英文电影确实不失为英语学习者学习英语的最佳选择，因为电影不仅可以为我们提供语言学习必不可少的真实语境，而且英文电影本身所具有的生动的音频、视频效果及多彩的文化背景更能增加学习效果。然而，笔者在日常教学中发现，同学们虽然爱看英文电影，但往往只是浅尝辄止，甚至一部电影看过后仅仅通过汉语字幕了解大概情节而已，并没有真正深入了解影片中体现出的文化涵义，也没有吸取其中的语言养分。因此，笔者打算撰写一系列英美电影赏析专稿，以便同学们在日后欣赏相关影片时，能够真切体会其中的文化涵义和语言魅力。
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 (兽医的) 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，异想天开
例句： A freak wave washed the two children away.
突如其来的浪头把两个孩子卷走了。
freak out （俚语）大发脾气
例句：He's gonna freak. 他快要发脾气了。
2. blizzard n.暴风雪
例句：
The blizzard struck while we were still on the mountain.
我们还在山上的时候暴风雪就袭来了
3. metropolitan adj：宗主国，首都的
n. 大都市，大都会
例句：
Metropolitan buildings become taller than ever.
大城市的建筑变得比以前更高。
4. estimable adj：值得尊敬的
例句：
He was an estimable, good natured man and a competent
Journalist.
他一个值得尊重的、性情温和而有才能的新闻记者。
5. comedian n.喜剧演员
例句：The comedian tickled the crowd with his jokes.
喜剧演员的笑话把人们逗乐了。
6. transmit vt.传送传播
例句：Insects can transmit diseases.
昆虫能传播疾病。
7. Incorrigible adj. 无药可救的；积习难改的
例句：Gamblers are incorrigible optimists.
嗜赌的人是死不悔改的乐天派。
8. dissipate vt. 使……消散；浪费
例句：The tension in the room had dissipated.
房间里的紧张气氛消失了。
9. swell up 膨胀
例句：Her arm was beginning to swell up where the bee had stung her.
她胳膊给蜜蜂蜇了，肿了起来。
10. glow n. 激情，热烈
例句：He felt a glow of pride in what she had accomplished.
他为她取得的成绩深感自豪。
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，没有什么事能跟养第一只狗狗的经历相提并论，那种并排走的快乐，那种一起泡在新鲜空气中扔棍子的快乐，度过一些安静的时光，仅仅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.
我不知道我是否会出色，我，但我知道我常常能给自己惊喜。十年前我只是个敲钟的，玩超级大金刚游戏的人，我从没想过上大学，但我的确上了大学，还光荣毕业了；我从来没有想过有一天能在报社工作，但是我也做到了；当然我也没想到我能得到个像珍妮·海文斯一样的姑娘，并且结了婚，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，是这样的，实际上我已经结婚了，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.
我只是太压抑了。没人告诉你这一切是多么困难。婚姻、做父母，这是世界上最难的职业了，并且没人帮你应对，没人会告诉你得放弃多少。
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?
狗用不着高档的汽车或是很大的家和漂亮的衣服，有根阿涝棒就好了；狗不会在乎你是穷还是富，聪明还是愚蠢，英俊或是丑陋，只要你真心对它，它也会真心对你。有多少人能让你说出这样的话呢？有多少人能让你感觉那样的纯洁和特别？有多少人能让你感到不同寻常？
外语系：崇宁 |
