AHK Cinema · Movie Review
Black Widow
2021 Dir. Cate Shortland 134 minBest for CEFR B2
Discover the untold story of Natasha Romanoff in *Black Widow*. This Marvel movie takes you on a thrilling adventure, exploring the character's past and her journey to becoming an Avenger.
Things You Didn't Know
6 hidden details
1
Cate Shortland
Cate Shortland is an Australian film director, best known for her work on *Somersault* and *Lore*. She is the first solo female director in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
2
Natasha Romanoff
Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. She first appeared in *Tales of Suspense* #52 in 1964.
3
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson is an American actress, known for her roles in *Lost in Translation*, *The Avengers*, and *Lucy*. She has been playing Natasha Romanoff since 2010.
4
Florence Pugh
Florence Pugh is a British actress, known for her roles in *Lady Macbeth*, *Midsommar*, and *Little Women*. She plays Yelena Belova in *Black Widow*.
5
David Harbour
David Harbour is an American actor, known for his roles in *Stranger Things*, *Hellboy*, and *Suicide Squad*. He plays Alexei Shostakov in *Black Widow*.
6
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a series of interconnected superhero films, based on characters from Marvel Comics. It has become one of the most successful film franchises in history.
The Takeaway
The takeaway from Black Widow is that our past experiences shape us, but they do not define us. The film teaches viewers about the importance of family, forgiveness, and personal growth. For learners, it is recommended to watch the scene where Natasha Romanoff confronts her past with subtitles to better understand the dialogue and vocabulary.
The Learning Pack
Watch this film. Speak better English by Sunday.
Vocabulary, idioms, cultural context, and one scene broken down for shadowing practice.
Vocabulary (16)
conspiracy
earlya secret plan to do something bad
"The government uncovered a conspiracy to overthrow the president."
ledger
middlea book or computer program for keeping financial records
"The company's ledger showed a significant profit."
pursued
middlechased or followed someone or something
"The police pursued the suspect through the city."
force
latea group of people with a particular purpose or power
"The military force was deployed to the border."
spy
latea person who secretly watches or listens to someone or something
"The spy was caught and arrested."
broken
middledamaged or not working properly
"The broken chair needed to be repaired."
relationships
middleconnections or friendships between people
"The company's relationships with its clients were strong."
wake
middlethe trail or path left by something or someone
"The boat left a wake in the water."
Avenger
latea person who fights for what is right or just
"The Avengers were a team of superheroes."
dangerous
middleable or likely to cause harm
"The dangerous road was closed to traffic."
confront
middleto face or deal with something difficult or unpleasant
"She confronted her fears and overcame them."
past
earlya time before the present
"The past is important to learn from."
history
middlethe study of past events
"The history of the world is complex and fascinating."
loyalty
middlethe state of being loyal
"The loyalty of the fans was impressive."
forgiveness
latethe act of forgiving someone or something
"The forgiveness of the victim was a powerful message."
growth
latethe process of becoming bigger or more advanced
"The growth of the company was rapid."
Idioms & Expressions
stop at nothing
to do everything possible to achieve something
Natasha Romanoff's determination to uncover the truth
broken relationships
relationships that are damaged or not working properly
Natasha Romanoff's past relationships
deal with
to handle or manage something
Natasha Romanoff's past and her relationships
left in her wake
the trail or path left by someone or something
Natasha Romanoff's past actions
bring her down
to defeat or overcome someone
The force pursuing Natasha Romanoff
Cultural References
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a series of interconnected superhero films, based on characters from Marvel Comics.
Avengers
The Avengers are a team of superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, known for their bravery and selflessness.
Superhero movies
Superhero movies are a popular genre of films, often featuring action, adventure, and fantasy elements.
Comic book culture
Comic book culture refers to the community and fandom surrounding comic books, graphic novels, and superhero characters.
Scene Breakdown for Shadowing
around 00:42:00
Natasha Romanoff: 'I've been running from my past for a long time.' Yelena Belova: 'You can't run forever.' Natasha Romanoff: 'I know. But I have to try.' Yelena Belova: 'Why?' Natasha Romanoff: 'Because I have to make things right.'
This scene is powerful for learners because it showcases the complex relationships between the characters and their motivations. The vocabulary used is also relevant to the themes of the movie, such as 'running from my past' and 'make things right'. Learners can practice shadowing the dialogue to improve their pronunciation and intonation.
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