Critique of the Movie Matchstick Men :: Movie Film Essays

Critique of the Movie Matchstick Men I recently read a review of Matchstick Men by Nicolas Bardot who said of the movie: â€Å"very touching but lacking a certain panache.† The Matchstick Men starring Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, and Alison Lohman, is the story of Roy (Cage) who with his â€Å"numerous disorders† and his partner Frank (Rockwell) tries to pull off a con job. Unfortunately, Roy’s daughter Angela (Lohman) suddenly shows up and things don’t go exactly as planned. Although Roy’s â€Å"disorders† are not mentioned specifically, I can’t imagine they would make his job easy in the first place, but throw a long lost teenage daughter into the mix and I can not wait to see what happens next. Matchstick Men is an adaptation from an Eric Garcia novel and runs one hour and fifty six minutes. Bardot seems to vary on his opinion of this movie. He makes special note of John Mathieson’s photography declaring it as â€Å"superb,† as well as expressing delight in the soundtrack which was compiled by Hans Zimmer. Bardot seems to praise the movie for it’s depiction of anti-heroes, yet at the same time says that at times it becomes â€Å"slightly dull and uninteresting.† Despite his lack of glowing praise for the picture, Bardot expands upon the â€Å"expansive and spectacular† past pictures by Ridley Scott, the director. Having directed such films as Gladiator and Black Hawk Down among others, Bardot seems to think Scott has found a hidden talent in his new genre, comedy, declaring that his work on this picture is â€Å"marvelous.† Although Bardot mentions the performances of Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, and Alison Lohman, I wish he had gone into more detail as to what was good about them, or in Cage’s case â€Å"unnerving.† He also refrains from mentioning other details such as setting, costumes, and camera angles which I would find interesting.

Rising Incidence of Alzheimers Disease Essay -- Alzheimers Disease Es

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common dementia that destroys brain cells and causes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour. According to recent statistics (Alzheimer's Association, 2010), Alzheimer’s is the 7th-leading cause of death in the USA with the number of people suffering from AD only in America over 5.3 million. It affects more women than men, causing differences in symptoms depending on gender. There is no cure which can guarantee a recovery for diseased people to date. However, more possible cures exist for diseased females. As per Brian Ott’s article on gender differences in Alzheimer’s disease, females have huge changes in behaviour comparing with males. This process is tightly connected with emotional instability, mood swings, wandering, and refers to personality change. Over listed symptoms are the first one to show up, but eventually there become more and more consequences of the disease such as frequent delusions, hallucinations, and sun-downing – the exacerbation of syndromes in the afternoon and evening, which makes a person in early stages of Alzheimer’s more antisocial and unadapted to a daily life. Such difficulties with communicating with people makes lives of patients very complicated, make them suffer of misunderstanding, and lead to depression as it was proved by American Psychiatric Association (1980). Indeed, 69% of people with dementia were suffering from depression (from Neundorfer, 2001: American Psychiatric Association, 1980). A group of researchers has found evidence of difference in language comprehension and memory regression between males and females: the latter are more vulnerable to such changes in cognition due to influence of sex hormones on the brain (from Ott, 2005: Sherwin, 1997)... ...llet, X., N. Raoux, N. le Carret, J. Bouisson, J. Dartigues, H. Amieva. 2009. Gender-related Differences in Visuospatial Memory Persist in Alzheimer’s Disease. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology 24 (issue: unknown): 783-789. Oxford Journals. http://acn.oxfordjournals.org (accessed October 27, 2010). Neundorfer, M., M. McClendon, K. Smyth, J. Stuckey, M. Strauss, M. Patterson. 2001. A Longitudinal Study of the Relationship Between Levels of Depression Among Persons With Alzheimer’s Disease and Levels of Depression Among Their Family Caregivers. Journal of Gerontology: PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES 56B (5): 301-313. http://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org (accessed November 12, 2010). Ott, B., D. Cahn-Weiner. 2005. Gender Differences in Alzheimer’s Disease. Geriatric Times 2 (6). http://www.cmellc.com/geriatrictimes/g011123.html (accessed October 23, 2010).

