Today, we saw three movie trailers: A Tale of Love and Darkness, Star Wars: Episode 2—Attack of the Clones, and Black Swan. What they all have in common is that they star Natalie Portman, and she is also a writer and the director of the first one.
In English football news, Sam Allardyce has been appointed the new manager of the national team. I am glad that an Englishman has been appointed, because in recent years English managers haven't been getting top jobs. Allardyce did well at Sunderland last year, and maybe he will be good at understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the players and finding ways to play against stronger teams but still get good results. England will play their first friendly match on September 1st, against Croatia.
The Premier League season will start in a few weeks, and many teams now are on tour, playing friendly matches. Manchester City and Manchester United both went to China and will play each other tonight, I think. They want to get back to England as soon as possible in order to get some rest and do some training in preparation for the new season.
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Monday, July 25, 2016
A Tale of Love and Darkness, Black Swan, and other matters…
Today, we saw two movie trailers featuring Natalie Portman. The first was A Tale of Love and Darkness, in which she stars and which she also directs. I believe it's the first movie that she has directed. It's about the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. It appears to be all in Hebrew with English subtitles. It's starting on August 19th in America. I guess it will come to Japan sometime.
The other is an older movie starring Natalie Portman, Black Swan, for which she won an Academy Award. As you probably know, it's about a ballerina, Nina, and her relationship with the director of the company and with Lily, another dancer in the company.
Natalie Portman has appeared in quite a few movies, such as Léon: The Professional and the second Star Wars trilogy. I like her, but I didn't think her performance in Black Swan was that special. I'm looking forward to seeing A Tale of Love and Darkness.
[161 words]
The other is an older movie starring Natalie Portman, Black Swan, for which she won an Academy Award. As you probably know, it's about a ballerina, Nina, and her relationship with the director of the company and with Lily, another dancer in the company.
Natalie Portman has appeared in quite a few movies, such as Léon: The Professional and the second Star Wars trilogy. I like her, but I didn't think her performance in Black Swan was that special. I'm looking forward to seeing A Tale of Love and Darkness.
[161 words]
Monday, July 18, 2016
Florence Foster Jenkins, and other matters…
Today we saw the trailer for Florence Foster Jenkins, a new movie starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant. It looks like a very good role for Hugh Grant. I took a look at the Denkikan schedule, and it looks like there are no plans to show the movie for a while.
The Premier League season kicks off on August 13th. Both Manchester United and Manchester City have been spending lots of money on new players. Chelsea also has a new manager and has been buying players. Leicester City has lost two of its top players, so many people predict that the traditional leaders will get back on top this coming season.
Did everyone see Theresa May's first speech as the new Prime Minister of the UK? Her cabinet appointments seem to suggest otherwise, but she says she wants a more inclusive style of government.
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The Premier League season kicks off on August 13th. Both Manchester United and Manchester City have been spending lots of money on new players. Chelsea also has a new manager and has been buying players. Leicester City has lost two of its top players, so many people predict that the traditional leaders will get back on top this coming season.
Did everyone see Theresa May's first speech as the new Prime Minister of the UK? Her cabinet appointments seem to suggest otherwise, but she says she wants a more inclusive style of government.
142 words
Missouri (1): History
When Thomas Jefferson was president, in 1803, the United States made the Louisiana Purchase, buying a lot of land from Napoleon in France. Missouri was part of that purchase. It became a trading center, mainly for trading furs with Native Americans, and many people there became rich. Its location on the Mississippi was very important in that regard. It also became the "Gateway to the West", as many people started from there on expeditions to the West. In the 20th century, Missouri experienced rapid industrialization and then deindustrialization in the last decades.
Florence Foster Jenkins, and other matters…
Today we watched the trailer for Florence Foster Jenkins, a movie based on a true story about a woman who was a terrible singer but believed she was talented. Florence Foster Jenkins is played by Meryl Streep and her husband is played by Hugh Grant. The movie looks like a lot of fun, but I don't know if it will ever come to Kumamoto.
