Review 4. A Farewell to Arms (1957)

A Farewell to Arms is a 1957 drama film directed by Charles Vidor. It is an adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's 1929 semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, starring Rock Hudson as Frederick Henry, Jennifer Jones as Catherine Barkley.

Let me pass on to the plot of this film. Henry, an American officer, who served in Italy during World War I, fell in love with a British nurse Catherine. When he was wounded in the knee and got to the hospital, their relationships developed. Then, being on the front again, Henry killed an engineering sergeant for insubordination. After that, he was caught by the "battle police", who executed officers for the "treachery", but he managed to escape. Together with Catherine they went to Switzerland, where she gave birth to a dead child and then died herself. and Frederick was left alone.

As for the cast, I should mention that all of the actors were awesome. But of course the leading actors were the best. I like how Rock Hudson makes Fredric Henry, the idealistic man who volunteers on the Italian front as an ambulance driver to experience war so he can write about it when it's over. Also Jennifer Jones wass execellent at potraying a devoted nurse. I really beleived that the main characters had a true love.

As for the directing, it was also good. As the whole film is based on the book, so the director was good at describing all the events logically. And though I knew the end, I hoped that it would be different from the novel.

In conclusion, I'd like to say that the ilm is really good. And if you want to see the real emotions and feelings of people during the WWI this film is worth watching.

Review 3. In Love And War

The topic under consideration is based on the film 'In Love and War'. It is a 1996 romance drama film based on the book, Hemingway in Love and War by Henry S. Villard and James Nagel, starring Chris O'Donnell and Sandra Bullock.

Let me pass on to the plot of this film. This film is largely based on Ernest Hemingway's real experience in World War I as a young soldier in Italy. He was wounded and sent to military hospital where he shared a room with Villard and they were nursed by Agnes von Kurowsky. Hemingway and von Kurowsky fell strongly in love but somehow the relationship didn't work out.

As for the cast,I should mention Chris O'Donnell and Sandra Bullock. They were wonderful. Their acting creates true, honest and real atmosphere. I believe their feelings and emotions. Chris O'Donnell plays young Ernest Hemingway. And I think he is good at showing Hemingway's trasformation from a sweet boy into a well-known writer. As for Sandra Bullock, she is also great at demonstarating the true feelings of Agnes von Kurowsky. To my mind, it's difficult to show her as a sensetive woman, but Bullock had managed with it.

Also I can't but mention about music. As the music by four-time Academy Award nominee George Fenton is on a grand scale. Outdoor scenes have majestic sounds full of horns and worthy of a vast symphony. In interior scenes we are treated to intimate violin serenades. Every scene is filled with intense musical emotion.Anf to my mind, it helps to feel character's mood more vividly.

Finally, 'In Love and War' is a solid example of telling Hemingway's biography. It shows how pride can ruin and change not only life but also the way of thinking. This autobiographical film does not tell the same story that the semi-autobiographical book, 'A Farewell to Arms' did. So 'In Love and War' is closer to the truth of the writer’s life. In that way, this movie is a historical and biographical resource for people interested in Hemingway.

Discussion Questions: Higher education

1. Entrance to British and Amirecan universities is via a strict selection process based on an interview.

2. The universities are divided into three types: the old universities (Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh Universities), in the 19th century universities, such as London and Manchester universities, and the new universities. Some years ago there were also polytechnics.

3.Britain: A first degree, which is usually an honours degree, generally takes three years. Most courses end with exams called finals. Results are given as classes (= grades): a first is the highest class, seconds are often split between upper second and lower second, and below that is a third. Graduates may add the letters BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science) after their name. Some graduates go on to study for a further degree, often a master’s degree or a doctorate.
The USA: Students are given grades at the end of each course. The highest grade is A; the lowest is F, which means that the student has failed the course and will not get credit for taking it. To check a student’s overall progress, the university calculates a grade point average (GPA). Students who finish their degree with a high GPA may be awarded Latin honours, of which the highest is summa cum laude.




4. Students are given grades at the end of each course. The highest grade is A; the lowest is F, which means that the student has failed the course and will not get credit for taking it. To check a stu­dent’s overall progress, the university calculates a grade point average (GPA).





5. American high school students who want to study at a college or university have to take a standardized test, e.g. the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or the ACT (American College Test). Students from countries outside the US who are not native speakers of English must also take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Each college or university decides on the minimum score it will accept, though test scores are never the only factor taken into account.

