I have defined some of the words (underlined) in the dialogue, which you can add to your Personal Dictionary. Click on the Excel icon to download the word list to your PC or mobile device, which you can thereafter import into your Personal Dictionary. They are also listed below.
Scroll down to the bottom for links to a crossword and word search using words from this post, as well a YouTube video.
Flick – a film or movie
Film buff – an expert who is knowledgeable about films
Turkey – something that is extremely or completely unsuccessful, especially a play or film
Romcoms – a romantic comedy
Gogglebox – television
Weepy – a sad film
Guilty pleasure – something, such as a film or television programme that one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard
Chick-flick – a film which appeals to young women
Plot-twist – an unexpected development in a film, television programme, etc.
Cliff-hanger – a story or film with a strong element of suspense
Cash-cows – a lucrative business
Tinseltown – another name for Hollywood
Moguls – an important or powerful person, especially in the film or media industry
Extra – a person temporarily employed to fill out a crowd scene in a film or play
Spoof – humorous imitation of typically a film or a particular genre of film, in which its characteristic features are exaggerated for comic effect
One-liner – a short joke
Spoiler alert – a warning that an important detail of the plot development is about to be revealed
Plug – mention a product publicly in order to promote it
Buzz – a rumour, or excitement
Snaps – photographs
Blooper – an embarrassing error
Silver screen – the cinema industry
What did you think of that flick Judy?
Well, I’m not the greatest film buff in the world, but I’d say, it was a turkey.
I’m glad you said that, because I agree. Then again, romcoms aren’t my favourite genre of film. It was the type of movie you can watch on the gogglebox on a rainy Sunday afternoon. These weepy films are your guilty pleasure, aren’t they?
Yes, they are. I’m sorry Ed. When I saw the trailer, I didn’t realise it would be a chick-flick. Did I see you wipe away some tears towards the end?
I had something in my eye, that’s all. The best thing about the film was the plot-twist at the end. I didn’t see that coming
The film ended on a cliffhanger too, so I guess there will be a sequel. Not that we’ll watch it anyway.
These serial films are often cash-cows for the Tinseltown moguls. I dreamt of being in showbiz. Have I ever told you that I wanted to be a filmmaker?
No you didn’t, but it doesn’t surprise me. You wanted to be a lot of things when you were younger.
I did a bit of improv at a theatre company and then worked as an extra on a film.
Yes?! I’m surprised you haven’t told me about it before.
It was hardly a blockbuster. It went straight to DVD.
What was it called?
Sleepless in Sidcup. It was a spoof film of the more popular one with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. It had a lot of one-liners, except nobody laughed at them. Spoiler alert: it was the first and last film I made.
So, I could have been married to a movie star?
I suppose you could say it was my 15 minutes of fame. I was asked to plug the film and do other promo. I was even on the red carpet for the premiere in London. There was a real buzz. It was quite exciting.
Did you meet any celebrities?
No, but the paps took some snaps of me and the star actors. I’ve still got them somewhere. I think one of them even ended up in a mag.
Let’s go home now Ed. I want to see if we can find the film on one of those streaming platforms.
If you find it, I suggest you skip to the end credits. They had bloopers and I am in all 3 of those. Which says all you need to know about my brief career on the silver screen.
That’s a nice idea. She can bring some books with her. Should he bring his lawnmower?
To test your knowledge, why not do a crossword puzzle, using words from this text?
Click here for instructions on how to play.
To test your knowledge, why not do a word search puzzle, using words from this text?
Click here for instructions on how to play.
Click on the image to watch a video about Films and Television
Films and Television
Beeb (n) – The BBC
What’s on the Beeb tonight? I like the animal documentaries that they do.
Blockbuster (n) – A film that is a great commercial success.
The new Jame’s Bond film will be the latest blockbuster in the cinema.
Blooper (n) – an embarrassing error
Sometimes the bloopers are the funniest part of the film.
Buzz (n) – a rumour, or excitement
There is a big buzz surrounding the new film.
Cash cow (n) – Lucrative business
The Mission Impossible films are a great cash cow for the studio.
Chick flick (n) – A film which appeals to young women
I’m not going to the cinema with my wife, because it’s just some chick flick.
Cliff-hanger (n) - A story or film with a strong element of suspense
Nearly all the episodes end in a cliff-hanger, so we are forced to watch the next one.
Dark horse (n) Unexpected to win or succeed
That film really was a dark horse. No one expected it would win the best film Oscar.
Extra (n) a person temporarily employed to fill out a crowd scene in a film or play
My son played an extra in a film. He was on screen for a total of 13 seconds.
