Actors
Vincent van Gogh: Willem Dafoe
Priest: Mads Mikkelsen
Paul Gauguin: Oscar Isaac
Today we watched the trailer for At Eternity's Gate. It's a movie about the Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh. He suffered from depression and he spent some time in a mental hospital. He cut off his own ear when his friend Paul Gauguin left him in the south of France to go elsewhere. I think the acting in the movie was good. Willem Defoe is convincing as Van Gogh, as is Oscar Isaac as Gauguin. Mads Mikkelsen has a very small role as a priest, but he is good, too. The movie is quite slow-moving but very atmospheric.
(98 words)
Friday, November 29, 2019
At Eternity's Gate, and other matters…
Director: Julian Schabel
Actors
Willem Dafoe: Vincent van Gogh
Paul Gauguin: Oscar Isaac
Today we watched the trailer for At Eternity's Gate, a new movie directed by Julian Schabel about the Dutch painter from the late 19th century, Vincent van Gogh. The trailer is very interesting and shows the painter meeting Paul Gauguin, who admires his work and becomes his friend. It also shows a scene where van Gogh is talking to a priest about why he paints and why he paints like he does. I saw the movie recently, and I can tell you that that scene is from very near the end of the movie. The movie is very interesting but it's also quite long and slow-moving. I recommend you give it a try, but maybe watch it in two settings.
(120 words)
Actors
Willem Dafoe: Vincent van Gogh
Paul Gauguin: Oscar Isaac
Today we watched the trailer for At Eternity's Gate, a new movie directed by Julian Schabel about the Dutch painter from the late 19th century, Vincent van Gogh. The trailer is very interesting and shows the painter meeting Paul Gauguin, who admires his work and becomes his friend. It also shows a scene where van Gogh is talking to a priest about why he paints and why he paints like he does. I saw the movie recently, and I can tell you that that scene is from very near the end of the movie. The movie is very interesting but it's also quite long and slow-moving. I recommend you give it a try, but maybe watch it in two settings.
(120 words)
Friday, November 22, 2019
Emma (2020), Clueless (1995), and other matters…
Emma: Anya Taylor-Joy
Clueless: Alicia Silverstone
Today we watched some excerpts from Clueless. That is a 1995 movie starring Alicia Silverstone. It is based on Jane Austen's novel Emma. We also watched the trailer for Emma, a movie scheduled to come out early next year. Emma has been made into movies and TV series several times. One famous one starring Gwyneth Paltrow is from 1996.
(59 words)
Clueless: Alicia Silverstone
Today we watched some excerpts from Clueless. That is a 1995 movie starring Alicia Silverstone. It is based on Jane Austen's novel Emma. We also watched the trailer for Emma, a movie scheduled to come out early next year. Emma has been made into movies and TV series several times. One famous one starring Gwyneth Paltrow is from 1996.
(59 words)
Emma, Clueless, and other matters…
Emma (2020): Anya Taylor-Joy
Clueless (1995): Alicia Silverstone
Today we watched two movie trailers. One was Emma, set to be released next year, and the other was Clueless, from 1995. Both are based on the 1814 Jane Austen novel Emma. You have probably heard of or seen Clueless, which is quite a famous movie starring Alicia Silverstone. The newer movie stars Anya Taylor-Joy. I have heard her name and seen her face before, but I'm not familiar with her work.
If you are interested in finding out more about Jane Austen, I recommend you to try The Jane Austen Book Club. It's about a group of people who start a club to discuss the works of Jane Austen, but their relationships come to resemble those in her novels.
(119 words)
Clueless (1995): Alicia Silverstone
Today we watched two movie trailers. One was Emma, set to be released next year, and the other was Clueless, from 1995. Both are based on the 1814 Jane Austen novel Emma. You have probably heard of or seen Clueless, which is quite a famous movie starring Alicia Silverstone. The newer movie stars Anya Taylor-Joy. I have heard her name and seen her face before, but I'm not familiar with her work.
If you are interested in finding out more about Jane Austen, I recommend you to try The Jane Austen Book Club. It's about a group of people who start a club to discuss the works of Jane Austen, but their relationships come to resemble those in her novels.
(119 words)
Friday, November 15, 2019
The Irishman, Entebbe, and other matters…
Robert De Niro
Al Pacino
Joe Pesci
Rosamund Pike
Today we watched two movie trailers. Both are for movies that started playing today at Denkikan and will continue until November 28th. The first one is a mafia-related movie directed by Martin Scorsese, called The Irishman. It's based on the real-life figure, Jimmy Hoffa. It has a very good score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The second is 7 Days in Entebbe, based on real-life events in 1976. That doesn't have such a good score, but I still want to see it.
