The New Michael Jackson Movie

A2

The New Michael Jackson Movie

Introduction

There is a new movie about the singer Michael Jackson. Many people like it, but some critics do not.

Main Body

The movie made a lot of money. It made over 217 million dollars in the first few days. This is a new record for movies about musicians. The movie cost 200 million dollars to make. The filmmakers changed the end of the story. They did this because of a legal problem. The movie now ends in 1988. Many people love the movie. They say the actor Jaafar Jackson is very good. However, some critics are angry. They say the movie does not talk about the bad things in Michael Jackson's life.

Conclusion

The movie is a big success. Now, the studio wants to make a second movie about the later years of his life.

Vocabulary Learning

good (adj.)
positive / satisfactory
Example:The actor is very good.
money (n.)
cash / funds
Example:She saved her money for a trip.
movie (n.)
film / motion picture電影
Example:I watched a new movie yesterday.
record (n.)
achievement / something that is better than others紀錄
Example:He set a new record for fastest time.
story (n.)
tale / narrative故事
Example:The story is about a brave hero.

Sentence Learning

The movie made over 217 million dollars in the first few days.
Time: The phrase 'in the first few days' shows when the action happened.時間: 「in the first few days」說明動作發生的時間。
They did this because of a legal problem.
Reason: The word 'because' explains the cause of the action.原因: 「because」說明原因。
The movie cost 200 million dollars to make.
Infinitive: The phrase 'to make' shows the purpose of the money spent.不定詞: 「to make」說明金錢用途。
Many people love the movie, but some critics are angry.
Connector: The word 'but' shows a contrast between two ideas.連接詞: 「but」表示兩個想法之間的對比。
Now, the studio wants to make a second movie about the later years of his life.
Preposition: The word 'about' introduces the topic of the second movie.介詞: 「about」引出第二部電影的主題。
B2

Commercial Success and Mixed Reviews for the Michael Jackson Biopic

Introduction

The biographical film 'Michael,' which explores the early career of pop star Michael Jackson, has earned record-breaking amounts at the global box office. However, there is a clear difference between the opinions of professional critics and the general public.

Main Body

The film has seen massive financial success, earning $97 million in the U.S. and Canada and $120.4 million internationally. With a total global opening of $217.4 million, it has set a new record for music biopics, beating previous hits like 'Straight Outta Compton' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' In India, the movie also performed well, earning approximately ₹18.91 crore. Production of the movie faced several challenges. The original story included a final section about the 1993 allegations made by Jordan Chandler. However, a legal agreement from 1994 prevented the filmmakers from mentioning these events. As a result, the studio spent between $25 million and $50 million on 22 days of reshoots to change the ending to 1988. This increased the total production budget to around $200 million. Opinions on the film are deeply divided. Professional critics gave it a low score of 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, criticizing the movie for ignoring abuse allegations and claiming it tried to make Jackson's image look too perfect. In contrast, audiences loved the film, giving it a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 'A-' CinemaScore. Furthermore, celebrities like Anupam Kher and Farah Khan praised lead actor Jaafar Jackson, with Khan asserting that his performance deserves an Academy Award.

Conclusion

Although 'Michael' is a huge commercial hit and popular with viewers, the studio is now considering a sequel. This second film would likely address the later and more controversial parts of Michael Jackson's life.

Vocabulary Learning

controversial (adj.)
controversial / subject to disagreement or debate有爭議的
Example:The movie's portrayal of the singer was controversial among fans.
divided (adj.)
divided / split into parts or opinions分歧的
Example:Critics were divided over the film's historical accuracy.
record-breaking (adj.)
record-breaking / surpassing all previous records破紀錄的
Example:The film achieved record-breaking box office sales worldwide.
reshoots (n.)
reshoots / repeated filming to replace or improve scenes重拍
Example:The director scheduled several reshoots to fix the lighting issues.
sequel (n.)
sequel / a film that continues the story of a previous film續集
Example:The studio announced plans for a sequel next year.

Sentence Learning

The film, which explores the early career of pop star Michael Jackson, has earned record-breaking amounts at the global box office.
Relative Clause: The clause 'which explores the early career of pop star Michael Jackson' provides additional information about the film. It is a non-defining relative clause introduced by 'which' and set off by commas.關係子句(非限定性): 此子句以 'which' 引導,提供關於 'the film' 的額外資訊,並用逗號分隔,屬於非限定性關係子句。
The original story included a final section about the 1993 allegations made by Jordan Chandler.
Passive Voice: The phrase 'made by Jordan Chandler' is a passive participial clause indicating that the allegations were made by Jordan Chandler.被動語態(分詞片語): 片語 'made by Jordan Chandler' 以被動形式表達,說明 1993 年的指控是由 Jordan Chandler 所提出。
In contrast, audiences loved the film, giving it a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 'A-' CinemaScore.
Contrastive Conjunction: The adverbial phrase 'In contrast' introduces a contrast between critics' negative reception and audiences' positive reception.對比連詞(副詞片語): 'In contrast' 以副詞片語形式引入對比,說明觀眾對影片的喜愛與評論家不同。
Although 'Michael' is a huge commercial hit and popular with viewers, the studio is now considering a sequel.
Subordinate Clause with Although: The clause 'Although 'Michael' is a huge commercial hit and popular with viewers' sets up a concession, followed by the main clause.讓步子句(although): 'Although' 引導的子句表示讓步,說明即使影片熱賣,製片方仍考慮續集。
However, there is a clear difference between the opinions of professional critics and the general public.
Conjunctive Adverb: The word 'However' functions as a conjunctive adverb linking this sentence to the previous one, indicating contrast.連接副詞(however): 'However' 作為連接副詞,連接前後句子,強調意見之間的差異。
C2

Commercial Success and Critical Divergence of the Michael Jackson Biopic

Introduction

The biographical film 'Michael,' detailing the early career of pop artist Michael Jackson, has achieved record-breaking global box office returns despite a significant disparity between critical reception and audience approval.

