Episode 73: Lights, Camera, Action....it's time for the Oscars 2020

Listen to this Episode of "Coffee with Gringos" here or on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and Stitcher.

Ian: Hey everyone, you are listening to “Coffee with Gringos.” I'm Ian Kennedy.

Paige: And I'm Paige Sutherland.

Ian:  And today we're going to be talking: movies. Particularly, the Oscars which are coming up. So, there's a lot of talk about the movies from 2019 and what pictures (movies) are up for awards. So, we're gonna be talking about that today. And remember if you get lost, go online and check out that audio guide and transcript. Alright so, Paige, we have a handful of pretty good movies that came out this year: “The Irishman”, “Once upon a time in Hollywood,” “Parasite”, “Joker” …I mean the list goes on. So, there's a lot of different awards up this year and it's gonna be interesting to see what wins. So, what movies did you see this last year that are up for awards?

Paige: It's surprising. Most people who know me know I'm quite the movie watcher. I tend to watch more movies than shows. I love watching a movie and I love to watch all the Oscar movies. And then when the Oscar nominations came up, I was, like, surprised I've seen only two of them. So, I was like, “Damn, there's, like, ten movies nominated. I've seen two of them so I have to watch eight in, like, a couple weeks.

Ian: You better hurry up.

Paige: I know! Luckily, in Chile you can download anything so I'll be able to watch them but a few of them I didn't even know. Like, I was like, “oh wow,” like, I've never heard of “Ford versus Ferrari “or “Jojo Rabbit.” Like, there's a few that, I guess, maybe, because I'm out here in Santiago, I don't go to the movies as much—just not on the radar. But the ones I've seen “The Irishman”, which was very long.

Ian: That's always the first comment everyone's always said, “It's good, but long.”

Paige: I mean, I'm confused why it wasn't made into, like, a mini-series. Because a movie never needs to be three and a half hours long. Everyone I've talked to has never watched it in one sitting. They are always like, “Yeah we've split it up through the week. We watched a little here and there.” It's, like, that's not how a movie works. A movie, you sit down and you watch it.

Ian: Exactly, that's kind of the, I wouldn't say a problem I've had with it, but I've tried to watch it a few different times. And yeah, it's like you watch a half hour, you know, when you have time—forty five minutes—and I got about halfway or a little bit more through, and I said, “Wait…what the hell is even really happening?” So, I'm gonna have to go back and rewatch it because it was so long. And another thing, like you mentioned, with a series you can really develop a plot, you can develop the characters, you have more room to really expand the story. And if you're trying to condense, you know, something that happens over a long time or a long story in a movie it can be really hard.

Paige: I agree. I mean, especially because the main character had quite the life. There was so much going on: so many murders and different plot lines where I agree. I feel like with a series, you could have developed those characters more because often, it felt like they introduced a character, I started to get into that character and then he died, like, a minute later or was gone. So, it was like if it was a series, you could have, like, invested more and then when he died, you were, like, ready to move on to the next. But I felt like in the movie, it was hard to follow.

Ian: Yeah, I agree. With that said, the acting is very good, you have (Robert) De Niro, you have (Al) Pacino, you have (Joe) Pesci. So, you have this, like, old gangster movie lineup that really brings back a lot of nostalgia for people too. Because, you know, you have movies like “Casino”, “Goodfellas”, all these other ones, you know, that that (Martin) Scorsese's directed. So, a lot of people were really excited to see this cast. Yeah, I thought it was really good. The acting at least, so.

Paige: Yeah, I think, like, the acting was great, the plot was really good. I just think, if they made it into the series, it would have been blown out of the park.

Ian: Definitely.

Paige: But still, still should watch it.

Paige: What about the “Joker”. What are your thoughts on that movie?

