The Recent Developments in Cinema

The Recent Developments in Cinema

Read the sentences below. Choose Y for sentences expressing ideas that you can reasonably expect in the text. Answer N for sentences containing ideas you can’t really expect.

1. The text will be about the new technology in cinematography. Y N

2. The text will limit itself to examining the history of American moviemaking. Y N

3. The text will describe how Hollywood has come to dominate in the world Y N

cinematography.

1. The text will discuss how film directors use innovations in filmmaking. Y N

2. The text will describe and assess the recent changes in cinematography. Y N

It was in the1970’s that the US cinema came to dominate the world filmmaking. For many years, movies were released slowly, first in a few big cities, then fanning out across the country to smaller cities and towns. In the early 1970's, the movie companies discovered that they might gain greater financial returns by releasing a film in hundreds of cities at the same time, supported by national television advertising.

The new distribution method was used experimentally on director Francis Ford Coppola's ‘The Godfather’ (1972), a much-anticipated film based on a best-selling novel about organized crime. The results were impressive. ‘The Godfather’ became the most commercially successful film produced to that time - dethroning ‘Gone with the Wind’, which had reigned as box-office champion for more than 30 years. In addition, Coppola was the first of Hollywood's younger directors to make a major impact. His success helped open the door for other young filmmakers.

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas became the most successful of the new generation of filmmakers who surfaced in the 1970's. They established a remarkable record for producing and directing popular films, beginning with ‘Jaws’ (1975), directed by Spielberg. Lucas' science-fiction movie ‘Star Wars’ (1977) was the first of many highly popular new movies to come from Hollywood's own adventure, military, and science-fiction genres instead of a best-selling book.

Spielberg and Lucas succeeded with old-fashioned genre movies modernized with spectacular visual effects. Lucas produced four more films in the ‘Star Wars’ series, ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980), ‘Return of the Jedi’ (1983) and two prequels ‘The Phantom Menace’ (1999) and ‘The Clone Attack’(2002). Spielberg and Lucas teamed up to make three films that recreated the daredevil adventures of action movies of the 1930's and 1940's. Lucas produced and Spielberg directed the adventure movies ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981), ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’ (1984), and ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ (1989). As co-producer and director, Spielberg made one of the most commercially successful films in history, ‘E.T.’: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982).

The Soviet Russia cinema emerged on the international arena in the 1970’s releasing artistically brilliant films like ‘Andrey’s Passion’ (1971), ‘Solaris’ (1972) and ‘Stalker’ (1980) directed by A. Tarkovsky and ‘The Unfinished Piece for the Mechanical Piano’ (1977) directed by N. Mikhalkov.

In the 1980’s adventure movies and fantasies were not the only motion pictures that revived the enthusiasm of American movie audiences. A group of comic actors gained wide appeal, especially Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd, featured in ‘Ghostbusters’ (1984), and Eddie Murphy, star of ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ (1984).

The hits of the 1980's revived and transformed the American movie industry. Budgets soared as filmmakers sought to achieve a mix of star attraction and special effects. The gap grew wider between Hollywood's emphasis on blockbuster hits and the more modest resources and goals of moviemakers from other countries. Critics argued that too many American films aimed at the youth market and ignored the tastes and concerns of adults. In the 1980's, as in the 1920's and 1950's, artistic developments seemed to come from outside the United States.

In the 1980's, however, the artistic advances centered less on style and more on subject matter. From Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and elsewhere, came films whose visions of history, culture, and social relations were little known to audiences in other countries. Examples include ‘My Brilliant Career’ (1980) from Australia and ‘The Official Story’ (1985) from Argentina. Movies throughout the world became more accessible than ever before. This availability resulted from the widespread popularity of videocassette technology, film courses, film festivals, and screenings in museums.

The ability of films from distant places to find audiences in North America also encouraged some American moviemakers to work outside the big-budget commercially oriented Hollywood film industry. Perhaps the most important figure among the non-Hollywood type of director has been Woody Allen. He aimed his comedies at adult, urban moviegoers, and achieved considerable success with such films as ‘Annie Hall’ (1977) and ‘Hannah and Her Sisters’ (1986). Susan Seidelman directed the hit ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ (1985), casting rock music star Madonna in one of the leading roles. Spike Lee became a leading black voice in American cinema with ‘School Daze’ (1988), ‘Do the Right Thing’ (1989), ‘Jungle Fever’ (1991), and ‘Malcolm X’ (1992).

During the 1980's and 1990's, motion pictures continued to be pulled between the two poles that have influenced their development throughout the century: the small-budget art film and the big-budget, mass audience movie. New means of distribution - particularly cable TV and videocassettes - have helped foster filmmaking throughout the world, resulting in an increased variety of national and cultural viewpoints in film. At the same time, Hollywood has continued to exert its powerful attraction on both foreign and American independent moviemakers for its financial resources and access to a vast audience. The old studios were bought by new media companies: 20^th Century Fox was bought by Rupert Murdoch, and Columbia by the Sony Corporation. New energy came from independent directors and producers like Robert Redford and Martin Scorsese. Rising stars included Meryl Streep, Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kevin Costner and Tom Hanks.

