Getting Paid to Watch Movies
SC: How does one become a movie critic?
JC: There are all sorts of different doors leading into this profession.
I became a passionate lover of film in my teens and soon developed a compulsion to write about them long before I decided to start doing it professionally. I reviewed films for my college newspaper and studied journalims, film and business. After graduating, I got an internship at Variety; eventually they hired me, and the rest is pretty much history.
SC: How have blogs and Internet changed the role of movie critics?
JC: Enormously. For better and for worse, the Internet has democratized journalism, and that extends to film criticism as well. Nowadays, anyone who sees a movie can post his or her thoughts on the web even if they aren't a particularly good writer or don't have the requisite film knowledge. That said, there are many excellent film bloggers and online critics who are adding their voices to the dialogue. Ultimately, that's what film criticism is about fashioning an ongoing dialogue among critics and their readers.
I should also add that the Internet has made it much easier to dialogue with readers about my reviews.
passionate adj. 熱情的
=> have many emotions
eg: Martha has been a passionate gardener since the age of seven.
compulsion n. 難以抗拒的衝動
=> strong motivation to do something
=> probably in your desire that cause you to act/do something
eg: I feel a compulsion to drink coffee every afternoon.
eg: She felt a compulsion to go to her boss office and quit.
eg: He suddenly had the compulsion to tell everyone the truth.
journalism n. 新聞工作/新聞業/(總稱)報章雜誌
eg: The ability to do research is very important for those who want to succeed in journalism.
requisite adj. 需要的/不可少的
=> the require, necessary knowledge for a certain purpose
eg: Hanna hadn't completed the requisite courses, so she wasn't admitted into the program.
eg: She lacks the requisite skills for the job.
eg: All the requisite documents should be attached with the application form.
requisite n. 要素/必需品
eg: A good map is a requisite for travelling
fashion v. 形成/塑造成
=> give something shape
eg: He fashioned the clay(陶土) into a vase.
eg: The director has fashioned a satisfying movie from the Jane Austin novel.
internship n. 實習醫師的地位
democratize v. 大眾化/民主化
=> everyone has equal value to live in the democracy
//== Chat room ==//
The rest is history.
=> everyone knows the story.
=> 故事說到這裡，以下大家所熟悉的歷史了
make history 創造歷史
history in the making 正在創造歷史
//== Grammer on the go ==//
For better and for worse, the Internet has democratized journalism, and that extends to film criticism as well.
=> The Internet has democratized journalism in good ways and in bad ways, and that extends to film as well.
=================================================
for better and for worse
=> the idiom comes from "for better or for worse
=> whether the situation is good or bad, or whether the outcome is good or bad.
eg: For better or for worse, always treat people with respect.
"or better and for wor
2009年9月30日 星期三
20090929 -- Getting Paid to Watch Movies (1)
Getting Paid to Watch Movies
What does it take to be a professional movie critic?
SC: What do movie critics do?
JC: I would say that a movie critic is someone who writes critically and analytically about films and measures a film's artistic virtues. To do this effectively, a critic must have significant knowledge of film history and be able to place an individual film in its historical or cultural context. I think it's important to emphasize that a good movie critic must also be a good writer. Film criticism is more than simply saying whether a movie is good or bad. It's about writing in a way that captures the experience of watching the film in question.
SC: How do they do it?
JC: Most of the time, critics are invited to see films at press screening held by the studios. These screenings are generally held a week or two before the film opens to give critics time to file their reviews before the film's release. However, it's been an increasely common pratice for studios to NOT scren a movie in advance, which is usually a pretty good sign that the movie is really bad. If there is no screening, the critic has to go see the movie on the morning it opens and then publish a review as quickly as possible.
critical adj. 批判性的
critically adv. 具有批判性地/有鑑別力地
eg: Shane read the report critically and decided it was incorrect.
eg: As a researcher, Peter was trained to think critically.
eg: The author of this critically acclaimed novel is nominated for the Nobel Prize.