6. Students in Britain formerly had their tuition fees paid by the state and received a government grant to help pay their living expenses. Now, they receive only a loan towards their expenses, and from 1999 most will also have to pay £1 000 a year towards tuition fees. The new arrangements have caused a great deal of concern both among students and among members of the public who believe that education should be free.

7. GPA (Grade Point Average) (Am.E) – an average academic score for a student in a US high school, college or university. The highest grade A receives 4 points, В is 3, С is 2, D is 1 and F is 0.

8.  Student counselors, also called guidance counselors, are professionals who help students at the high school or college level.

10. Most universities receive some money from the state.

11.  Graduate (infml. grad) – a person who has completed a university degree course. Undergraduate (undergrad) – a student who is doing a university course for a Bachelor's degree.

12. For me, an oral examination is better than written one, because examiner can help you with questions, and also they will understand if you know the material or not. Although sometimes they scare students to death only with their way of looking at them.

13. In my opinion,  written tasks are more popular with Russian students as they have more opportunities to use cribs. But in our univerity, the oral exams are more popular, so bafore them all our group is nerveous. We are in panic, as we are afraid of our examiner, always.

14. I'd like to study in the Uk, as for me it's quite interesting to study abroad, to learn smth new.
Students from countries outside the US who are not native speakers of English must also take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

15. To my mind, the idea of choosing the major subjects for a student is brilliant, as he himself choose the subjects, which he wants to learn. That means that he would really be interested in it. 

Laboratory Work 5.4

1. The speaker mentioned library, students' centre and administration complex

2. As for the places, which are worth mentioning, are cafeteria, parking, a concert hall and hall of residence.
Cafeteria is a place, where students eat. Parking is a place, where students, professors and other people, who work in universities park their cars. A concert hall is a hall for important events, on which all students have to be. Hall of residence is a building, where students from other cities live.

3. In our Institute,we have a large library,which is well equipped with computers.There are two halls of residence on the territory of campus for those students who live in other cities. Also there is a cafeteria, where you can eat. It is situated in the main building. Right there, we have a concert hall for very imfortant and special events.

Laboratory Work 5.3

1.  The one can drop the course within the first three week of the semester. First, they need to get the signature of the professor whose course ythey want to drop on the official drop card.Then they need to go to a student advisor on campus to get the signature of the adviser.

2. The adviser warned that a student can't drop a course after the first three weeks of the semester. If a student stop attending a course without going through the official drop procedures, the course will remain on their schedule and the student will receive a failing grade.

3. To avoid getting a failing grade, the one should remember these rules, and of course attend courses.

4. In most cases elective courses are obligatory, so all students have to attend them. That's why they can't drop these courses.

Laboratory Work 5.2

1. The standard grading system in the USA is a standard letter system of A, B, C, D and F.

2. The special grades are 'satisfactory' - (S) and 'unsatisfactory' (U)

3.  In Russia the standard grading system is grades from 5 to 2. 5 is an excellent mark. 2 is an unsatisfactory mark.

4.  In the Uk and the USA and some other countries there is a credit system of grade, when during the semester students have to collect scores.

5.  For example in Ukraine there is a 12-step grading system. 12-10 is a Russian excellent. 10-7 is good. 7-2 - satisfactory. 1 is bad. Also in France there is 20-step grading system.While in Spain is a 10-step grading system.

To my mind, these grading systems are more appropriate, as a techer can give a mark to a student, which would show his knowledge more vivdly.

International scale	Spanish scale
A (excellent)	10 - 9.00 (Matrícula de Honor (MH) - Sobresaliente)
B (very good, with few errors)	8.99 - 8.00 (Notable alto)
C (good, with some errors)	7.99 - 7.00 (Notable bajo)
D (satisfactory, with many errors)	6.99 - 6.00 (Bien)
E (sufficient)	5.99 - 5.00 (Suficiente)

