What would we do in our lives if we suddenly discovered
we would die in six months? The interesting thing is that many people would say they would live
their lives fully, and do all the things they haven't done their entire life. Why would we be so
stupid to the point of only living our lives fully when there is not much life left? Why would we
try to live, love and laugh, and be accomplished, only when we are about to kick the bucket?
Last weekend I saw a movie. It's "The Bucket List", a 2007
flick starring the great actors Jack Nicholson and Morgan
Freeman.
It's about these two cancer patients who become friends while they
are in the hospital. They both are told they have only 6 to 12 months to live, and they create their
"bucket list".
What is a "bucket list"? First, it's easy if you know that the
expression "to kick the bucket" means "to die". It's a slang like
"bater as botas".
Note that: although the direct translation is "chutar o
balde" it DOES NOT have the same conotation as the Portuguese expression "chutar o
balde", which means something completely different.
Therefore, "The Bucket List" is a list of all the things the
guys want to accomplish before they kick the bucket. Before they die.
Have you seen that movie? I personally liked it very much, and I
recommend it. It's good food for thoughts. Without trying to be a comedy, it also has funny
moments brought by witty dialogues and the actor's wonderful performance.
By the way, when you watch movies in English
...
- do you use the subtitles in English (or
Portuguese)?
or
- you don't use use subtitles at all and just pay
attention to the spoken English?
If you are in the process of practicing English, I strongly
recommend you get rid of the Portuguese subtitles. If you are in a more advanced process of studying, get
rid of the English subtitles, too! Just listen and pay attention to what you are watching. Do that
often and you'll notice how many more things you'll learn!
I can give you full guidance (step by step) on how to greatly
practice English with movies. Ask me how:
About this expression, "kick the bucket", and other situations and
colloquialisms we normally hear in movies, they represent the real life, or I'd better say, they
represent "the current spoken language". Yeah, that's better, after all, what is real life,
anyway?
Things like these, everyday conversation and situations, are
not normally presented in regular English books, at regular English schools. That's why watching movies,
reading current material in English and having a person who lives abroad to answer questions and help
with the language and cultural aspects, is so important during the
self-taught process. And you know... Live English Program can help you with
that!
So, what about watching that movie and writing your impressions about it? Write it in
English, of course (if you are a LEP-Nuts subscriber, I suppose you are interested in improving
your English, right?). Then send your piece to me! I'll comment and correct it, and send
it back to you. Don't you think this is a great opportunity to sharpen your skills? It won't cost
you anything: only your dedication, and a little time.
And remember to have fun! Do the things that are important to you before you kick the
bucket!!
Wanna see a trailer of "The Bucket List"?
Visit Warner Brothers Page at
http://thebucketlist.warnerbros.com/
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