※Simon先生のシリーズ前回の記事「Simon先生の英語ブログで学ぶ使える英語表現ーThe Murder House 「殺人の家」」を見逃した方はこちらからどうぞ！

さて、今回のブログは、Off to the Flicks 「映画館へ」！一体どんなお話なのでしょうか？

まず、Simon先生の英語ブログを読んでみよう！

Hello, this is Simon.

I used to be a bit of a film buff. Ever since I was child, loved the cinema experience. Back when I was little, there were only cinemas in the city, so it was quite an outing for us. The old Civic Theater was my favorite, because the inside walls were made to look like some kind of Indian palace, and when the lights went down, tiny lights in the ceiling came on to look like a star filled sky. Back then there was even an intermission in the middle of the movie for us to take a break and get refreshments.

When I was my 20’s, I would go almost weekly to watch movies, depending on what was showing. However, as I got older and busier, I found myself having less and less time. These days, I’m lucky if I get to go a movie once a year.

The enjoyment I used to feel is something that I have wanted my children to experience. I had been looking for the chance to take my daughter for quite some time, and the opportunity finally came up the other day. She loves Mario from watching YouTube videos, so I took her to see Super Mario Brothers the other day.

We went in to the cinema, and she was so excited, when we sat down in our seats. It reminded me of when I was little. When advertisements were playing, she started laughing, saying “This is so funny!” and trying to sing along with all the jingles. When the main feature came on, she gave me a running commentary, explaining who all the characters were and their relationships. She was fully engaged.

She was transfixed for most of the movie, but towards the end, she got restless. She had eaten all the popcorn, and the spare lollipop I brought for her. She was jiggling around in her seat, complaining she was hungry hungry. In future, I will bring back up snacks.

When we left the cinema, she said she wanted to see the movie again. All in all a successful trip! I will definitely take her again when I get the chance. It may not be for a while though. Currently the only other movie I think she might enjoy it is “Pre-Cure”. Mario I could manage, but I don’t know if I’m quite ready for that…

ーそれでは、本文の中からピックアップした英語表現を見てみましょう！

“the flicks”

One meaning of the word “flick” is a cinema movie

(e.g. I saw a really good flick the other day.)

People often say that they are going to “the movies” or “the flicks” to mean they are going to a cinema. I’m guessing it is because most cinemas play several movies.

“quite an outing”

An “outing” a a short enjoyable trip. It could be something that lasts a few hours or a few days. We use “quite” in expressions like this to mean not small or insignificant

(e.g. We had quite a day today.)

“film buff”

A “buff” is someone who knows a lot about something, or is very enthusiastic about or interested in a particular thing

(e.g. He considers himself to be a bit of a sports buff.)

“jingles”

A “jingle” is a short tune, often with words, that is catchy and easy to remember, which is used in TV and radio advertisements.

A well known one in Japan is “Biiiku, biku, biku, Bic Camera”

“running commentary”

A “running commentary” is a spoken description of events such as in a sports event or news event that is currently happening

(e.g. When we went to see the Sumo bout, we had no idea what was happening, but fortunately our friend gave us a running commentary of the events.)

“transfixed”

The adjective “transfixed” describes a person or animal that can’t stop looking at something, and so is unable to move, because they are so interested, surprised or frightened

(e.g. The deer stood in the middle of the road, transfixed by the headlights of the oncoming car.

“jiggling around”

The verb to “jiggle” means “to move from side to side or up and down with quick short movement”. The adverb “around” in this case means “in or to many parts of or all directions”.

In the above blog, there are some words or expressions vaguely related to movies, which came to mind when I took my daughter for her her first ever movie.

See you next month!

フルーツフルイングリッシュで英語表現の楽しさ感じてください 。初めての方には英作文添削チケット2回分をプレゼント。
「無料英語テスト800問（解説付）」メルマガも大人気。今すぐチェック！

Simon

Hello! My name is Simon.

I am from New Zealand, and have been living and teaching English in Japan since 1999.

My hobbies include movies, playing the guitar, gardening and hiking.