Laboratory Work 5.1

Task 1

Speaker	Problem	Signs of the Problem	Your Solution to the Problem
1	examination	We need to assess the ability to learn: this type of exam or learning license (that tests this ability) would be more useful for students, employers and society in general. It shows which candidates are good at,  engineering, but it also shows actually which can think as an engineer.
2	preparation for exam	tired face, sleepless nights etc.	Parents should support their children, and also beware them to overdo
3	exaustion while preparing for entrance exams to university	He lost his weight, he has big black rings under his eyes. He sleeps for 3 or 4 hours a day. He didn’t sleep at all during the last 3 or 4 days.	As the period while preparing for exams is the hardest and most nervous, school-leavers have to pay special attention tp their daily routine, food and rest.
4	inconfidence while passing the exam	He never thought of himself like a highflyer, he never excepted such high results.	Many students are inconfisent in their knowledge. So it is teachers and parents who should cщnvince them in reverse.
5	modern technology as a test checker	The results would be able to get much faster, 40% of all exams will be conducting electronically in a couple of years, online tests and registration will follow.	Of course such machines save a lot of time, while chicking test, but this sphere of technology is not developped properly.

Task 2
 Yes, I've expirienced some problems, while studing. On the first year in university I faced the problem of learning many words, texts and poems by heart in a very little time. So to cope this problem I had to study hard to develop my memory.

Task 3
 The problems, which contemprorary students face, are comunication problems with other students, misunderstading from professors, lack of time for preparing not only homework, but also exams. Also students are always on the edge of their abilities, phyche in order to be on time everywhere. And it should be mantioned that these problems occur not only on the first year of studing, they appear from time to time during the whole students' high education. And of course I agree with the statement “the travel of hardships”, as the one can't achieve something in his studing, while they don't study hard, sacrifice thier spare time, the time, which they can spend with their friends, family.

Review 2. Dangerous Minds

The topic under consideration is based on the film 'Dangerous Minds'. It is a 1995 American drama film, starring Michelle Pfeiffer. The director of the film is John N. Smith. It is based on the autobiography My Posse Don't Do Homework by former U.S. Marine LouAnne Johnson.

Let me pass on to the plot of the film. An ex-marine, Louanne Johnson, came to a Palo Alto high school in order to find a job as a teacher. At first her students didn’t take her seriously, but she managed to attract their attention by karate and philosophical poems. Louanne rewards the students in different ways,using candy bars,a trip to a theme park or restaurant. During the work,she faced a lot of problems and difficulties with students and their parent and at the end of the school year she decided to go away. But students didn't want it. She stayed, because the students named her "bright".

As for actors, I should note that they were at their best.I can't but mention the leading actor, Michelle Pfeiffer. She is wonderful! I can't imagine any other actor, who could create the same atmosphere of the film.It's necessary to note that there is no any famous actor among children, but it didn't make the film worse.

As for directing, I should say that the film is well-done.The film touches upon the problems of the lower classes of society and the director shows it very logically.

In conclusion, I'd like to note, that this film is biological. I really like this film and I think this is worth watching for all people, as it shows to teachers how to behave in difficult situations with children. To others, this film helps to understand that if the one has a dream, they should follow it, and a dream certainly comes true. Also this film has no suspense it still keeps the viewer until the end. and this story is simply told, I would lie to watch and rewatch this film.

Review 1. The Ron Clark Story

The topic under consideration is based on the film 'The Ron Clark Story'. It is a 2006 television drama film, starring Matthew Perry, which premiered in 2006. The director of this film is Randa Haines. The idea of the film is based on the real story of the teacher called Ron Clark. the action takes place in New York.

Let me pass on to the plot of the film.Ron Clark is a teacher in elementary school. He moves to New York and gets a job in Harlem public school, where he becomes to teach problem sixth-grade children. Through his use of special rules for his classroom, highly innovative teaching techniques and an undying devotion to his students and helping them cope with their problems, Clark is able to make a remarkable difference in the lives of his students. Even when he is almost overcome by pneumonia, Clark continues to work with his students, hoping that he can raise their test scores to an acceptable level. In the end, Mr. Clark's class gets the highest average in the state and Clark is regarded by his students as their best teacher.

As for actors, I should note that they were at their best. I can't imagine that little children could so well get into their roles. Watching the film, I can't help sympathizing with their stories and problems. And of course, I can't but mention the leading actor, Matthew Perry. He is wonderful! I can't imagine any other actor, who could create the same atmosphere of the film. Though Perry is still associated with Chandler Bing from television sitcom 'Friends', in this particular movie he proved that he is not only a comedian, he can manage with serious roles. To my mind, the most important thing in this film, which Perry was able to show, is that indeed 'No one believed in them. Except him', except Ron Clark. During the film we see, how good Perry shows it, through emotions, body language and his speech. So the cast has created the atmosphere of warmth, kindness and confidence.

