Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio born November 11, 1974 in Hollywood is an American actor and film producer. He is the only child of  Irmelin Inderbirken and former comic book artist George DiCaprio. 

• nominated for six Academy Awards
• won the Academy Award for Best Actor for The Revenant
• founder of his own production company Appian Way Productions

DiCaprio's father is of Italian and German descent, his mother, who was born in Germany, is of Russian and German ancestry. DiCaprio's parents met while attending college, later moved to Los Angeles, California. 

DiCaprio was named leonardo, because when his mother was pregnant, she was looking at a DaVinci painting in a museum when he first kicked. 

In 1992, he had a breakthrough in his career, when he was handpicked by Robert de Niro out of 400 boys to play the lead role in This Boy's Life. 

Next year, he played a role a handicapped brother of Johnny Deep's character in What's Eating Gilbert Grape. The film became a huge success and DiCaprio was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. 

The film Titanic made in 1997 transformed Leonardo into a commercial movie star, resulting in fan worship among teenage girls that became known as ''Leo-Mania''. 

The role of a stockbroker who was arrested in late 1990s for money laundering in Woolf of Wall Street made Leonardo win a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. DiCaprio said that he was going to take a break from acting and would ''fly around the world doing good for the environment''.

Additionally, he's never done drugs, and had to speak to a drug expert to prepare for Wolf of Wall Street. 

The Revenant (2015) was received well by the critics. DiCaprio earned numerous awards, including his first at the Academy Awards in the Best Actor category. 

Task:

Find information about his environmental activism. Write a short essay about his involvement on that score. It should not be shorter thatn 200 words. 

A very last Christmas

I believe that about 70% of Brits had the same idea of a joke: Indeed, those were last christmas for George Michael. Well, I hope Americans are not that blunt. 

Instead of stupid jokes, we should think this positive figure over. 

He did not speak loud about it. Dead at the age of 53, George Michael was a philanthrope, willingly sharing his money with others, which turned out recently. 

Here, the great things he'd done are presented. 

1. Homeless shelter

George Michael supported a shelter for the homeless. Volunteers were asked for staying anonymous that is why Emilyne Mondo (one of the volunteers) twitted no sooner that he'd died. 

More.

2. A paid-off-debt. 

Gratuitously, he helped a stranger in a bar as he saw her crying for she'd been having debts. 

He gave the waitress... 25 thousand dollars to give that poor woman as he leaves the bar. 

Speaks for itself. 

3. A help for a bartender in need. 

One day he gave a huge tip for a lady studying in a nursery school:

4. More than 2 million pounds for "Childline"

A charity that works 24h and helps children and teens. In this case, Michael wanted to remain anonymous again that is why the information has been brought out recently. A charity gig is planned as a "thank you, world, for Michael's life". 

5. Fight the famine in Africa.

Engaged with "Band Aid", he contributed to "Do They Know It's Christmas?", which benefited in 19 million pounds as to help children in Ethiopia.

6. Against the AIDS

For many years George Michael supported the charity organisations helping people suffering from AIDS or cancer, especially children. The representatives of foundations claim that he'd given several millions for those people. Again, did not wish to speak about it as he was alive. One of those was "Terrence Higgins Trust" helping the victims of AIDS.

7. ...

8. ...

9. ... We don't know. 

Yet, surely he'd done plenty of things we have no idea of. Next time you hum "Last Christmas" think he was not only a heart-breaker but heart-healer. 

A task to do: Ask God for heaven to this noble man. Do some good yourself. 

Assassinations Of African-American Activists

Assassinations Of African-American Activists

United States of America is a country which „unity” never was and still is not an easy and straightforward matter. Even our first associations with this country are mainly about varied society in different states. This is obviously connected with different origins of Americans which are most visible because of the skin colors. The constant fight between white and black people stems from an early stage of development of the USA and propagation of slavery.

However, the fight for blacks’ rights started to be really violent in the 50s and 60s so in the times of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. The African-American civil rights movement became a serious threat for Parliament. Race problem is so significant that whenever it is mentioned on the greatest scale - someone gets killed. It is not only in case of ordinary people but also politicians from the highest position. What is more, it is not limited to this period, when we notice that also Abraham Lincoln was shot because of his actions on abolishing the slavery. People always are silenced by an assassin and get shot. It is both really tragic and ironic how the issue is dealt with since shooting away anyone who causes problems seems to be in the range of possibilities. However the case of Malcolm Little, or Malcolm X as he preferred to be called, was of the highest significance because his death was more or less caused by his comment on John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the US president’s  assassination. 

