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Birdman
Birdman

Learn English with this Birdman English lesson

Date: Oct 31 2014

Themes: Celebrity, Pop Culture

Grammar: You're vs. Your

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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This is the story of an actor who used to be famous for playing the superhero, Birdman. Now he’s washed up and poor, and he doesn’t have a good relationship with his family. To find success again, he decides to star in a play in New York. In the process, he learns about himself and finds his place in the world.

When you think about it, it’s no surprise that the actor Michael Keaton is starring in this role. He used to be famous for playing the superhero, Batman. Are other details from the movie like Keaton’s life? “Birdman” is certainly going to help him get back on his feet, because more roles will certainly be offered to him now. Movie critics love this film!

Are Marni and Lily planning to see “Birdman?” Definitely. But what’s so special about it? Read on to find out in today’s English lesson.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Lily

Lily

Marni

Marni

Lily:  Marni, have you seen the trailer for “Birdman” yet?

Marni:  I have. It looks so good!

Lily:  Doesn’t it look cool?

Marni:  Michael Keaton stars in it.

Lily:  Yeah.

Marni:  First of all, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen Michael Keaton star in a film.

Lily:  Yeah. And it looks so gritty. And he’s running around Times Square in his underwear. And he can control birds? Is that what the deal is? Do you know?

Marni:  I’m actually not certain about that. The trailer is kind of elusive.

Lily:  That’s true.

Marni:  It doesn’t really give you a lot of detail. But that’s sort of the intriguing aspect of it. And the cast is great.

Lily:  Yeah.

Marni:  You’ve got Edward Norton, whom I love. Emma Stone. She’s in everything.

Lily:  Naomi Watts.

Marni:  Zach Galifianakis.

Lily:  Yeah. It doesn’t look like a normal comic book movie, that’s for sure.

Marni:  No. It kind of seems like he was this famous character, Birdman. He was this superhero, that everybody knew him to be, and then… It sort of alludes to maybe he was washed up for a while.

Lily:  Yeah.

Marni:  It’s very intriguing.

Lily:  Maybe it goes along with his life a little bit. Where he played Batman, and then he didn’t do stuff for a while, and he’s trying to get back on his feet or something.

Marni:  Interesting connection. Could be.

Lily:  I don’t know.

Marni:  I guess we’ll just have to go see it for ourselves and find out.

Lily:  I think you’re right.

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Both Lily and Marni want to see the new film “Birdman.” It’s a film with Michael Keaton about an actor who used to be famous for playing a superhero, but now it seems like nobody knows him anymore. The movie also stars Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, and Edward Norton, among others.

The advertisement for the film is mysterious and doesn’t share a lot of information, which is part of the reason why Marni and Lily want to see it. They think the trailer is intriguing, and they’re both interested in going when it starts showing in theaters. Lily points out that the story in the movie seems a lot like Michael Keaton’s own story, since he used to be famous for playing Batman.

Are you interested in seeing “Birdman?” Do you think the movie is telling Michael Keaton’s own story, too?

 

Comments

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ola3

ola3Super Member!

Ukraine

Finally watched the movie. Great message it has. The glass should be always half full just not to fall down.

03:43 AM Sep 19 2016 |

pierremirandSuper Member!

Haiti

Sure, I want to see this movie! 

05:10 PM Jan 16 2015 |

vik32

vik32

India

will surely go and see that once it is out.

06:50 AM Nov 03 2014 |

foz12

foz12

Saudi Arabia

Why do I feel like it’s the same story Birdman=patman, anyway the feather is attractive thou :)

03:12 PM Nov 02 2014 |

Seiyf_khawas

Turkey

ohhh !! again,a new kind hero man ..heroes movie…after superman,spiderman,iron man,batman…...why one person should save our world from bad people with his huge power ? 


ı think there are alot of birdmen in the virtual world, as night owls :)) 


12:45 PM Nov 02 2014 |

2 people like this

Noormohammad

Pakistan

Dear all, i really liked this lessons i have learned lots of new words

07:35 AM Nov 02 2014 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

A birdman – really intriguing. Since I’m a have a bird phobia, the man looks like a real hero for me. I also try to be a catwoman, to control cats and they control me, very theraputic, maybe they’ll help me to get back on my feet. But it’s nice to be someone to revive again. Good luck to Michael Keaton to shine again!

04:10 PM Oct 31 2014 |

mahbubeh92

mahbubeh92

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

WhAt? BiRd MAN???uhhh thats so weird and gritty.

02:50 PM Oct 31 2014 |

1 person likes this

IMOdraude

Brazil

The trailler is very confused, with a mixture of different scenes. It is very unusual for a ’”super hero movie”, what makes it more interesting… or not.


The choise of the actor to star Birdman seems to be perfect! As a matter of fact, I was not sure if the preface of this english class referred to Michael Keane life or Birdman movie. Certainly the similarity can make the movie as near as possible from the reality.


I am looking forward to seeing this movie!

01:58 AM Oct 31 2014 |

1 person likes this

Sindy_zheng

China

that’ great. i will see this film once available in China.

01:02 AM Oct 31 2014 |

2 people like this

Sindy_zheng

China

that’ great. i will see this film once available in China.

01:02 AM Oct 31 2014 |

Sindy_zheng

China

that’ great. i will see this film once available in China.

01:02 AM Oct 31 2014 |

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