But if you want to talk about movies in English, you'll need to know some special vocabulary. This article is the second in our series on essential words for movie fans; if you haven't yet, you can read the first part here.

Now, it's showtime!

(Even More) English Movie Vocabulary

Spoiler

One meaning of the verb "spoil" is "to go bad or become rotten" (so that something is no longer good to eat or drink).

But you can also "spoil" a movie for others if you reveal important information about it before they've seen it.

Warning: This review contains spoilers. If you haven't watched the film yet, stop reading now!

It can also be used as a verb.

James has a bad habit of spoiling movies. Luckily, spoilers don't bother me much.

Teaser / Trailer

Teasers and trailers are short video ads for movies. Usually, teasers are shorter and are released first. They generally show very little of the film; instead, their purpose is to get people excited to see more, which is one of the basic meanings of the verb "tease."

The teaser for the new film has created a lot of buzz on social media.

Trailers are released after teasers. They're longer and show many more scenes from the film — and if you don't like spoilers, they might show too much!

The trailer was released this afternoon, but it's already gotten millions of views on YouTube.

Cameo

Cameos are short appearances by someone in a film. Because they usually aren't announced or advertised, cameos by famous people are often fun surprises for audiences.

Because he only made a brief cameo in the film, the actor didn't ask for any money.

Twist

As a verb, "twist" means "to turn or bend something," often changing its shape. As a noun, however, a twist is a sudden or surprising change in a story.

The movie became famous for the shocking twist at the end.

Cliffhanger

A cliffhanger is a sudden ending to a film that doesn't complete the story. Instead, the audience can only wonder about what happens next.

Cliffhangers are often very dramatic and are designed to make viewers excited for the sequel.

The movie ends on a cliffhanger, so we'll have to wait for part two to see how the story ends.

There's also a Hollywood movie from 1993 called Cliffhanger. Here, however, the meaning is more literal: It's about a climber who has many dangerous experiences on cliffs, or very steep rock surfaces.

Stinger

Stingers are very short scenes that appear at the end of a movie, usually after the end credits. 

While most people leave the theater when the credits begin, fans of certain types of movies know they may see something extra if they wait.

Stingers are sometimes called "post-credit scenes."

Movies in the MCU are famous for stingers that give hints about what — or who — may be coming in a future movie.

Everyone in the theater stayed until the end of the credits, hoping to see a stinger.

Easter eggs

Many children enjoy decorating eggs to celebrate the Easter season. But some also have Easter egg hunts, in which they have to find eggs that have been hidden in different locations.

How does this relate to movies?

Well, movies based on things like comic books or video games will often have small hints that refer to characters or events that don't appear in the movies directly.

Most people won't notice these hints, but just like real Easter eggs in a hunt, big fans enjoy finding these small details.

The director likes putting Easter eggs into his films and seeing if fans can discover them.

Tentpole

A tentpole is a very long pole that holds up and supports a tent, like you can see on camping grounds or even at the circus.

In the movie industry, however, tentpoles are films that are expected to be very popular and successful. These films are usually in the action, science-fiction and adventure genres.

"Tentpole" can be used as an adjective or a noun for the film itself.

Tentpole films are usually released in the summertime or shortly before it.

Just because tentpoles get a lot of promotion doesn't mean they'll be successful.

Sleeper hit

Unlike tentpoles, which often have big stars and lots of marketing, other films may not have famous actors or much money for promotion. These films often don't get as much attention, but sometimes they surprise everyone by becoming very popular. These films are called "sleeper hits." 

The positive word-of-mouth helped the small, independent movie become the sleeper hit of the year.

Bomb

In the film industry, "bombs" are unsuccessful movies.

While any movie can be a bomb, this word is often used for big films that cost a lot of money to produce.

Many movies that were bombs when they were originally released are now considered classics by movie fans.

You can also use “bomb” as a verb.

Many movies that bombed when they were originally released are now considered classics by movie fans.

Tearjerker

As a verb, “jerk” means "to pull quickly." So we call movies that make you want to cry “tearjerkers” since they pull the tears from your eyes!

That movie is a real tearjerker. Make sure you have some tissues handy when you watch it!

Rotten Tomatoes 

Rotten Tomatoes is the name of a famous website for movie reviews. It launched in 1998 and has become very influential in the film industry. 