in question 考慮中地/正在討論中的/提到的
=> under consideration
eg: The book in question has sold over 1 million copies.
eg: The issue might be important, but it is not the point in question right now.
eg: The interview in question is now waiting in the conference room.
eg: The suspect in question is probably the one who committed the crime.
screening n. (電影)放映
=> a previw of a movie
eg: The movie screening will be held this weekend.
file v. 歸檔/記者們發稿(本課課文的意思)
eg: Charlene will file the story after she has finished the interview.
eg: Our correspondent(駐外記者) in Israel filed his report on this incident this morning.
file v. 提出正式的申請
eg: The company filed for bankruptcy.
capture v. 奪得/獲得
=> catch/grab/hold
press n. 媒體
=> the media
press screening 媒體試映會
in advance 事先
=> before something
//== Chat room ==//
critic n. 批評者/評論家
criticize v. 批評/挑剔/指責
movie critics 影評
critique n. 評論
constructive criticism 建設性的批評(善意的批評)
//== Did you know ==//
A good film critique could mean millions of dollars in revenue for a movie studio. A negative critique could mean millions of dollars LOST. Knowing this, film studios work hard to persuade film critics that their movie is good. One way they do this is by sending film critics a press kit, which is basically a package containing the film's background information, flattering photos and often a small gift.
What does it take to be a professional movie critic?
SC: What do movie critics do?
JC: I would say that a movie critic is someone who writes critically and analytically about films and measures a film's artistic virtues. To do this effectively, a critic must have significant knowledge of film history and be able to place an individual film in its historical or cultural context. I think it's important to emphasize that a good movie critic must also be a good writer. Film criticism is more than simply saying whether a movie is good or bad. It's about writing in a way that captures the experience of watching the film in question.
SC: How do they do it?
JC: Most of the time, critics are invited to see films at press screening held by the studios. These screenings are generally held a week or two before the film opens to give critics time to file their reviews before the film's release. However, it's been an increasely common pratice for studios to NOT scren a movie in advance, which is usually a pretty good sign that the movie is really bad. If there is no screening, the critic has to go see the movie on the morning it opens and then publish a review as quickly as possible.
critical adj. 批判性的
critically adv. 具有批判性地/有鑑別力地
eg: Shane read the report critically and decided it was incorrect.
eg: As a researcher, Peter was trained to think critically.
eg: The author of this critically acclaimed novel is nominated for the Nobel Prize.
in question 考慮中地/正在討論中的/提到的
=> under consideration
eg: The book in question has sold over 1 million copies.
eg: The issue might be important, but it is not the point in question right now.
eg: The interview in question is now waiting in the conference room.
eg: The suspect in question is probably the one who committed the crime.
screening n. (電影)放映
=> a previw of a movie
eg: The movie screening will be held this weekend.
file v. 歸檔/記者們發稿(本課課文的意思)
eg: Charlene will file the story after she has finished the interview.
eg: Our correspondent(駐外記者) in Israel filed his report on this incident this morning.
file v. 提出正式的申請
eg: The company filed for bankruptcy.
capture v. 奪得/獲得
=> catch/grab/hold
press n. 媒體
=> the media
press screening 媒體試映會
in advance 事先
=> before something
//== Chat room ==//
critic n. 批評者/評論家
criticize v. 批評/挑剔/指責
movie critics 影評
critique n. 評論
constructive criticism 建設性的批評(善意的批評)
//== Did you know ==//
A good film critique could mean millions of dollars in revenue for a movie studio. A negative critique could mean millions of dollars LOST. Knowing this, film studios work hard to persuade film critics that their movie is good. One way they do this is by sending film critics a press kit, which is basically a package containing the film's background information, flattering photos and often a small gift.
2009年9月28日 星期一
20090928 -- Creative Ways to Thank Your Teacher (1)
Creative Ways to Thank Your Teacher
Show appreciation to the teachers in your life
They spend innumerable hours planning lessons, grading papers, and encouraging and challenging students. Don't let your teacher's work go unnoticed. Say "thank you" in a creative way!
