News Mash-up: Famous Actors

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Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

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Unlocking Word Meanings

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

  1. role / roʊl / (n.) – the character that an actor plays in a movie, theater play, etc.
    Example:

    She was given the role of the evil queen in the new film.


  2. dame / deɪm / (n.) – a woman who has been given a title as an honor for something she has done
    Example:

    She was made a dame by Britain’s Queen for her unforgettable efforts in helping people in need.


  3. breakthrough / ˈbreɪkˌθru / (n.) – a person’s first important success
    Example:

    Her appearance in TV ads led to her acting breakthrough.


  4. blockbuster / ˈblɒkˌbʌs tər / (n.) – a very successful book or film that makes a lot of money
    Example:

    The young actor gained popularity after he starred in the Hollywood blockbuster.


  5. retrospective / ˌrɛ trəˈspɛk tɪv / (n.) – an exhibition of an artist’s past works
    Example:

    The museum is featuring a retrospective of Van Gogh’s early works.


Article

Read the text below.

Helen Mirren to receive lifetime achievement award from Screen Actors Guild


Helen Mirren will get a lifetime achievement award at the Screen Actors Guild awards ceremony next year, organizers said on Nov. 18.


The London-born actress has played more than 70 roles over her 45-year career in film, television and theater. In 2003, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II made Mirren a dame for her services to drama.


Mirren, 76, will receive the award at the SAG ceremony in Los Angeles on Feb. 27. She will add it to her Oscar, her Tony, her four Emmys and her five SAG awards.


Her screen breakthrough came in 1991 as a police detective in the British TV show Prime Suspect. In 2007, she won the best actress Oscar for The Queen.


“Since I was a young actor starting out, I have always been inspired by and learned from American screen acting, so this award is particularly meaningful for me,” she said in a statement. (Reuters)


Harry Potter stars to reunite for TV special in London, but without JK Rowling


Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are reuniting with other cast members from the blockbuster film franchise for a special 20th anniversary TV retrospective, movie studio Warner Bros. said on Nov. 23. But J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, will not be appearing on the show.


Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid, Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Gary Oldman (Sirius Black) and other stars of the eight movies will join the former child actors for Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts on the movie set in London where the first film was made. The special will be broadcast on Jan. 1 on streaming platform HBO Max. (Reuters)


These articles were provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Mirren will receive a lifetime achievement award at the Screen Actors Guild on February 27 after playing 70 roles during her 45-year career in film, television, and theater. How do you think she was able to stay in this career for so long? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, should people aim for a lifetime career or is it okay to change careers as one wants? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The Harry Potter stars are reuniting for a special 20th anniversary TV retrospective. Why do you think the movie’s popularity has extended for so long? Discuss.
  • Although the Harry Potter stars are reuniting, the author J.K. Rowling will not be appearing on the show. In your opinion, is it better if authors appear on films or episodes of the novels-turned-movies/series that they created? Why or why not? Discuss.