Justice in “King Lear” Essay

Many themes are evident in King Lear, but perhaps one of the most prevalent relates to the theme of justice. Shakespeare has developed a tragedy that allows us to see man’s decent into chaos. Although Lear is perceived as ‘a man more sinned against than sinning’ (p.62), the treatment of the main characters encourages the reader to reflect on the presence or lack of justice in this world. The characters also vary in their inclination to view the world from either a fatalistic or moralistic point of view, depending on their beliefs about the presence or absence of a higher power. The theme of justice in relation to higher powers can be illustrated from the perspective of King Lear, Gloucester, and Edgar. When reading King Lear, it is helpful to understand the Elizabethan ‘Chain of Being’ in which nature is viewed as order. Rosenblatt (1984) states that there was a belief in an established hierarchy within the universe. Everything had its own relative po sition beginning with Heaven, the Divine Being, and the stars and planets which are all above. On earth the king is next, then the nobles, on down to the peasantry. Holding the lowest position were the beggars and lunatics and finally, the animals. Interrupting this order is unnatural. King Lear’s sin was that he disrupted this chain of being by relinquishing his throne. By allowing his daughters and their husbands to rule the kingdom, the natural order of things was disturbed. His notion that he can still be in control after dividing the kingdom is a delusion. According to Elizabethan philosophy, it would seem that this is the beginning of his mistakes and is also the cause of much of the misfortune that occurs later on in the play. Chaos rules the unnatural. As well, King Lear makes another devastating mistake which affects his relationship with his daughters by asking them to tell him how much they love him in order that he may divide his kingdom according to the strength of their love. Cordelia, the youngest daughter, states that she loves her father ‘according to her bond’ (p.4). She is saying that she loves him as much as any child could love a father. On the other hand, Goneril and Reagan easily speak the words that their father wants to hear, rather than the truth. Because Lear is not satisfied with Cordelia’s response, he turns his back on Cordelia and on her love. By doing this he is destroying the natural family unit and lacks the insight to know this. He unjustly punishes Cordelia by banishing her from the kingdom. He casts out his daughter in an unfatherly fashion, yet is gravely upset by the ingratitude of his other two daughters, Goneril and Reagan. Once again, due to Lear’s lack of wisdom, he fails to recognize the sincerity of Cordelia’s words. Thus, he puts his relationship with his daughters in jeopardy which results in a constant source of grief for King Lear. King Lear holds firm to his belief that the world is governed by the gods and in justice. Therefore he does not question the will of the gods in letting him suffer from his daughter’s unkindness, but prays If it be you that stirs these daughters’ hearts Against their father, fool me not with so much To bear it tamely; touch me with noble anger (p.50). Greer (1986) reminds us that Shakespeare uses the word ‘nature’ often, but rarely with the same meaning. For instance, Lear personifies nature when he calls Cordelia ‘a wretch whom Nature is ashamed/Almost to acknowledge hers’ (p.9). Here, it seems as though Lear thinks himself to be particularly special and close to nature because he is presumptuous in believing that he can read Nature’s mind. On the same note, Lear also seems to order his goddess, Nature, as though he is in control. He commands Nature to follow his orders, Hear, Nature, hear! dear goddess, hear! Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend To make this creature fruitful (p.29). Therefore, Lear is once again disturbing the order of things by putting himself above the gods. Lear disturbs the Chain of Being, unjustly punishes Cordelia and misinterprets his role in life by assuming himself to be the lord of creation. For these ‘sins’ he is punished when Goneril and Reagan turn on him and Cordelia dies. Thus, it would seem that justice is served. However, Holloway (1961) suggests that Lear suffers more for his ‘sins’ than seems reasonable. Holloway sums up this concept as follows: ‘the world can be to mankind, and has been to Lear, a rack: a scene of suffering reiterated past all probability or reason’ (p.506). Gloucester plays a parallel role to Lear in the play. He is elderly, gullible and taken in by his children. Again, the natural unit of the family is disturbed for Gloucester has a bastard son who is his downfall. However, unlike Lear, he is not weak and infirm and is more good- natured and brave. Like Lear, Glouceste r makes reference to Nature. However, Greer (1986) feels that Gloucester views Nature as neutral and sees it existing only for man’s benefit: These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us. Though the wisdom of nature can reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds itself scourged by the sequent effects (p.15). Rather than blame Nature, Gloucester is aware that his problems are a result of his own foolishness. He does not feel that the gods are necessary to explain Edmund’s treason or Cornwall’s brutality. However, he does make clear his belief that the gods are not interested in the affairs of men: As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods. They kill us for their sport (p.82). Although it may seem as though he is an atheist, Frye believes otherwise: Gloucester is not atheist: he postulates gods, divine personalities, and if he replaces them with a mechanism of fate or destiny he couldn’t ascribe malice to it. What he feels is that there is some mystery in the horror of what’s happened to him that goes beyond the tangible human causes’ (p.111). It is true that Gloucester has been lustful and has fathered an illegitimate son as the consequences. Since this, too, is an unnatural act, it seems justice must be served to restore order. However, to what degree is Gloucester responsible for Edmund’s evil behaviour? And was it just that Gloucester’s eyes were poked out by Goneril and Reagan? This leaves one wondering whether or not justice was served as Gloucester dies at the end of the play. The punishment would seem to exceed the crime. Edgar is Gloucester’s legitimate son who is in danger of losing his right to his inheritance. At first, he is the good and dutiful one. At times he is gullible and naive when responding to his illegitimate brother Edmund, who tries to take his birth-right. Edgar is the moralist in this play. When he reflects on his own undeserved troubles and the suffering of others, there is a religious tone. He has faith in the gods and their justice, and is quick to give the ‘higher powers’ the credit for what happens to men. Thus, he says to Gloucester, who believes he has fallen from the edge of a cliff: Think that the clearest gods, who make them honours Of men’s impossibilities, have preserved thee (p.96). And thus he points out the justice of the gods in punishing Gloucester by the hand of Edmund: The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices Make instruments to plague us (p.119). Edgar believes that there is order in na ture. He thinks that there is a natural ebb and flow in human fortunes, meaning that even the worst situation can become better (Greer, 1986). He believes in the Wheel of Fortune and if he is at the bottom of the wheel, his fortune will improve as he moves upward: To be the worst, The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune, Stands still in esperance, lives not in fear. The lamentable change is from the best; The worst returns to laughter. Welcome, then, Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace! (p.81). However, he comes to realize that this belief is not necessarily so. When he finds his father blinded, it becomes obvious that this suffering is renewed: The worst is not So long as we can say ‘This is the worst’ (p.82). Greer (1986) comments that it may seem that nature is indifferent to the fate of any individual. Edgar differs from Gloucester in that he takes a moralistic point of view. Frye suggests that while Gloucester ‘feels that there is some mystery in the horror of what’s happened to him that goes beyond the tangible human causes†¦Edgar†¦looks for human causes and assumes that there are powers above who are reacting to events as they should’ (p.111). In Edgar’s case it seems that he has received his just reward. He does not have an easy time when dealing with his brother, Edmund. Yet, it would seem that justice is served as Edgar regains his proper position in the natural order of things. In King Lear, each of the characters discussed have varying interpretations of the importance of the higher powers affecting their fortunes. As well, justice is handed out in different degrees. In the eyes of the characters, Shakespeare succeeds in illustrating the universal conflict that members of society have always had in understanding their fate in this world.

