Monday, December 25, 2017
The Twelve Days of Christmas, and other matters…
Today, we listened to the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. Most of the students didn't seem interested in learning about Christmas, so we didn't talk about why there are 12 days, when Christmas ends, and so on. Memorizing songs is a good way to learn a language, and The Twelve Days of Christmas is a good song to choose, because it features so much repetition.
There are no Premier League matches on Christmas Eve, so the last matches I know about are the Saturday matches. Manchester City won as usual, and so did Spurs. Chelsea drew their game, as did Manchester United, and Liverpool and Arsenal also played to a draw. Manchester City's lead is now at 13 points, I think.
There are a few good movies playing now. I recommend Miss Sloane, a story about a lobbyist, playing now at Denkikan. I also think Nocturnal Animals looks very interesting. Get Out also looks interesting, but I'm worried that it may be too frightening. You can check the timetable here.
169 words
There are no Premier League matches on Christmas Eve, so the last matches I know about are the Saturday matches. Manchester City won as usual, and so did Spurs. Chelsea drew their game, as did Manchester United, and Liverpool and Arsenal also played to a draw. Manchester City's lead is now at 13 points, I think.
There are a few good movies playing now. I recommend Miss Sloane, a story about a lobbyist, playing now at Denkikan. I also think Nocturnal Animals looks very interesting. Get Out also looks interesting, but I'm worried that it may be too frightening. You can check the timetable here.
169 words
Twelve Days of Christmas, Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie), Paddington 2, and other matters…
Today, we watched three videos. One was The Twelve Days of Christmas song, the second was a 1972 performance of Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie, and the third was a trailer for Paddington 2, the sequel to the 2015 hit, Paddington.
The Twelve Days of Christmas is a very popular Christmas song in the west. It's a very useful song to learn, because it features a lot of repetition of the same pattern, e.g. twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, and nine ladies dancing. Furthermore, it features up to eleven repetitions of some phrases such as "and a partridge in a pear tree". I recommend that you try to memorize the song; it will help you master English phonology and grammar. (120 words)
The Twelve Days of Christmas is a very popular Christmas song in the west. It's a very useful song to learn, because it features a lot of repetition of the same pattern, e.g. twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, and nine ladies dancing. Furthermore, it features up to eleven repetitions of some phrases such as "and a partridge in a pear tree". I recommend that you try to memorize the song; it will help you master English phonology and grammar. (120 words)
Monday, December 18, 2017
The Musical Box, Ferdinand, and other matters…
Today we watched a live performance from 1973 of Genesis's The Musical Box. It was a very dynamic performance, featuring Peter Gabriel's theatrical performance and the musicians all in good form.
Then we watched the trailer for Ferdinand, a 20th Century Fox animated feature. It looks really good and it shows the kindness of a bull who is just assumed to be fierce because he is a bull.
Have you seen The Last Jedi? I hope to see it soon. In preparation, I saw Revenge of the Sith on video the other day. When it was released, it didn't make much of an impression on me—maybe I was tired of George Lucas's direction—but on reviewing it looked pretty good, and I could partly understand why Anakin changed so much.
If you are not familiar with Star Wars but want to watch the movies, try the Ernst Rister order.
[145 words]
Then we watched the trailer for Ferdinand, a 20th Century Fox animated feature. It looks really good and it shows the kindness of a bull who is just assumed to be fierce because he is a bull.
Have you seen The Last Jedi? I hope to see it soon. In preparation, I saw Revenge of the Sith on video the other day. When it was released, it didn't make much of an impression on me—maybe I was tired of George Lucas's direction—but on reviewing it looked pretty good, and I could partly understand why Anakin changed so much.
If you are not familiar with Star Wars but want to watch the movies, try the Ernst Rister order.
[145 words]
The Musical Box, Ferdinand, and other matters…
Today we watched a music video and a movie trailer. The music video was a 1973 performance of The Musical Box by Genesis, and the movie trailer was the animated feature Ferdinand by ２０世紀狐.