79 words
Al Pacino
Joe Pesci
Rosamund Pike
Today we watched two movie trailers. Both are for movies that started playing today at Denkikan and will continue until November 28th. The first one is a mafia-related movie directed by Martin Scorsese, called The Irishman. It's based on the real-life figure, Jimmy Hoffa. It has a very good score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The second is 7 Days in Entebbe, based on real-life events in 1976. That doesn't have such a good score, but I still want to see it.
79 words
The Irishman, Entebbe, and other matters…
Robert De Niro
Al Pacino
Joe Pesci
Rosamund Pike
Today we watched two trailers, both of movies starting today at Denkikan. The first was The Irishman, starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. That one is a mafia story, about Jimmy Hoffa. The second, Entebbe, is based on a real-life event in 1976, when a plane was hijacked and taken to Entebbe airport in Uganda. That one stars Rosamund Pike, who is well known for Gone Girl and A Private War.
I think both movies look interesting. Both finish on November 28th.
(84 words)
Al Pacino
Joe Pesci
Rosamund Pike
Today we watched two trailers, both of movies starting today at Denkikan. The first was The Irishman, starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. That one is a mafia story, about Jimmy Hoffa. The second, Entebbe, is based on a real-life event in 1976, when a plane was hijacked and taken to Entebbe airport in Uganda. That one stars Rosamund Pike, who is well known for Gone Girl and A Private War.
I think both movies look interesting. Both finish on November 28th.
(84 words)
Friday, November 8, 2019
Hercules
My name is Hercules. I am very strong!
I read Hercules today. It was great!
 | Pearson Japan 発売日 : 2013-02-01 |
2,221 words
The Invisible Man, and other matters…
Elisabeth Moss
Today we watched a movie trailer again. This time, it was for The Invisible Man, a remake of the well-known story. Let's hope it's better than the Kevin Bacon/Elizabeth Shue version.
This weekend, Manchester City will visit Anfield to play a match against Liverpool. It is the most anticipated matchup because Liverpool haven't lost at all, and perhaps the only hope for Manchester City to overtake them is to beat them in both matches against them. But Manchester City's defence is a little weak, and their goalkeeper was injured, so I think Liverpool will probably win the match.
(97 words)
Today we watched a movie trailer again. This time, it was for The Invisible Man, a remake of the well-known story. Let's hope it's better than the Kevin Bacon/Elizabeth Shue version.
This weekend, Manchester City will visit Anfield to play a match against Liverpool. It is the most anticipated matchup because Liverpool haven't lost at all, and perhaps the only hope for Manchester City to overtake them is to beat them in both matches against them. But Manchester City's defence is a little weak, and their goalkeeper was injured, so I think Liverpool will probably win the match.
(97 words)
The Invisible Man, and other matters…
Elizabeth Moss
Today we watched the trailer for The Invisible Man, a movie starring Elizabeth Moss. The character played by Elizabeth Moss is married to a cruel man, and she tries to run away. Then she hears that he has killed himself. But, although she can't see anything, she feels his presence in the house and everywhere she goes. She finds out that he is still alive but has made himself invisible. Unfortunately, her friends don't believe her. One condition of receiving an inheritance after his death was that she be of sound mental health. But everyone thinks she is crazy because she is always talking about her invisible husband!
(114 words)
Henry and Mudge had a great time!
Today we watched the trailer for The Invisible Man, a movie starring Elizabeth Moss. The character played by Elizabeth Moss is married to a cruel man, and she tries to run away. Then she hears that he has killed himself. But, although she can't see anything, she feels his presence in the house and everywhere she goes. She finds out that he is still alive but has made himself invisible. Unfortunately, her friends don't believe her. One condition of receiving an inheritance after his death was that she be of sound mental health. But everyone thinks she is crazy because she is always talking about her invisible husband!
(114 words)
Friday, October 25, 2019
Gemini Man, and other matters…
Ang Lee
Will Smith
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Clive Owen
Benedict Wong
Today's trailer was for a movie that started playing today in Japan: Gemini Man, starring Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, and Benedict Wong. It's set in the near future, when the character played by Clive Owen has cloned the soldier Henry Brogan, and sends the clone to kill Henry. The story is pretty exciting, but the movie has quite negative reviews from professional critics. Part of that is to do with the high frame rate they used to film the movie, which people say looks unnatural. I couldn't tell any difference from the standard format.
(97 words)
Will Smith
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Clive Owen
Benedict Wong
Today's trailer was for a movie that started playing today in Japan: Gemini Man, starring Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, and Benedict Wong. It's set in the near future, when the character played by Clive Owen has cloned the soldier Henry Brogan, and sends the clone to kill Henry. The story is pretty exciting, but the movie has quite negative reviews from professional critics. Part of that is to do with the high frame rate they used to film the movie, which people say looks unnatural. I couldn't tell any difference from the standard format.