The Medieval Education System

It seems evident that due to it's limited access via social castes as well as it's provincial ideology once attained, education before the 1800's played a limited role in the history of Education. From the rhetoric-based Greek age of Plato and Aristotle to colonial America, education was mostly an elitist institution that was inaccessible to most and, if one was so privileged as to attain it, full of hackneyed, non-progressive ritual; thus making its' impact evident mostly in history textbooks. In Greek times it is clear that true education was limited those with much free time and/or the means to pay for private tutors. Due to this, the vast majority of those who were educated were among the small upper class. Elitist â€Å"education† was largely based on the ability to speak and persuade; a tool only truly necessary to those who were socially powerful. The later Roman education system was, although theoretically more accessible due to more schools, very similar to that of the Greeks. Those who were â€Å"truly educated† were well versed in Latin and were able to speak efficiently. However, when the Roman power system shifted from political to military, the valued vocation changed in correlation with the valued focus of education. The role of the orator diminished as the role of the soldier increased. In the Greco-Roman times education as an institution was geared to those with time and money, therefore few were able to partake. Clearly if only a small percentage of the populace, in any culture or time-period, has access to information, the impact of that information on society and future generations, as a whole, will be limited. The medieval education systems' institutions have impacted Education comparably to those of the Greco-Roman period; which isn't saying much. This is due, once again, to the grossly exagerated social caste system that existed during this period. The immense majority of the population had no time for education their lives were consumed by a constant struggle to survive. With all wealth concentrated on the minute land owning populace as well as the Church, education for most was the passing down of a trade from generation to generation as well as basic communication skills. The only â€Å"institutions† were those that were established by, or in order to promote, the good of the Church. Parish, monastic, chantry, and cathedral schools were the extent of medieval education. With all four of these types of schools contributing to one common it is easy to see that the influence of education was limited. Although the ideas taught during the medieval period were, for the most part, rehashed tradition fueled by religious propagandists, highlights such as studium generale and universitas planted seeds for future growth. Once again, however, due to the exclusiveness of educational opportunities concentrated on those with status, power and, money, the impact on Education that the middle ages had was limited. In contrast to its' insular curriculum of the Greco-Roman period and its' monopolization by the church during the medieval period, education during the renaissance became â€Å"enlightened. † As religion was called into question, and the middle class began developing, the educational stagnation of the middle ages also evolved.

