Today, we watched the teaser trailer for Steve Jobs, the new Aaron Sorkin movie starring Michael Fassbender, Seth Rogen, and Kate Winslet. The trailer shows almost nothing of the movie, just Steve Jobs (Fassbender) standing on stage, while some people are heard talking in unrelated scenes. I'm interested in it because I like the actors, and because Aaron Sorkin has a good reputation.
I think the reigning world champions are about to lose their crown! Let's enjoy the World Cup semi-final on July 1st/2nd!
We had a symposium at PUK on Saturday. I was the MC. I was very nervous even though I didn't have so much to do. The symposium was about literature and performance, and it featured teachers from PUK and from Sangmyung University in Korea.
Monday, June 29, 2015
The Flintstones, the Women's World Cup, and other matters…
The Women's World Cup is going well for both England and Japan. But, since they meet in the semi-finals, one of them will be knocked out soon. Let's all cheer on England!
Today we saw one of the earliest episodes of the Flintstones. It's a cartoon set in the Stone Age, but there are cars and other features of modern life. It's famous for the cry, "Yabadabadoo!"
Today we saw one of the earliest episodes of the Flintstones. It's a cartoon set in the Stone Age, but there are cars and other features of modern life. It's famous for the cry, "Yabadabadoo!"
Monday, June 22, 2015
Kung Fu Panda 2, Kung Fu Panda 3, and other matters…
Today we watched the movie trailers for Kung Fu Panda 2, and Kung Fu Panda 3. It was nice to be reminded of Kung Fu Panda 2, which was released in 2011. I'm very much looking forward to the release of Kung Fu Panda 3, which is slated for January next year. It isn't yet listed on allcinema.net.
As you know, Kung Fu Panda is voiced by Jack Black. Jack Black has appeared in movies such as Tropic Thunder and School of Rock. Angelina Jolie as Tiger is also very good. I do hope that the subtitled version of the movie comes in addition to the dubbed version.
Kung Fu Panda 2, Kung Fu Panda 3, and other matters
Today we watched two movie trailers: Kung Fu Panda 2 and Kung Fu Panda 3. (The Apple trailers site didn't have Kung Fu Panda 1.) Kung Fu Panda 3 has all the same characters as the first two movies, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It begins in the States in January, and I'm guessing it will begin in Japan at about the same time, though I'm worried it will come only in the dubbed version. I may have to wait for the DVD to see it in English.
I just took a look on Rotten Tomatoes for info on Kung Fu Panda. The first movie was made in 2008. Kung Fu Panda 2 was released in 2011. I thought maybe Kung Fu Panda 2 was the end of the series, but I'm very glad it's coming back.
Where will Raheem Sterling be playing next year? Many think it will be at Manchester City, who had their second bid rejected last week. There are lots of midfielders and goalkeepers rumored to be transferring this summer, so many teams will look very different next season.
I just took a look on Rotten Tomatoes for info on Kung Fu Panda. The first movie was made in 2008. Kung Fu Panda 2 was released in 2011. I thought maybe Kung Fu Panda 2 was the end of the series, but I'm very glad it's coming back.
Where will Raheem Sterling be playing next year? Many think it will be at Manchester City, who had their second bid rejected last week. There are lots of midfielders and goalkeepers rumored to be transferring this summer, so many teams will look very different next season.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Grammar Questions
1)
The ( a small / become / concentration / has / in / number / of / of / people / the hands / wealth ) a major issue in the U.S.
The concentration of wealth in the hands of a small number of people has become a major issue in the U.S.
The concentration of wealth in the hands of a small number of people has become a major issue in the U.S.
2)
A ( dairy / decline / farmers / has / in / in / in / Japan / led / of / rapid / recent / the number / to / years ) butter shortages.
A rapid decline in the number of dairy farmers in Japan in recent years has led to butter shortages.
合間年次煮阿
The Man from UNCLE and other matters
Today we saw the trailer for The Man from UNCLE. It looks quite exciting. It features the Russians and Americans working together to fight some evil or other. It seems to be emulating the old James Bond movies in a tongue-and-cheek way, rather like Kingsman.
I would have liked to see England's Euro qualifying match against Slovenia yesterday. Jack Wilshire scored a great goal, I hear. Rooney also scored a goal and is now close to the all-time goalscoring record for England. In other football news, it looks like Ireland will probably not qualify. But Scotland may do so!
I would have liked to see England's Euro qualifying match against Slovenia yesterday. Jack Wilshire scored a great goal, I hear. Rooney also scored a goal and is now close to the all-time goalscoring record for England. In other football news, it looks like Ireland will probably not qualify. But Scotland may do so!
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2…and other matters
Today we watched the trailer for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2, the final movie in the Hunger Games movie series. I was surprised to see that it doesn't begin until November in the US, although it has already started in Japan. (I think it's already finished in Thailand?) It looks pretty exciting, although I doubt that there will be any real surprises. I'm worried that I might not have time to go and see it, though I'd really like to see it on the big screen.
If you follow international football, you may know that England had a boring friendly match with Ireland, followed yesterday by an exciting qualifying match for Euro 2016. England won 3–2, and Wayne Rooney scored a goal to approach the all-time goalscoring record for England.