On the site, movies are given a rating between 0 and 100%. Films with a rating between 75 and 100% are “Certified Fresh.” "Fresh" movies get a special tomato icon that's often used in advertisements to encourage people to watch it.

On the other hand, movies with a rating of 59% or lower are considered “Rotten,” which obviously isn't good for the movie's reputation.

The site’s name likely comes from the fact that in the early entertainment industry, people would throw rotten fruit and vegetables at poor performers to make them leave the stage!

Wrap-up

If you want to improve your English while chatting about your favorite films, book a lesson on Engoo!

Find a tutor who also enjoys films by typing "movies" or the title of your favorite film in the search bar. Just remember to use some of the vocabulary we've introduced here in your lesson! 🍿

The post How to Talk About Movies in English (The Sequel!) appeared first on Engoo Blog.

This time, we'll share 10 quotes from films throughout the series. Each of them can be a source of motivation as well as a way to help you practice your English. We hope you find something here that will inspire you!

What Is the MCU?

"MCU" is the short name for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a series of films and TV shows based on comic books made by Marvel Comics.

Beginning with Iron Man in 2008, the MCU has expanded with more characters and events that form one connected story. Today, it consists of more than 30 movies featuring world-famous heroes like the Avengers, Spider-Man and Black Panther.

Related article: English Expressions That Come From Comics

10 Quotes From the MCU

Although they're known for big action and funny dialogue, some of the MCU's best scenes are quiet moments far from a battlefield. Many of the quotes below are about things like identity, sacrifice and finding the strength to overcome challenges — ideas we can all understand.

(Note: This article contains spoilers, so be careful!)

1. "... Stay who you are, not a perfect soldier, but a good man."

Film: Captain America: The First Avenger / Spoken by: Dr. Erskine

Steve Rogers was originally too small and weak to join the army. However, his desire to help his country was strong enough to impress the brilliant scientist Dr. Erskine.

Dr. Erskine performs a unique procedure on Steve that changes him into a soldier with amazing strength and speed. But with this quote, he reminds Steve that what makes him special is not his new abilities, but his courage and passion for helping others. This compassion is a true superpower that everyone is capable of using.

2. "I choose to run towards my problems and not away from them."

Film: Thor: Ragnarok / Spoken by: Thor

In this film, a character named Valkyrie tells Thor firmly that she isn't interested in dealing with painful memories from her past. Thor then challenges her with this quote.

These words express the idea that being a hero isn't about having physical strength or special abilities. Instead, what's important is being brave enough to face challenges and deal with problems directly and without fear.

3. "Just because something works doesn't mean it can't be improved."

Film: Black Panther / Spoken by: Shuri

Shuri is the younger sister of T'Challa, the Black Panther. She is also a talented scientist and one of the most intelligent characters in the MCU.

When showing her brother new equipment she's developed, T'Challa responds by saying the older versions work fine. As a scientist, Shuri rejects this idea and instead believes that improvements can always be made. 

Even if things are already "good enough," if we don't work to do better, we can never make progress. This quote should be very inspirational for English learners!

4. "He may have been your father ... but he wasn't your daddy."

Film: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 / Spoken by: Yondu

Many English learners may think that "father" and "dad" (or "daddy") are the same. But this quote shows that one word includes much more meaning than the other.

The hero of this film, Peter Quill, struggles with his feelings about two important men in his life. One is his biological father, meaning the two share the same blood. However, this man was gone for most of Peter's life, so the two don't have a close relationship. 

On the other hand, Yondu is the man who raised Peter and helped him to grow. Although he isn't related to Peter by blood, he's had a much bigger impact on Peter's life. 

This quote, therefore, shows that "dad" includes a feeling of closeness that "father" often does not. It also demonstrates that it's the experiences we share with others that determine who our true "family" is.

(By the way, the differences between "father" and "dad" also apply to "mother" and "mom.")

5. "Vengeance has consumed you ... I'm done letting it consume me."

Film: Captain America: Civil War / Spoken by: T'Challa

One of the themes of this film is the power of revenge to motivate people, but also to destroy them.