As you may remember, Genesis was considered part of the progressive rock movement but was also the founder of the theatrical rock movement, and their music had a lot of elements of folk and British culture as well. Peter Gabriel had a great stage presence and was able to express a lot with his face. He also wore masks and various headgear. The Musical Box is one of Genesis's most famous songs, and it features a wide dynamic range, with some very quiet passages and also some very loud ones. As usual, the camera work is a little disappointing, with not enough attention paid to the hands of Steve Hackett, the guitarist. I would also like to see more of Phil Collins (the drummer) when playing the more busy passages.
Ferdinand is about a bull who is very peaceful and doesn't want to harm people or other animals. He lives in Spain, and people want him to take part in bullfights, but he refuses. One day, he is stung by a bee and goes wild, and people capture him because they are scared. The other animals set about trying to free him.
Last week, you may have heard that Manchester City visited Manchester United in the Premier League. Although Manchester United were at home, Manchester City won and extended their lead at the top of the table. This week, Manchester City played Tottenham. This time Manchester City won quite easily, and now everyone is saying that no-one can catch them.
[281 words]
As you may remember, Genesis was considered part of the progressive rock movement but was also the founder of the theatrical rock movement, and their music had a lot of elements of folk and British culture as well. Peter Gabriel had a great stage presence and was able to express a lot with his face. He also wore masks and various headgear. The Musical Box is one of Genesis's most famous songs, and it features a wide dynamic range, with some very quiet passages and also some very loud ones. As usual, the camera work is a little disappointing, with not enough attention paid to the hands of Steve Hackett, the guitarist. I would also like to see more of Phil Collins (the drummer) when playing the more busy passages.
Ferdinand is about a bull who is very peaceful and doesn't want to harm people or other animals. He lives in Spain, and people want him to take part in bullfights, but he refuses. One day, he is stung by a bee and goes wild, and people capture him because they are scared. The other animals set about trying to free him.
Last week, you may have heard that Manchester City visited Manchester United in the Premier League. Although Manchester United were at home, Manchester City won and extended their lead at the top of the table. This week, Manchester City played Tottenham. This time Manchester City won quite easily, and now everyone is saying that no-one can catch them.
[281 words]
Monday, December 11, 2017
The Last Jedi, New Year's Day, and other matters…
Episode 8
Daisy Ridley
Rian Johnson
Carrie Fisher
Today we watched two videos. One was a concert video of U2 performing New Year's Day at Slane Castle in Ireland. The performance was quite energetic. One problem is that the camera focuses too much on Bono, the vocalist, and not enough on The Edge's hands; I'd like to see his guitar technique more.
The other one was a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the latest Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie. I'm hoping to go and see it on an IMAX screen in Fukuoka.
Did you hear about the Premier League matches played this weekend? Things went very well for Manchester City. They won their match away against Manchester United. At the same time, Arsenal and Liverpool drew their matches, and Chelsea lost theirs, so Manchester City gained ground on all their rivals. If you look at the table, you can see how well they are doing. [154 words]
Daisy Ridley
Rian Johnson
Carrie Fisher
Today we watched two videos. One was a concert video of U2 performing New Year's Day at Slane Castle in Ireland. The performance was quite energetic. One problem is that the camera focuses too much on Bono, the vocalist, and not enough on The Edge's hands; I'd like to see his guitar technique more.
The other one was a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the latest Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie. I'm hoping to go and see it on an IMAX screen in Fukuoka.
Did you hear about the Premier League matches played this weekend? Things went very well for Manchester City. They won their match away against Manchester United. At the same time, Arsenal and Liverpool drew their matches, and Chelsea lost theirs, so Manchester City gained ground on all their rivals. If you look at the table, you can see how well they are doing. [154 words]
New Year's Day, The Last Jedi, and other matters…
Episode 8
Today we watched a music video and also a promotion video for Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which is Episode 8 of the saga. The music video was a live performance at Slane Castle in Ireland of New Year's Day, by U2. U2 is the most successful band ever in Ireland's history, and Slane Castle looks like a great place to have a concert. New Year's Day is a fan favorite, and the performance had a lot of energy. I think I need to use white to show the lyrics!
The promotion video for The Last Jedi was not a trailer; it featured interviews with Daisy Ridley, Carrie Fisher (who died after filming was finished), and some of the people who made the film. It looks quite exciting. The film starts on December 15th (this Friday!).
