New Bond flick - interview with director Sam Mendes

Bond is back! And Bardem is playing guess who? You guessed it - the bad guy!
Watch this interview with director Sam Mendes (American Beauty) and answer the questions below:

1. How does Mendes describe his personal relationship with Bond? (How far back does it go?)
2. How did Mendes feel about 'Casino Royale?' 3. What compelled Mendes to accept the challenge of directing a Bond film? What are his goals for the film? What three adjectives does he use to describe the type of Bond film he thinks it is possible to make?
4. According to Mendes, what's the only way to make a Bond film? What will happen if you try to make it too quickly?
5. What does Mendes find ironic about making this movie in Britain? What does he say about his 'American years?'

De Niro as Capone

This week we're taking a look at a couple of 'bad guys' (be sure to see the other video) in cinema. Here's another scene from 'The Untouchables' (we saw one a few lessons ago with Sean Connery and Kevin Costner). In class I'll be giving you a little worksheet, but for now I'm just asking you to watch the scene and study the language used (there's British and American accents in the scene, which is a nice mix). In the meantime, here's a couple of broad questions about the context of the scene, and on Capone's opinion about the law which enables him to do 'business':
1. What controversial law was in effect in Chicago (and in the whole USA) during the 'reign' of Al Capone?
2. What interesting observation does Capone make about laughter?
3. How does Capone view his role in the 'illegal' sale of alcoholic beverages?
4. In what way in Capone being less than honest with the British journalist about his business practices?

The coin toss

Here's a couple of expressions that will come in handy before watching the video:
1. 'toss a coin' (also 'flip a coin') - in a situation involving two possible outcomes, to toss a coin is to throw it in the air in order to determine the outcome; the side of the coin facing upwards ('heads' or 'tails') is the determining factor.
2. 'call it' - to choose 'heads' or 'tails' before a coin toss
3. 'put up' - in gambling (dice, poker, etc.), what one stands to keep or lose.

Now watch the video and answer the questions that follow


Comprehension questions:
1. What question does Javier Bardem ask the gas station attendant in the beginning of the video? How does the man reply?
2. What metaphysical observation does Bardem make about the coin?
3. What does the man stand to win, according to Bardem? (What do you think he stands to win?)

Discussion questions:
1. I find this scene disturbing, to say the least, no doubt because the role played by Bardem is so creepy. Some film critics have put him on their list of the best villains of all time. What do you think are the ingredients of a 'good villain,' and does Bardem embody them in this scene?
2. In what ways is Bardem's role as the creepy Anton Chigurh different from De Niro's bad-guy role (see other video) as Al Capone? Who is the 'badder' guy?
3. Do you find Bardem easier to understand because he's Spanish? How's his English, in your opinion?
4. Have you seen the film? If not, what do you think is gonna happen to the poor fellah in the gas station? (And if you have seen it, did you think the poor guy was going to survive while you were watching?).
5. Who directed this film? Yes, ok the Coen brothers. Have you seen any other films by them? How is this one similar/different to the others?

This is an interview with Obama before he became president. Before watching it, go this link and read the brief article about the relationship between President Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2007/10/16/4426031-cheney-and-obama-cousins



Questions (You only need to watch the video until minute 4:30).
1. What does Obama say about Cheney's role in the family?
2. Why does Ellen joke about going hunting with Cheney? (You might have to do some research on this - google 'Cheney hunting accident').
3. Referring to genealogy, Obama says that when you look into your family history you end up discovering that you're related to some _________________.
4. Obama says Ellen 'makes a good Elvis,' and especially which part of the Elvis costume? What is Ellen's response to this?
5. What compliments does Ellen pay Obama about his personality?
6. What word does Obama use to explain his background? Where were his mother and father from? What is different about his sister?
7. What motivated Obama to get involved in public service? Who is he 'real sympathetic' towards?
8. Why did Obama go to Chicago? What type of programs did he help to set up?
9. What word does Obama use to describe himself (referring to his background and his name, for instance) - he says he's an 'under_______' - What does this mean?
10. According to Obama, part of the reason people may not pay attention to politics is because it's ________________________ and it doesn't seem like politicians get ______________________________.

The science of love

Can what we call 'love' simply be traced to a chemical reaction inside the brain? Watch the video and answer the questions:

1. What are the three distinct brain systems associated with love, according to Dr. Fisher?
2. What is Dr. Fisher's profession?
3. What procedure did Dr. Fisher and her colleagues perform on people who were 'madly in love?'
Fill in blanks:
4. Dopamine is a natural ___________________________.
5. Dopamine is sent to many different brain regions which creates all kinds of feelings associated with intense romantic love, such as (list at least six): _____________________________ _____________________________________________.
6. What is life's greatest prize, according to Dr. Fisher?
Fill in the blanks:
7. What are the physiological responses associated with romantic love? (list two) ____________________________________________________________________________________.
8. Dopamine and norepinephrine are chemically different by only ________________________.