The Shawshank Redemption

I have a nasty habit of not seeing critically acclaimed movies until they are very old news in society. I like to rebel a little bit so if somebody tells me I just have to go see a movie, chances are I am not going to see it in the next twelve years.

Over the weekend, I finally took the time to watch the Academy Award winner for Best Picture in 1995, The Shawshank Redemption. This movie stars Tim Robbins, who plays Andy Dupree, a man framed for the murder of his wife. After he is found guilty, Robbins is sentenced to two life sentences to be served at the Shawshank Prison.  The movie takes place over the course of twenty years of Andy's life in prison, and it is a heartwrenching tale of consequence, friendship and morality. While viewers seem to take different messages from the ending of the movie, there is no question that it is a very powerful and moving story from start to finish. By the conclusion, I found myself in tears, and there is no question that it was the journey of Andy and all his prison pals that moved me so very much.

Vocabulary

Critically acclaimed (adjective) - To receive good reviews from critics
Rebel (verb) - To go against something or someone
Framed (verb) - To be set up for something wrong
Sentenced (verb) - Punish
Heartwrenching: (adjective) - Causing a lot of sadness
Morality (noun) - Ideas of right and wrong


Vocabulary Exercise:  Put the correct vocabulary word in the blank space provided.

The man was ______________ to community service for his crime.

Teenagers often ____________ against the parents as they seek to find their identities.

The Oscars honor many films that are _____________________ by Hollywood.

The loss of my mother was one of the most _____________ experiences of my life.

The little boy _____________ his dog for his missing homework. The dog ate it!

There is no ____________ in cheating.



Grammar Point: A verb is an action word.

How many verbs can you find in this blog entry?

The Golden Globes

Last Sunday, I spent a very thrilling evening watching the 71st annual Golden Globe Awards.  The show was hosted by the hilarious and incomparable Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who have an admirable friendship that spans two decades of fame and fortune.  Highlights of the show included the hysterical opening monologue, the cast of Breaking Bad winning the award for Best Dramatic TV Series, and Jennifer Lawrence receiving a trophy for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical or Comedy. The serious low point of the show was the disappointing fashion moves that almost every celebrity made. I found myself repeatedly shouting, "WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!" While none of this really makes a difference to my life, it is hard to not get emotionally invested in the lifestyles of the rich and the famous. Now there are only eleven months until the 72nd year, and let's just hope the ladies have better fashion sense next time!


Vocabulary

Annual (adjective) - Something that happens every year

Incomparable (adjective) - Cannot relate to something else

Admirable (adjective) -  Something that deserves respect

Decade (noun) - Period of ten years

Monologue (noun) - Speech spoken by one person

Lifestyle (noun) - The way somebody lives



Vocabulary Exercise: Put the correct vocabulary word in the blank space provided.


1. The courageous and ___________ fireman saved the people from the burning building.

2. The actor delivered his ____________ with excitement and fervor.

3. The end of the school year brings our _____________ final exams.

4. I gave up junk food for Lent to bring a change in my body and __________.

5. I have been alive for more than two ____________.

6. The creative and _______________ writing of JK Rowling is shown through her fantasy world of witches and wizards.


Grammar Point: An adjective is a describing word. It is used to enhance a noun by answering one of the following: What kind? How many? Which one?

Replace five adjectives in the paragraph above with different adjectives. Make sure the sentence still makes sense in context!