 Another thing which helps to create this atmoshpere is music. It is by Mark Adler. This music penetrates the positive emotions, which the film is full of. This is very pleasant and poignant music, listening to which is a great pleasure.

In conclusion, I'd like to note, that this film is autobiographical. And this is really amazing, as Ron Clark is still alive and has opened his own school. I really like this film and I think this is worth watching for all people, as it shows to teachers how to behave in difficult situations with children. To others, this film helps to understand that if the one has a dream, they should follow it, and a dream certainly comes true.

Discussion questions: School Education in Brtitain and the USA

1. In Britain they have 2 types of schools: private (independent) or state.

2. Children start attending school at 5 and leave it at 16. It is a compulsory education. And also children can continue their education and that's why some of them leave school at 18.

3. Preschool education: 2-3 age; Primary education: 5-11 age; Secondary education: 11-16 age; Sixth form college 16-18 age.

4. Children have to take SAT, GCSE. And if they want continue their education in universities thay have to take A-level.

5. A-level exam is an entrance exam for leavers, which they take in the end of their studies at school.

6. Yes, there is a national curriculum in Britain. It was introduced in 1988, which set programmes of study in a range of subjects for all state schools in England and Wales.

7. IT takes 11 years to complete full-time compulsory education.

8.  Primary school concentrates on the three R's: reading, writing and 'rithmetic and also developing their creative abilities.
     Secondary school concentrates on subjects, which are introduced in the national curriculum.

9. Entrance exams can be abandoned if a person don't want continue education at university and start to work, for example.

10. Admission requirements to primary and secondary school are the age of children.

11. Elite school educationprovides children with greater improvement in the examination results. And also in later life, those educated in such schools dominate the sources of state power in government, law and finance.

12. English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Physical Education should be an integral part of school curriculum. And Religious Education, Technology and Design are optional subjects.

13. The essence of private schooling in Russia is getting the profound knowledge in some sphere of education. Some of them are specialized on Humanities, others - on Science.

14. A problem pupil is a pupil, who has problems with some subjects, so they are weak students. Also a problem pupil is  a child, who is not interested in school, education, or has some problems with teachers.

15. To my mind, a good teacher is a teacher, who is attetive to every pupil in class, who is kind, sensitive, understanding, but at the same time, demanding and even-tempered.

16. The most memorable things in my school days were days of self-management at school. It was very interesting to take part in such lessons, where senior pupils teach children.
The most exciting thing was extra-curricular activities, when the whole form go to some museum, theatre or some out-door classes.
And the most painful one for me was when I got the mark, which I didn't expect to recieve.

17. When it is the morning of an exam, I feel really nerveuos, a bit scared, as it is some kind of uncertainty. I'm worried about everything, if I take my notes, pens and of course my record-book.

18. To my mind, oral exam is easier to pass, as through your speech the examiner can understand if you know the subject or not.

19. I don't prefer to be the first to answer in an oral exam.

20.  Yes, I use rough-work sheets in a written exam, as I have a tendency to redo some exercises while checking my work. I don't like to do a mess in my exam work.

21. I feel a bit uncomfortable.

22. To my mind, cribs can be only in a written form, as while preparing them a student learn some information automatically.

23. Yeas, I panicked at the exam, it was, when I took a question and understood that didn't remember some of parts of that question.

24. I don't think it is a way out to copy from other students.

25. The most difficult thing about exam is the emotional preparence to it. As even if you know everything, you can panick and won't answer any qusrions from the examiner.

26.  Advantages of private schools: profound knowledge, better examination results and bright future. Disadvantages: chargeble education, children live in boarding schools.

27. To my mind, it ia a good idea to pay attention to subjects where a students have progresses, t can help him in future.

28. To my mind the pest age to start primary school is 6, as children are still under control and it is easier to interest them.

29. If children want to continue their education in university, they should stay at school up to 18.

30. In some way, it is a good idea, as pupils have a goal to make their scool the best, and that's why they study hard.

31. Any exam is necessary , it shows the progress of a person, his knowledge. And I think teacher should continue to have tests too to confirm their professionalism, but of course such works are always disturbing the education process.