Create a book
Present your teacher with a one-of-a-kind book made especially for him or her. Each student in the class can create a page showing his or her thanks. On that page, they can draw a picture, write a poem, or express gratitude through a letter. Finally, have all of the pages bound inexpensively at a copy shop.
Surpirse with a personalized basket
Everyone enjoys a surprise, and teachers are no exception! Surprise a teacher in your life by putting together a basket of all of his or her favorite things. If your teacher loves to read, include books and magazines. If it's sports that catch your teacher's eye, include tickets to a sporting event in your teacher's basket with other sports-orientd gifts. Or, fill the basket with necessary classroom supplies like pens and paper clips.
Plan an event
Organize a fun, after-school event in honor of your teachers. Invite them to join students, parents, and administrators for a time of games and refreshments together.
However you decide to say thanks, it will make your teacher's day.
innumberable adj. 多到數不清的/無數的
=> a very big number
eg: Elvis Presiey had innumerable hit songs in the '50s and '60s. Even today, his CDs still sell many copies worldwide.
eg: When you're the owner of a business, you'll have to solve innumerable problems.
eg: Innumerable fans' calls poured in to inquire about the singer's next concert.
bind v. 裝訂
bind bound bound
eg: Before he handed in his thesis, Jim had it bound at the university print shop.
eg: In the past, people used leather to bind books.
eg: I found a beautifully bound journal in the attic(閣樓).
except n. 除此之外
exception n. 例外
eg: The special effects were the one exception to the disappointing movie - they were great!
eg: Most women like fashion, but Hannah is the exception.
no exception 也不例外
eg: His books are always best-sellers, and this one is no exception.
make one's day 讓某人非常開心
eg: It made my day when I learned that I had won a free trip to Hong Kong!
catch someone's eye
=> get one's attention
administrator n. 管理者
//== Chat room ==//
don't make your teacher's work go unnoticed
go 變成/處於某種狀態
=> here means "come to be" or "continued to be" in the certain condition
go hungry 變餓
go mad 變瘋狂
go bad 變腐敗
go bold 頭髮變禿
go gray 頭髮變白
go v. 被稱為
=> to be called
eg: you go by Ken
eg: He goes by Jimmy. 一般人稱他為Jimmy
eg: William often goes by Bill. William一般都叫Bill
go v. (口語)說(通常用來敘述一件事)
I go 我說
she goes 她說
no-go 無效/無法達成
eg: The trip is a no-go(無法成行) due to the bad weather.
//== Grammer on the go ==//
Don't let your teacher's work go unnoticed.
=> Don't let your teachers' work continue on with nobody showing any appreciation for it.
go unnoticed
=> continue on with no one paying any attention
eg: This is a serious problem; how could anyone let it go unnoticed?
eg: It's hard to imagine that Vincent Van Gogh's paintings went almost unnoticed during his life time.
Show appreciation to the teachers in your life
They spend innumerable hours planning lessons, grading papers, and encouraging and challenging students. Don't let your teacher's work go unnoticed. Say "thank you" in a creative way!
Create a book
Present your teacher with a one-of-a-kind book made especially for him or her. Each student in the class can create a page showing his or her thanks. On that page, they can draw a picture, write a poem, or express gratitude through a letter. Finally, have all of the pages bound inexpensively at a copy shop.
Surpirse with a personalized basket
Everyone enjoys a surprise, and teachers are no exception! Surprise a teacher in your life by putting together a basket of all of his or her favorite things. If your teacher loves to read, include books and magazines. If it's sports that catch your teacher's eye, include tickets to a sporting event in your teacher's basket with other sports-orientd gifts. Or, fill the basket with necessary classroom supplies like pens and paper clips.
Plan an event
Organize a fun, after-school event in honor of your teachers. Invite them to join students, parents, and administrators for a time of games and refreshments together.
