- When was the last time you watched a movie at the cinema as opposed to streaming, on TV or on DVD? What did you see?
- How was it? Why?
- What is your earliest memory of visiting the cinema to see a movie? How was it? Why?
- There are many advantages to seeing a movie in the cinema as opposed to on the small screen. Name one.
- There are many advantages to seeing a movie on the small screen as opposed to at the cinema. Name one.
- Of the 11 films that have grossed over ¥15 billion in Japan, 6 are Japanese films; Spirited Away, Your Name, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, Bayside Shakedown 2 and Ponyo. Which of these did you see in the cinema? Which in your opinion is the best? Why?
Question 1
I honestly can't remember. I think it was probably "The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies" but I might be mistaken there. If I'm right though, that means I haven't been to the cinema in about five years! That's a long time for someone who used to go once a week in his teens!Question 2
It was watchable but it was largely forgettable. I like fantasy as a genre, and I really enjoyed the "Lord of the Rings" movies when they came out. But I remember watching the Hobbit movies and pointing out all the things I didn't like about them.Question 3
I guess that would be Disney's "The Jungle Book". I don't remember who I went with though I'm pretty sure it would have been my mum. Other than brief flashes, I really have no memory of that day. Given that I'm something of a movie buff, I imagine the experience had a profound effect on me.Question 4
The obvious advantages are the large screen and the excellent surround sound system. I also think it's kind of cool to watch a brand new movie in a crowded theater to see what the audience's reactions are like. It feels like more of an event then.Question 5
Access to the remote so you can pause, rewind, and turn subtitles on or off is pretty nice. A much bigger advantage for me though is the beer is too expensive at the cinema. Drinking at home is much cheaper.Question 6
I saw none of these at the cinema. I've only seen "Spirited Away" and "Princess Mononoke" and I enjoyed them both so I can't really weigh in on which is the best. I have to say though that I find it interesting that of the six Japanese films which grossed over ¥15 billion domestically, five of them are animation. Of those, four are Studio Ghibli movies. Japan sure seems to know what it likes!Tough Vocabulary
| - English - | - Japanese - |
|---|---|
| I might be mistaken | 私は間違っているかもしれません |
| watchable | 監視可能 |
| largely forgettable | 簡単に忘れられる |
| brief flashes | 短い瞬間 |
| movie buff | 映画ファン |
| have a profound effect on | に深い影響を与えます |
| brand new | 真新しい |
| weigh in on | 意見を述べる |