Business Plan and Implementation.

A business plan is perceived to be a paramount tool in any business organization.   Apple Inc. is an American based company that manufactures and market mobile communication devices, portable music players. This company is the largest information technology provider in the world. The aim of this report is to create business focus, develop and prepare a plan of activities to be used as a guide to Apple Inc. in achieving its set objectives and goals. For companies to thrive, there must be established policies in conducting its operations aiming at increasing their profit margins hence continued business life.   Increasing productivity of the firm’s products, the management may employ strategies like use of new technology in their operation, review of the existing setup and implement continuous improvement approach during the process. One of the primary goals of Apple Inc. firm is to increase the productivity of information technology products. Therefore, this translates to high sales volume hence high-profit margins are achieved in the long run. The company can attain this through creating brand awareness about its products to the customers (Csiszar, 2017). Brand awareness can be accomplished through the internet (web leverage, the creation of social media presence) and sponsoring public events such as open games and golf tournaments. In the event, the products are displayed to the potential customers with disposable inc ome to purchase the product. In every business to remain active in the market, there is a need for established plan of activities declaring a day to day activities. In particular, the plan is used to map the future, to support the growth of the firm, to develop and communicate the course of action to the people and to support exit strategic management processes. Apple Inc. products remain to uphold the original company’s promises to its customers during its inception. The company operates in California and targets global markets. The company uses strategies such as Apple brand personality (focuses on emotions about how the customer feels after using the company product), Apple customer experience (all the goods must conform to Apple brands) and Apple brand halo effect. The company goal in employing such strategies is to maintain a brand promise to its potential customers (Marketing-Minds, 2016). It is much vital for any business to have proper market review requirement processes during their operations. Apple Inc. The company employs tools such as Steeple analysis technique, Scenario planning technique, critical success factor analysis (CSFA) and the five forces technique.   Also, the top management reviews market performance and the desired direction, operational matters pertaining the business and workers organization for proper performance analysis of the firm. The company operates in US based markets and other international markets across the world. Determining resource requirement is one of major goal before business operation commences. The primary purpose of the analyst in business is to give out aspects that can reduce overall costs in operation. Apple Inc. employs mechanisms such as conducting of survey cycle, scheduling brainstorming meeting and interviewing key stakeholders as some of the major processes in identifying resource required. The company is ended by the CEO being assisted by the managers (Rowland, 2017). Consultations with Stakeholders Apple Inc. needs to form both internal and external stakeholders in its operation. Internal stakeholders include the employees and company owners.   On the other hand, external stakeholders include the investors or those funding the business project (Denton, 2017). The firm consultation with stakeholders aim is to yield benefits like an evaluation of firm’s action, identification, and tracking of firm’s needs and the establishment of brand values. Through the consultation process, information flow to and from the stakeholders become much efficient. Therefore, a devised process is much vital in the organization. Developed channel to achieve this can take the form below  Ã‚   Apple Inc. needs to develop performance goal and actions techniques like a balanced scorecard. Management can include new strategies with the aim of achieving a breakthrough in operation. This mode translates strategic business objectives into performance measures. The following schematic chart gives activities flow in performance measures in Apple Inc  (Rousseau, 2015). Report on the main aspect performance measure   at different stages Apple Inc.   Incorporate scorecard technique in evaluating performance action in the management in achieving its set objectives. Executive management focuses on measurement. In all the four categories in the plan and appropriate be drafted. In particular, Apple Inc.   Being scheduled to be a PCs company, consumer loyalty measurements are merely being acquainted in arranging representatives toward turning into a client-driven organization. The company needs to build its free studies with a specific end goal to track its key market fragments in far and broad perspective. At this phase of performance measure implementation, key aspects need to addressed for the easy actualization of the company set objectives (Rousseau, 2015). In innovation and learning perspective, the development and learning goals are proposed to drive change in monetary, client, and interior process execution. At Apple Inc., such upgrades originated from an item and administration advancement that would make new wellsprings of income and market development, and also from a nonstop change in inner work forms. The primary target was measured by percent revenue from new administrations. A staff disposition study and a metric for the quantity of representative, recommendations measured regardless of whether such an atmosphere was being made. At long last, income per worker measured the results of representative duty and preparing programs. Similarly, the financial point of view included three measures of significance to the shareholder. Return-on-capital-utilized and income reflected inclinations, while consistent estimate quality flagged the corporate parent's craving to diminish the chronicled vulnerability brought about by unforeseen varieties in execution. Apple Inc. administration included two monetary measures. Extend benefit gave concentrate on the venture as the fundamental unit for arranging and control.   