Even though the Euro 2016 competition has just finished, the newspapers in England are full of football news. Some of the big clubs have brought in very famous managers and are spending big money on new players. Leicester City, last season's champions, have lost two of their big stars.
Britain now has a new Prime Minister, Theresa May. Her first speech as Prime Minister was very encouraging, but no-one knows how the negotiations to leave the EU will go.
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Even though the Euro 2016 competition has just finished, the newspapers in England are full of football news. Some of the big clubs have brought in very famous managers and are spending big money on new players. Leicester City, last season's champions, have lost two of their big stars.
141 words
Monday, July 11, 2016
Jason Bourne, Wimbledon 2016, Euro 2016, and other matters…
Today we watched a trailer for the new movie in the Bourne series, called simply Jason Bourne. As you probably know, the Bourne series movies started in 2002 with The Bourne Identity. It was a new kind of spy movie. That movie was followed quickly by The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. Because it was so successful, the producers wanted to continue the series, but Matt Damon said he wasn't interested in continuing in the role, so they created a new character played by Jeremy Renner for The Bourne Legacy. That was only moderately popular, so this time, 14 years after the first Bourne movie, they brought back director Paul Greengrass and persuaded Matt Damon to reprise his role.
The Bourne Identity also exists as a TV series, adapted from the book.
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The Bourne Identity also exists as a TV series, adapted from the book.
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Jason Bourne, Wimbledon final, Euro 2016 final, and other matters…
Today we watched two trailers for Jason Bourne, the fifth movie in the Bourne series. Matt Damon said he wouldn't return after the original trilogy, so he was replaced by Jeremy Renner for The Bourne Legacy. It is good to see him back. Julia Stiles is also back. Two new faces are Tommy Lee Jones and Alicia Vikander, who has become a top star in the last year or two.
The two trailers were the standard US trailer and the UK trailer. I couldn't spot any differences between them; I guess I'll have to see them again.
There are two major sports stories: Portugal won Euro 2016, and Andy Murray won Wimbledon!
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The two trailers were the standard US trailer and the UK trailer. I couldn't spot any differences between them; I guess I'll have to see them again.
There are two major sports stories: Portugal won Euro 2016, and Andy Murray won Wimbledon!
[110 words]
Monday, July 4, 2016
Monty Python and the Holy Grail: The Tale of Sir Robin; The Black Knight…and other matters
Brave, brave, brave, brave Sir Robin
That is one line from The Tale of Sir Robin, a famous sketch in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, my favorite movie by Monty Python's Flying Circus. Sir Robin manages to avoid the three-headed knight by running away while the knight is talking to itself. The movie was made in 1975 but still feels fresh today. Another movie by Monty Python is Life of Brian, also highly recommended.
The quarterfinals of Euro 2016 have almost finished. By tomorrow we will know all the semifinalists. I think that Germany will probably be the champion in the end. What do you think?
The cinemas in Kumamoto have been closed for a long time. I wonder when they will open again? Lots of interesting movies have been announced recently, but maybe we won't have a chance to see them.
[140 words]
That is one line from The Tale of Sir Robin, a famous sketch in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, my favorite movie by Monty Python's Flying Circus. Sir Robin manages to avoid the three-headed knight by running away while the knight is talking to itself. The movie was made in 1975 but still feels fresh today. Another movie by Monty Python is Life of Brian, also highly recommended.
The quarterfinals of Euro 2016 have almost finished. By tomorrow we will know all the semifinalists. I think that Germany will probably be the champion in the end. What do you think?
The cinemas in Kumamoto have been closed for a long time. I wonder when they will open again? Lots of interesting movies have been announced recently, but maybe we won't have a chance to see them.
[140 words]
Olympic Hide-and-Seek, and other matters…
Today we watched a sketch by Monty Python's Flying Circus. It was the Olympic Hide-and-Seek sketch, one of my favorites, though not one of the most famous. It shows the second leg of the Hide-and-Seek final, between a British hide-and-seek "athlete" and one from Paraguay. The time that the Paraguayan has to beat to win in the final is more than 11 years.
