Lesson 5: Football English Blog
Lesson 5: Football English Blog
Our weekly Football English Blog is when we write about something connected to the world of football and teach you lots of football English. This week we are discussing films about football and footballers in the movies. Do you know any good football movies? Do footballers make good actors?
In all of our Football English blogs, we look at something connected to the world of football and ask you to do three things:
- Read the article and look at the words in red. Think about what these words mean.
- Do the quiz at the end of the article. This quiz checks your understanding of the football English in the article.
- Answer the questions and give your opinion in the comments section.
This is our latest Football English Blog and this week we're talking about the connection between football and films.
Football and the Movies!
Football and films have a lot in common. In lesson three, our weekly podcast, we asked you to connect football and films and we’ve already had lots of interesting answers on these pages. Pacosaez from Spain said that players are like actors and the pitch is like the scenery, Ahmed Adam Mamado from Sudan said both footballers and actors are superstars and both football and film is a popular topic to speak about. But, our favourite comment was from Baktislam from Indonesia. Baktislam said that both football and films are created for our entertainment, but both can disappoint you, both can make you cry and both can make you very, very happy!
Footballers in films
The most famous example of a footballer who became an actor is probably Vinnie Jones. Jones played nearly four hundred times in the top division for Wimbledon, Chelsea, Sheffield United and Leeds United. However, he is probably more famous for his acting career. Jones was known as a tough-tackling midfielder in his playing days and he successfully moved this image to the big screen where he is often typecast as a hard man, playing the roles of criminals, henchmen and thugs. Jones has often starred in gangster films some notable examples are Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch with Brad Pitt. More surprisingly, Jones was also the voice of Freddie the Dog in Madagascar 3! Jones has nearly 100 film and TV credits in total.
Vinnie Jones is not the only ex-footballer to make the step from the pitch to the screen. The ex-Manchester Utd star, Eric Cantona, was the topic of a feature-length movie called Looking for Eric which was directed by Ken Loach, one of the UK’s most famous directors. Cantona also starred alongside Cate Blanchett in the period drama, Elizabeth and has starred in many more movies in both English and French. David Beckham is another footballer who has had his name in the title of a film. Bend it Like Beckham is a romantic-comedy, but Beckham does not star in the film; he just has a bit part near the end.
Football Films
There have been many films about football. The Goal! trilogy follows a Mexican immigrant living in the USA to the Premier League, Real Madrid and the World Cup! However, film critics didn’t enjoy the film and it only got 44% on the film review website Rotten Tomatoes. The website stated that the first instalment of the trilogy was:
A run-of-the-mill story which invokes every known sports movie cliché.
A more popular film with the critics was The Two Escobars which is a film that football fans and non-football fans will enjoy. A documentary that tells a true story about football, drugs, crime and politics in Colombia in the early 1990s. One reviewer on the IMDb review website said:
Simply a perfect and compelling documentary.
Do you know any good or bad films about football?
Quiz
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Comment
What do you think?
Can you think of any other footballers that have starred in films? Do you like films about football or sports?
Do you understand all the words in red?
Look at the comments from the movie websites above. Write one sentence about a film that you like and one sentence about a film that you didn't like. The film doesn't have to be about football!
Look at the movie websites Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb to help you!
Write your answers in the comments section below and try to write a reply to at least one other learner!
When you have finished, mark the page complete on the side of this page and go to lesson six.
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Comments
03/08/2018
points
1) No I can't think about another foorballer that have been started in the world of the films and about sports films I prefer other type of films but the films about sports are really bored for me.
2) No, I don't understand all of them but I understand some ones.
03/08/2018 02:38
Manchester United
687
1) No I can't think about another foorballer that have been started in the world of the films and about sports films I prefer other type of films but the films about sports are really bored for me.
2) No, I don't understand all of them but I understand some ones.
01/08/2018
points
I like football and I like films but I haven´t watched act a footballer in a film and i like the films about football
Yes, i understand all the words
01/08/2018 01:26
Manchester United
759
I like football and I like films but I haven´t watched act a footballer in a film and i like the films about football
Yes, i understand all the words
31/07/2018
points
I don't know about the soccer world, so I don't have the idea if other footballers have starred in films. I like the films but I don't like the football or sports ones.
I understood some of the words in red, not the most but just a pair of them.
This is a quote from one of my favorite movies named Revolutionary Road starring by Kate Winslet: "You know what's so good about the truth? Everyone knows what it is however long they have lived without it. No one forgets the truth, Frank, they just get better at lying".
The second one is a quote that makes me think about everyone has a price, it comes from the movie The Godfather, 1972: "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse"
31/07/2018 00:51
Manchester United
828
I don't know about the soccer world, so I don't have the idea if other footballers have starred in films. I like the films but I don't like the football or sports ones.
