English, baby!

Laurel Canyon

Date: Jun 24 2003

Go Super!

Intro

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

complex

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

In the new movie Laurel Canyon, Sam (Christian Bale) and his fiance Alex (Kate Beckinsale) are both recent graduates of Harvard medical school. Conservative and serious, the couple move to Los Angeles to complete their studies. They plan to stay in Sam’s mother’s house, which she said would be vacant. However, when they arrive Sam’s mother Jane is there, and so is her boyfriend’s band.
Jane lives a carefree lifestyle, which is difficult for Sam to deal with, because he has dedicated his life to being serious and successful. Jane and Sam clash, but Alex finds that she likes the relaxed atmosphere.
Anna recently saw Laurel Canyon. Listen to her conversation with Miguel to hear what she thinks about it.

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.

Anna

Miguel

Anna: Miguel, I saw a movie last week that I really liked and I think you would really like.

Miguel: What movie is that?

Anna: It’s Laurel Canyon, the drama set in Southern California.

Miguel: Oh, actually I, I’ve heard of that. That looks really good.

Anna: I found it to be very well developed as far as the character and their motivations, and it’s all about two different worlds, or types of worlds, sorta clashing.

Miguel: It, is it like a happy movie, or a sad movie – I mean it’s a drama, but, you know, what’s the general feeling of the whole thing?

Anna: You really think a lot about, um, the family you were raised with and who you are. Are you just like your parents? Or, have you become a different person? And then, are the people you’re drawn to like your family or like yourself? If that makes sense.

Miguel: Wow. That does sound pretty cool. So who’s in it?

Anna: Oh gosh. I’m not very good with names always, but, um, Kate Beckinsdale is in it.

Miguel: Oh, I love her. She’s really cute. That’s a good reason to see that movie.

Anna: It is. I have to say, she’s, uh, she’s pretty pretty.

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3

Go Super to Ask Ebaby! teachers your questions!

The iTEP^® test

Sponsored by

Schedule an iTEP^® test and take the official English Practice Test.
Take Now >

Discussion

The more I think about it, the more I like Laurel Canyon. It was a truly unique movie and the characters were all really interesting. The conversations in the movie were really thought-provoking, which is rare in a time when most movies are full of action and adventure, rather than complex ideas and emotions.
I strongly recommend Laurel Canyon. If it’s playing where you live, you should definitely see it!
See you at the movies!
Anna