The political situation in the UK is becoming rather chaotic. The Prime Minister has announced his resignation, and now several members of the Conservative Party are campaigning to become the next leader of the party (and thus, automatically, the next Prime Minister). At the same time, most of the Members of Parliament in the Labour Party have voted no confidence in the Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn. Scotland's leader is also considering whether to try to leave the UK and join the EU separately.
In Euro 2016, Wales, France, and Germany have got through to the semi-finals. The last semifinalist will be decided tonight.
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The political situation in the UK is becoming rather chaotic. The Prime Minister has announced his resignation, and now several members of the Conservative Party are campaigning to become the next leader of the party (and thus, automatically, the next Prime Minister). At the same time, most of the Members of Parliament in the Labour Party have voted no confidence in the Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn. Scotland's leader is also considering whether to try to leave the UK and join the EU separately.
In Euro 2016, Wales, France, and Germany have got through to the semi-finals. The last semifinalist will be decided tonight.
[165 words]
Monday, June 27, 2016
The Duel, Brexit, Dreams by the Cranberries, and other matters…
Liam Hemsworth
Woody Harrelson
Today we saw the trailer for The Duel, a western starring Woody Harrelson and Liam Hemsworth. Liam Hemsworth plays a Texas ranger who is sent by the governor to investigate some murders in a small town where a preacher, played by Woody Harrelson, is in charge. From the trailer, it looks like Woody Harrelson is responsible for the murders. The movie looks rather interesting, but I don't know when it will come to Kumamoto, if ever.
A few matches in the round of 16 at the Euro 2016 tournament have already finished. Portugal, France, Wales, and Germany have made it through to the quarterfinals. England will play tonight against Iceland. I hope they also get through to the quarterfinals.
I think everyone heard about Brexit, the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. It looks like there will be an election within the Conservative Party for a new leader, and that s/he will become the next Prime Minister. I wonder how that will go.
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Woody Harrelson
Today we saw the trailer for The Duel, a western starring Woody Harrelson and Liam Hemsworth. Liam Hemsworth plays a Texas ranger who is sent by the governor to investigate some murders in a small town where a preacher, played by Woody Harrelson, is in charge. From the trailer, it looks like Woody Harrelson is responsible for the murders. The movie looks rather interesting, but I don't know when it will come to Kumamoto, if ever.
A few matches in the round of 16 at the Euro 2016 tournament have already finished. Portugal, France, Wales, and Germany have made it through to the quarterfinals. England will play tonight against Iceland. I hope they also get through to the quarterfinals.
I think everyone heard about Brexit, the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. It looks like there will be an election within the Conservative Party for a new leader, and that s/he will become the next Prime Minister. I wonder how that will go.
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Brexit, The Debt, Dreams by the Cranberries, and other matters…
Today, we watched the trailer for The Debt, a movie starring Stephen Dorff and David Strathairn. It appears to be set in London and Peru. Stephen Dorff's company is trying to buy a mining (?) company in Peru, but the purchase seems to go against the interests of the Peruvian people. In addition, his company has a cashflow problem, so he is told by his boss (Strathairn) to abandon the purchase which he has worked so hard for for over two years.
We also watched a video of Dreams by The Cranberries. It is one of the two most famous songs by this very successful Irish band, and it featured in Sleepless in Seattle, a movie starring Meg Ryan. The other super-famous song by The Cranberries is Zombie. Maybe we'll watch it sometime.
You have probably heard that the UK has voted to leave the European Union. I wonder what will happen. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, announced his resignation immediately, so most people think that the next Prime Minister will be Boris Johnson, the former mayor of London. The Scottish National Party is considering organizing leaving the UK in order to join the EU as an independent nation.
The Euro 2016 competition is moving ahead, and there aren't so many matches left.
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We also watched a video of Dreams by The Cranberries. It is one of the two most famous songs by this very successful Irish band, and it featured in Sleepless in Seattle, a movie starring Meg Ryan. The other super-famous song by The Cranberries is Zombie. Maybe we'll watch it sometime.
