Describe a film that you enjoyed watching

You should say:
      What type of film it was
      When you saw it
      Why you enjoyed it

Whether this film was popular in your country 

I’m going to talk about a film I watched on the big screen last month called 2012. It’s a disaster movie, so I think you really do have to watch it at the cinema because of the fantastic special effects.

A lot of my friends saw and were pretty keen on it, so they recommended it to me. Actually, everyone was talking about it, and it has become a big box office hit, so I decided I really had to go and see it.

Well, so my cousin and I went to see it. We made an evening of it and had a few drinks afterwards. My cousin is really into dramas, so he likes a good story and some plot twists, whereas I like all types of movie genre except maybe horror which I find a bit disturbing sometimes.

 Anyway, you know this movie was not really his kind of thing. The story wasn’t really that strong and it was just constant action. I must admit that it kept me on the edge of my seat though. Sometimes I like a bit of mindless entertainment as it helps me unwind and forget about any problems at work.

Basically, the plot is based on the ancient Mayan prediction that the world will end in 2012 and it’s about people’s struggle to survive. The film has a good cast with John Cusack and Woody Harrelson to name but a few of its stars.

I think the film’s popularity is a good thing because it helps keep in mind what we could face if we don’t deal with climate change. I mean, I don’t think that there are just going to suddenly be lots of earthquakes like in the movie, but still I think it might just shock people anyway and make them think about how they can be more environmentally friendly.

Part 3 Discussion Questions

 

How have films changed over the last twenty years in your country?

Well, I think one of the main ways that films have changed nowadays is that the special effects have improved so much. In some ways, you might say that films rely less on a good story which isn’t a good thing.

Overall though I think that good special effects just give more options to directors. It’s a great tool that can really help bring a spectacular story to life.
3-D is becoming popular again too, so maybe this will change the way films are made in the future.

 

Has the film industry grown in your country?

Well. I think on the one hand American movies have become more popular in my country, but on the other hand our domestic film industry has also grown. I think also that directors like Zhang Yimou have become internationally famous with films like Hero. In many ways I think we have looked at the way South Korea and France have established their own film industries and realised it’s an important and artistic way to showcase our culture.

 

Do you think that actors have a responsibility to be good role-models for young people and children?

Yes absolutely. I think that people who are in the spotlight have a responsibility to behave in a certain way although I don’t like the way that the media can invade peoples; privacy. I guess it’s a case of finding a balance really. Public figures or stars are only human after all and they have their faults like the rest of us and we have to respect their privacy, but they have to try to set a good example.

 

Do young people copy or imitate what they see in films?

Yes. I think this is true to a certain extent. I mean I really believe that a director should have a good degree of artistic freedom, but obviously they have to bear in my mind that young people, especially kids are often easily influenced. I mean I think that it’s young kids really that imitate or copy what they see, so they shouldn’t be allowed to watch films that are unsuitable.

 

Is there any connection between the crime rate and violent movies?

No. I don’t really think there is much of a connection. I mean some films certainly have glamorised crime in the past, but mostly films show how a life of crime hurts people. I think we shouldn’t be too sensitive in some ways.

We should just make sure young kids don’t get to watch films that contain sex and violence really, but as adults I think we are not suddenly going to go out and become criminals just because we’ve watched a gangster film.

 

Can films inspire people and change their lives?

Well, I think films tell a story and stories can always inspire people. I mean there are lots of films where people have to battle adversity and overcome all kinds of difficulties. I think any moving story, especially films, can be very powerful and can change peoples’ lives.