Spike Lee’s film titled “Malcolm X” is a really detailed biography of Malcolm. It contains all of the most important events, and we see all different changes of values he undergoes. It ends with a really dramatic scene of his death. The one held responsible for the attack in the ballroom was Thomas Hagan, whose real name was Talmadge Hayer. He hit Malcolm 7 times using a shotgun. The film was based on Malcolm’s autobiography so it is based on the most believable source. For obvious reasons he had not wrote about his death but predicted it since several times before someone threatened him and once, shortly before his death at a rally of his followers in a ballroom in Washington Heights, someone attacked his home. He felt that people who wanted him dead were from Black Muslims Organization, which he left shortly before. They fell apart mainly because of his comment on the assassination of President Kennedy. He called it a case of ``chickens coming home to roost'' and an outgrowth of violence that whites had used against Negroes. He was suspended by Elijah Muhammad and then started his own movement but still remained loyal to his beliefs which were more than critical towards white people. It is really difficult to judge him based on Spike Lee’s adaptation. His character is really complex. However it is quite hard not to notice the irony between him and JFK. Malcolm X died from black man hands. In the end viewers get the impression that somehow his hatred and arrogance was punished.

On the other hand, Martin Luther King’s beliefs and actions were totally different. His life was portrayed in a quite recent movie “Selma” directed by Avay DuVernay. In this movie we get a totally different type of activist – the passive resistance type. The impression we get of King is that he was the one who really inspired all African-Americans to unite and march from Selma to protest against oppression. When it comes to his death it is not presented, but only mentioned about at the end. King was shot in a more private occasion, while he was in a Lorraine Motel in Memphis with his associates. The assassin used a sniper rifle and because of that he was hard to capture at first. Really interesting thing is that the police arrived at the crime scene without being called for. He murderer was caught later on – it was James Earl Ray. Just like Malcom, King received numerous threats against his life. His situation was, however, quite different since his attitude was far less aggressive, he even was able to recruit white people who openly helped his cause. Unfortunately, they were killed too, like for example Viola Luizzo who was eliminated by Ku Klux Klan. The number of assassination attempts followed her case.

Two cases have something in common, but also differs significantly. Both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King were fighting for their rights, and they both were considered to be a huge danger for the authorities. They were observed and wiretapped almost all the time. Another, not so significant, similarity would be the fact that they died at the exact same age – 39. However, their deaths had somehow different impact on the society. When Malcolm X shared his fears of being killed, he was laughed off as a publicity act. When he died people were thinking mainly about how aggressive he was. On the other hand, King became a national hero, and it is his statue that Barack Obama have on his desk. Such thing was unimaginable back in King’s times.

Many people died for the cause of freedom. From perspective of today it seems that such sacrifice was almost necessary because it really got the movements publicity it deserved in the first place. We are not able to guess how would the things go down if both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King were alive. The one thing we can obviously say – people who were responsible for the deaths of these iconic figures had lost their fight because of the killings.

1. Write an essay:

Compare situation of black people of America then and now. Try to explain the roots of the problem and present examples of racial discrimination in the US. Try to answer the question if the situation have changed, and if yes - explain how.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1) "American civil rights movement". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.

Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 13 sty. 2016

<http://www.britannica.com/event/American-civil-rights-movement>.

2) Malcolm X. Dir. Spike Lee. Prod. Spike Lee. By Spike Lee and Arnold Perl. Perf. Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, and Al Freeman. Warner Bros., 1992. DVD.

3) Peter Kihss. "How Race Is Lived In America." Editorial. The New York Times 22 Feb. 1965: n. pag. Malcom X Shot to Death at Rally Here. Web.

4) ‘’Death of a desperado’’ Newsweek, March 8, 1965, Copyright @ 1965, Newsweek.Inc.

<http://europe.newsweek.com/death-desperado-malcolm-x-was-assassinated-50-years-ago-today-308253?rm=eu>

5) Selma. Dir. Avay DuVernay. Screenplay by Paul Webb. Perf. David Oyelowo and Tom Wilkinson. Celador Films, 2014. DVD.

6) Berman, Elizabeth. "The Photograph That Captured the Horror of MLK’s Assassination." TIME Magazine. Time Inc., 3 Apr. 2015. Web. 13 Jan. 2016. <http://time.com/3749091/mlk-assassination-photograph/>.

7) Caldwell, Earl. "Martin Luther King Is Slain in Memphis; A White Is Suspected; Johnson Urges Calm." The New York Times (1968): n. pag. Web.