If you follow international football, you may know that England had a boring friendly match with Ireland, followed yesterday by an exciting qualifying match for Euro 2016. England won 3–2, and Wayne Rooney scored a goal to approach the all-time goalscoring record for England.
Some FUN!!! Grammar Questions
1)
The ( a small / become / concentration / has / in / number / of / of / people / the hands / wealth ) a major issue in the U.S.
2)
A ( dairy / decline / farmers / has / in / in / in / Japan / led / of / rapid / recent / the number / to / years ) butter shortages.
3) 1950年代以降のNASA（アメリカ航空宇宙局）
NASA’s ( captured / from / imagination / lunar / missions / of / onwards / over / people / the / the 1950s / the world ).
4)
The ( decrease / essential / in / is / making / means / more / number / of / people / productive / rapid / that / the / workers / young ).
Monday, June 8, 2015
Mission: Impossible…and other matters
This morning we saw the trailer for Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation. I guess that's the fifth (?) movie in the series. Originally, of course, Mission: Impossible was a TV series, starting in 1966. Then, in 1996, the first movie, starring Tom Cruise, was made. Since then, Tom Cruise has continued to play the starring role of Ethan Hunt, and every few years a new instalment is made. Here is a loist of the movies:
Wild…the Champions League final…and other matters
As you may (or may not) know, the Champions League final was held on Saturday. It was between Barcelona (Spain) and Juventus (Italy). Everyone was a little surprised that Juventus had got to the final, because Italian football has had many problems the last few years, and it is many years since Juventus got to the final. Because Barcelona has a very strong front three, of Messi, Neymar, and Suarez, almost everyone thought that Barcelona would win, too. But some people pointed out the experience of players like Pirlo, Tevez, and Buffon, and Barcelona's weaknesses in defence.
In the end, Barcelona won 3–1. It was a wonderful season for them, because they also won La Liga and the Spanish Cup. It was not such a happy season for Real Madrid, because they came second in La Liga and were knocked out of the Champions League on the semi-finals. Their coach, Carlo Ancelotti, was fired.
We saw the trailer for Wild this morning. It's a movie starring Reese Witherspoon. I believe she was nominated for an Oscar for her role, and I think she also produced the movie.
In the end, Barcelona won 3–1. It was a wonderful season for them, because they also won La Liga and the Spanish Cup. It was not such a happy season for Real Madrid, because they came second in La Liga and were knocked out of the Champions League on the semi-finals. Their coach, Carlo Ancelotti, was fired.
We saw the trailer for Wild this morning. It's a movie starring Reese Witherspoon. I believe she was nominated for an Oscar for her role, and I think she also produced the movie.
Monday, June 1, 2015
The Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, known as the Appalachian Trail, is a hiking course in the USA. It stretches through many states: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. It is 3,500 kilometers long. Construction began in 1923 and it was completed in 1937. The hiking season is from March or April to late summer. There are many wild animals and plants to be seen on the trail.
Appalachian Trail notes
- Full name: Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Length: 3,500 km
- States: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine
- Beginning and end: Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine
- One of the Triple Crown hiking trails in the US. Others are the Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail
- Construction began in 1923.
- Completed in 1937.
- Can see many wild animals and plants
- Hiking season: March/April to late summer
A Walk in the Woods and other matters
Bill Bryson is a well-known American writer. He has written many books that have been translated into many languages, including Japanese. One of his books is Notes from a Small Island. It is about England, where he lived for some time. In Japanese, it is called イギリス見て歩き. I think it's a good introduction to England for Japanese students. Another well-known book is A Walk in the Woods. This recounts the true story of Bill Bryson's attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail. He gave up after walking about a third of the way.
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail, or, as it is also known, the Appalachian national Scenic Trail, is a hiking course that stretches from Mt. Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia. On the way, it passes through many states: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Viginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Construction of the trail began in 1923, and it was completed in 1937.
Appalachian Trail notes
- Full name: Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Length: 3,500 km
- Place: from Mt. Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia
- States: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Viginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine
- Started in 1923
- Completed in 1937.
A Walk in the Woods, and other matters…
Today we watched the trailer for A Walk in the Woods. You may have heard that name before. It's the title of a book by Bill Bryson, which recounts the tale of his experience hiking the Appalachian Trail in the United States. When he decided to walk it, his wife was opposed to the idea because he was already quite old and not very fit. But he was determined to go. So his wife insisted that he go with a friend. In the movie adaptation, Bill Bryson is played by Robert Redford (who is now nearly 80), and his friend is played by Nick Nolte. Unfortunately, the date of release in Japan has not yet been decided; I guess it may be next year.
There has been some big football-related news this past week. The happy news is that Arsenal won the FA Cup again, after winning it last year. The less happy news is that some FIFA officials were arrested for corruption by the FBI, but that Sepp Blatter was reelected to his post as FIFA president. Some officials are talking about boycotting the next World Cup, due to be held in Russia in 2018.
There has been some big football-related news this past week. The happy news is that Arsenal won the FA Cup again, after winning it last year. The less happy news is that some FIFA officials were arrested for corruption by the FBI, but that Sepp Blatter was reelected to his post as FIFA president. Some officials are talking about boycotting the next World Cup, due to be held in Russia in 2018.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)