In this movie, T'Challa searches for the person responsible for the death of someone close to him. But when he finds them, he has seen the negative effects revenge, or vengeance, has had on himself and on others around him. As he says, it has "consumed" them, or covered them completely.

Negative emotions like anger and the desire for revenge will eventually hurt us and result in even more trouble. To live the best lives we can, we need to free ourselves from these unhealthy feelings and replace them with positive ones.

Related article: Flipping Out: 13 Ways to Express Anger in English

6. "I can't control their fear, only my own."

Film: Captain America: Civil War / Spoken by: Wanda Maximoff

The third Captain America film begins with a tragedy that many in the public blame on the character of Wanda Maximoff. Their anger is mixed with fear of her strange abilities.

After entering a depression, Wanda eventually decides that she can no longer let others' feelings about her control her life.

There will always be people who have negative opinions about us. But instead of worrying about things we can't change, it would be better to focus on accepting ourselves and trying to be the best people we can be.

7. "Don't waste it. Don't waste your life."

Film: Iron Man / Spoken by: Ho Yinsen

Early in this film, Yinsen sacrifices himself to help a businessman named Tony Stark escape a dangerous situation. When he says this line, he inspires Stark to become Iron Man, the most famous hero in the MCU.

This simple, powerful quote tells us that life is a gift that should be treated with care. No one lives forever, so we all have limited time to live the most positive life we can for ourselves and for others.

8. "If you're nothing without the suit, then you don't deserve it."

Film: Spider-Man: Homecoming / Spoken by: Tony Stark

Teenager Peter Parker becomes the hero called Spider-Man with the help of a special suit given to him by Tony Stark. But when Peter begins to rely on this suit too much, Tony decides to take it back, challenging Peter to succeed with his own strength.

This quote expresses the idea that our choices and actions are what defines us. Fancy items, money and status cannot be a replacement for who we truly are inside.

9. "What is grief if not love persevering?"

TV series: WandaVision / Spoken by: Vision

(This quote comes from WandaVision, a television series that is also part of the MCU.) 

When someone "perseveres," they continue doing something even though it's difficult and there is little chance of success.

Wanda, whom we mentioned earlier, experiences many difficulties throughout the MCU. One of the biggest relates to a character named Vision, who she has a very close relationship with. As Wanda deals with her grief, Vision encourages her with these words.

It can be easy to give up when we face tough situations, but grief doesn't have to stop us from continuing to live well. It also expresses that our love for the people close to us can live on even if those people are gone.

10. "With great power comes great responsibility." - Uncle Ben

This is perhaps the most famous quote in Marvel's history. Although it isn't spoken in the MCU, it's closely connected to Spider-Man, who does appear in the films.

When Peter Parker first receives his amazing abilities, he uses them selfishly. But this selfishness results in the death of Uncle Ben, the most important person in Peter's life.

From this moment, Peter accepts that having his special power comes with a price: He must use it to protect and help the people he can. 

The choices we make can have very big effects — and the more power we have, the bigger the effects can be. So we must always be careful to act with care and compassion for the people our actions influence.

Assemble!

Beyond the fights and big explosions, many films in the MCU have strong characters and themes that can entertain us while also giving us interesting things to think about.

If you've never seen an MCU film, why not give one a try? And if you have seen one, try rewatching it in English to help improve your listening and vocabulary skills. It's a fun way to learn!

For more great English quotes, check out the following articles:

• Popular Movie Quotes Used in Daily Conversation
• 20 Short English Quotes for Quick Motivation

The post 10 Inspirational MCU Quotes for English Learners appeared first on Engoo Blog.

But these are only two examples. This time, we'll introduce some other well-known lines and show how they are used in everyday life.

"There’s no place like home."

Movie: The Wizard of Oz (1939)

When a girl named Dorothy finds herself in a strange land, she joins a group of new friends to find a wizard who can help her return home. The wizard tells her to repeat this phrase in order to gain her wish.

These days, this quote is often said by people who have been traveling or who have spent a long time away from home.

• I had a great trip overseas, but there's no place like home!

"You’re gonna need a bigger boat."

Movie: Jaws (1975)

When Chief Brody first sees the shark he's been hunting, he realizes it's much bigger than he imagined. In fact, it's so big that even if he could catch it, it would be impossible to put on the boat.