Fifteen minutes of fame (exp) – Famous for just short time.
That person who ran on to the red carpet at the Oscar ceremony had his 15 minutes of fame. He can think about that sitting in prison.
Film buff (n) – An expert who is knowledgeable about films
My brother is a real buff. He knows everything about the latest releases.
Flick (n) – A film or movie
Any good flicks on the TV later?
Gogglebox (n)- Television
Are you watching the gogglebox again? You should go outside and get some fresh air.
Guilty pleasure (n) – Something, such as a film or television programme that one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard
Those silly romance films are my only guilty pleasure. I know they are always the same, but I like them.
Improv (n) – Improvisation
My favourite part of this show is when they do the improv. You can see who the talented actors are.
In the can (exp) – Film ready to be broadcast or released
The film had been in the can for months, but they are waiting for a prime time to release it.
In the pipeline (exp) – In the process of being planned or developed
There is a new film about the life of Bill Clinton in the pipeline.
Madcap (n) – An eccentric or reckless person
That director is a real madcap. He filmed expensive underwater scenes for 2 weeks, then didn’t include them in the film.
Mogul (n) – An important or powerful person, especially in the film or media industry
I don’t think I know any of the current movie moguls. It’s different to the middle of the last century.
One-liner (n) – A joke
The film is full of one-liners. You’ll be laughing a lot.
Plot twist (n) – An unexpected development in a film, television programme, etc.
I won’t give the big plot twist away, but it’s going to surprise you.
Plug (vb) – Mention a product publicly in order to promote it
The actors of the film are on TV and radio, to plug their latest film.
Promo (n) – Promotion
They are showing a short promo later this evening, to raise awareness of their new film.
Punchline (n) – The final phrase or sentence of a joke or story
You have to wait until the end of the film for the punchline, but it’s worth it.
Romcom (n) – Romantic comedy
My wife loves to watch all the latest romcoms on TV. I go to the pub when one comes on.
Sellout (n) – An event for which all tickets are sold.
They are expecting a sellout in minutes for the film premier of her latest film.
Showbiz (n) – Show business
My son decided from an early age that he wanted to work in showbiz. He sells tickets at the local cinema.
Sitcom (n) – Situation comedy
I think this channel shows sitcoms 24 hours a day.
Sleeper (n) – A film that eventually achieves unexpected success after initially attracting very little attention.
Spoiler alert (n) – A warning that an important detail of the plot development is about to be revealed
Spoiler alert: the main character dies at the end.
Spoof (n) – A humorous imitation of typically a film or a particular genre of film, in which its characteristic features are exaggerated for comic effect
I’ve heard they’re going to make a spoof Jame’s Bond film. I’m really looking forward to it.
Straight Man (n) – The person in a comedy duo who speaks lines which give a comedian the opportunity to make jokes
It must be hard to play the straight man in a film. But this actor is really good at doing it.
Straight to DVD (exp) – Film deemed not worthy for cinema release
Telly (n) – Television
I don’t think I had heard of this film before. I think it must’ve gone straight to DVD
The silver screen (exp) – The cinema industry
I’ve been a fan of the silver screen ever since I watched my first film at the cinema at the age of 8.
Tinseltown (n) – Hollywood
She went to find her fame and fortune in Tinseltown. But ended up working as a waitress.
Turkey (n) – Something that is extremely or completely unsuccessful, especially a play or film
His last film was a complete Turkey. Let’s hope this one does a little bit better at the box office
Weepy (n) – Sad film
Make sure you take plenty of tissues to the cinema. I’ve heard that film is a real weepy.
Wrap (n) – The end of a session of filming or recording.
‘It’s a wrap everyone. This will be one of the greatest films ever made.’
Funnies (n) – Comic strips in newspapers
I go straight for the funnies, when the newspaper arrives.
Hack (n) – Journalist
She’s a great hack. She always gets the exclusive news stories.
Mag (n) – Magazine
He buys a motorcycle mag every month, to keep up-to-date with the current developments.
Newshound (n) – Reporter searching for stories
You can always find at least one newshound in the pub near the courthouse, waiting for a story to break.
Paps (n) – Paparazzi
There are always a few paps waiting outside their home, waiting to get exclusive photos of them.
Rag (n) – Newspaper of inferior quality
If you want the latest gossip about the stars, buy this rag.
Scoop (n) – A piece of news published by a newspaper or broadcast by a television station in advance of its rivals.
This newspaper gets all the best scoops. Their journalists are always first to break the news.
Snaps (n) – Photographs
I buy this magazine to see the snaps of the pop stars coming out of the discos at 4 o’clock in the morning.
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