Main Body

The film's commercial performance is characterized by a domestic opening of $97 million in the U.S. and Canada and an additional $120.4 million internationally, resulting in a total global opening of $217.4 million. This figure establishes a new record for the music biopic genre, surpassing previous benchmarks set by 'Straight Outta Compton' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' In the Indian market, the film demonstrated sustained momentum, earning approximately ₹18.91 crore in gross collections. Production of the film was marked by significant structural revisions. The original narrative included a third act addressing the 1993 allegations made by Jordan Chandler. However, a legal clause within a 1994 settlement agreement prohibited the dramatization or mention of Chandler. Consequently, the production underwent 22 days of reshoots, costing between $25 million and $50 million, to shift the film's conclusion to 1988. This adjustment brought the total production budget to approximately $200 million. Critical and audience perspectives remain polarized. Professional reviewers, reflected in a 38% Rotten Tomatoes score, have criticized the film for the omission of sexual abuse allegations, characterizing the narrative as a sanitization of Jackson's legacy. Conversely, general audiences have responded positively, as evidenced by a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 'A-' CinemaScore. Public figures, including Anupam Kher and Farah Khan, have praised the performance of lead actor Jaafar Jackson, with the latter suggesting the role is worthy of an Academy Award. Regarding the subject's legal history, the sources note that Jackson was acquitted of all charges in a 2005 trial involving Gavin Arvizo. However, other allegations have persisted, including a 1993 civil settlement with the Chandler family and claims made by Wade Robson and James Safechuck in the 2019 documentary 'Leaving Neverland.' Most recently, in February, four members of the Cascio family filed a lawsuit alleging child sex trafficking and fraud, a claim the Jackson estate has dismissed as an attempt to obtain money.

Conclusion

While 'Michael' has secured a dominant commercial position and high audience satisfaction, the studio is now evaluating the development of a sequel to address the later, more controversial periods of Jackson's life.

Vocabulary Learning

benchmark (n.)
standard / a point of reference against which things may be compared基準
Example:The new software set a new benchmark for performance.
disparity (n.)
difference / a marked difference between two or more things差異
Example:The disparity in earnings between the two departments was evident.
polarized (adj.)
divided / split into two opposing groups兩極化
Example:The issue of climate change has polarized public opinion.
reshoot (v.)
to film again / to shoot again重新拍攝
Example:After the initial take failed, the director decided to reshoot the scene.
sanitization (n.)
cleaning / the process of removing impurities or offensive content清洗
Example:The editor's sanitization of the manuscript made it suitable for publication.

Sentence Learning

The original narrative included a third act addressing the 1993 allegations made by Jordan Chandler.
Reduced Relative Clause: The phrase 'addressing the 1993 allegations made by Jordan Chandler' functions as a reduced relative clause modifying 'third act', eliminating the relative pronoun and verb 'that are' for conciseness.減少關係子句: 片語 'addressing the 1993 allegations made by Jordan Chandler' 作為減少關係子句修飾 'third act',省略了關係代詞與動詞 'that are',達到簡潔表達。
Consequently, the production underwent 22 days of reshoots, costing between $25 million and $50 million, to shift the film's conclusion to 1988.
Infinitival Clause: The infinitival clause 'to shift the film's conclusion to 1988' functions as a purpose complement of the participial phrase 'costing...', indicating the intended outcome of the reshoots.不定詞子句: 不定詞子句 'to shift the film's conclusion to 1988' 作為 'costing...' 的目的補語,說明重拍的預期結果。
Public figures, including Anupam Kher and Farah Khan, have praised the performance of lead actor Jaafar Jackson, with the latter suggesting the role is worthy of an Academy Award.
Participial Phrase: The participial phrase 'with the latter suggesting the role is worthy of an Academy Award' modifies the main clause, providing additional information about the subject 'public figures' and indicating their opinion.分詞短語: 分詞短語 'with the latter suggesting the role is worthy of an Academy Award' 修飾主句,補充說明 'public figures' 的行為,並表達他們的看法。
Most recently, in February, four members of the Cascio family filed a lawsuit alleging child sex trafficking and fraud, a claim the Jackson estate has dismissed as an attempt to obtain money.
Relative Clause: The relative clause 'the Jackson estate has dismissed as an attempt to obtain money' modifies the noun 'claim', providing information about the nature of the claim.關係子句: 關係子句 'the Jackson estate has dismissed as an attempt to obtain money' 修飾名詞 'claim',說明該主張的內容。
While 'Michael' has secured a dominant commercial position and high audience satisfaction, the studio is now evaluating the development of a sequel to address the later, more controversial periods of Jackson's life.
Subordination (While): The subordinating conjunction 'While' introduces a concessive clause that contrasts the studio's commercial success with its ongoing evaluation of a sequel, showing a nuanced relationship between the two clauses.從屬連接詞 (While): 從屬連接詞 'While' 引入一個讓步子句,對比工作室的商業成功與其對續集的評估,展現兩句之間的微妙關係。