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Insomnia

Date: Jun 05 2002

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.

In the movie Insomnia, Robin Williams deviates from his usual funny man roles to a much more serious part. He plays a murder suspect in a small Alaska town, and though the movie also stars other big name actors such as Al Pacino, Tanis doesn’t sound too excited to see it.
On the other hand, the new romantic comedy About A Boy seems more like Tanis’ cup of tea. Let’s hear what she has to say…

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.

John

Tanis

John: You know, that new Robin Williams movie is supposed to be pretty good.

Tanis: I don’t know. It looks lame to me.

John: What are you talking about? It’s supposed to be the best summer movie, better than Spider-Man.

Tanis: Uh, I think I’ll wait ‘till it comes out on video.

John: What’s your problem? Is it Robin Williams you don’t like?

Tanis: Oh my gosh, you hit the nail on the head. I do not like Robin Williams when he’s trying to act.

John: But he’s in a totally different role. He’s a bad guy this time.

Tanis: Yeah, I think, again, I’ll just wait for that. Because I personally don’t think he’s a very good actor when he’s not being funny.

John: So, what’s at the top of your movie list?

Tanis: I want to see, um, Hugh Grant in About A Boy.

John: Actually, I heard that was really good too. Little bit different kind of movie, but, kind of a chick flick, wouldn’t you say?

Tanis: Who cares? Hugh Grant is hot!

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

Some actors are very versatile and can play a wide variety of roles with equal skill. Other actors are typecast into a particular type of character and have a hard time breaking out of that mold, and still others are just better suited for comedies than they are for dramas. The good thing is that with the wide variety of movies released in the summer, there is usually something to fit everyone’s tastes.
Are there any movies you’re really looking forward to? Let us know on the Movie Madness Board!
See you next week-
Brett