You have probably heard that the UK has voted to leave the European Union. I wonder what will happen. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, announced his resignation immediately, so most people think that the next Prime Minister will be Boris Johnson, the former mayor of London. The Scottish National Party is considering organizing leaving the UK in order to join the EU as an independent nation.
The Euro 2016 competition is moving ahead, and there aren't so many matches left.
[210 words]
Monday, June 20, 2016
Central Intelligence, and other matters…
Today we watched the trailer for Central Intelligence, an action comedy starring Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart. It began playing in the U.S. on June 17th. I'm not sure when it's coming to Japan, probably not for a long time. But it looks really funny.
As you know the EURO 2016 competition is still going on. France drew their third match, but they have qualified at the top of their group for the knockout tournament. Spain have also qualified after two victories. Ireland are probably out, but they have one more chance to get a victory and go through. England are probably safe.
This coming Thursday (June 23rd) the UK will vote whether to stay in or to leave the EU. A few days ago, an MP was murdered, so the campaigns took a few days off, but the last few days they will resume campaigning intensely. I think probably Remain will win, but the race seems quite close.
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As you know the EURO 2016 competition is still going on. France drew their third match, but they have qualified at the top of their group for the knockout tournament. Spain have also qualified after two victories. Ireland are probably out, but they have one more chance to get a victory and go through. England are probably safe.
This coming Thursday (June 23rd) the UK will vote whether to stay in or to leave the EU. A few days ago, an MP was murdered, so the campaigns took a few days off, but the last few days they will resume campaigning intensely. I think probably Remain will win, but the race seems quite close.
[157 words]
The Innocents, and other matters…
Today we watched the trailer for The Innocents, a French movie about nuns in Poland in 1945. I didn't really understand what it was about, but it seemed to have something to do with a scandal of nuns having children.
Talking of movies, I hope to find time to see Room, a movie starring Brie Larson (who won the Academy Award for best actress) that is playing at Denkikan now. Everyone says her performance is great. But I have lots of meetings and so on this week, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to go.
EURO 2016 continues. France and Spain have already secured progress to the knockout stages, and after a few days we will know most of the other teams who will progress. England and Germany have one more game to play.
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Talking of movies, I hope to find time to see Room, a movie starring Brie Larson (who won the Academy Award for best actress) that is playing at Denkikan now. Everyone says her performance is great. But I have lots of meetings and so on this week, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to go.
EURO 2016 continues. France and Spain have already secured progress to the knockout stages, and after a few days we will know most of the other teams who will progress. England and Germany have one more game to play.
[134 words]
Monday, June 13, 2016
Fathers and Daughters, and other matters…
Today we watched the trailer for Fathers and Daughters, a movie starring Russell Crowe and Amanda Seyfried. Russell Crowe suffers from a disease that makes him unable to look after his daughter, so he leaves her with relatives while he seeks treatment. Then he writes a book about that matter. It looks rather interesting but also rather similar to many other movies I have seen.
Who do you think will win the Euro 2016 competition? France, Germany, and Spain are the favorites. Both France and Germany have already won a match, and Spain are scheduled to play tonight, so after that match we will have a better idea of their form right now.
One problem at Euro 2016 has been violence inside and outside stadiums. In particular, the England–Russia match featured violence in the stadium. There is talk that the teams could be sent home.
Who do you think will win the Euro 2016 competition? France, Germany, and Spain are the favorites. Both France and Germany have already won a match, and Spain are scheduled to play tonight, so after that match we will have a better idea of their form right now.
One problem at Euro 2016 has been violence inside and outside stadiums. In particular, the England–Russia match featured violence in the stadium. There is talk that the teams could be sent home.
My errors 1
I knew about Bangkok = 私はバンコクについて既に知っていた
私はバンコクについて知った = I learned about Bangkok.
107words >> 107 words
" The Infiltrator " >>
"The Infiltrator"
I went 31 >>
I went to Baskin-Robbins
私はバンコクについて知った = I learned about Bangkok.
