VIDEOS AND EXERCISES

Each film is broken down into segments that last from 10 to 15 minutes. Each lesson begins with a comprehension exercise, follow by communicative activities and small group work. All the lessons have a follow-up homework which is often, but not always, a short writing exercise.

Mr. Holland's Opus

Directed by  Stephen Herek

In Mr. Holland’s Opus, Glenn Holland is a passionate musician who dreams of composing one truly memorable piece of music. But reality intrudes when he reluctantly accepts a “day job” as a high school music teacher to support his family. In time, however, Mr. Holland realizes that his real passion is teaching and his legacy is the generations of young people he inspires. 143 minutes. (From  FilmArobics)

Forrest Gump

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Forrest Gump tells the main character’s story through three turbulent decades: from physical disability to football stardom, from Vietnam hero to shrimp tycoon, from White House honors to the arms of his one true love. Forrest is the embodiment of an era, an innocent at large in an America that is losing its innocence. 1994, 142 minutes.  (From FilmArobics)

Bend It Like Beckham

Directed by Gurnider Chadha

Bend It Like Beckham is a comedy about bending the rules to reach your goal. It explores the world of women’s soccer, following two 18 year olds whose hearts are set on a future in professional soccer. Talent doesn’t seems to be enough when your parents want you to hang up your soccer shoes, find a nice boyfriend and learn to cook the perfect chapatti. 2002, 112 minutes. (From FilmArobics)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Directed by Nia Vardalos

Toula is 30 and unmarried. As a Green girl, she is therefore a failure. Then one day she sees the ultimate unattainable guy. She realizes the only way her life will improve is if she gets away from her big, fat Greek family. She gets a college diploma, gets a new job, and gets contact lenses, just in time for “him” to walk back into her life. Ian Miller is tall, handsome but definitely not Greek. Can Ian handle her family and the centuries of Greek heritage? 2002, 95 minutes. (From FilmArobics)

Book of the Month

Thomas Kinkade, Katherine Spencer

In this Cape Light novel, town mayor Emily receives an unexpected and precious Christmas gift on her doorstep: a baby girl. As the police search for the mother who abandoned the infant, Emily gains temporary custody of infant Jane and begins to wrestle with her yearnings to raise the child herself. Her husband, Dan, struggles with his own mixed feelings about the adoption. A gripping novel about applying spiritual principles to daily life. (From editors)