英文電影確實不失為英語學習者學習英語的最佳選擇，因為電影不僅可以為我們提供語言學習必不可少的真實語境，而且英文電影本身所具有的生動的音頻、視頻效果及多彩的文化背景更能增加學習效果。然而，筆者在日常教學中發(fā)現(xiàn)，同學們雖然愛看英文電影，但往往只是淺嘗輒止，甚至一部電影看過后僅僅通過漢語字幕了解大概情節(jié)而已，并沒有真正深入了解影片中體現(xiàn)出的文化涵義，也沒有吸取其中的語言養(yǎng)分。因此，筆者打算撰寫一系列英美電影賞析專稿，以便同學們在日后欣賞相關(guān)影片時，能夠真切體會其中的文化涵義和語言魅力。
Movie Story:
Marley & Me is a 2008 American comedy-drama film directed by David Frankel. John Grogan is thrilled when fellow journalist Jenny marries him and agrees to move from the cold of Michigan to the warmth of Florida for her. But when Jenny’s maternal instincts begin to cry out, John’s convinced by his friend, Sebastian, to simply give her something else to take care of, and so John surprises his wife with a Golden Labrador puppy and surprises himself as well, when the mischievous dog ends up driving much of his work in Marley & Me.
Cultural Exploration:
1.American Family Structure:
The Grogans in this movie is a typical example of traditional American nuclear family, is a term used to define a family group consisting of a pair of adults and their children. There are differences in definition among observers; some definitions allow only biological children that are full-blood siblings, while others allow for a stepparent and any mix of dependent children including stepchildren and adopted children. Nuclear family is in contrast to the larger extended family, which is created at birth and establishes ties across generations. Those generations, the extended family of aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins, can hold significant emotional and economic roles for the nuclear family.
Over time, the traditional structure has had to adapt to very influential changes, including porce and the introduction of single-parent families, teenage pregnancy and unwed mothers, homosexuality and same-sex marriage, and increased interest in adoption. Social movements such as the feminist movement and stay-at-home dad have contributed to the creation of alternative family forms, generating new controversy and concern for the American family.
2.Dogs as pets:
Dogs are considered man’s best friend for a reason. Research has shown that dog owners have more active lifestyles, lower blood pressure, and are less likely to get sick than their dogless counterparts. One study has even shown that people who engaged in petting sessions received a boost in mood-enhancing hormones such as serotonin and oxytocin. Although these benefits come with the cost of food and veterinary (獸醫(yī)的) bills, many are more than happy to oblige.
Movie Review:
At its simplest, Marley & Me is a story of growth and development of a family: husband, wife, kids, and dog. While there’s a tendency to turn “dog movies” into cuddly family affairs as Marley & Me is as much about making a marriage work, struggling through the difficulties of having multiple careers and multiple children, and fighting a mid-life crisis. The movies’ themes are universal and its anecdotes feel more real than scripted. The humor in it, most of which is low key, comes out of everyday situations, much like the comedy we all find in our daily life. It’s an enjoyable and unpretentious perspective of life that reminds us how important and rewarding the little things can be.
Vocabulary Learning:
1. freak adj. 奇特的，反常
n. 畸形的人，怪物，嗜好者，異想天開
例句： A freak wave washed the two children away.
突如其來的浪頭把兩個孩子卷走了。
freak out （俚語）大發(fā)脾氣
例句：He's gonna freak. 他快要發(fā)脾氣了。
2. blizzard n.暴風雪
例句：
The blizzard struck while we were still on the mountain.
我們還在山上的時候暴風雪就襲來了
3. metropolitan adj：宗主國，首都的
n. 大都市，大都會
例句：
Metropolitan buildings become taller than ever.
大城市的建筑變得比以前更高。
4. estimable adj：值得尊敬的
例句：
He was an estimable, good natured man and a competent
Journalist.
他一個值得尊重的、性情溫和而有才能的新聞記者。
5. comedian n.喜劇演員
例句：The comedian tickled the crowd with his jokes.
喜劇演員的笑話把人們逗樂了。
6. transmit vt.傳送傳播
例句：Insects can transmit diseases.
昆蟲能傳播疾病。
7. Incorrigible adj. 無藥可救的；積習難改的
例句：Gamblers are incorrigible optimists.
嗜賭的人是死不悔改的樂天派。
8. dissipate vt. 使……消散；浪費
例句：The tension in the room had dissipated.
房間里的緊張氣氛消失了。
9. swell up 膨脹
例句：Her arm was beginning to swell up where the bee had stung her.
她胳膊給蜜蜂蜇了，腫了起來。
10. glow n. 激情，熱烈
例句：He felt a glow of pride in what she had accomplished.
他為她取得的成績深感自豪。
Memorable lines:
You know, there's nothing like the experience of raising your first dog. Simple joy of walking side by side with your buddy out in the fresh air...throwing a stick. Spending some quiet time-just you and your very best friend.
你知道，沒有什么事能跟養(yǎng)第一只狗狗的經(jīng)歷相提并論，那種并排走的快樂，那種一起泡在新鮮空氣中扔棍子的快樂，度過一些安靜的時光，僅僅是你和你的最好的朋友。
I don’t know if I’m better. I … what I do know is that I have a tendency to surprise myself. Ten years ago I was doing bong hits and playing Donkey Kong. I never dreamed I’d get into college, but I did and I graduated with honors. And I never thought I’d get a job at a real newspaper, but I did. And I certainly never thought I‘d thought I’d get a girl like Jenny Havens to marry me, but I did.
我不知道我是否會出色，我，但我知道我常常能給自己驚喜。十年前我只是個敲鐘的，玩超級大金剛游戲的人，我從沒想過上大學，但我的確上了大學，還光榮畢業(yè)了；我從來沒有想過有一天能在報社工作，但是我也做到了；當然我也沒想到我能得到個像珍妮·海文斯一樣的姑娘，并且結(jié)了婚，但是我也做到了。
Well, here’s the thing. I’m actually married to someone, and I care about what she wants.
哦，是這樣的，實際上我已經(jīng)結(jié)婚了，我很在意她想要什么。
I just got overwhelmed. No one tells you how hard this is all gonna be. Marriage, being a parent. It’s the hardest job in the world and nobody prepares you for that. Nobody tells you how much you have to give up.
我只是太壓抑了。沒人告訴你這一切是多么困難�；橐�、做父母，這是世界上最難的職業(yè)了，并且沒人幫你應對，沒人會告訴你得放棄多少。
A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes.
A waterlogged stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give'em your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel...extraordinary?
狗用不著高檔的汽車或是很大的家和漂亮的衣服，有根阿澇棒就好了；狗不會在乎你是窮還是富，聰明還是愚蠢，英俊或是丑陋，只要你真心對它，它也會真心對你。有多少人能讓你說出這樣的話呢？有多少人能讓你感覺那樣的純潔和特別？有多少人能讓你感到不同尋常？
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