32. I think, that computers can only check some tests not written works.

Laboratory Work 4

1. Two people are dicussing the pros and cons of state and public school. State schools are free, while public ones are very expensive. But the one can get better education in public school, as there are better instructors, therefore you can have a better future. But in state schools there are different types of people, and it's interesting to study with them. So to my mind, it's really important that public school lets children increase their life chance.

2. It's not a secret that nowadays it's a tendency to introduce a uniform in Russian schools. And to my mind, from the one point of view, it is right. When children have uniform they are equal, and you can’t say easily, who is from well-off family, and who is from a problem family. Also children’s attention doesn’t disturb by someone’s bright-coloured jacket or shirt. But from the other point of view, it is wrong. As everybody has a right to wear what they like. It’s kind of self-expression. And also I don’t think that someone’s clothes can prevent children’s desire to study. I’m sure if a child wants to study, he will do it despite anything.

Laboratory Work 3

1. In my opinion, children stay away from school for many reasons. One of them is family problems. If a child have some problems in family, it's naturally that his interest towards studing will be lost. Another reason of playing truant is influence of peers. When a child gets in touch with a bad company,  his peers influence on them, that's why they can't find time for attending school.

As for student's truancy, I think, that it happens, first of all, because of disinterestedness in studies, again family problems and job.

2.     1. b
        2. c
        3. a
        4. b
        5. c
        6. c
        7. b

3. To my mind, the most effective things in combating truancy are the appearing of more interesting lessons, more responsible parenting and teaching students to respect school. I think that if lessons are interesting and informative, and teachers intoduce their subjects in proper way, it will motivate children to go to school. Of course, teachers and head-masters have to explain children that school can help them to enter university they like, and to have a prosperous future. But the important reason for attending school is reaponsible parenting. As it is parents, who must control their children, motivate them not to play truant.

Review 4: The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby (2013)

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Cast:

Leonardo DiCaprio - Jay Gatsby
Tobey Maguire - Nick Carraway
Carey Mulligan - Daisy Buchanan
Joel Edgerton - Tom Buchanan
Isla Fisher - Myrtle Wilson

Synopsis:

A story-teller, Nick Carraway, is in a hospital because of his problems with alcohol. A doctor advices him to write about everything that have happened with him. And Nick starts. It all starts in the spring of 1922. Nick leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super-rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.


Review:

"The Great Gatsby" is an adaptation of the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. When I first saw a trailer for this film, I really was struck by its fantastic atmosphere, but I also had some fears toward `its beauty and bombast which could ruin the whole idea of the book. Unfortunately I haven't read this novel, but I've heard many good reviews. And having watched the film, I wasn't disappointed.

I can't but mention about the cast. It was really tremendeous and impressive. Leonardo DiCaprio played the role of Gatsby. I don't think that there is anybody who could play this role better than he. Nature of this character is contradictory and complex, and as DiCaprio has been choosing such controversial roles for the second decade, so that Gatsby is hundred percent of his role. It will be almost a crime if it do not remain unnoticed by critics and audience. One can endlessly talk about his work in this film, it must be seen in person. Tobey Maguire, to my mind, practically forever rememebered as Peter Parker, and Carey Mulligan,personally I haven't heard about her, help to tell the story of Gatsby, who he is and where he is from, what is his dream. Their characters become part of the life of the Great Gatsby.

And of course, it should be mentioned about music. The soundtracks are really a part of the film. They help to feel the atmosphere of that time, to imagine taking part in these parties. Although most of songs are modern, they still fit into the film.

There are many different opinions towards this version of 'The Great Gatsby', but as for me, I really liked it! I was really impressed by the and of this film, and of course, I was waiting for such ending, but still I really sympathize to Gatsby. And also I was impressed by the last phylosophical speech. It's, indeed motivating and making to overthink some aspects of your life. 

Rendering 16: Music

The article 'Ray Manzarek of The Doors. His brilliant music will live on' was published on the website of 'The Telegraph' on May 21, 2013. It is written by Neil McCormick.

The aim of the article is to pay tribute to Ray Manzarek, the keyboardist and founding member of The Doors who has died at the age of 74. Ray Manzarek was one of the most individual and influential musicians in rock history.

The author tells that Manzarek was the root of The Doors sound. He was a dazzling musician, who approached rock music as he approached life, as a vehicle for self-exploration and higher possibility.