8) "Viola Liuzzo." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Jan. 2016 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

9) Bartlett, Karen. "Why Malcolm X Is Getting Written Out of History." Newsweek. N.p., 20 Feb. 2015. Web. 13 Jan. 2016. <http://europe.newsweek.com/i-worry-my-father-being-written-out-history-307941?rm=eu>.

Thomas Jefferson as an iconic figure in the American history

Thomas Jefferson is a quite confusing character. In short summary, Thomas Jefferson is obviously well-known as  the draftsman of the most important piece of writing in American History – the Declaration of Independence of the United States. For that reason he will always be one of the most important figures of American history. He is admired for his political skills and literary knowledge which he proved while being the nation’s first secretary of state (1789–94), second vice president (1797–1801), and, as the third president. However, he has serious  flaws. As it was said, the fact that he was for example, owning multiple slaves is one of the things that are not really convenient for Americans to discuss.

Thomas Jefferson, was born in Virginia and died in the same state. United States has truly original origins of existence, it not so plain and simple to explain his nationality but we can say that he was a one proud American citizen. However, saying that would be underestimation because he was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America and this fact means that his children, the contemporary American society had inherited a lot from him including flaws. Nevertheless, all vices and advantages makes that nation as colorful as we see it today, and they are admired for that.

The distance between continents however, has caused Europeans to come up with several stereotypes about people from the New World. Since, they are only stereotypes they may not apply to everybody, but there is some truth in any of them. Stereotypes about Americans include such features as: unlimited love for freedom and democracy, strong patriotic feeling, optimism and generosity. When it comes to negative associations the list is longer and starts with racism and ends with obesity. The interesting and surprising thing is that Thomas Jefferson shares some of them, but to fully understand it we have to analyze his character.

When we present ourselves it is most crucial to make the good first impression, and with that in mind, the best way of introducing Thomas Jefferson’s vibrant character would be to start with his most appreciated features and the most important deeds. That in Thomas Jefferson’s case would be the input he made while writing the Declaration of Independence where he proved his skills and brilliance. He came up with truly modern and pure statements which perfectly fitted the Enlightenment Era. The Declaration justified the independence of the United States by listing colonial grievances against King George III, and by asserting certain natural and legal rights. The most significant is the second sentence of it: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This statement is still strongly remembered among American society and the Declaration of Independence stayed iconic to this day. That freedom – the strong feeling of independence and separation is really important and influenced their foreign policy later on, resulting with the not so pleasant outcome.

Furthermore, Thomas Jefferson also is remembered as a true patriot. It is obviously connected with the fact that he was a quite successful president and for all of his achievements during his presidency. Obviously, Americans would not be patriotic enough if they would not show it with adequate means. There, we encounter another significant American symbol, which is Mount Rushmore, surprisingly again connected with Jefferson.  The national treasure, nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore symbolizes freedom and hope for America. The southeastern face of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest is the site of four gigantic carved sculptures depicting the faces of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, known as the “Shrine of Democracy,” has become one of the most iconic images of America and an international tourist attraction. Thus, it proves that America’s creations are mostly enormous and incredible. Now, this “patriotism” and the love for “democracy” is sometimes a cause to joke about. Another American symbol would be the bald eagle used by internet users as a reference in internet meme – “One-up America”. One-Up America is series featuring a photograph of a bald eagle in front of a United States flag with captions typically depicting American patriotism or hubris.

On the other hand, there is also a serious flaw, that nobody really wanted and still want to recognize, which is the matter of racism and slavery. The most unpleasant chapter from the American history and the main cause of the serious accusation against Thomas Jefferson. He is known to have a lot of slave workers and to also be in certain relationship with one of his slaves. This subject is difficult to analyze and agree to what should be done different. Jefferson’s times were different, and even if he was a modern thinker, he could not change his country completely. Abraham Lincoln did, and it didn’t end for him in the ideal way. Such social matters have to take time, and because of it we still observe some inequalities between races or nationalities in the USA.

In the end, it is not debatable that Thomas Jefferson was and still is a really influential figure in the American culture. It starts from his representation sculpted on the Mount Rushmore, and ends with his face presented on the nickel, the 5 cents coin. So he is, and still be important for his nation despite any “vices” which on the whole do not impair his other achievements.

Thomas Jefferson on a two dollars note.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

---

Thomas Jefferson. Ken Burns. Sky 534 & Virgin Media 243. Film. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vow1URgtfB0>

"Thomas Jefferson". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.
Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2015. Web. 25 lis. 2015
<http://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Jefferson>.

