1. A film review.
This is a poster for another film. Read the review quickly and complete the missing parts of the poster.
Review: Angela's Ashes
Based on the prize-winning novel by Frank McCourt, Angela's Ashes is a critically-acclaimed film by the director Alan Parker. Set in Ireland in the 1930s and 1940s, the film tells the story of Frank's childhood. The film opens with Frank's family living in Brooklyn. When Frank's baby sister dies, the family decides to give up their difficult life in America and return to Ireland.
Hollywood directors love to adapt successful novels for the screen. After all, many people watch a film because they have read the book and liked it. Having said that, it's difficult to make the film as impressive as the book. People who enjoy Alan Parker's film would probably enjoy the book far more. However, that's not to say that it's a bad film.
Parker's film shows a series of episodes in Frank's life. Although it's a dramatic story, it's told with humour and optimism. Emily Watson plays the role of Frank's mother, and Robert Carlyle plays his father. Carlyle is a good actor, but he is not quite convincing in this role. What's more, there was something missing from the scenes set in Ireland. It didn't quite seem real. But it is still an entertaining and enjoyable film to watch, even if it's not a great film, and the soundtrack by John Williams is wonderful.
3. Complex sentences.
The sentence below is based on the text in the previous exercises.
Set in Ireland, the film tells the story of Frank's childhood.
4. Complex sentences.
We can use complex sentences to combine two sentences about the same subject. For example:
Angela's Ashes is based on the novel by Frank McCourt.
Angela's Ashes is a critically-acclaimed film by director Alan Parker.
These two sentences can be rewritten as one sentence.
Based on the novel by Frank McCourt, Angela's Ashes is a critically-acclaimed film by director Alan Parker.
Put the parts of the sentence in the correct order to make a complete sentence.
5. Write.
Choose ONE of the alternatives below.
Alternative 1 – An online film review
You are going to write an online film review, like the ones posted on movie sites on the Internet. Choose a film that you have seen recently. Look again at language and vocabulary that you have studied in this unit to help you prepare. Remember to answer the following questions:
- Who wrote and directed the film?
- What is the story about?
- Who is in the film?
- What do you like or not like about it?
Tip: Try to incorporate the following in your review as well.
Ways of linking information and ideas:
however
but
although
Having said that,
What's more,
After all,
Words used for emphasis:
far
even
still
Write about one of your favourite films. Describe the film, what it is about, who is in it and why you like it. Try to include words and phrases from the Tip box above.
Write between 150 and 200 words. Check spelling and grammar before sending the text to your tutor.
Alternative 2 – The local film industry
Write a blog entry about the future of your national / local cinema. You can use the following questions to help you:
- Is there a successful film industry in your country?
- How has the local film industry changed since you were a child?
- What things threaten the industry?
- What does the film industry need to help it survive?
- Do you think the government should provide financial help to the film industry?
- Is it important to have a local cinema? Why?
Remember to include ways of linking information and ideas that you have studied in this unit:
however
but
although
Having said that,
What's more,
After all,
Write about 150 words. Check spelling and grammar before sending the text to your tutor.