Now, more than ever, Hollywood leads the world film industry, producing the most expensive and successful films ever made, such as ‘Jurassic Park’(1993), ‘Independence Day’ (1996), ‘Titanic’ (1997), ‘The Matrix’ (1999) and screen versions of fantasy novels ‘Harry Porter’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’. Companies like MGM own their own movie theaters in the US and elsewhere. Studios make additional profits from selling films to television companies and video producers. The Oscars, presented by Hollywood’s Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, are the most valued prizes in the industry.

1. Answer the given questions.

1. What was the new method of film distribution invented by the American moviemakers in early 1970’s?

2. What film was it experimentally used on and what were the results?

3. What is the contribution of S. Spielberg and G. Lucas into the American film industry?

4. What are the best-known Soviet films of the 1970’s? Who directed them?

5. What is the film industry of the 1980’s noted for?

6. Can cite the hits of the 1980’s?

7. Why did the movies become more accessible in the 1980’s?

8. Who is the most important figure among the non-Hollywood type of film directors?

9. Why did the new methods of distribution change the film industry?

10. Why is Hollywood the filmmaking ‘capital’ of the world?

11. Can you name several blockbusters of the 1990’s?

12. What films released of late claimed your attention?

2. Fill in the blanks with the words from the box in the appropriate form.

1. The soldiers were told to ____ _____ and begin the search.

2. She remembers looking out from her parents’ house in Denver to a _____ panorama of blue-rimmed mountains.

3. ‘Speed’ was a huge ______ _______.

4. The film also ______ Ernest Borgnine as the butler.

5. Some companies don’t invest enough – to ____ short-term _____ _____ is all they think about.

6. Ewen McGregor has signed a contract to appear in three _____ to ‘Star Wars’.

7. These classroom activities are intended to ____ children’s language skills.

8. ‘The Mummy’ and its _____ ‘The Mummy Returns’ were real _____ ____of 2000-2001.

9. Because of the heavy rain many parts of the countryside are only ______ by boat.

10. Industrial unemployment _____ to 40%.

11. James Mangold directed the hit ‘Kate & Leopold’(2001) _____ Meg Ryan in one of the leading roles.

12. She with two famous script-writers Nigel Birch and Jane Edwards to write a script for the new film.

3. Match the words with their definitions.

1. nickelodeon theatre a. a motion picture machine invented by Edison

2. kinetoscope b. words that appear on the screen at the bottoms

3. montage c. stores converted into cinema houses by adding a screen and folding chairs

4. screwball comedy d. the system of publicizing performers in order to attract larger film audiences

5. subtitles e. a technique in which many separate shots are used to create a single point

6. star system f. a film about eccentric or crazy persons

4. Look at the names of movie categories in column A and famous films in column B. Match the films with their categories.

A B

a. musical 1. The Police Academy

b. comedy 2. Moulin Rouge

c. horror movie 3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson

d. gangster movie 4. Scream

e. science fiction 5. The American Beauty

f. psycho-drama 6. World War II in Pictures

g. detective movie 7. Star Wars

h. western 8. Beauty and the Beast

i. documentary 9. Dirty Harry

j. animated movie 10. Scar face.

5. Look at the posters of famous movies. Choose the one that appeals to you and advertise it to your classmates so that they will watch it.

1. Star Wars. Episode II 2. The Jurassic Park 3. Moulin Rouge

4. The Matrix 5. Leon 6. Titanic

6. Fill in the blanks with the word or phrase in the appropriate form.

1. After Vivien Leigh _____ Scarlett O’Hara she became a household name.

2. Clint Eastwood was excellent _______ the strong, silent hero in his many westerns.

3. Sean Connery ________ James Bond as a man of action who can be both ruthless and compassionate.

4. The 1944 production of ‘Henry V’ Lawrence Olivier _______ as the heroic young king.

5. The film _______ the young promising actor.

6. Dustin Hoffman __________ currently, in a new production of ‘The Mercant of Venice’.

7. Have you seen the re-make of ‘King Kong’ _______ Jessica Lange?

8. Linda Evans ______ _____ _____ now in a new romantic drama.

9. I thought the man who played the mad scientist _______ the part a little.

10. Sam’s not a good actor; he always____ ____ _____, shouting and rushing around the stage.

The first major film festival was held in Venice, Italy, in 1932. Today, hundreds of festivals are held annually. The largest and probably best-known festival is held in Cannes, France. Other important festivals take place in Venice, Berlin, London, Moscow, New York City, and San Sebastian, Spain.

The best-known movie awards are made each spring by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. These awards, called the Academy Awards, or Oscars, are presented for outstanding achievements in filmmaking during the preceding year.

A number of organizations of critics issue annual film awards, including the National Society of Film Critics and the New York Film Critics Circle. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association gives the annual Golden Globe Awards. The best-known awards given annually in other nations come from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Its awards resemble the Oscars. In Russia the best-known film award is Nika and in France, Cesar.