However you decide to say thanks, it will make your teacher's day.
innumberable adj. 多到數不清的/無數的
=> a very big number
eg: Elvis Presiey had innumerable hit songs in the '50s and '60s. Even today, his CDs still sell many copies worldwide.
eg: When you're the owner of a business, you'll have to solve innumerable problems.
eg: Innumerable fans' calls poured in to inquire about the singer's next concert.
bind v. 裝訂
bind bound bound
eg: Before he handed in his thesis, Jim had it bound at the university print shop.
eg: In the past, people used leather to bind books.
eg: I found a beautifully bound journal in the attic(閣樓).
except n. 除此之外
exception n. 例外
eg: The special effects were the one exception to the disappointing movie - they were great!
eg: Most women like fashion, but Hannah is the exception.
no exception 也不例外
eg: His books are always best-sellers, and this one is no exception.
make one's day 讓某人非常開心
eg: It made my day when I learned that I had won a free trip to Hong Kong!
catch someone's eye
=> get one's attention
administrator n. 管理者
//== Chat room ==//
don't make your teacher's work go unnoticed
go 變成/處於某種狀態
=> here means "come to be" or "continued to be" in the certain condition
go hungry 變餓
go mad 變瘋狂
go bad 變腐敗
go bold 頭髮變禿
go gray 頭髮變白
go v. 被稱為
=> to be called
eg: you go by Ken
eg: He goes by Jimmy. 一般人稱他為Jimmy
eg: William often goes by Bill. William一般都叫Bill
go v. (口語)說(通常用來敘述一件事)
I go 我說
she goes 她說
no-go 無效/無法達成
eg: The trip is a no-go(無法成行) due to the bad weather.
//== Grammer on the go ==//
Don't let your teacher's work go unnoticed.
=> Don't let your teachers' work continue on with nobody showing any appreciation for it.
go unnoticed
=> continue on with no one paying any attention
eg: This is a serious problem; how could anyone let it go unnoticed?
eg: It's hard to imagine that Vincent Van Gogh's paintings went almost unnoticed during his life time.
2009年9月25日 星期五
20090925 -- NBA Cares (1)
NBA Cares
The NBA does more than play ball
What is NBA Cares?
NBA Cares is the league's social responsibility initiative that builds on the National Basketball Association's long tradition of addressing important social issues in the United States and around the world. Through this umbrella program, the NBA, its teams and players have committed to donating $100 million to charity in a variety of ways. NBA Cares works with internationally recognized programs that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.
The NBA's social responsibility efforts
As part of the National Basketball Association's commitment to giving back on a global basis, the league has hosted a range of community activities. Since October 2005 through NBA Cares, the league, player and teams have raised more than $97 million for charity. This includes volunteering more than 800,000 hours of hands-on service to communities worldwide, and building more than 350 places where kids and families can live, learn or play. The thirteen centers opened in mainland China have libries, technology centers, activity rooms, renovated playgrounds as well as basketball courts. Supporting communities affected by the tragic May 2008 Sichuan earthquake was made a priority by NBA Cares. In conjunction with the NBA China Games 2008, the NBA pledged to contribute US$1 million to the Sichuan earthquake rebuilding efforts.
initiative n. 主動的行動/帶頭/率先
=> goal
eg: The company has developed two new initiatives in the last six weeks.
eg: The government is taking some fresh initiatives to solve the problem of unemployment.
eg: Rick decided to take the initiative and call the interviewer.
umbrella n. 傘狀的結構
=> an organization that covers many organizations
eg: The students association is an umbrella organization that includes seven different programs.
eg: This agency is just a small part of an umbrella charity organization.
eg: This umbrella proposal covers many health care issues.
donate v. 捐贈
=> give voluntarily
eg: Shirley donates her time and money to help people in need.
renovate v. 恢復/修理
=> restore
eg: Marcia and Clark's newly renovated kitchen is much more efficient than the old one.
pledge v. 承諾/保證
=> promise to do something
pledge to V 承諾去做某事
eg: Francis pledged to give money to the charity each month.
eg: He pledged to give his full support during the election.
eg: The company pledged $100,000 as a donation to the organization.
