A Movie Synopsis

How many of these movies have you seen? Have you seen more than your partner?

War of the Worlds Wedding Crashers Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Batman Begins Madagascar Mr. & Mrs. Smith Hitch Sex and the City MovieFantastic Four Robots The Pacifier The Dukes of Hazzard March of the Penguins The Ring Two Constantine The Exorcism of Emily Rose Four Brothers High FidelityBlood DiamondShaun of the DeadHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire The 40-Year-Old Virgin Chicken Little Flightplan P.S I Love YouAre We There Yet? Saw TitanicThe Shawshank RedemptionSchindlers ListThe MatrixSay AnythingCloserPsychoThe Usual SuspectsThe Silence of the LambsChokeScarface

You will listen to synopses for four different movies. Look at these pictures. What are the movies called? Have you seen them?

STUDENT A

Listen to these movie synopses. As you listen, fill in the missing words.

Shaun of the Dead

Life isn't too ________________. He lives with his best friend Ed, neglects his girlfriend Liz and despises ________________. When Liz dumps Shaun, he vows to get his life back on track. Unfortunately, this is the day that the dead has decided to come ________________. With a cricket bat and Ed by his side, Shaun sets out to rescue those he loves and those he ________________, and heads to the safest place he knows...the Winchester.

High Fidelity

High Fidelity follows the 'mid-life' crisis of Rob, a thirty-something record-store owner who must face the undeniable facts - he's growing up. In a hilarious homage to the music scene, Rob and the wacky, offbeat clerks that inhabit his store talk about life and song while trying to succeed in their adult relationships. Are they listening to pop music because they are miserable? Or are they miserable because they listen to pop music? This romantic comedy provides a whimsical glimpse into the male view of the affairs of the heart.

Shrek

When ________________discovers his swamp has been 'swamped' with all sorts of fairytale creatures by the scheming Lord Farquaad, Shrek sets out, with ________________ by his side, to 'persuade' Farquaad to give his swamp back. Instead, a deal is made. Farquaad, who wants to ________________, sends Shrek to rescue Princess Fiona, who is waiting for her one true love. But once they head back with Fiona, it starts to become apparent that not only does Shrek like Fiona, but Fiona is ________________.

Fight Club

The narrator suffers from a lack of sleep. He tries different ways to cure this, but he does not succeed. He does get some sleep, but his condition comes back when he meets a lovely young woman, whose name is Marla. He finds out that she and he both have a lot in common and they spend a lot of time together. While touring, he meets an interesting young man named Tyler and after a short conversation both become fast friends. Both like to relieve their inner tensions by hitting each other. Soon word gets around about their fights, and lots of young people also get interested. Then a club is formed, which the narrator and Tyler call 'Fight Club'. Both start spending a lot of time and both also make lots of money.

STUDENT B

Listen to these movie synopses. As you listen, fill in the missing words.

Shaun of the Dead

Life isn't too good for Shaun. He lives with his best friend Ed, neglects his girlfriend Liz and despises his step-dad. When Liz dumps Shaun, he vows to get his life back on track. Unfortunately, this is the day that the dead has decided to come back to life. With a cricket bat and Ed by his side, Shaun sets out to rescue those he loves and those he doesn't love, and heads to the safest place he knows...the Winchester.

High Fidelity

High Fidelity follows the 'mid-life' crisis of Rob, a thirty-something ________________who must face the undeniable facts - he's growing up. In a hilarious homage to the music scene, Rob and the wacky, offbeat clerks that inhabit his store ________________while trying to succeed in their adult relationships. Are they listening to pop music because they are miserable? Or are they miserable because they ________________? This romantic comedy provides a whimsical glimpse into the male view of the ________________.

Shrek

When a green ogre called Shrek discovers his swamp has been 'swamped' with all sorts of fairytale creatures by the scheming Lord Farquaad, Shrek sets out, with a very loud donkey by his side, to 'persuade' Farquaad to give his swamp back. Instead, a deal is made. Farquaad, who wants to become the King, sends Shrek to rescue Princess Fiona, who is waiting for her one true love. But once they head back with Fiona, it starts to become apparent that not only does Shrek like Fiona, but Fiona is keeping something secret.

Fight Club

The narrator suffers from a ________________. He tries different ways to cure this, but he does not succeed. He does get some sleep, but his condition comes back when he meets a ________________, whose name is Marla. He finds out that she and he both have a lot in common and they spend a lot of time together. While touring, he meets an ________________named Tyler and after a short conversation both become fast friends. Both like to relieve their inner tensions by ________________. Soon word gets around about their fights, and lots of young people also get interested. Then a club is formed, which the narrator and Tyler call 'Fight Club'. Both start spending a lot of time and both also make ________________.

Which movie is about?

1. A man who cannot sleep? ________2. A big green ogre? ________3. A man who is in a bad relationship? ________4. People who love good music? ________5. Men who enjoy hitting each other? ________6. Someone who must rescue his true love? ________7. Someone who owns a record store? ________8. A man who is not a child anymore? ________9. Zombies? ________10. A man in love? ________

In your group, think of a movie that you have all seen or heard of. Write a synopsis to share with the class. What are the names of the actors and the characters? What is the movie about? Is it sad or funny? Boring or interesting?

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