People say this quote now when they're in a situation that is more difficult than they anticipated.

A

The boss wants all of this work done by tomorrow ...

B

We're going to need a bigger boat.

"You talking to me?"

Movie: Taxi Driver (1976)

Travis, the main character of the film, says this famous line in front of a mirror as practice for a real situation. It basically means "What did you say?" or "Excuse me?" However, the tone is aggressive and the nuance is closer to "Do you want to fight?"

People say this quote to provoke — or get a reaction from — someone. Be careful saying this because it could possibly result in a fight!

"You can’t handle the truth."

Movie: A Few Good Men (1992)

This line appears in a tense courtroom scene between a lawyer named Kaffee and Colonel Jessep, a powerful officer in the US military. When Kaffee demands the truth about the death of a soldier, Jessep responds with this phrase in a very firm voice.

In the film, this quote refers to information that the listener is not prepared to hear or accept. In casual conversations, it's mostly used in a joking way to tease friends with something they want to know.

A

Just tell me what happened!

B

No. You can’t handle the truth.

"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."

Movie: The Godfather (1972)

The Godfather is the first in a series of films about a family in the Italian mafia living in America.

Don Corleone, the leader of the family, says this line when he decides to help his godson Johnny get a job in a Hollywood film. Although he doesn't say it directly, the nuance is that the film's boss will be hurt if he doesn't hire Johnny.

This quote basically means "I won't let them say 'No.'" So people often say this when they are very confident that they will get what they want in a negotiation.

A

You signed the contract, Clea?

B

Yes. They're paying so much money, it was an offer I couldn't refuse.

In this case, the offer was so good that Clea had to accept it.

• The bully told Joey to give him his money or get beaten up. It was an offer Joey couldn't refuse.

*To "beat up" means "to attack or hurt someone."

Unlike the first example, this usage of the phrase is a threat of punishment if someone does not do a certain thing.

"Houston, we have a problem."

Movie: Apollo 13 (1995)

This line is different from the others on this list because it's based on a real event. It comes from a radio communication between two astronauts and NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas, during the spacecraft Apollo 13's flight in 1970.

What the astronauts actually said, however, was a little different: "OK, Houston, we've had a problem here."

People say this quote when they suddenly realize that they're in a difficult situation.

A

What's wrong with the computer? Nothing's working correctly!

B

Houston, we have a problem ...

"As if!"

Movie: Clueless (1995)

Clueless takes place in southern California, but it made this short quote famous throughout the US.

When Cher yells "As if" after a male student suddenly hugs her, it means "Absolutely not!" or "You must be joking!" It's used in daily conversations with the same meaning, like in the following example:

A

Did Mark finish his chores today?

B

As if! He hasn’t even woken up yet.

Related article: "No way, José!" Other Ways to Say "No"

"Say 'Hello' to my little friend!"

Movie: Scarface (1983)

This line is yelled by Tony Montana, the main character in the classic gangster movie Scarface.

Part of the reason this line is memorable is because the "friend" is a machine gun — and it's not little at all!

This quote is often said as a joke when revealing weapons or dangerous objects. For example, someone playing a video game may say it when using a powerful new item against their rivals.

But it can also be used when revealing something you're proud of, like in the following example:

A

Say 'Hello' to my little friend …

B

Cool! When did you get a new guitar?

"What we've got here is a failure to communicate."

Movie: Cool Hand Luke (1967)

In the film, a cruel police captain says this line when he tries to demonstrate his power over a prisoner who does not want to obey. 

You can say it yourself when you're arguing with someone or having difficulty agreeing with them. Be careful not to use it in a business or formal situation!

• We just can't agree on anything! What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

"Elementary, my dear Watson."

Movie: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939)

Sherlock Holmes, a character from both novels and films, is known for being a very intelligent detective. When his assistant, Dr. Watson, asks him a question, he often replies with this phrase, which means "The answer is simple."

Similarly, English speakers might say this line when answering questions they feel are easy. It has a slightly arrogant feeling, but it's mostly said as a joke among friends.

A

How did you get the answer so quickly?

B

Elementary, my dear Watson.

"I love the smell of napalm in the morning."

Movie: Apocalypse Now (1979)

This film takes place during the Vietnam War, and Lieutenant Kilgore says this line as napalm — a substance used in bombs — explodes in the distance.