I understood some of the words in red, not the most but just a pair of them.
This is a quote from one of my favorite movies named Revolutionary Road starring by Kate Winslet: "You know what's so good about the truth? Everyone knows what it is however long they have lived without it. No one forgets the truth, Frank, they just get better at lying".
The second one is a quote that makes me think about everyone has a price, it comes from the movie The Godfather, 1972: "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse"
31/07/2018
points
i am not so sure
most of them
31/07/2018 00:38
Crystal Palace
692
i am not so sure
most of them
06/07/2018
points
Hmm!
06/07/2018 13:37
Manchester United
823
Hmm!
09/06/2018
points
I am interested in films which are about sport (not only football). My favourite movie is Eddie the Eagle, because I really like films based on true strory and it was very funny and emotional, too.
I'm disappointed in the film The Big Short... I guess this movie's topic is not for a woman. :DDDDDDDDD
09/06/2018 17:26
AFC Bournemouth
111
I am interested in films which are about sport (not only football). My favourite movie is Eddie the Eagle, because I really like films based on true strory and it was very funny and emotional, too.
I'm disappointed in the film The Big Short... I guess this movie's topic is not for a woman. :DDDDDDDDD
31/07/2018
points
Hello Veronika, thanks for share with the course your point of view. I don't like too much the movies about sports, but when I have the opportunity to watch some of them I notice that to be a hero we don't have necessarily to wear a cape and a mask, all of us we are natural heroes.
31/07/2018 00:54
Manchester United
828
Hello Veronika, thanks for share with the course your point of view. I don't like too much the movies about sports, but when I have the opportunity to watch some of them I notice that to be a hero we don't have necessarily to wear a cape and a mask, all of us we are natural heroes.
27/05/2018
points
Yes, I love football related movies. I'd watched Green Street Hooligans, and I think is a nice movie for football fans. This movie shows the English hooligans groups and specifically a West Ham supporters, and their "daily live".
27/05/2018 19:12
West Ham United
75
Yes, I love football related movies. I'd watched Green Street Hooligans, and I think is a nice movie for football fans. This movie shows the English hooligans groups and specifically a West Ham supporters, and their "daily live".
03/05/2018
points
i dont know. but probably i like these movie.
yes, i understand all the words thats marked in red.
i like avengers serial, cause it's very constrict film.
i didn't like all scary movies, because that's made me scary and jump when the ghost coming.. :D LOL
03/05/2018 15:39
Manchester City
103
i dont know. but probably i like these movie.
yes, i understand all the words thats marked in red.
i like avengers serial, cause it's very constrict film.
i didn't like all scary movies, because that's made me scary and jump when the ghost coming.. :D LOL
12/04/2018
points
As for me,I like sport drama"United" however I know the opinion of critics in the UK was controversial.
12/04/2018 09:20
Arsenal
2337
As for me,I like sport drama"United" however I know the opinion of critics in the UK was controversial.
11/04/2018
points
Yes I understand all the words in red very well because the explanation in the quiz is grait.
11/04/2018 20:42
Manchester United
356
Yes I understand all the words in red very well because the explanation in the quiz is grait.
02/04/2018
points
I really like this part, it was really interesting!
02/04/2018 13:20
Manchester City
49
I really like this part, it was really interesting!
05/08/2018
points
I agree with you this part is very interesting
05/08/2018 23:06
Liverpool
795
I agree with you this part is very interesting
31/03/2018
points
Nowadays, footballers star in ads. Football now is not only a game but also a business. Footballers have their own brands and companies.
"Inception" smart, innovative, thrilling blockbuster with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead.
"Hitman" "features the unfortunate combination of excessive violence, incoherent plot and inane dialogue." according to Rotten Tomatoes.
31/03/2018 11:19
Manchester United
292
Nowadays, footballers star in ads. Football now is not only a game but also a business. Footballers have their own brands and companies.
"Inception" smart, innovative, thrilling blockbuster with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead.
"Hitman" "features the unfortunate combination of excessive violence, incoherent plot and inane dialogue." according to Rotten Tomatoes.
30/03/2018
points
I don't know many good films where footballers have starred in (except those with Vinnie Jones and Cantona).
Yes i like films about football or sports but it's not my favorite genre. I have to watch Borg/McEnroe, it's a movie about the legendary Wimbeldon of 1980.
I liked "Les petits princes" a movie about a teenager in a major football club's training program.
I did'nt like Pacific Rim. The script is a mess and it was so boring... i can't understand the point of this movie.
30/03/2018 13:23
Liverpool
69
I don't know many good films where footballers have starred in (except those with Vinnie Jones and Cantona).