American Stereotypes. (2013, April 2013). Retrieved from http://www.nationalstereotype.com/american-stereotypes/

Forner, Eric. Give me Liberty!. New York, London: Norton & Company, 2008. Print.

Mount Rushmore. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/mount-rushmore

One-Up America. Retrieved from http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/one-up-america

Must-See Places in America

GRAND CANYON

Measuring approximately 277 miles in length, up to 18 miles in width and a mile deep, this massive chasm in northern Arizona is truly a natural wonder. For six million years, the Grand Canyon has expanded with the help of the Colorado River, and for centuries, people from all over the globe have traveled to see it (around 4.5 million per year).

MAUI

For many Hawaii vacationers, Maui is just right — offering a taste of just about everything the Aloha State has to offer, from impressive wildlife to intriguing history and culture. While on a visit here, you can shimmy alongside professional hula dancers, golf along coastal fairways, snorkel alongside five different types of sea turtles or simply lounge along some of Hawaii's most notable beaches.

YELLOWSTONE

With dramatic peaks and pristine lakes, Yellowstone is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Multicolored pools swirl around hot springs; verdant forests weave past expansive meadows; and volatile geysers launch streams of steaming water toward the sky. Nowadays, there's no doubt that the park is indeed extraordinary. While you walk through the park's 3,000-plus square miles of mountains, canyons, geysers and waterfalls, be prepared to share the trails with permanent residents like buffalo, elk and sometimes even grizzlies.

YOSEMITE

One of California's most beautiful natural landscapes, Yosemite National Park features nearly 1,200 square miles of sheer awe: towering waterfalls, millennia-old Sequoia trees, daunting cliff faces and some of the most unique rock formations in the United States. But despite its enormous size, most of the tourist activity takes place within a 7-square-mile area of Yosemite Valley. Even inexperienced hikers can enjoy Yosemite: Guided tours and climbing lessons are available from local adventure outfitters. Just don't expect to experience it by yourself. Like so many other American tourist destinations, crowds are the biggest obstacles to an enjoyable Yosemite vacation – at least 4 million people visit each year.

SAN FRANCISCO

A jumbled collage of colorful neighborhoods and beautiful views, San Francisco draws those free-spirited types who have an eye for edgy art, a taste for imaginative cuisine and a zeal for adventure. It's really not surprising that songwriter Tony Bennett left his heart here: The city boasts jaw-dropping sights, world-class cuisine, cozy cafes and plenty of booming nightlife venues — there's no shortage of ways to stay busy here. Spend an hour or two sunning yourself alongside sea lions on the bay, admiring the views of the city from Twin Peaks, or strolling along the Marina.

NEW YORK CITY

Cool, cosmopolitan, crowded, constantly evolving … the Big Apple blends big-city splendor with small-town charm. Amid Gotham's iconic landmarks and towering skyscrapers, you'll experience a vibrant culture permeating each of the city's distinctive neighborhoods and boroughs. Follow trendsetters to the East Village and Brooklyn to check out indie boutiques, iconic bakeries and trendy coffee shops. Afterward, peruse the racks of the sleek shops lining Fifth Avenue, admire the cutting-edge art collections at the MoMa and the Met, catch a memorable show on Broadway or sit down for a meal at the latest "it" restaurant.

1. Choose one place where you would really want to go.

2. In groups: make a poster, present fun activities, facts about that place.

3. Present it.

much food = no good

Precisely.  What does Christmas mean to you?

Dinner tables full of food? Turkeys, mince pies, puddings – all set with a Christmas tree in the background.

It’s a common image this time of year; but it often ends in huge amounts of food being wasted.

There is a cultural threat indeed as far as plenty of commercials tell you:

Buy tone of food. Be happy (and fat).

They always forget to mention: and throw it away later, you idiot.





Our close friends, Brits suggest that last year, 4.2 million Christmas dinners were wasted across the United Kingdom, according to Unilever.

The figure is the equivalent to:
263,000 turkeys;
7.5 million mince pies;
740,000 slices of Christmas pudding;
17.2 million Brussels sprouts;
11.9 million carrots
11.3 million roast potatoes.




Each host spends an average of £112 on food alone, which amounts to £64 million of squandered food each Christmas.

What about you, America? Going to do anything?

What would be a positive kind of competition with the Islanders is to beat them at the lowering this amount.

Task to do: If left with too much Christmas food, go volunteering, support the homeless.