Ian:  Man, so “Joker” is probably the best movie I saw of the year. I don't go anymore and see a lot of movies in the theater. For certain ones I'm like, “I gotta go see it on a big screen.” And so, I went inside here in Santiago and it was awesome—I loved it. It's different because, I think, people now are so used to, like, a hundred Marvel movies coming out in one year. And honestly, in my opinion, I find those movies to be, like, kind of cheesy, kind of, like, a little bit lame. And so, with Joker it was much more of a drama, much more of a psychological, more of a thriller. And so, for me the genre, it was great to have, you know, take this plot from an old, you know, comic book superhero, and really highlight and touch on, like, the mental and the psychological side of it. So, I thought Joaquin Phoenix was amazing. He played a great Joker. He's a weird guy so that kind of helped with the role. But to be honest, like, I would expect the Joker to come back, come away with quite a few awards.

Paige: I couldn't agree more with the superhero movies. They're just constant and it's just too much. But when the “Joker” came out, I saw the trailer and I was like, “It's not even a superhero movie at all.” Like, it's really just a movie about a guy's life that, like, doesn't go very well. And it's really sad but, like, really real. Really, just well done. You really get to, like, see why he became the way he did.

Ian: Exactly.

Paige: Doesn't make it right, to kill people…

Ian: But, you kind of understand how someone could reach that point.

Paige: Yeah, like, you have a lot of remorse, a lot of empathy for him. There was just, like, a really powerful movie. You, like, it's a movie, like, leave the theater and you, like, think about it.

Ian: Exactly. I was gonna say when I left the theater for a couple days, I was just thinking about what I'd seen and just trying to analyze everything and theories and whatnot. And those are always the best movies, the ones that you leave and you want to go back in and watch it again, right? So, that was a really good one I hope it wins some awards. And just a quick reminder if you are interested in taking private classes with Dynamic English, go ahead and check out our website at dynamicenglish.cl. and there you can sign up for private classes in your apartment, in your house, in your office. You can even now take classes online. Sitting on your couch, you can log on and practice English. It's very easy. So, if you're interested, check us out also on social media through Facebook or Instagram.

Ian: Did you have a chance to see “Once upon a time in Hollywood”? The latest (Quentin)Tarantino film?

Paige: I did, it's not very popular for me to say but I'm not a huge fan of that director.

Ian: (gasps).

Paige: …I know, I like some of his movies, don't get me wrong. But, like, people like will, like, drool over him. Like, every movie is their favorite movie that he does and he has a certain style, and, like, it's not my favorite. You saw it?

Ian: I did, I saw it. I thought it was good. It was another one of those that was so long—I think it was a little more than three hours. So, I watched it on a plane. I watched it when I flew home to the States, so I had time on my hands. So, it wasn't a problem. But it's kind of like “The Irishman” … it's a real commitment. You have to sit down and really go all the way through it. And it was really good. It wasn't REALLY good. It was good, but compared to the other Tarantino's (movies), it was, I put it somewhere, like, right in the middle. I’m unlike you, I'm kind of a bigger Tarantino fan—I really like the movies. It has a little historical part to it as well. It's kind of got a mix of the Manson murders and with Sharon Tate—the actress who was murdered by the “Manson Family.” So, you, kind of, had to know the story a little bit to, kind of, understand the plot. But overall, it was a good one.

Paige: But worth a watch?

Ian: Yeah, it's a worth the watch, if you have the time to spare. Maybe you can break it up into two. But yeah it was good, it was worth the watch. What else? There's a couple others, like we said, that we haven't really heard of or watched, but one that I've been wanting to watch, that's a foreign film that's up for some nominations is called “Parasite.” I think it's a movie by a Korean director. So, it's been getting a lot of attention I think it's more of a thriller.

Paige: I know, that's interesting too. Like, when you see the name, “Parasite”, I kind of thought it was gonna be, like, a science thriller. But it seems, I don't know, the trailer really doesn't give you a lot. Like, it makes you want to watch it because you, like, it starts off, like, friendly and then things change and you have no idea what's going on. But it looks like it has probably, like, an amazing twist.