Yes i like films about football or sports but it's not my favorite genre. I have to watch Borg/McEnroe, it's a movie about the legendary Wimbeldon of 1980.
I liked "Les petits princes" a movie about a teenager in a major football club's training program.
I did'nt like Pacific Rim. The script is a mess and it was so boring... i can't understand the point of this movie.
26/03/2018
points
I thik that a lot of football playes want money and the do werever the can to have it.
Som of them yes but what i dot i found it in a dictionary.
Ana :)
26/03/2018 16:31
Swansea City
19
I thik that a lot of football playes want money and the do werever the can to have it.
Som of them yes but what i dot i found it in a dictionary.
Ana :)
26/03/2018
points
i think every footballers have a chance become an actor if they have a skill to acting. i dont like a film were talking about football or any sport activities.
almost of them, i understand well.
i like a movie with romantic genre which one of the actor is an handsome man or samrter woman. i dont like a movie that i cant understand the plot they are using by director.
replying to @lakerwang , i realy like the pursuit of happyness film eventhough the actor were not my typically star that film i like, i give five rate for it.
26/03/2018 07:14
Manchester United
249
i think every footballers have a chance become an actor if they have a skill to acting. i dont like a film were talking about football or any sport activities.
almost of them, i understand well.
i like a movie with romantic genre which one of the actor is an handsome man or samrter woman. i dont like a movie that i cant understand the plot they are using by director.
replying to @lakerwang , i realy like the pursuit of happyness film eventhough the actor were not my typically star that film i like, i give five rate for it.
19/03/2018
points
I know one film where football player take the part.This movie is Serbian movie and is call Artiljero.The ex-Manchester Utd star Nemanja Vidic played a part in this movie.This movie is about one fan of Red Star who likes Nemanja Vidic very much.
The fan starts collect money on facebook,in order to back Nemanja Vidic in Red Star,because he feels bad why Nemanja can not play in Red Star.
19/03/2018 07:14
Manchester United
2663
I know one film where football player take the part.This movie is Serbian movie and is call Artiljero.The ex-Manchester Utd star Nemanja Vidic played a part in this movie.This movie is about one fan of Red Star who likes Nemanja Vidic very much.
The fan starts collect money on facebook,in order to back Nemanja Vidic in Red Star,because he feels bad why Nemanja can not play in Red Star.
22/03/2018
points
Does Nemanja Vidic act well? Vidic has been doing some work for Premier Skills recently, take a look:
http://www.sportstarlive.com/football/vidic-attends-premier-skills-progr...
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
22/03/2018 09:28
Liverpool
594
Does Nemanja Vidic act well? Vidic has been doing some work for Premier Skills recently, take a look:
http://www.sportstarlive.com/football/vidic-attends-premier-skills-progr...
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
16/03/2018
points
There are good films about football. Mi favourite film is "Evasion o Victoria" that was directed by John Huston. In this film starred wonderful footballers like Pele, Ardiles, and Bobby Moore with excellent actors like Michael Caine or Sylvester Stallone.
For me another good film about sports is SPACE JAM in which starred Michael Jordan. I watched this film three or four times and I´ve got this video in my collection. I enjoyed watching this film.
A film that I didn´t like was Karate Kid. I can´t stand the films that everybody knows the end.
16/03/2018 20:49
Manchester United
448
There are good films about football. Mi favourite film is "Evasion o Victoria" that was directed by John Huston. In this film starred wonderful footballers like Pele, Ardiles, and Bobby Moore with excellent actors like Michael Caine or Sylvester Stallone.
For me another good film about sports is SPACE JAM in which starred Michael Jordan. I watched this film three or four times and I´ve got this video in my collection. I enjoyed watching this film.
A film that I didn´t like was Karate Kid. I can´t stand the films that everybody knows the end.
30/03/2018
points
SPACE JAM is amazing ! I think that Looney Tunes and sport is a good combinaison !
30/03/2018 13:41
Liverpool
69
SPACE JAM is amazing ! I think that Looney Tunes and sport is a good combinaison !
22/03/2018
points
Hi Pacosaez,
I remember watching this one as a child. I loved it but I was never sure about Stallone's goalkeeping abilities!!
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
22/03/2018 09:29
Liverpool
594
Hi Pacosaez,
I remember watching this one as a child. I loved it but I was never sure about Stallone's goalkeeping abilities!!
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
16/03/2018
points
I liked very well ' Le Coup de Tete ' staring Patrick Deweare as an infortunate football player. This movie made by a famous French director is the best I had ever seen about amator football. Although a romantic comedy it compeles with the true world of popular football.
I have not liked the historical film dealing with a great Algerian woman who fighted French occupation, I have named ' Fatma N'soumer'. With a great history, a poor movie.