New Year's Eve in "Big Apple"

As the new year approaches, New York City gets ready for its annual New Year's Eve in Times Square celebration. The famous ball drop atop One Times Square has been a tradition dating back to 1906. Each year, over one million people descend upon Times Square to party and experience this free and memorable event!

While NYE in Times Square may be the most famous New York event and celebration, the Big Apple plays host to hundreds of the best New Year's Eve parties each year. With many of the NYC bars and New York City nightclubs throwing their own New Year's party, NYC tourists in town for NYE have a huge selection of NYC events to choose from.

What to do on New Year's Eve in New York?

You would be surprise in how many ways you can celebrate New Year's Eve in one city, here are only 7 of them.

The Ball Drop at Times Square

So you went to the ball drop. We can’t really blame you—it’s New York's (and arguably the world’s) most iconic New Year’s Eve celebration. The ball drops from the top of One Times Square and is best seen from the north, up Broadway between 43rd and 50th, and on Seventh Avenue between 43rd and 59th. Arrive early (really, really early), dress warmly (do not be ashamed to wear multiple pairs of mittens), and bring plenty of snacks and water. Keep in mind that there’s no alcohol allowed in any New York City public space and—perhaps more importantly—there will no public, portable restrooms in Times Square either.

New York Harbor Fireworks

Fireworks are launched from multiple places once the clock strikes midnight—even at Times Square, but it’s so bright and loud there already you probably won't notice. The most picturesque of these presentations is certainly the show over New York Harbor, which are set off from Liberty Island. They can be viewed from downtown Manhattan’s Battery Park, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, or by boat in the harbor. Several companies offer cruise packages for the evening with food and drinks, though they can be pricey. If you’re on a budget, hop aboard the cheapest cruise in town: the free Staten Island ferry.

Grand Army Plaza Fireworks

Though Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza doesn’t have the water-bound drama of the Statue of Liberty, it’s pound for pound the most charming fireworks display in New York City. Set against the backdrop of the triumphal Beaux-Arts Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch, Prospect Park, and the bronze gateway of the Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch, it’s also the celebration that’s the most neighborhood-oriented. Hosted by the Brooklyn borough president and the Prospect Park Alliance, the party starts up at 11pm with live music and free hot chocolate. Fireworks go off at midnight.

Central Park Fireworks

The Central Park fireworks display is visible from just about everywhere in the park, or from any location where a good portion of the park is visible. Though it’s not exactly picnic weather come December 31, there are plenty of well-lit, lively, and pretty places in the park to settle in for the show. Unlike Times Square, Central Park food and drink vendors will still be serving hot warm snacks and sips to visitors. The fireworks are set off from the Naumburg Bandshell around 70th Street, just south of the Bethesda Fountain.

Time’s Up New Year’s Eve Ride

The environmental organization Time’s Up organizes a free ride (bikes and skates welcome) from Washington Square Park to Central Park’s Belvedere Castle. Bikers and skaters leave from Washington Square at 10 PM. Alternate start points depart from the Brooklyn entrance of the Williamsburg Bridge at 9:45 PM and Madison Square Park at 10:20 PM. If wheels really aren't your thing, you can always just show up to the Belvedere Castle at a quarter to midnight. Participants and spectators are encouraged to dress appropriately, and to bring along food and drink. Expect a wild, albeit chilly, open air dance party at the end. You'll even get to enjoy those epic Central Park fireworks exploding overhead.

Phish at Madison Square Garden

Phish’s marathon New Year’s Eve concerts at Madison Square Garden are the stuff of legend. They’ve appeared at the iconic venue on December 31 at least nine times since 1995, and are likely to return most years—if not all. Regularly stretching their performances across several hours and, in 2015, three sets and an encore, you can count on having a full night. It's the perfect way to ring in the New Year if that’s your kind of an idea.

The Poetry Project’s Marathon Reading

Admittedly, this event takes place on January 1. But what better way to cure your hangover than with poetry? The Poetry Project’s New Year’s Day Poetry Marathon, first established in 1974 by poet Anne Waldman, has hosted luminaries like Eileen Myles, Patti Smith, Philip Class, Yoko Ono, Kathy Aker, Amiri Baraka, and Allen Ginsberg. Tickets are $25, but the program lasts all day—from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Stay as long or as little as you like: either way, you’re bound to hear something of interest.
TASK:
Answear in 10-15 sentcences: What is your favourite way of spending New Year's Eve? What kind of an entertainment in NYC would you choose?