Team up to make a movie presentation at a film festival.

• choose the movie;

• decide who will occupy the key positions (producer/ director, cameraman, composer, script-writer, leading actors);

• find the necessary information on the movie;

• work out the plan of your presentation;

• prepare handouts and audio-visual aids for your presentation;

• rehearse and present it to your class.

8. a) Revise different genres and types of films:

1. Feature film - the main attraction at a motion-picture theater, especially the longest of several films shown in one program.

2. Documentary film (movie) – a film, presenting or recording factual information without fictionalizing but in an artistic fashion.

3. Newsreel - a motion picture showing current events or news.

4. Science film (popular scientific) – a documentary film with scientific elements.

5. Science fiction – a film that combines science and fantasy; it deals with life in the future, in other galaxies or in other fantastic situations, usually making much use of recent discoveries of technology and advances in science.

6. Fantasy – a film based on the play of the mind; product of the imagination; fancy. The screen versions of such stories, as Gulliver's Travels and Alice in Wonderland, are fantasies.

7. Wartime epic – a film resembling or suggesting an epic that tells of the adventures of one or more great heroes during a time of war.

8. Thriller – a motion picture filled with excitement or suspense.

9. Detective movie – a film having to do with detectives and their work.

10. Crime film (‘Who-done-it’ film) – a motion picture showing the activity of criminals, violation of law.

11. Gangster movie – a film about gangsters: violent criminals or roughs in the USA of late 20-ies of the XXth century.

12. Action film – a motion picture full of combat between military forces or fighting.

13. Western - a motion picture or television show about life in the western part of the USA.

14. Horror film - a motion picture causing enjoyable feelings of horror.

15. Behemoth film - a motion picture about monstrous animals, dinosaurs, etc.

16. Adventure film - a motion picture about unusual, exciting or dangerous experiences.

17. Musical – a light amusing film with songs and dancing.

18. Comedy - an amusing film having a happy ending.

19. Sitcom – the situation comedy, which depends for its humour upon contrived situations, built around a character or group of characters, as in a radio or television series.

20. Theatrical film – a film presenting theatrical performances.

21. Drama – a film that seems to have been planned like a part of real life.

22. Melodrama - a sensational dramatic film with exaggerated appeal to the emotions and, usually, a happy ending.

23. Psycho-drama – a psychological drama having to do with people, their emotions and personal problems.

24. Animated cartoons - a series of drawings arranged to be photographed and shown as a motion picture. Each drawing shows a slight change from the one before it, so that when projected in rapid sequence the figures appear to move.

25. Puppet film – a film in which small figures of people and animals are made to move by putting the hand inside them or by pulling strings attached to their limbs.

26. Children’s film – a motion picture shot for children.

27. Tear-jerker - an overly sad or sentimental film.

28. X-rated film - a motion picture with bad language, violence and sex, not made for children to see.

29. Blockbuster - a motion picture produced at lavish cost and highly promoted.

30. Sequel – a complete story continuing an earlier one about the same people.

31. Prequel – a motion picture based on another, but dealing with earlier events than those described in the original work.

32. Serial - a story broadcast, or televised one part at a time.

33. Soap opera - a daytime radio or television drama presented in serial form, usually featuring emotional domestic situations.

b) Guess what type the given movies belong to:

A. A Videotrip to the USA

B. Time Machine

C. Star Wars. Episode 2: The Clone Attack

D. Speed – 2

E. The Devil’s Advocate

F. Gena the Crocodile and Cheburashka

G. A Man with a Scar

H. Friends

I. The Runaway Bride

J. Stepmom

K. Moulin Rouge

L. Emmanuelle

M. The New Adventures of Shurik.

N. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

O. Beauty and the Beast

P. The Matrix

Q. Konan

R. Men in Black

S. Santa Barbara

T. Kamenskaya

U. Friday, 13

V. Godzilla

W. Titanic

X. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson

Y. Romeo and Juliet (with the stars of the Bolshoi Theatre)

Z. American Beauty

9. Discuss.

1. Have you ever seen a silent film? What was it called? What impression did it make on you? Speak about advantages and disadvantages of silent movies?

2. What is your favourite film genre? Speak about the most important (in your eyes) attractions of the film. Give your reasons and examples.

3. Critics say that movies are emphasizing special effects at the expense of the story. Others argue that special effects make the stories better. What do you think? Use specific examples and details to support your response.

4. Films can tell us a lot about the country in which they were made and movies influence people’s lives immensely. Support you commentary with specific details.

5. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? One’s appreciation of the cinema depends on one’s age and changes over the years. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

6. When famous people such as actors, producers, and singers give their opinions, many people listen and make them idols. Do you think we should pay attention to these opinions? Give specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

7. Some film stars and producers earn millions of dollars every year. Do you think these people deserve such high salaries? Expand on the problem.

8. Advantages and disadvantages of being famous.

9. Is it possible to remain true to yourself after becoming famous?

10. You’re a representative of an advertising agency. You’ve got a job to advertise a film.

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