News Mash-up: Movies

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. caper / ˈkeɪ pər / (n.) – an amusing story, movie, etc. about a trick or crime
    Example:

    The students’ caper was on the front page of every newspaper in the area.


  2. debonair / ˌdɛb əˈnɛər / (adj.) – attractive, stylish, and confident  
    Example:

    We were excited to interview the debonair CEO.


  3. portray / pɔrˈtreɪ / (v.) – to act as a character in a movie, play, etc.
    Example:

    The actress portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in the first two seasons of the show.


  4. shoot / ʃut / (v.) – to take a photo or video of someone or something
    Example:

    The movie was shot in Spain.


  5. of (one's) life / ʌv laɪf / (idiom) – having the greatest impact or effect, whether good or bad, on a person’s life
    Example:

    My trip to Italy was the best vacation of my life.


Article

Read the text below.

From 007 to private detective, Daniel Craig signs up for two Knives Out sequels


It looks like Daniel Craig has a new movie franchise after ending his role as James Bond.


Craig is to star in two sequels to the 2019 Knives Out crime caper, with both to stream on Netflix.


Netflix said April 1 it had bought the rights to two follow-up films that will reunite Craig with director Rian Johnson.


Knives Out, an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery, starred Craig as debonair private detective Benoit Blanc, along with a star cast including Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Evans, Don Johnson, Ana de Armas and Christopher Plummer.


Craig, 53, will make the last of five outings as British secret agent Bond in No Time To Die, which is scheduled to arrive in movie theaters in October. (Reuters)


‘Who’s going to play me?’ Boy George launches casting search for biopic


British singer Boy George launched a casting search on April 20 for an actor to portray him in a music biopic set to start filming this summer.


The Culture Club frontman, whose real name is George O’Dowd, took to social media to make the announcement.


“I’m very excited to announce the movie of my life and Culture Club, called Karma Chameleon, will be shot this summer in London and around the world,” he said in a video.


“There’s only one problem, and it’s quite major — who is going to play me? We’re looking for a brave young actor, from anywhere in the globe, to take on the role of his life.” (Reuters)


These articles were provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Craig will star in two sequels to the 2019 Knives Out crime caper. Many people say that sequels are never as good as the original. Do you agree? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Craig has acted in both the James Bond and Knives Out franchises. What’s your favorite movie franchise (ex. Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings)? Why? Discuss.
  • Netflix bought the rights to the two sequels. Do you prefer to see new movies at the theater, or are you okay with watching them on streaming services? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • In recent years, music biopics have been very popular. Why do you think this is? What band would you like to see a music biopic about? Why? Discuss.
  • Some fans were upset that recent music biopics were not 100% based in fact. Do you think it’s important for music biopics to be realistic, or is it okay for them to change the facts in order to have an interesting story? Why? Discuss.
  • Boy George is looking for an actor to portray him. If a movie about your life were being made, what actor would you like to portray you (ex. Ken Watanabe, Angelina Jolie)? Why? Discuss.