16/03/2018 10:51
Manchester City
3988
I liked very well ' Le Coup de Tete ' staring Patrick Deweare as an infortunate football player. This movie made by a famous French director is the best I had ever seen about amator football. Although a romantic comedy it compeles with the true world of popular football.
I have not liked the historical film dealing with a great Algerian woman who fighted French occupation, I have named ' Fatma N'soumer'. With a great history, a poor movie.
15/03/2018
points
Yeah! Here you arw the TOP 10 FOOTBALLERS in films:
David Beckham
Eric Cantona
Ally Mccoist
Zinedine Zidane
Stan Collymore
Vinnie Jones
Fitz Hall
Pelé
George Best
Ian Wright
Wow!!!! There are a lot of footballers who have become actors! These changes of jobs were encouraged by different reasons.
It is a well-know fact that a lot of Singers become actors afterwards.
Incresible Jennifer López's example. She began as an actress very early and when she was on the top, she preferred the world of music. I love "Nunca Más", a film which was starred by her and was directed by Michael Apted.
It is very common this link, I mean, music amd cinema, not only football and cinema.
The same happens with, Will Smith, musician and actor, too! I loved "Em busca de la Felicidad", an incredible drama which made me feel very sad!
However, I don't recommend, for instance, Independence Day. It was very disappointing!
15/03/2018 23:54
Brighton and Hove Albion
183
Yeah! Here you arw the TOP 10 FOOTBALLERS in films:
David Beckham
Eric Cantona
Ally Mccoist
Zinedine Zidane
Stan Collymore
Vinnie Jones
Fitz Hall
Pelé
George Best
Ian Wright
Wow!!!! There are a lot of footballers who have become actors! These changes of jobs were encouraged by different reasons.
It is a well-know fact that a lot of Singers become actors afterwards.
Incresible Jennifer López's example. She began as an actress very early and when she was on the top, she preferred the world of music. I love "Nunca Más", a film which was starred by her and was directed by Michael Apted.
It is very common this link, I mean, music amd cinema, not only football and cinema.
The same happens with, Will Smith, musician and actor, too! I loved "Em busca de la Felicidad", an incredible drama which made me feel very sad!
However, I don't recommend, for instance, Independence Day. It was very disappointing!
09/06/2018
points
But Will Smith in Independence Day is brilliant!!! :D
09/06/2018 17:28
AFC Bournemouth
111
But Will Smith in Independence Day is brilliant!!! :D
16/03/2018
points
I recommend 'The Pursuit of Happyness', which is starred by Will Smith
16/03/2018 17:28
Chelsea
337
I recommend 'The Pursuit of Happyness', which is starred by Will Smith
16/03/2018
points
Hello Laurita. Thank you very much for remembering the documentary about Zidane. Without Google help I can enhance this documentary which was based on a real match between Real and Villa Real I think. A feature-length where we were able to focus on one player during 90 minutes. Although a little boring a realistic and original eye in this sport.
16/03/2018 10:57
Manchester City
3988
Hello Laurita. Thank you very much for remembering the documentary about Zidane. Without Google help I can enhance this documentary which was based on a real match between Real and Villa Real I think. A feature-length where we were able to focus on one player during 90 minutes. Although a little boring a realistic and original eye in this sport.
15/03/2018
points
Zinedine Zidane has taken part in the film ‘Astérix aux jeux olympiques’ as an extra. But honestly speaking, that scene he appeared was pointless.
Michael Jordan has starred in the live-action/animated film ‘Space Jam’ .
Many of former martial art players became the actors after they finished their sports career, like jean-claude van damme the ex-karateta, Dwayne Johnson the ex-wrestler, Jet Lee, the ex-wushuer(wushu is a kind of Chinese martial arts show), and...well, Jason Statham the ex-diver.
15/03/2018 13:58
Chelsea
337
Zinedine Zidane has taken part in the film ‘Astérix aux jeux olympiques’ as an extra. But honestly speaking, that scene he appeared was pointless.
Michael Jordan has starred in the live-action/animated film ‘Space Jam’ .
Many of former martial art players became the actors after they finished their sports career, like jean-claude van damme the ex-karateta, Dwayne Johnson the ex-wrestler, Jet Lee, the ex-wushuer(wushu is a kind of Chinese martial arts show), and...well, Jason Statham the ex-diver.
15/03/2018
points
Hi, there!
Yes, I totally agree with you. I didn't like those films and I also consider that these actors' roles were a bit part.
I love most actors who were sportsmen, too, such as Vam Damme or J. Statham.
15/03/2018 23:57
Brighton and Hove Albion
183
Hi, there!
Yes, I totally agree with you. I didn't like those films and I also consider that these actors' roles were a bit part.
I love most actors who were sportsmen, too, such as Vam Damme or J. Statham.