//== Chat room ==//
National Basketball Association 全國籃球協會
Major League Baseball 美國職棒大聯盟
league 球隊聯盟
association 聯盟
=>(涵蓋範圍較廣，任何社團、協會都可以是association)
league vs association
association of banks
//== Grammer on the go ==//
As part of the National Basketball Association's commitment to giving back on a global basis,
the league has hosted a range of community activities.
on a global basis
basis
=> the way something is done
on a adjective + basis
=> describe how things are organized
eg: Tiffany is meeting her trainer on a weekly basis.
eg: The club members expect to receive a financial update on a monthly basis.
The NBA does more than play ball
What is NBA Cares?
NBA Cares is the league's social responsibility initiative that builds on the National Basketball Association's long tradition of addressing important social issues in the United States and around the world. Through this umbrella program, the NBA, its teams and players have committed to donating $100 million to charity in a variety of ways. NBA Cares works with internationally recognized programs that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.
The NBA's social responsibility efforts
As part of the National Basketball Association's commitment to giving back on a global basis, the league has hosted a range of community activities. Since October 2005 through NBA Cares, the league, player and teams have raised more than $97 million for charity. This includes volunteering more than 800,000 hours of hands-on service to communities worldwide, and building more than 350 places where kids and families can live, learn or play. The thirteen centers opened in mainland China have libries, technology centers, activity rooms, renovated playgrounds as well as basketball courts. Supporting communities affected by the tragic May 2008 Sichuan earthquake was made a priority by NBA Cares. In conjunction with the NBA China Games 2008, the NBA pledged to contribute US$1 million to the Sichuan earthquake rebuilding efforts.
initiative n. 主動的行動/帶頭/率先
=> goal
eg: The company has developed two new initiatives in the last six weeks.
eg: The government is taking some fresh initiatives to solve the problem of unemployment.
eg: Rick decided to take the initiative and call the interviewer.
umbrella n. 傘狀的結構
=> an organization that covers many organizations
eg: The students association is an umbrella organization that includes seven different programs.
eg: This agency is just a small part of an umbrella charity organization.
eg: This umbrella proposal covers many health care issues.
donate v. 捐贈
=> give voluntarily
eg: Shirley donates her time and money to help people in need.
renovate v. 恢復/修理
=> restore
eg: Marcia and Clark's newly renovated kitchen is much more efficient than the old one.
pledge v. 承諾/保證
=> promise to do something
pledge to V 承諾去做某事
eg: Francis pledged to give money to the charity each month.
eg: He pledged to give his full support during the election.
eg: The company pledged $100,000 as a donation to the organization.
//== Chat room ==//
National Basketball Association 全國籃球協會
Major League Baseball 美國職棒大聯盟
league 球隊聯盟
association 聯盟
=>(涵蓋範圍較廣，任何社團、協會都可以是association)
league vs association
association of banks
//== Grammer on the go ==//
As part of the National Basketball Association's commitment to giving back on a global basis,
the league has hosted a range of community activities.
on a global basis
basis
=> the way something is done
on a adjective + basis
=> describe how things are organized
eg: Tiffany is meeting her trainer on a weekly basis.
eg: The club members expect to receive a financial update on a monthly basis.
2009年9月24日 星期四
20090924 -- The Sun Is Shining; The Winds Are Blowing (1)
The Sun Is Shining; The Winds Are Blowing
Here I am in Southern California - Los Angeles
I still remember early last month when I said goodbye to my parents, stepped on the airplane, and started my journey to America. Of course, everyone gets excited when traveling around. For me, however, this trip was different — I was traveling for academic purposes.
Filled with an anxious excitement, I began my year with the new students' orientation. Meeting all the freshmen from different parts of America was really exciting. Watching thousands of Americans walking around, speaking English, I finally realized that I was in America – a foreign country.
During the orientation, I tried to make some new American friends. Unfortunately, it is hard for me to make friends. My English skill were pooer than the Americans'. And my culture also made me different from the rest of the students here.