Then Neil dwells upon the history of the group. rather prosaic band name was actually a reference to Aldous Huxley’s Doors Of Perception, itself drawn from a quotation by William Blake. The Doors were a finely balanced group, one of those special units where every member counts, even if they are chiefly remembered now for the beautiful, brilliant, tragic Jim Morrison, the shamanistic frontman.

After the end of the Doors' era, Manzarek had a frustrating time. There were two inevitably diminished albums as a trio, and various post-Doors projects involving the spoken word poetry of Morrison. There were solo projects and pick up bands, and many collaborations with guitarist Krieger, including some ill-advised tours effectively as a Doors tribute act.

Further the author notes that music isn’t everything. Whenever Manzarek popped up in the media, he came across as a fascinating, lively, well-balanced individual. He married Dorothy Fujikawa in 1967, and she was with him until the end. They had one son, Pablo, and three grandchildren. Manzarek died of cancer yesterday, in a clinic in Germany.

In conclusion, I'd like to say the Neil's own thoughts towards this group. To him, they are the group who really opened up the potential for rock as something more than just another form of pop. In their dazzling, visceral, intense, improvisational mix of blues, jazz and poetry, they used music as a vehicle for spiritual exploration, the possibility of climbing through the rhythm and melody to another plane of existence.

Rendering 15: Music

The article 'Eurovision Song Contest 2013, review' was published on the website of the Telegraph on May 18, 2013. It was written Neil McCormick.

The aim of the article is to describe an annual ceremony. Eurovision is the pop show from another dimension, a big production international extravaganza celebrating the unifying force music at its most trite. He also notes that 26 songs is a lot for anyone to get through in one sitting, a double albums worth of power ballads, techno folk and cheesy europop.

The author begins the article with the announcement of the winner of Eurovision. And Neil McCormick

comments it as Denmark's winning entry Emmelie de Forest brings a touch of folk flavour to a bog standard techno pop ditty. Also he dwells upon British participant Bonnie Tayler, who was only 19th.

Then Neil McCormick underlines that staging is often more significant than the song. He gives an example of the Ukranian ballad. The most memorable thing was the giant in a Viking suit who carried the singer on. 

Further the author speaks about some particular participants from France, the Netherlands, Italy. France opened proceedings with a dirty little left-field pop rock ballad, delivered by a scruffy blonde whose idea of choreography was to jerk about like a mime artist experiencing a nervous breakdown. The Netherlands were even more audaciously restrained, sending an actual singer-songwriter, who warbled a kind of wayward Sondheim-meets-Joni-Mitchell orchestral ballad about a bird who can’t fly with the casual flair of a beatnik poet in the backroom of a coffee house.

In conclusion, the author again told about British participant. Though Bonnie Tayler was very confident on stage, Neil consideres that next year it should a young talanted pop-singer. 

It was very interesting to read the foreign opinion toward international contest. So that I conclude that not only Russians sometimes couldn't understand the principal of choosing singers to this contest.

Rendering 14: Music

The article 'Rolling in the awards: Kelly Clarkson and Adele take top honours at the Grammys' was published on the website of the Daily Mail on February 12, 2013. It was written by Amelia Proud.

The aim of the article is to tell about the ceremony of Grammy Awards, about its winners and nominations.

The author describes the beginning of the 55th Grammy Awards opened with inimitable British chantreuse Adele walking away with her ninth award from the coveted ceremony. Also Ms Proud notes Kelly Clarkson and Adele take top honours at the Grammys as pop's glamour girls Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Rihanna go home empty-handed. As Adele was honoured for Best Pop Solo Performance for Set Fire to the Rain (Live), while Clarkson received Best Pop Vocal Album for Stronger.

Further the author tells about bands. Mumford & Sons, who came out to perform their smash hit, I Will Wait. They won the coveted Album of the Year Award for Babel, and an another for Best Long-Form music video for Big Easy Express.

Amelia Proud dwells upon the most interesting and outstanding nominations. Beyonce won for best traditional R&B performance, Mumford & Sons took their first Grammy, winning along with Old Crow Medicine Show and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros for their long form video documentary Big Easy Express. The Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album then went to Frank Ocean for Channel Ocean. Best Rap/Sung Collaboration went to No Church in the Wild with Jay-Z, Kanye West and The-Dream. And Record of the Year went to Somebody That I Used to Know performed by Gotye and Kimbra.