Kilgore's enjoyment of such a hard and dangerous environment made this line and scene very memorable. After all, people normally prefer the smell of coffee in the morning!

This quote is used today in a variety of situations, with "napalm" switched for something that shows a person's sarcasm or their enthusiasm for something.

For example, someone waking up to the smell of burning bread in the kitchen might say this:

• Ahh, I love the smell of burnt toast in the morning!

Obviously, this is a sarcastic thing to say, since the "burnt" smell is not something people usually enjoy!

On the other hand, someone who loves working on cars might say:

• I love the smell of motor oil in the morning!

Wrap-Up

Using famous movie quotes in your casual conversations is a great way to sound more like a native speaker. This is because it doesn't just show understanding of language, it also shows understanding of culture.

Here are a few more movie-related articles from Engoo you may enjoy:

• How to Talk About Movies in English
• What Do Movie Ratings Mean? (G, PG, R, etc.)
• 9 Common English Expressions from Pop Culture

Written by Sana, adapted by David

The post Popular Movie Quotes Used in Daily Conversation [Updated] appeared first on Engoo Blog.

This article will look at some common English terms that were born in popular media like films, music, literature and internet memes. How many of them do you know? 

Bling

“Bling” is an onomatopoeic word for something that shines or sparkles. It's common slang today, but it gained popularity thanks to a song called “Bling Bling” by an American rapper named B.G.

Bling bling

Every time I come around your city

Bling Bling

Pinky ring worth about fifty

Bling bling

Here, the word represents the "sound" of things like jewelry and expensive accessories shining.

• Check out my new diamond ring. Bling bling!

It can also be used as a noun to refer to shiny items.

• Shawn pulled up his sleeve so everyone could see the bling on his wrist.

“You had me at ‘Hello.’”

Warning: This section contains spoilers!

Jerry Maguire is a 1996 film starring Tom Cruise. During the film’s climax, the main character attempts to confess his love to a woman named Dorothy. Before he can finish, however, Dorothy tells him to stop, then says, “You had me at ‘Hello.’”

This means “I fell in love with you the very first time we met.” It’s a very dramatic and romantic moment that movie lovers haven't forgotten. 

These days, this quote is used in funny ways to express excitement and enthusiasm. The “Hello” is changed to something related to the situation, and it means "You only had to say ___."

A

I'm having a party tonight. There'll be free food and drinks. Wanna come?

B

You had me at "free food." I'll be there!

This isn't the only time Jerry Maguire will appear on this list …

Down the rabbit hole

This expression comes from the book Alice in Wonderland by British author Lewis Carrol. The story is about a girl named Alice who falls through a rabbit hole into a strange, fantastical world. 

We use this expression to talk about things like hobbies or activities that are much deeper or more complicated than we first realized. It can sometimes have a slightly negative nuance.

Later, this expression became more common because of its use in the 1999 science-fiction film The Matrix.

• After watching one funny clip, I fell down the rabbit hole of meme videos on TikTok. I spent hours watching them!

Bring a knife to a gunfight

This expression is believed to have come from The Untouchables, a 1987 film about gangsters in Chicago in the 1930s. In one scene, a criminal who only has a knife meets a police officer with a much stronger weapon.

Just like in the film, this expression is used today when someone is very unprepared for a challenge. 

• We can't compete against the company's expensive lawyers. It would be like bringing a knife to a gunfight.

"Show me the money."

This line — another from Jerry Maguire — is spoken by a football player named Rod Tidwell (played by Cuba Gooding Jr). When a sports agent tries to convince Rod to sign a contract with him, Rod replies with this very famous quote. In fact, he says it many times!

"Show me the money" is another way of saying "Pay me!" This quote has been ranked #25 on the list of top 100 quotes by the American Film Institute. It also became the name of a rap competition show in Korea.

You can hear it in casual conversations when people are talking about being paid — or in many cases, being paid more.

• If they're serious about hiring you, tell them to show you the money.

Related article: 3 Tips for Negotiating Your Salary in English

Ride off into the sunset

Many American films have "happy endings" in which it seems like the main characters will have perfect lives when the movie is over. These endings often have dramatic scenes, such as beautiful sunsets. 

