s powerful.
and i’m following the new comeouts.