Ian:  Yeah, just from the trailer, it seems pretty intense. And it's interesting, like you mentioned before the podcast, you don't see a lot of foreign directors or a lot of foreign films being put in the category for “Best Picture” right? Usually, it's best foreign film or maybe these kinds of films will get attention in other award ceremonies, but usually not the Oscars, like this. It's kind of a big deal. The director, if she wins, she'll be the first Korean, female director to win, so there's something too that's pretty important. So, it'd be nice to see that one win some awards as well.

Paige: I agree, I definitely want to watch it. It looks just, like, very entertaining. The other one I saw on Netflix was “The Marriage Story.” Did you see that?

Ian: No, I've never heard of it.

Paige: It’s okay. I don't know. Like, it's well done but it's hard to watch. Which some movies that are really good are hard to watch because they make it so real. And this story, as the title shows you, it's just about a couple that goes through a divorce. So, it's, like, the story of their marriage. Like, they're happy, they have a kid, they go through divorce and it kind of pulls you into the dirty details of, like, custody battles, sharing the houses, like, where to live. And it's just painful to, like, see their relationship, like, deteriorate, you know. But it's well done because it is so real. Like, this is, like, people get divorced all the time and I bet if you got divorced, you probably would watch and be like, “That's what it's like.”

Ian: Could really relate. So, it's more of just, it's not like a big flashy movie, but it seems very raw—very realistic to a lot of people's lives.

Paige: Yeah, it's definitely well done. But if you're looking for an upper, do not watch.

Ian: Okay, noted.

Paige: Because, like, it's Scarlett Johansson who, I mean, she's gotten more into the drama but she's usually, like, in a lot of romance, rom-com movies. And Adam Driver who is a good actor too. I kind of thought, I didn't watch the trailer, I thought it was, like, a love story. And then it's not. Like, it's about their divorce. I was like, “Oh, didn’t prepare well for what I'm watching.” Really sad and depressing. So that one's worth a watch.

Ian: Are you gonna tune in and watch the Oscars live? Are you one of those people, you sit down and watch the event happen? Or are you someone that, kind of, just reads about it the next day?

Paige:  I'm not someone that has a party. Like, I don’t make a big show of it, but I generally try to watch it live. Because I like a lot of the speeches, usually the hosts are really funny and crack jokes. Because I watch a lot of movies, it's interesting to see who these actors and actresses are when they give speeches because their true personality really comes out. Where, like you said, Joaquin Phoenix is really weird. And I didn't know that until I watched the Golden Globes and he gave a speech and I was like, “He is odd.” So, it's, like, you, kind, of celebrities you only know them from their characters. It's kind of nice in these award ceremonies, you get to, like, see who Brad Pitt actually is.

Ian: To see the real person.

Paige: Yeah, I tend to not watch them. You?

Ian: No. I'm usually the one that I read the next day to see who wins. But, no, I'm not the biggest fan of those kind of shows. But I'm usually the one that a movie wins “Best Picture” or wins something and I say, “I didn't even know that movie existed.” Kind of one of those people, so. But yeah, it's interesting to see what wins and, again, peak that interest if something wins. “Wow, this must be good, I should watch it…” kind of thing as well.

Paige: I wish they shortened it—it's very long. It's on Sunday night. Which, like, Sunday nights for me, I don't like staying up until, like, 1am because it starts late because it's in LA (Los Angeles). So, like, I'm from Boston and, like, here obviously we're in a different time zone. Like, it's gonna start at, like, 9pm…10pm. It’s, like, four hours long.

Ian: Oh, it’s that long?

Paige: It's pretty slow because they have commercials, because it's on TV. And everyone's talented but, like, some of the categories, I just don't care about. I bet you have talent, good for you. You won “Best Costume Design” but I don't care and I don't want to listen to your speech—I don't know who you are.

Ian: Exactly.

Paige:  You know, it's, like, “Cinematography”, like, “Sound Mixing”, “Editing.” And I'm like, good for you, win the award. But just, like, don't be on TV and don't let me watch you.

Ian: Right, right. Don't waste my time.