These scenes are so common that we have an expression referring to them. "Ride off into the sunset" is usually said with a sarcastic nuance, however.

• Even if you meet a great partner, don't assume you'll ride off into the sunset and have a perfect life. Relationships take a lot of work.

Fairy tale

This is closely related to the previous expression. It's a reference to popular stories like Cinderella and Snow White, in which a prince and princess fall in love and live an ideal life. 

• Their island vacation wasn't the fairy tale they hoped for.

It can also be used as an adjective.

• Grace spent a lot of money to have her fairy tale wedding.

"We're not in Kansas anymore."

The classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz tells the story of Dorothy, a girl who wakes up in a strange land far from her home in Kansas. When she doesn't recognize where she is, she says this famous line to her pet dog, Toto. 

People say this today when they are in unfamiliar places or situations.

• New technology has revolutionized our industry, so we have to think differently. We're not in Kansas anymore, everyone.

(If you didn't know, Wicked, a musical and 2024 movie, tells the story of what happened before the events of The Wizard of Oz.)

Break the internet

We say that something "breaks the internet" when it gets an extreme amount of attention online. The idea is that a website or service gets so many views or visitors that it "breaks."

• News of the celebrity scandal broke the internet.
• When we release the trailer for our next film, it's going to break the internet!

Wrap-Up

Big pop culture moments can continue to have an effect even many years later; even people who've never listened to B.G. or who weren't born when Jerry Maguire was released will know the terms we've introduced here. So if you want to be a fluent English speaker, make sure you know them too!

Why not book a lesson with an Engoo tutor and try using them in a real conversation?

The post 9 Common English Expressions from Pop Culture appeared first on Engoo Blog.

Even if you simply read movie reviews, you may see many terms and expressions you have never learned in textbooks.

To help you join the discussion, this article will explain some of the most common words you will see and hear from movie fans and reviewers.

NOTE: While this article will focus on movies, many of these terms can also be used to talk about things like TV series, novels, comics and video games. So learning them is a good way to kill two birds with one stone!

Types of Movies

Many of today's new movies aren't completely "new" at all. While there are still original stories, many modern films are part of larger series or are based on novels, comics and other media.

We now have special terms to refer to these movies that are connected to something bigger.

Sequel

A sequel is a movie that takes place after a previous film. In other words, anything that is a part 2, part 3, etc. is a sequel.

• The original Harry Potter film has seven sequels.
• The studio hopes that the sequel will make even more money than the original film.

Examples of sequels:

• Dune: Part Two (2024) is a sequel to Dune (2021)
• Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) is a sequel to Avatar (2009)
• Blade Runner: 2049 (2017) is a sequel to Blade Runner (1982)
• Top Gun: Maverick (2022) is a sequel to Top Gun (1986)

Prequel

When you know that the prefix "pre-" means "before," it is easy to understand that a prequel is the opposite of a sequel. Prequels are stories that take place before another story — even if it is released later!

• The Game of Thrones TV series began in 2011. House of the Dragon is a prequel series from 2022 and tells the history of many of the families featured in Game of Thrones. 

Examples of prequels:

• Wicked is a prequel to The Wizard of Oz
• Prometheus is a prequel to the Alien films
• The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is a prequel to A Fistful of Dollars

Spin-off

Sometimes, films or shows are successful enough that new, side projects can be created from them. These projects, called "spin-offs," usually focus on a particular character or just a small piece of something from the original work.

• It's often less risky for companies to produce spin-offs than to invest in new stories.

This can also be used as a verb.

• The character was popular enough to be spun-off into her own series.

Examples of spin-offs:

• The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan are spin-offs of the Star Wars series
• Knuckles is a spin-off of the Sonic the Hedgehog movies
• The Fantastic Beasts series is a spin-off of the Harry Potter series

Reboot

When you reboot an electronic device, such as a phone, you are turning off the power before turning it on again. This is often done to try to fix problems and start fresh. This form of the word is a verb.

• Try rebooting the system if you have any issues you can't fix.

The movie industry does the same with films. "Reboots" use the same characters and world in order to replace an older story with a new one.

This can be both a noun and a verb.

• The reboot was much more successful than the original version.
• Although the studio rebooted the series several times, audiences don't seem to connect with these characters.