On the other hand, my diverse background was a good thing as it made me unique. Some were interested to know that I am from Taipei. Many asked tons of questions about the differences between Taipei and Los Angeles. Fun times always pass by quickly. After a few days of orientation, school started, and that was when the real battle began. To be continued...
academic adj. 學術上的/學業上的
=> refer to education
eg: Does Michael have the academic qualifications that are necessary for this job?
eg: You need to have excellent academic record in order to be accepted by this university.
eg: The professor's academic achievement was not fully recognized until recently.
orient v. 使適應
orientation n. 幫助新生適應的課程訓練
=> an event that introduces the new student to the campus
eg: All new employees must attend a two-day orientation before they begin to work here.
eg: Freshman orientation(新生訓練) day will be on September 1st.
eg: New employees need to attend our 3-day orientation.
freshman n. 大學一年級學生
eg: All of the freshmen at our university must take a class in cultural studies.
freshman 大學一年級學生
sophomore 大學二年級學生
junior 大學三年級學生
senior 大學四年級學生
uni- 單一
unique adj. 獨一無二的/獨特的
=> different from others
eg: Every person in the world is unique; no two people are exactly alike.
eg: His unique directing style is well received in Europe.
eg: This kind of butterfly is a species unique to Taiwan.
diverse adj. 不同的/多元化的
eg: Tom and I have diverse interests.
//== Chat room ==//
language barrier 語言障礙
cultural barrier 文化障礙
overcome v. 克服
patience n. 耐心
//== Grammer on the go ==//
Many asked tons of questions about the differences between Taipei and Los Angeles.
tons
=> a lot
plety
plenty of choices
loads
loads of fun
masses
masses of people
piles
piles of clothes
heaps
heaps of junk
Here I am in Southern California - Los Angeles
I still remember early last month when I said goodbye to my parents, stepped on the airplane, and started my journey to America. Of course, everyone gets excited when traveling around. For me, however, this trip was different — I was traveling for academic purposes.
Filled with an anxious excitement, I began my year with the new students' orientation. Meeting all the freshmen from different parts of America was really exciting. Watching thousands of Americans walking around, speaking English, I finally realized that I was in America – a foreign country.
During the orientation, I tried to make some new American friends. Unfortunately, it is hard for me to make friends. My English skill were pooer than the Americans'. And my culture also made me different from the rest of the students here.
On the other hand, my diverse background was a good thing as it made me unique. Some were interested to know that I am from Taipei. Many asked tons of questions about the differences between Taipei and Los Angeles. Fun times always pass by quickly. After a few days of orientation, school started, and that was when the real battle began. To be continued...
academic adj. 學術上的/學業上的
=> refer to education
eg: Does Michael have the academic qualifications that are necessary for this job?
eg: You need to have excellent academic record in order to be accepted by this university.
eg: The professor's academic achievement was not fully recognized until recently.
orient v. 使適應
orientation n. 幫助新生適應的課程訓練
=> an event that introduces the new student to the campus
eg: All new employees must attend a two-day orientation before they begin to work here.
eg: Freshman orientation(新生訓練) day will be on September 1st.
eg: New employees need to attend our 3-day orientation.
freshman n. 大學一年級學生
eg: All of the freshmen at our university must take a class in cultural studies.
freshman 大學一年級學生
sophomore 大學二年級學生
junior 大學三年級學生
senior 大學四年級學生
uni- 單一
unique adj. 獨一無二的/獨特的
=> different from others
eg: Every person in the world is unique; no two people are exactly alike.
eg: His unique directing style is well received in Europe.
eg: This kind of butterfly is a species unique to Taiwan.
diverse adj. 不同的/多元化的
eg: Tom and I have diverse interests.
//== Chat room ==//
language barrier 語言障礙
cultural barrier 文化障礙
overcome v. 克服
patience n. 耐心
//== Grammer on the go ==//
Many asked tons of questions about the differences between Taipei and Los Angeles.
tons
=> a lot
plety
plenty of choices
loads
loads of fun
masses
masses of people
piles
piles of clothes
heaps
heaps of junk
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