Topic 7 How do movies or TV affect people? "Reel life is based on real life," they say

"Reel life is based on real life," they say. But how far it is true is left to the judgment of the individual's intelligence. The impact that movies and television have on our lives can never be over-emphasized (переоценена).

Nowadays television and movies are the only sources to keep in pace with (идти в ногу с, идти наравне с, не отставать от, угнаться за) the latest trend in the global environment. Every part of our lifestyle is somehow influenced by what we see in the television or in movies. The advent (Появление, приход) of the motion picture (кинофильм) has been one of the greatest influences of the cultural activities of the humankind. It does not require great intelligence to ascertain (æsəteɪn выяснять, устанавливать; убеждаться) this fact. If we just give a glance to see hanging or posted on the walls are the photos of our favorite celebrities from the tinsel world (от мишуры мира), mounted (установлен) on the table are things from our favorite T. V. show, the music blaring out of (орать, громко доноситься) the system of the latest excuses (оправдания) for musical excellence (совершенства), in your wardrobe are outfits (наряды) last seen on our favorite stars, the hair cream, shampoo, paste, and what not, the list is endless. This does not stop with just what we wear and own it also extends to the way we behave in our peer group (также распространяется на способ вести себя в группе сверстников).

The large chandelier glorifies the whole room. — Большая люстра ярко освещает всю комнату.

Some time back, my friend and I were at the cafeteria near our college when were suddenly mobbed (окружены) by a group of students who were dressed up (были одеты) as people straight out from (прямо из) prehistoric (доисторический) age. They were carrying contraptions that resembled like weapons for a battlefield (приспособления, которые напоминали оружие для поля боя), which made us wonder whether they were struck (ограничены) in a time warp (во временном отрезке). And what followed actually bemused us completely (ошеломило нас полностью), the group started speaking to each other in a very laboriously (трудно, тяжёло) slow manner in a language which sounded nothing of this world. My friend and I were not able to understand a single word of it, we left that day with a really confused mind and were in the same state for quite some time. But it all ended on the day we decided to watch the movie "Lord of the Rings" Peter Jackson's adaptation of J. R. K. Tolkiem's novel of early 1900s. We understood the costumes and the weapons were the film's souvenir collectibles, and the language they spoke was that of the elves (эльфы) originally created by the great author.

Laborious ləbɔ:rɪəs - hard-working – трудолюбивый, усердный

Thus we see people talking about 'molecular disintegrators', 'laser swords', 'elves', 'hobbits' etc., and also tend to act and perform like what they have seen in movies and television. We also see that big FMCG companies bringing in newer products inline (встроенный) with the latest movies. There are several institutions, which glorify (ярко освещать, приукрашивать, воспевать) such attitude. Those who dare to ignore are considered archaic and become the butt (мишень, цель) of all jokes. This can be easily acknowledged by the fact (признано фактом) the elves language has already been recognized (были признаны) as part an official curriculum (программы) in a British university.

Thus the line between real and reel life is fast becoming a blurred (размытым, запачканный) one. The whole behavior and cultural activity of the human race is left to the mercy (на милость) of the next big moviemaker.