Examples of reboots:

• Wednesday is a both a spin-off and a reboot of the Addams Family series
• The modern Star Trek films are a reboot of the television series from the 1960s

Remake

Remakes and reboots are very similar, but there is one major difference. Reboots use existing characters to tell all-new stories. On the other hand, the goal for remakes is simply to tell the original story in a modern way. 

Again, this can be both a noun and a verb.

• I don't think this movie needs a remake; the original is perfect.
• I don't think this movie needs to be remade; the original is perfect.

Examples of remakes:

• Beauty & the Beast (1991 and 2017)
• Ocean's Eleven (1960 and 2001)
• Oldboy (2003 and 2013)

Beyond Movies

Canon

Don't confuse this word with "cannon," which is a heavy weapon used in war zones!

As stories and series continue, the creators sometimes change or erase events that happened previously. But the events that remain an official part of the story are called "canon."

Most casual fans don't pay much attention to canon, but passionate fans can have intense discussions about it, especially online.

• The reboot made major changes to the original story's canon.
• This movie is a side-story that doesn't affect the series' canon. It's just for fun.

Examples of canon:

• What If…? is a Disney+ series featuring non-canon stories starring popular Marvel characters.
• According to the canon of the Back to the Future series, the hero's car must reach 88 miles per hour before the time machine activates. 

Lore

Big fans of films and other media sometimes aren't satisfied with only the main story; they want to learn more!

A film's "lore" is the background information that supports the main story and characters. You can watch a film without knowing its lore, but you may enjoy it more if you have that additional information.

For example, George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones book and TV series is famous for having a large amount of lore.

• I spent hours watching YouTube videos on the lore of my favorite series.
• You don't need to know a film's lore to enjoy it, but it helps.

Cinematic universe

Marvel Studios changed the film industry with the incredible success of their films based on comic book heroes. Since then, the idea of "cinematic universes" has become common.

Instead of only sequels and prequels within one series, a cinematic universe connects characters and events from various series into one large story.

For example, while Iron Man appears in Iron Man films, he also appears in movies about other characters or teams; the series are separate, but they all share the same larger world, or universe. 

Many studios have tried to copy Marvel's success by creating a cinematic universe for their characters.

Examples of cinematic universes:

• The Marvel Cinematic Universe contains many different series (The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Panther, etc.)
• Modern movies featuring Godzilla, King Kong and other famous monsters are a part of the "Monsterverse"
• The Flash takes place in the same universe as the Wonder Woman films

By the way, if you are a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (or "MCU"), we have an article all about some of its most memorable and inspiring quotes: 10 Inspirational MCU Quotes for English Learners

Franchise

A franchise is a collection of films, TV shows or games that are based on the same title, concept or characters. Therefore, most of the movies we've mentioned in this article are part of franchises.

• The surprise hit launched a successful franchise that includes films, TV shows and comic books.
• The last movie in the series was so unpopular, people say it "killed" the franchise.

Examples of franchises:

• The Hunger Games
• Back to the Future
• The Fast and the Furious
• Scream

Wrap-Up

Because it's often easier to continue older stories than create new ones, major film studios are making more sequels, spin-offs and reboots than ever before. Some people like it, but others think it's a negative trend.

No matter how you feel about it, however, the words we've introduced here are very useful for discussing movies, so be sure to learn them all!

Related articles:

• Popular Movie Quotes Used in Daily Conversation
• What Do Movie Ratings Mean? (G, PG, R, etc.)

The post How to Talk About Movies in English appeared first on Engoo Blog.

However, ratings still provide very useful information, especially for parents. They give viewers an idea about the kinds of content a film contains and help parents decide if something is appropriate for their children to watch. 

This article will provide some basic information about the different ratings films receive, as well as keywords you'll see when choosing if a movie is right for you or your child.

The 5 Ratings of the MPA (Motion Picture Association)

G

G is the lowest rating and stands for “General Audiences.”

The MPA refers to films with this rating as “All Ages Admitted.” In other words, anyone buying tickets for these films at a movie theater would be allowed inside. G-rated films don't contain anything that may be scary or inappropriate for kids. 