(97 words)
Midterm Report (November 7th)
Book reviews: (Target: 5)
Kumamoto: (Target: 4)
Gofun ha Juubun:
Other (diary, etc.):
TOTAL posts this semester: (Target: 24)
Gemini Man, and other matters…
Henry: Will Smith
Danny: Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Clay: Clive Owen
Baron: Benedict Wong
Today we watched the trailer for Gemini Man, a thriller set in the near future starring Will Smith and Clive Owen. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Benedict Wong also star. After Henry retires, someone comes to kill him. The person is very skilled, and Henry wonders who he is. Danny finds out that the person trying to kill him is his clone! So they try to capture the clone and tell him the truth.
Autumn is a good time for movies. The other two movies playing now that I recommend strongly are John Wick: Parabellum and Yesterday. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, playing at Denkikan, is also really good!
[110 words]
Danny: Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Clay: Clive Owen
Baron: Benedict Wong
Today we watched the trailer for Gemini Man, a thriller set in the near future starring Will Smith and Clive Owen. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Benedict Wong also star. After Henry retires, someone comes to kill him. The person is very skilled, and Henry wonders who he is. Danny finds out that the person trying to kill him is his clone! So they try to capture the clone and tell him the truth.
Autumn is a good time for movies. The other two movies playing now that I recommend strongly are John Wick: Parabellum and Yesterday. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, playing at Denkikan, is also really good!
[110 words]
Friday, October 18, 2019
Zombieland, Zombieland: Double Tap, and other matters…
Woody Harrelson
Jesse Eisenberg
Abigail Breslin
Emma Stone
Today we saw the trailers for both Zombieland and Zombieland: Double Tap. Zombieland was a 2009 hit featuring Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, and Emma Stone. It was an action/horror comedy in a world where most people have become zombies but the four stars have managed to survive. Now, ten years later, the sequel is coming out!
I also recommend that you go and see Yesterday!
(66 words)
Jesse Eisenberg
Abigail Breslin
Emma Stone
Today we saw the trailers for both Zombieland and Zombieland: Double Tap. Zombieland was a 2009 hit featuring Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, and Emma Stone. It was an action/horror comedy in a world where most people have become zombies but the four stars have managed to survive. Now, ten years later, the sequel is coming out!
I also recommend that you go and see Yesterday!
(66 words)
Dead Cold
"Don't worry, Scott, I'm behind you," I said quietly.This detective story is a Level 2 book in the Cambridge English Readers series. It concerns Detective Flick Laine, a Denver detective whose partner, Scott, died recently. There has just been a murder in Pine Crest, a skiing town nearby. Flick has to go and try to solve the crime.
I could see Scott in front of me. It was dark, but I could just see him. Suddenly I heard a loud noise. A gun. Then Scott was down on the dirty floor. His blood was everywhere.
This story is very interesting. In particular, I like the way that it describes Flick's work as well as her emotions.
Leather, S. (2006). Dead cold. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
 |
Cambridge University Press
発売日 : 2007-01-15
|
Vocabulary
governor: 州知事bribe: 賄賂
Zombieland, Zombieland: Double Tap, and other matters…
Woody Harrelson
Jesse Eisenberg
Abigail Breslin
Emma Stone
Today we watched the trailers for Zombieland (the 2009 original) and Zombieland: Double Tap, the sequel that is coming next month. The sequel, like the original, stars Woody Harrelson, Jess Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, and Emma Stone. The movies are a kind of action/horror comedy. I certainly want to see it on the big screen.
Other movies coming soon or starting today are Maleficent 2, Gemini Man, and Terminator: Dark Fate. It seems that autumn is the best time for big movies, and spring is the best time for smaller ones.
(89 words)
Jesse Eisenberg
Abigail Breslin
Emma Stone
Today we watched the trailers for Zombieland (the 2009 original) and Zombieland: Double Tap, the sequel that is coming next month. The sequel, like the original, stars Woody Harrelson, Jess Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, and Emma Stone. The movies are a kind of action/horror comedy. I certainly want to see it on the big screen.
Other movies coming soon or starting today are Maleficent 2, Gemini Man, and Terminator: Dark Fate. It seems that autumn is the best time for big movies, and spring is the best time for smaller ones.
(89 words)
Friday, October 4, 2019
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Lily James
Director: Mike Newell
Today we watched the trailer for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It's a movie that will start playing at Denkikan in a couple of weeks. It stars Lily James, and it's directed by Mike Newell, who is famous for movies like Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Donne Brasco, Mona Lisa Smile, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and so on.