During the whole the article, the author tells not only about the winner but also about the people who went on stage and sang. The most outstanding performances was made by Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z, Frank Ocean and Elton John.

In conclusion of the article it was given the whole list of the winner. To my mind, this article is really useful not only because of the information towards the nomintaions but also it gives a detailed information about the whole Grammy with the help of innumerable photoes.

Rendering 13: Music

The article 'Stockholm, Sweden: Abba museum preview' was published on the website of the newspaper 'Telegraph' on May 5, 2013. It was written by Tamara Hinson.

The aim of the article is to tell about the opening of ABBA's museum. The Museum is located on the island of Djurgården.

The museum is located in a building known as the Swedish Music Hall of Fame, a hotel and a restaurant, but the Abba museum will undoubtedly be the star of the show. Exhibits include a replica of the cottage on the island of Viggso where the group wrote many of their songs and a mock-up of the changing rooms at Edmonton Ice Hockey Arena, where they performed during their final world tour. There will also be a dressing room area where visitors will be able to try on some of Abba’s most famous costumes, and fans who’ve dreamt of joining the band will be able to appear on virtually stage alongside them.

The author tells about an unusual audio guide produced by Catherine Johnson, who wrote the screenplay for the film Mamma Mia! The Abba museum has got plenty of bells and whistles. There is a stage on which visitors will be able to appear alongside holograms of the band, and entrance tickets which can be scanned and used to access footage created during the visit. But it is a museum which doesn’t take itself too seriously. “It’s very hi-tech but combined with warmth and humour,” explained Ulvaeus.

In conclusion, the author gives brief information where fans can stay, eat and drink. To my mind, this museum is really wonderful thing. It helps people to remember such a star band as ABBA. 

Review 3: Ed Wood

Ed Wood (1994)

Director: Tim Burton
Cast:
Johnny Depp - Ed Wood
Martin Landau - Bela Lugosi
Sarah Jessica Parker - Dolores Fuller
Patricia Arquette - Kathy O'Hara
Jeffrey Jones - Criswell

Synopsis:

Ed Wood is a 1994 American comedy-drama biopic directed and produced by Tim Burton, and starring Johnny Depp as cult filmmaker Ed Wood. The film concerns the period in Wood's life when he made his best-known films as well as his relationship with actor Bela Lugosi, played by Martin Landau.

Review:

The film is a biography of the director Ed Wood. The film is focused on the apex of his career, which was in the mid 50s. At the beginning of his artistic career, he was a young and ambitious, not popular director. Ed met once in the store emaciated old man with a cane in his hand. He recognised in the old man Bela Lugosi, his idol and an actor. They quickly became friends. Overjoyed, Edward decided to star Bela in his films, such as 'Glen or Glenda' and 'Bride of the Monster'. These works were awful, but Ed was not discouraged. Bela soon died, and Eddie decided to turn his deathbed footage in the film 'Plan 9 from Outer Space'.  Ed Wood was really an unusual and original person, but at the same time a purposeful man.

As for the cast, it was really good! Burton made a great job, having found such ptototypes. Johnny Depp starred as Edward Wood. He was really great true, without false.  I would never have believed that the worst director was so charming and charismatic. Oscar for best supporting actor went to Martin Landau (Bela Lugosi). Martin played a strong and complex role, and so true, that I believed him since his appearance on screen. Also I did not expect such a good play from Sarah Jessica Parker.

Impressions of this film are mixed. In 'Ed Wood' there are strong and tragic episodes. What should a person do when his friend died? But there are many comic moments also. For example, the scene with false teeth or a scene with the octopus. And of course, Ed's passion for dressing up in women's clothes was decribed with irony.  So 'Ed Wood' is not only a biography film but also it's witty tragicomedy about a bright person.

Rendering 12: Cinema

The article 'Cannes 2013 lineup: a programme of heavy-hitters and unexpected gems' was published on the website of the newspaper 'The Guardian' on  April 18, 2013. It was written by Peter Bradshaw.

The aim of the article is to tell about Cannes Festival 2013. From Roman Polanski to James Franco, from the Coen brothers and to Steven Soderbergh, there's plenty to look forward to at this year's festival.