Examples of films with a G rating:

• The Lion King (1994)
• Ratatouille
• Toy Story
• Kiki's Delivery Service

PG

PG is the next highest rating and stands for “Parental Guidance,” or the longer version, “Parental Guidance Suggested.” 

While parents can let their children watch G movies with no worries, PG films may contain some things they may not want their kids to see — or at least, to not see alone. This is generally the lowest rating you'll see for most modern movies, even animated family films.

Examples of films with a PG rating:

• Spirited Away
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
• KPop Demon Hunters

PG-13

The descriptor for this rating is “Parents Strongly Cautioned.” 

As you can guess from the name, PG-13 films may not be appropriate for children under 13 years old. However, children are still allowed to see them.

Because most adults aren't interested in G or PG movies, PG-13 films have the biggest potential audience, including both young and older movie fans.

Examples of films with a PG-13 rating:

• Barbie
• Top Gun: Maverick
• The Avengers: Endgame
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Parts I and II

R

“R” stands for "Restricted." 

This is the first rating that includes a strict rule: “Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian.” That means no one under 17 can watch an R-rated movie in a theater without having an adult with them.

These movies might contain things like strong language, violence, scenes of sexual activity or drug use. R is typically the highest rating most major movies receive.

Examples of films with an R rating:

• The Conjuring series 
• Deadpool & Wolverine
• Ted
• Bridesmaids

NC-17

NC-17 movies are for “Adults Only.” 

A parent taking their child to an NC-17 film would not be allowed to buy tickets or enter the theater. These movies typically have content similar to R films, but it may appear more frequently or in more detail. 

NC-17 films often don't receive as much attention as other movies, so movie studios usually try to avoid this rating. 

Unrated

The last rating isn't a rating at all! 

You may see "Unrated" (sometimes shortened to "UR," or "NR" for "Not Rated") before a film's trailer or on its promotional material. In some cases, it means a film simply hasn't received its official rating yet; some films, however, never get one.

Similar to the old, unofficial “X” rating, some films use the fact that they're unrated as a way to attract people interested in extra-violent or sexual content. However, unrated films don't necessarily contain those things.

If you're not sure about what's in a movie, we recommend researching it online.

Related article: The Many Meanings and Uses of X

Common Keywords in Ratings

Although ratings help to give a basic idea of what's in a film, you might still be confused about details. So to help, ratings now include additional information.

Generally, a film's content is separated into a few major categories: 

• Language
• Violence
• Sexual content
• Thematic elements

Words describing each category usually include “light” or “mild,” which means there's only a small amount or that it's not very intense.

As the content of a film becomes more mature, you'll see adjectives like “strong” or “pervasive,” which means there's more of it in the film.

Language

The "language" descriptor means a movie may contain some "dirty" words that parents may not want their children to hear. Even some PG and PG-13 films have this descriptor, but it's generally not severe.

However, there may be other descriptors related to language, such as "crude humor," which refers to jokes about the body and its functions.

Violence

Violence can be described in many ways, such as “cartoon violence,” “sci-fi violence” or simply “action.” Many blockbuster movies are described this way.

However, horror films may have stronger descriptors like “graphic violence” or “gore,” which means the film contains very dramatic or detailed scenes that definitely aren't appropriate for children.

Sexual content

Sexual content is indicated by terms like "sexuality," “nudity” or “brief nudity” if it's on the screen for only a short time. These don't always mean a film is bad for younger audiences, but additional descriptors like "strong" or "intense" will warn you if they are.

Thematic elements

This category (also called “adult/mature themes”) is a little trickier to understand. Instead of specific words or scenes, it refers to the overall themes or topics in a movie. 

For example, films with this descriptor may feature things like drug use, disease, gambling, suicide or other serious social issues. These may include topics younger viewers might not fully understand yet.

Extra Resources

If you'd like to know more beyond the standard ratings, the popular movie site IMDb.com has information provided by other viewers that can help.

After a film has been released, click the rating on any movie's main page to go to its Parents Guide, which has specific details about what the movie contains.

For movie lovers who want to learn more English from and about films, we recommend the following articles from our blog:

• How to Talk About Movies in English
• Learn British Slang with the Harry Potter Movies

The post What Do Movie Ratings Mean? (G, PG, R, etc.) [Updated] appeared first on Engoo Blog.