French Immersion Class: Fun, Frustration, and Results

[iansmith]

Merci beaucoup, Ian! Those are great recommendations. I have to see The Dinner Game. Sounds very funny. I was thinking that the premise reminds me a little of a dramatic movie I once saw (an American film) called Dogfight.

Same kind of premise but different story development. In the dinner game, the dinner never happens. The guys is left at home with the idiot and the idiot just "ruins" his life.

There will be an american remake: Dinner for Schmucks
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427152/

 

[Danger]

I like Monique's idea about the TV programs. But since I can't get French TV, who can recommend some French movies for me to watch?

Maybe try hooking up with some Canadian (especially Quebec) video distributers? They probably have mainstream North American movies dubbed into French.

 

[Moonbear]

I should also point out that I've gotten several DVDs (don't ask me which, I don't remember...rented, so nothing I can look up) that have been dubbed in multiple languages and you can choose the language you want. I wish I could remember which one it was that I watched in both French and English just because it was one of those rainy weekends and I didn't feel like going out to rent another movie. The only problem I have with dubbing INTO another language, is that when I'm listening to a language I don't know well, I read lips a bit to help distinguish sounds/words (not something I do on purpose, just something I noticed...if I'm watching someone face to face, I can understand a lot more than if I'm listening on a tape or talking to someone who isn't facing me).

 

[Danger]

My copies of Spider-Man 1 & 2 are in both, but that might just have been done for the Canuk market.

 

[SOS2008]

I should also point out that I've gotten several DVDs (don't ask me which, I don't remember...rented, so nothing I can look up) that have been dubbed in multiple languages and you can choose the language you want. I wish I could remember which one it was that I watched in both French and English just because it was one of those rainy weekends and I didn't feel like going out to rent another movie. The only problem I have with dubbing INTO another language, is that when I'm listening to a language I don't know well, I read lips a bit to help distinguish sounds/words (not something I do on purpose, just something I noticed...if I'm watching someone face to face, I can understand a lot more than if I'm listening on a tape or talking to someone who isn't facing me).

I forgot about the language selection--but I think if you select French it won't have subtitles--then you will have to read lips like Moonbear--but just remember to use your "internal monologue" when you do this.

ADD: I've just obtained a record of Moonbear's rentals - "Dallas Danny: Everthing's Bigger In Texas?"

 

[Moonbear]

ADD: I've just obtained a record of Moonbear's rentals - "Dallas Danny: Everthing's Bigger In Texas?"

Oh, believe me, when I applied for a position in TX, that was definitely a selling point to consider! Though, I think I'd stay away from the men in Dallas. Apparently, Debbie has already had all of them.

 

[SOS2008]

Oh, believe me, when I applied for a position in TX, that was definitely a selling point to consider! Though, I think I'd stay away from the men in Dallas. Apparently, Debbie has already had all of them.

Hmm, now I'm wondering what MIH's real name is...

 

[Math Is Hard]

Hmm, now I'm wondering what MIH's real name is...

Hey! I'll have you know I restricted myself exclusively to Houston and parts of San Antonio!

oh wait, there was that weekend in Ft. Worth..

 

[Math Is Hard]

J'ai besoin d'un VCR! or is it "une VCR"?

I went to my favorite little video store and they had plenty of French movies, including The Dinner Game, but almost all were on VHS! I only have a DVD player these days.

I was able to get one movie with Audrey Tautou, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" which I thought was going to be a sweet, light little romantic comedy.
Pas du tout! Audrey plays a deranged homicidal erotomaniac in this one. I didn't very much enjoy seeing her in that role.

 

[Gokul43201]

Do people watch Audrey Tatou movies for Audrey Tatou ?

 

[iansmith]

The proper term is "un magnétoscope" but in slang it is usually referred to as "un VHS" or "un video". The video player is "masculin".

VHS are quite inexpensive nowadays. I have seen some for less than 50$.

You can also plan to have a movie day in class and use the AV from the school.

 

[Math Is Hard]

Do people watch Audrey Tatou movies for Audrey Tatou ?

Gosh, I do. I think she's just adorable. She has such a sweet expressive face. But I'm afraid she's typecast in my head as Amélie, now. No wonder she decided to play a psycho-villian. She's probably desperate to distance herself from the Amélie character.

 

[Math Is Hard]

The proper term is "un magnétoscope" but in slang it is usually referred to as "un VHS" or "un video". The video player is "masculin".

VHS are quite inexpensive nowadays. I have seen some for less than 50$.

You can also plan to have a movie day in class and use the AV from the school.

un magnétoscope? I never would have guessed. I would not have supposed "un VHS" or "un video" either, since we are talking about the machine that plays the media. I may have to go out and buy one. My last one went kaput so I just threw it out and bought a DVD player instead of replacing the VCR.

We are actually going to have a movie day in class. I am not sure what we'll see. Hope we get to vote on it.

I was just thinking of another film I love that I might have to order on DVD if I can get it - "Camille Claudelle". I love that movie. Isabelle Adjani and Gerard Depardieu were really wonderful in that picture.