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Date: Mar 17 2010

Themes: Pop Culture, Tech

Grammar: Be Able To

Intro

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

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

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Even though it didn’t win an Oscar for best picture, Avatar was one of the most talked about movies this year. It used new 3D technology to create visual effects unlike anything moviegoers have seen before. It was also the most expensive, and the highest-earning, movie ever made.

But does the movie match the hype? Some critics complain that while the movie may be fun to look at, the writing is bad and the story is cliche. But others find the moral of the movie, about protecting the planet, to be inspiring. Find out what Dale and Marni thought of Avatar.

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

Dale

Dale

Marni:  Have you seen Avatar, Dale?

Dale:  OK, who hasn’t seen Avatar? That’s the question.

Marni:  Well, apparently, you know, there’s three people on the planet. But I have to say, I think that maybe I missed the boat because I saw it, but I didn’t see it in 3D.

Dale:  The good thing about with watching it in 2D is that you actually grasp the actual storyline without getting sucked into the graphics.

Marni:  Into the visuals.

Dale:  Into the visual parts of it. I got sucked into the visuals. Because then I’m paying attention to everything else but the storyline. And the storyline is important there because it actually drives the whole movie. So I plan to watch it in 3D as well as in 2D.

Marni:  Ah, interesting. Well, OK, so I have to say, as someone who saw it in 2D, yes, you know, I was sitting there analyzing all the flaws in the story and going, “Oh, but that’s really pretty.” So now I think I would want to see it in 3D and be able to just focus on the visuals.

Dale:  I don’t really see that there was many flaws to the story.

Marni:  Really?

Dale:  I was just sucked in because overall, the way it was done was done I think in my honest opinion flawlessly.

Marni:  Wow.

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Dale and Marni have both seen Avatar, although Marni only saw it in 2D. They disagree about the film. Marni thinks that although it is fun to look at, the story is weak. Dale was really impressed by the movie. He thinks it is perfect in every way.

Avatar’s director James Cameron used the latest technology to create a visually stunning movie. You can see Avatar in 2D or 3D. In 2D you might be able to pay better attention to the plot, but if you want to fully enjoy the visual effects, it’s better to see the film in 3D. Or you could be like Marni and Dale, and see it both ways.

Have you seen Avatar? Do you think it is better to watch it in 2-D or 3-D?

 

Comments

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sallyj

sallyj

Jordan

i saw that movie…but not in 3d…actually i didn't like it..it's sooo expected fome!

05:04 PM Mar 17 2010 |

quick to pardon

Mali

Alas I couldn't watch this movie

whatever I hope watch it soon

05:01 PM Mar 17 2010 |

iwori

iwori

Japan

I haven't this flick and I don't have a big interest about SF movies like that…because I'm always sucked in soryline and I want to sympathize with characters. Most of all, I don't want to put on glasses when I watch movies!

But I know many people feel Aveter is flawlessly. I think it's more important to the way to show storyline than to make unique story even if the plot is mediocre.

04:14 PM Mar 17 2010 |

爱已不再

爱已不再

China

In fact,i saw the film,i really like it ,especially the scenery, it is very beautiful,

03:03 PM Mar 17 2010 |

Pu4

Pu4

Russian Federation

If somebody can't learn anything from it, it doesn't mean that there is nothing to learn, there is.  

03:02 PM Mar 17 2010 |

myrashik

myrashik

Ukraine

i haven't watched it, and i'm not gonna doit, 'cause i'm not really fond of watching blue people…)

02:11 PM Mar 17 2010 |

mily1688

mily1688

India

i did't watched it in 3D but i liked the movie,it is really a amazing movie.

12:53 PM Mar 17 2010 |

Pu4

Pu4

Russian Federation

When you watch film in 3D, especially Avatar, you can't see all beaty and depth of colours . You know, it's fantastic here. but if you enjoy getting sucked into the graphics you have to see it in 3D!

I think, Avatar one of the best balanced film in the world. There is everything: war, love, devotion, culture, nature and so on…And you are not tired of it.

Dale is right, it's good idea to watch it in 3D as weel as in 2D.

12:12 PM Mar 17 2010 |

joyful1

joyful1

Russian Federation

I haven't watched it yet) i'm one of those 3 people on the planet!)

and as i understood from the lesson, the plot is quite weak , so it doesn't make any sense to watch in 2d, that's why i gonna watch it in 3d! dunno where though))

11:23 AM Mar 17 2010 |

hard

hard

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

I watched this movie, It was amazing really I love it

 

10:43 AM Mar 17 2010 |

jayyy

jayyy

India

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

Listen to Dialog

<!- -> 2. Study – Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used. Marni

Marni

Dale

Dale

Marni:  Have you seen Avatar, Dale?

Dale:  OK, who hasn’t seen Avatar? That’s the question.

Marni:  Well, apparently, you know, there’s three people on the planet. But I have to say, I think that maybe I missed the boat because I saw it, but I didn’t see it in 3D.

Dale:  The good thing about with watching it in 2D is that you actually grasp the actual storyline without getting sucked into the graphics.

Marni:  Into the visuals.

Dale:  Into the visual parts of it. I got sucked into the visuals. Because then I’m paying attention to everything else but the storyline. And the storyline is important there because it actually drives the whole movie. So I plan to watch it in 3D as well as in 2D.

Marni:  Ah, interesting. Well, OK, so I have to say, as someone who saw it in 2D, yes, you know, I was sitting there analyzing all the flaws in the story and going, “Oh, but that’s really pretty.” So now I think I would want to see it in 3D and be able to just focus on the visuals.

Dale:  I don’t really see that there was many flaws to the story.

Marni:  Really?

Dale:  I was just sucked in because overall, the way it was done was done I think in my honest opinion flawlessly.

Marni:  Wow.

10:07 AM Mar 17 2010 |

Goshaa =*

Goshaa =*

Poland

i`ve been on this on cinema. its great!Wink

09:19 AM Mar 17 2010 |

thillay

thillay

Malaysia

nice movieCool

08:49 AM Mar 17 2010 |

AQ

AQ

Finland

i love this movie and the 3D effets were awesome! i watched avatar twice and it's still not enough for me! =DD and i loved Pandora, it was soo beautiful with all those things like connecting with animals etc =D avatar is my favorite movie so far!!

totally recommended!!

07:11 AM Mar 17 2010 |

khaye-cee

khaye-cee

Philippines

its better to watch it in 3-d the visual effects was so amazing we have been seen this movie in 3-d and i would say it was flawlesly, i was just wondering why it didnt win as a best pictures in oscar award 

07:04 AM Mar 17 2010 |

Wanda汪

Wanda汪

China

I like this movie!Smile

07:02 AM Mar 17 2010 |

julywidiawati

Indonesia

Hi Viona, really? it was too bad I haven't seen it in 3-D, well actually I'm not really impressed of the story line, and it decreased my willingness to see the 3-D..heheh.. but I really wanted seeing the 3-D with my daughters, but some fightings would scared my daughters a lot I guessed and that would be awful!

04:07 AM Mar 17 2010 |

edward.l

edward.l

China

i just saw it few months ago , but just 2D  , i think it is a good move anyway ,i like it .and the avatar people is lovely ….....

03:23 AM Mar 17 2010 |

julywidiawati

Indonesia

I have seen it months ago, 2-D is fine, but maybe in 3-D gotta be awesome!

02:32 AM Mar 17 2010 |

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