Reading and Writing - level 4 (july/2004)

Have you ever seen a movie which showed a romantic love story? Your answer to this question is probably positive and also it is almost sure that you have already realized that there are many ways to express a love story in the movies. For example, European and American films usually have different styles of showing love. In American productions, specially, the development of love stories is more obvious than in European productions. Also, while in movies from the Old Continent we can find more depth (the message is well-elaborated), in American romantic films it is more difficult to receive someting that is new. Another considerable point which contribute to these differences is the opposite style between European, more dramatic, and American movies, with more action.

First, it is important to say that the way which a love story is shown is the basic point when the quality of a film is analysed. Titanic, winner of eleven Oscars in 1998, is a perfect model of a Hollywood multi-million production. In this case, a real tragedy became an emotional romantic story between the characters interpreted by Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet. There are almost three hours of a typical American way of love, even if Titanic should be more tragic. On the other hand, The Life is Beautiful, an Italian movie directed by Roberto Benigni (winner of the Best Foreign Movie's Oscar in 1998), shows love in a right measure. In this case, the tragedy is a terrible period of Nazism in Germany, and the focus becomes a fascinating story between a Judean couple during the holocaust. By a European point of view, the facts have been happening not obviously and the love story does not become more important thant the tragedy.

Second, usually American "blockbusters" romantic films and the most part of American love comedies do not give anything that is interesting or different of the common sense. Titanic, Romeo and Juliet (with the same Leonardo Di Caprio) or any less famous love movie have one point in common: nothing is new or special. The language is comprehended easily and without any efforts, the main couple is always beautiful and nothing matters except the principal characters. In contrast, European love films almost always give an important and unexpected message to the public. In Talk to Her, a Spanish movie directed by Pedro Almodovar, the main message does not have any relation with a conception that people should have perfect bodies, a handsome boyfriend or a beautiful girlfriend. According to this wonderful film created by Almodovar, love can be felt even in unexpected situations and, in this case, even if it is felt between a compulsive doctor and one of his patients who is in coma.

Therefore, another fundamental difference between European and American romantic movies is the main structure used by directors and producers. American public usually prefers more action and more hapiness in the movies. It is a kind of "prescription" that influences almost all love stories in Holywood: although some problems appear, everything will be fine in these stories. When it cannot happen, in the cases of Titanic and Romeo and Juliet, the tragedies become less important than they really are. Until the end of these movies, a lot of action facts must happen. On the contrary, Spanish, Italian, French or German romantic films are almost always distant of this precarious and poor "prescription". The European public, more demanding than American, would not accept less drama and more action in the love movies.

In conclusion, it is evident that there are many important differences between European and American love movies, from the development of the stories to the depth and the styles or languages that are used by American and European directors. Even tough the number of people who watch the multi-million American productions increases every year, a critical vision about the quality of these movies is essential. It is fundamental that love movies do not become simple or easy entertainment. Love should be respected and shown according to its importance in our daily lives, because this wonderful sentiment is not easily comprehended by anyone. For the love movies, at least, it is imperative to know: the "American way of life" does not work well.

Escrito por Fabio às 23h49
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Reading and Writing - level 3 (june/2004)

If you are a hard user of computers, you will have to know that spending many daily hours in front of your micro can be dangerous for your health. Nowadays, because of the large diffusion of the internet, this habit is very common around the world. Sometimes, you can be in danger after spending a long time using your computer because people who do that can live in a "virtual world" and forget their "real lives". Actually, hard users of computers have two other problems: they have more chance of get some health problem and have a dangerous sedentary lifestyle.

First, it is important to say that nothing is wrong with people who use the computer every day. Everybody knows that it is impossible to ignore the importance of the internet all around the world. But, if you are included in the group which is called "hard users", you are in danger. Spending more than three or four daily hours in front of the computer (except, of course, if you really need to do that in your job, for example), is a bad habit. In most cases, people who "love" spending all the time at a computer have some problems to make relationships in their real lives. For them, the most important thing is enjoying their time visiting websites and sending virtual messages. The problems in their countries or cities, with their families or friends, do not matter. These people do not know exactly (they should know it!), but all of them are closed in a dangerous and small world that does not exist.

Second, a person who spends many daily hours only using a computer has a big chance of get some health problem. Headaches, for example, are more common to hard users of computers than to other people because hard users are more exposed to the effects of the image (probably, if someone spends ten daily hours watching TV, this person will have chronic headaches, too). Backaches are common to hard users of computers because they spend a lot of time in the same position. Also some vision problems can happen for some of these fanatics about computers.

Finally, you should not forget about another important and negative consequence of the large use of computers: a sedentary lifestyle. Almost all hard users of computers have sedentary lives. They do not play any sport, do not go out with friends, do not get adequate nutrition and do not worry about these things. These people do not have enough time to play sports, do not have time to go out with their friends and, for sure, cannot get the correct nutrition (have you already known someone fanatic for computers who has good nutrition?). Generally, a piece of bread or some chocolate is enough for them. And, of course, they eat while use the computer...

In conclusion, it is clear that spending many daily hours in front of the computer is not a good habit. The danger of this habit can be ignored by some people, but it exists and it is responsible for many problems. A hard user of computers can live in a "virtual world" only, and forget the "real life" or the real problems. A person who spends many hours a day in front of the computer is more exposed to some health problems than other people and, finally, they usually have a sedentary lifestyle. If you are included in this group, take care! How about spending only a few daily hours with your computer? How about looking around for the real things in your life? It is never late for you leave this dangerous world of illusion. Try it!

Escrito por Fabio às 23h28
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Reading and Writing - level 3 (june/2004)

The fight against obesity has been fought by many people all around the world in the last years. A desire to have a perfect body or to follow what the media says is responsible for many people adhering to some kinds of miracle skips. The Seven Day Diet is one of these examples, and is used a lot because the time for a person to lose weight is short: only a week.

First, it is important to say three things you should know. All the ingredients of the Seven Day Diet is one of them: people who adepts this fad say that you have to eat vegetables, fruits and just a little beef, chicken or fish steaks. Second, it is always important to learn about the positive aspects of te Seven Day Diet. Nobody can disagree that this kind of diet is responsible for good nutrition or efficient prevention of heart ilnesses (according to Dr. Andrew Sindone, a heart specialist who lost 15 kg in six months).

However, the Seven Day Diet has important negative aspects: people are worried about their esthetics only. The adoptees of this diet suffer everytime when they see anyone eating something. It is terrible! Therefore, it is necessary to say that people can lose weight without suffering. They needn't be worried only about their bodies or esthetic points. We can be happy without any kind of slavery. And slavery to beauty is one of the most dangerous.

Escrito por Fabio às 22h52
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Este espaco sera dedicado a publicacao de textos que estou escrevendo pra escola aqui em Toronto. Portanto, nem e preciso dizer que nao devem ser esperadas pecas literarias ou artigos complexos e de grande profundidade. Tambem so serao disponibilizados textos puramente academicos. Nada de devaneios pessoais que, mesmo em ingles, estao restritos a meu caderninho de bordo.

Sejam bem-vindos e divirtam-se.

Escrito por Fabio às 22h40
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