107words >> 107 words
" The Infiltrator " >>
"The Infiltrator"
I went 31 >>
I went to Baskin-Robbins
The Infiltrator, and other matters…
Today we watched the trailer for The Infiltrator, a movie about a police officer who goes undercover in order to infiltrate a drug gang. It stars Bryan Cranston. He is very famous for playing the lead role in the TV series Breaking Bad. The movie is based on a true story, and it also stars Diane Kruger. I was quite excited about it, but the trailer looked rather boring.
The Euro 2016 competition group stages are now underway. France, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Germany, and Croatia have all played their first games, and Spain will play tonight. Wales did very well, winning 2–1. England played an entertaining, attacking game, but drew 1–1 with Russia, conceding in added time. This is a common pattern with England, and they haven't won an opening game at a tournament for many years. Fortunately, 2 or 3 teams go forward to the tournament from each group, so probably they will be able to qualify.
[158 words]
The Euro 2016 competition group stages are now underway. France, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Germany, and Croatia have all played their first games, and Spain will play tonight. Wales did very well, winning 2–1. England played an entertaining, attacking game, but drew 1–1 with Russia, conceding in added time. This is a common pattern with England, and they haven't won an opening game at a tournament for many years. Fortunately, 2 or 3 teams go forward to the tournament from each group, so probably they will be able to qualify.
[158 words]
Monday, June 6, 2016
Monkey King: Hero is back, and other matters…
Today we watched the trailer for Monkey King: Hero is Back. It's an animated movie starring the voice of Jackie Chan. It's not really based on the traditional Chinese story, but is a kind of spinoff, in which the Monkey King, asleep for 500 years, is awoken by accident by a young boy. The timing is good, because an evil creature is trying to capture the souls of 100 children in order to gain eternal life, and the monkey King is the only person who can save them and fight the evil creature.
As you know, EURO 2016 starts next weekend. The 24 teams taking part are England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Ireland, France (the home country), Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Poland, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Slovakia, …
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As you know, EURO 2016 starts next weekend. The 24 teams taking part are England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Ireland, France (the home country), Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Poland, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Slovakia, …
[133 words]
Dictogloss 1 (2)
My name is Keiko Hibino. I am 20 years old, and I come from Hida in Gifu. I am a student at Daisuki University. I study economics. My parents' house is far from my university, so I live by myself in Nagoya. I get homesick sometimes. I have two sisters, but they are much older. I have two nieces and two nephews. I am looking forward to seeing them at New Year. My oldest sister lived in the United States for two years before she got married. I have never been abroad, but I hope to go to the US someday.
[101 words]
[101 words]
Dictogloss 1 (1)
My name is Keita Hibika. I am 30 years old, and I come from Hida in Gifu. I am student at Daisuki University. I study economic. My parents' house is far from my university. I live in Nagoya. I get homesick sometimes. I have two sisters, but they are very old. I have two nieces and two nephew. I am look forward to see them at New Year. My oldest sister lives in the United States. I had never been abroad, but I hope to go the US someday.
[89 words]
[89 words]
Monkey King, and other matters…
Today we watched the trailer for Monkey King: Hero is Back. It's a spinoff of the traditional Monkey King legend, with the voice of Jackie Chan. But the animation doesn't look so great, and I think it's really a TV movie. Maybe not one to seek out!
Yesterday, the final of the French Open was held. As usual in Grand Slam finals, Andy Murray (from the UK) played Novak Djokovic; also as usual, Djokovic won. Andy Murray won the first set, but after that it was quite easy for Djokovic.
Next weekend, Euro 2016 will begin. France will play on the first day (Saturday) and England will play on Sunday at 4 a.m. Please get a good rest after the match! Favorites Germany and Spain will play on Monday. This year's tournament features 24 teams, so it will be very long.
Yesterday, the final of the French Open was held. As usual in Grand Slam finals, Andy Murray (from the UK) played Novak Djokovic; also as usual, Djokovic won. Andy Murray won the first set, but after that it was quite easy for Djokovic.
Next weekend, Euro 2016 will begin. France will play on the first day (Saturday) and England will play on Sunday at 4 a.m. Please get a good rest after the match! Favorites Germany and Spain will play on Monday. This year's tournament features 24 teams, so it will be very long.
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