As Peter Bradshaw notices the announcement of the Cannes competition list is the first sign of spring; always an exciting moment and even more so as in recent years Cannes has consolidated its primacy among the film festivals of the world. There is the expected parade of heavy-hitters and some former Palme d'Or-winners: Roman Polanski, Nicolas Winding Refn, Paolo Sorrentino, Steven Soderbergh, Alexander Payne, Joel and Ethan Coen, François Ozon.

Then the author writes there are the competition openers, shrewdly chosen, surely, with an eye to delivering the red-carpet glitz that is so vital for international media coverage and big-ticket sponsorship. Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby features Leonardo DiCaprio as the charismatic and mysterious Gatsby himself. The trailer will feed both the hopes and the gravest fears of those who have followed Luhrmann's career so far.

The Coen brothers are among this festival's favoured auteurs, the equivalent of the Mafia's "made guys", and it is no surprise to see their new movie 'Inside Llewyn Davis' on the competition list. Oscar Isaac plays the difficult, talented folk singer in 60s New York, and Carey Mulligan and John Goodman co-star.

Also this is a great festival for Japan, and two very different Japanese auteurs are represented. Takashi Miike's Straw Shield is a high-stakes crime thriller about a police squad tasked with protecting a murderer who has turned himself in after the grandfather of his victim has announced a billion-yen reward for anyone who kills him.

As it was noted the actor-writer-artist James Franco is appearing at Cannes as a director, with his As I Lay Dying, a version of the William Faulkner novel, adapted by Franco himself. Franco rubs people up the wrong way a bit, but no-one can doubt his energy and creativity.And back in Competition, the actor Valerie Bruni-Tedeschi is appearing as director, with her A Castle in Italy, about a family forced to sell their ancestral home.

To sum it all up, Peter Bradshaw tells what a fascinating festival lineup, and as ever the best stuff will almost certainly be the unheralded movies that we don't even realise are there. I cannot but agree with Mr. Bradshaw. I wish I could watch all these films.

Rendering 11:Cinema

The article 'The Place Beyond the Pines – review' was published on the website of the newspaper 'The Guardian' on  April 14, 2013. It was written by Philip French.

The aim of the article is to give some description of the new film 'The Place Beyond the Pines'. It is directed by Derek Cianfrance. As the author says it's a new movie from the director of 'Blue Valentine' is a modern morality tale underpinned by outstanding central performances.


Production year: 2012
Country: USA
Runtime: 140 mins
Directors: Derek Cianfrance
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Bruce Greenwood, Dane DeHaan, Eva Mendes.


This film is a trilogy or triptych covering the relationship between two families, one blue collar, the other middle class, whose paths cross over two generations in Schenectady, an upstate New York town near the state capital of Albany. In the Mohawk language, Schenectady means "the place beyond the pines", and the title gives the film both a free-floating poetic resonance and a historical anchorage.

Further Philip French tells that the film is divided into three parts. The film's first part centres on Luke Glanton (Ryan Gosling), a charismatic biker doing a dangerous wall-of-death stunt act at a travelling fair. He's a strutting, chain-smoking, much tattooed drifter who is transformed by the discovery that he's the father of Jason, the six-month-old son of Romina (Eva Mendes), a waitress in a suburban Schenectady cafe. In order to be near his son he gives up his transient life and takes a poorly paid job with a rural car repair shop run by the roughneck Robin (Ben Mendelsohn).

In the film's second part, the limelight switches from Gosling to Bradley Cooper. He's Avery Cross, a complementary figure: a college-educated uniformed cop and son of a well respected ex-judge. He too has a small son. Suddenly he becomes a police hero in somewhat dubious circumstances. Riddled with guilt, he's drawn into a web of corruption and professional intrigue that wraps itself around the local criminal justice system. Three crooked colleagues bring his life into collision with those of the working-class Romina and Jason on the other side of the tracks.

For the third part of the triptych, Cianfrance leaps forward 15 years. At this point the focus shifts to Luke's son, Jason, and Avery's son, AJ, their circumstances unknown to each other and both highly disturbed. In a contrived and perfunctory way they suddenly become high-school classmates in their senior year, and the sins of the fathers are visited on them when they're in trouble with the authorities as consumers and dealers of drugs.

Concluding, Philip French tells that 'The Place Beyond the Pines' is an engrossing, extremely well designed and acted film. As for me, I'd like to watch this film and to make a decision if it's really a good film.