[135 words]
Today we watched a music video and also a promotion video for Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which is Episode 8 of the saga. The music video was a live performance at Slane Castle in Ireland of New Year's Day, by U2. U2 is the most successful band ever in Ireland's history, and Slane Castle looks like a great place to have a concert. New Year's Day is a fan favorite, and the performance had a lot of energy. I think I need to use white to show the lyrics!
The promotion video for The Last Jedi was not a trailer; it featured interviews with Daisy Ridley, Carrie Fisher (who died after filming was finished), and some of the people who made the film. It looks quite exciting. The film starts on December 15th (this Friday!).
[135 words]
Monday, December 4, 2017
Soon, The Star, and other matters…
Yes
Soon (from The Gates of Delirium)
Relayer
1975
The Star
Sony Pictures Animation
Today we watched two videos. The first one was the trailer for The Star, a new movie from Sony Pictures Animation. It's a Christmas story, told from "a different perspective". It looks very funny, but I wonder when it's coming to Japan? I hope it doesn't come in April or May but they manage to bring it here before Christmas!
Talking of movies coming before Christmas, next week What Happened to Monday is starting at Denkikan. If you get the chance, you should go and see it. Remember that it will play for only one week!
The second video was a Yes concert video from 1975. They performed Soon, the last part of The Gates of Delirium, a 20-minute song from their album Relayer.
[122 words]
Soon (from The Gates of Delirium)
Relayer
1975
The Star
Sony Pictures Animation
Today we watched two videos. The first one was the trailer for The Star, a new movie from Sony Pictures Animation. It's a Christmas story, told from "a different perspective". It looks very funny, but I wonder when it's coming to Japan? I hope it doesn't come in April or May but they manage to bring it here before Christmas!
Talking of movies coming before Christmas, next week What Happened to Monday is starting at Denkikan. If you get the chance, you should go and see it. Remember that it will play for only one week!
The second video was a Yes concert video from 1975. They performed Soon, the last part of The Gates of Delirium, a 20-minute song from their album Relayer.
[122 words]
Backstage Pass
“You know you shouldn't touch Stevie Helix's guitar, but you can't stop yourself. You look around again, then you grab it. The guitar feels so good in your hands—like it was made for you!”
I read Backstage Pass, another book in the Atama-ii Books series. It’s pretty exciting. Check it out!
The Final Year, Soon, and other matters…
Yes
Soon (from The Gates of Delirium)
Relayer 1974
Today we saw two videos. The first was the trailer for The Final Year, a documentary about the foreign policy team in the Obama administration in their final year in office. It covers things like the war in Syria and the time very near the end when the result of the presidential election was announced and they found out that Donald Trump would be the new president. That meant that the continuity they had hoped for, with Hillary Clinton as president, would not be possible.
The second video was a live concert video from 1975, with Yes performing Soon, the last part of The Gates of Delirium, the main track from their album Relayer. Although I added lyrics to the video, I'm worried that people may not have been able to read them. So I post them below.
The Gates of Delirium, Close to the Edge, and Awaken are three of Yes's epic songs. Although you may not be used to such long songs, I recommend that you try listening to them sometime. Like 1970s movies, they take some time to get used to but are rewarding if you put in the effort.
[191 words]
Soon (from The Gates of Delirium)
Relayer 1974
Today we saw two videos. The first was the trailer for The Final Year, a documentary about the foreign policy team in the Obama administration in their final year in office. It covers things like the war in Syria and the time very near the end when the result of the presidential election was announced and they found out that Donald Trump would be the new president. That meant that the continuity they had hoped for, with Hillary Clinton as president, would not be possible.
The second video was a live concert video from 1975, with Yes performing Soon, the last part of The Gates of Delirium, the main track from their album Relayer. Although I added lyrics to the video, I'm worried that people may not have been able to read them. So I post them below.The Gates of Delirium, Close to the Edge, and Awaken are three of Yes's epic songs. Although you may not be used to such long songs, I recommend that you try listening to them sometime. Like 1970s movies, they take some time to get used to but are rewarding if you put in the effort.
Soon, oh soon the light
Pass within and soothe this endless nightAnd wait here for youOur reason to be hereSoon, oh soon the timeAll we move to gain will reach and calmOur heart is openOur reason to be hereLong ago, set into rhymeSoon, oh soon the lightOurs to shape for all time, ours the rightThe sun will lead usOur reason to be here
[191 words]
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