(64 words)
Director: Mike Newell
Today we watched the trailer for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It's a movie that will start playing at Denkikan in a couple of weeks. It stars Lily James, and it's directed by Mike Newell, who is famous for movies like Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Donne Brasco, Mona Lisa Smile, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and so on.
(64 words)
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
Lily James: author
Director: Mike Newell (Great Expectations, Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Donnie Brasco)
Today we watched the trailer for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, starring Lily James and directed by Mike Newell. It's set in the Second World War, in London and on the island of Guernsey. Unlike England, Guernsey was occupied by the German army. The people were very hungry but they entertained themselves with regular meetings where they read books together and also made pie from potato peel. Lily James plays an author in London who hears about the society and visits Guernsey to find out more about it. But what happens to her fiancé back in London?
Director Mike Newell is well-known for movies like Donnie Brasco and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Why not check out his latest movie?
(122 words)
Director: Mike Newell (Great Expectations, Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Donnie Brasco)
Today we watched the trailer for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, starring Lily James and directed by Mike Newell. It's set in the Second World War, in London and on the island of Guernsey. Unlike England, Guernsey was occupied by the German army. The people were very hungry but they entertained themselves with regular meetings where they read books together and also made pie from potato peel. Lily James plays an author in London who hears about the society and visits Guernsey to find out more about it. But what happens to her fiancé back in London?
Director Mike Newell is well-known for movies like Donnie Brasco and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Why not check out his latest movie?
(122 words)
Friday, September 27, 2019
Submergence
Wim Wenders
James McAvoy
Alicia Vikander
Today we watched the trailer for Submergence, a film that's now playing at Denkikan. It's a love story starring James McAvoy and Alicia Vikander. It's playing for one week only. Another film that's coming to Denkikan soon is the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I saw it in Tokyo a few weeks ago. It's great!
Have you been watching any soccer recently? In the Premier League, teams that are usually very strong such as Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and Chelsea are not doing so well. People are excited that some of the weaker teams, such as Leicester and West Ham, may do well this year.
(106 words)
James McAvoy
Alicia Vikander
Today we watched the trailer for Submergence, a film that's now playing at Denkikan. It's a love story starring James McAvoy and Alicia Vikander. It's playing for one week only. Another film that's coming to Denkikan soon is the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I saw it in Tokyo a few weeks ago. It's great!
Have you been watching any soccer recently? In the Premier League, teams that are usually very strong such as Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and Chelsea are not doing so well. People are excited that some of the weaker teams, such as Leicester and West Ham, may do well this year.
(106 words)
Submergence
Submergence
Wim Wenders
James McAvoy
Alicia Vikander
Today we watched the trailer for Submergence, a movie starring James McAvoy and Alicia Vikander, and directed by Wim Wenders. James McAvoy plays an MI:6 and Alicia Vikander plays a marine biologist who usually works on a submarine. They both have dangerous jobs, and they both have to be away from home for a long time, but they fall in love. The trailer shows James McAvoy in Somalia. He is captured by terrorists.
From today, the Hummingbird Project has started playing. That stars Jesse Eisenberg. It looks very interesting.
(88 words)
Wim Wenders
James McAvoy
Alicia Vikander
Today we watched the trailer for Submergence, a movie starring James McAvoy and Alicia Vikander, and directed by Wim Wenders. James McAvoy plays an MI:6 and Alicia Vikander plays a marine biologist who usually works on a submarine. They both have dangerous jobs, and they both have to be away from home for a long time, but they fall in love. The trailer shows James McAvoy in Somalia. He is captured by terrorists.
From today, the Hummingbird Project has started playing. That stars Jesse Eisenberg. It looks very interesting.
(88 words)
Writing IV: an outline
Hi everybody,
Here are some details regarding Writing IV.
Basically, there are three types of work:
Here are some details regarding Writing IV.
Basically, there are three types of work:
- Gofun ha Juubun: This is a kind of timed writing that we will do at the beginning of each class. Please be sure to come on time so that you can do the timed writing with everyone.
- Reading and book reviews: Reading English regularly is probably the most important thing if you want to improve your writing. You should write 12 book reviews during the semester, basically one a week. When possible, I will give you time to write one in class. But most of the time it will be necessary to read a book and write a book review for homework. Very short books are fine, but if you have extra time I recommend reading something a bit longer and more difficult.
- Essay-related work: There will be about three major topics during the semester. These will lead up to writing an essay, but we will do lots of activities before you have to write the essay, so that you can read, listen to, or talk about the topic, or do short writing tasks to prepare you for the essay.
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