Paige: It's pretty heartless but I'm just, like, “ughhh”, because they know that us, the general public, don't want to watch those. They're, like, in the middle and the best are for last. So, like, maybe they'll do, like, “Best Actress” first to get you interested and then all the boring ones in the middle to get you to, like, “Best Picture” and all the other ones that you will stay up for.

Ian: Yeah, there's a lot of fillers in between.

Paige: You guys should tune in and watch some of them before they announce the awards.

Ian:  Yeah, and we'll see who wins, who gives the weirdest speeches, who says the wrong things and yeah, should be interesting.

Paige:  So, well again, if you get lost, check out that transcript and audio guide. Thanks for listening.

Ian: We'll catch you next time.

Paige: “Coffee with Gringos” was brought to you by Dynamic English, where you can learn English simply by using it. If you’re interested in taking classes or just want to learn more, go to our website at dynamicenglish.cl. Thanks for listening.

Key Vocabulary, Phrases and Slang:

1.     to tend (verb): to regularly do something.

a.     She tends to go to the beach every weekend.

2.     nominated (adjective): chosen for a potential position or award.

a.     The movie is nominated for “Best Picture.”

3.     on the radar (idiom): to be aware of something.

a.     Popular Netflix series are not on the radar for me.

4.     split up (phrasal verb): to separate something into parts.  

a.     We split up the projects among our team for the quarter.  

5.     plot (noun): the main events and details of a movie.

a.     This movie’s plot is so interesting!

6.     expand (verb): to grow something, to make larger.

a.     We have decided to expand our business into new markets.  

7.     condense (verb): to make something denser or more concentrated.

a.     They condensed the plot into a movie instead of a series.  

8.     cast (noun): the actors included in a movie or series.

a.     “The Irishman” has an amazing cast of famous actors.

9.     blow out of the park (idiom): to be an amazing success.

a.     Joaquin Phoenix blew it out of the park with his “Joker” performance.

10.  cheesy (adjective): obviously inauthentic, unpleasant

a.     This new romance movie is so cheesy.

11.  lame (adjective): uncool, not enjoyable.

a.     You have to work on Saturday? That’s lame.

12.  genre (noun): specific category.

a.     My favorite movie genre is comedy.

13.  touch on (phrasal verb): to briefly discuss something.

a.     I want to touch on the new project during our meeting tomorrow.

14.  remorse (noun): regret or guilt.

a.     He feels no remorse for the crimes he committed.

15.  whatnot (noun): reference to items not identified but are common with other items.

a.     I enjoy sports like soccer, basketball, baseball and whatnot.

16.  States (noun): shortened name for “United States”.

a.     I’m going to the States for vacation next year.

17.  despair (noun): complete loss of hope.

a.     He is in a state of despair after losing his job and house.

18.  divorce (noun): the legal ending of a marriage by a court.

a.     He and his wife are going through a divorce.

19.  custody battle (noun):  legal fight between divorced parents regarding who will take care of their children.

a.     Custody battles are some of the worst parts of a divorce.

20.  to deteriorate (verb): to break down, to become worse.

a.     Their relationship deteriorated as they became older.  

21.  flashy (adjective): bold, attractive, expensive.

a.     Look at my brother’s new flashy car.

22.  raw (adjective): intense, strong, powerful.

a.     The movie is so raw that it made me cry several times.

23.  upper (noun, slang): something that causes emotions of happiness or joy.

a.     I need to watch an upper because I’m sad today.

24.  rom-com (noun, informal): shortened name for “romantic-comedy” genre of movies.

a.     Her favorite movie genre is rom-com.

25.  tune in (phrasal verb): to listen or watch something.

a.     Tune in every week to hear the “Coffee with Gringos” podcast!

26.  crack jokes (phrasal verb): to tell jokes.

a.     He is always cracking jokes that make people laugh.

27.  odd (adjective): strange, weird.

a.     He is a very nice but also very odd.

28.  to pique (verb): to interest or excite.

a.     Seeing the trailer for “Parasite” really piqued my interest to see it.  

29.  filler (noun): something to fill or occupy time or space, usually not important.

a.     The award ceremonies have a lot of fillers in between the big awards.