To create measures of inner procedures, Apple Inc. administrators characterized the life cycle of investment from dispatch to culmination. The new concentration underscored actions that incorporated key business forms. Inner reviews had uncovered that the circuitous expenses from a mishap could be 5 to 50 times the immediate costs. The scorecard included a security file, got from an extensive wellbeing estimation framework that could recognize and order every single undesired occasion with the potential for damage to individuals, property, and process (Rousseau, 2015). The firm has been able to achieve the set goals and objectives, in survey conducted indicates that there is an increase in net sales, increased revenue and minimal complaints from the potential customers. The key performance indicators used by Apple Inc. can be customer feedbacks and quality levels of the products this clearly indicate that the primary set business objectives are set by the firm. Also,   the company has devised other production strategies like patenting with the aim of venturing into wider global markets (NASDAQ, 2017). For this matter, the firm will have wide access to the customers hence enjoying benefits of economies of scale. Since the inception of business operations, Apple Inc. has shown underperformance of around 7% over the period which is an important aspect to market capitalization. Underperformance in any production firm seems to be a major challenge which ought to addressed with immediate effect. This can lead business shut down if the status becomes severe.   In recent years approximately 4.4% drop in revenue has been encountered in the firm as a result of a decrease in iPhone sales over the period (NASDAQ, 2017). To incorporate a change in the organization, bottom-up communication becomes vital goal to be pursued by the management. As a matter of fact, new skills are imparted to the workers hence improve in quality and reduced production cycles. An excellent training model must have five steps namely; first understanding the areas underperforming, planning and preparation, execution and lastly assessing to gauge its functionality. This plan seems to restate Apple Inc. to uplift its underperformed areas (Denton, 2017). Apple's Product Development Process might be a standout amongst the best outline handle at any point actualized. The step is to design layout at the forefront; design teams are separated from the large company, reviewing and lastly packaging of the product ready to the ready (IDF, 2012). Plan goals and objectives need to be communicated to the recipients through the right channel like print or online at the start of the operation. The staff ought to be up to the tasks infirm. In developing performance reports, the message needs to be precise mainly for the recipients to understand quickly.Graphic rating scale method was employed in tracking the performance. More important, production variances were identified through revenue checks. Lastly, recommendations of more improved models become paramount to Apple Inc. Csiszar, J. (2017). How to Increase Brand Awareness for a Product. Retrieved from Chron: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/increase-brand-awareness-product-41158.html Denton, P. (2017). Report to UN Environment Major Groups and Stakeholders, Region of North America. IDF. (2012). Apple’s Product Development Process – Inside the World’s Greatest Design Organization. Retrieved from Interaction Design: https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/apple-s-product-development-process-inside-the-world-s-greatest-design-organization Marketing-Minds. (2016). Apple's Branding Strategy. Retrieved from Marketing minds: https://www.marketingminds.com.au/apple_branding_strategy.html NASDAQ. (2017, Feb 21). Apple Inc. (AAPL) Company Financials. Retrieved from Nasdaq: https://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/aapl/financials?query=income-statement Rousseau, M. B. (2015). Organizational Narcissism: Scale development and firm outcomes. Journal of Organizational Culture, Communication, and Conflict, 19(1), 159. Rowland, C. (2017). Company Analysis: Business Potential & Performance. Retrieved from Panmore: https://panmore.com/apple-inc-operations-management-10-decisions-areas-productivity

Reconstructing gender Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Reconstructing gender - Essay Example The gulf found between men and women emanates from nature rather than nurture. As such, the two sexes covey their messages differently because of how their brains are made up, and women are often better communicators. The male brain excels in doing mathematical and visual spatial tasks whereas the female brain is better suited at doing verbal tasks. These glaring differences lead to miscommunication at times between the two sexes. However, the diversity existing between males and females enables them to co-exist together amiably. In her article, Ayana discusses the representation or depiction of females in hip hop videos. Her article made me comprehend more about the issues being articulated by feminists in regard to hip hop music videos. After reading the article, I agree with her main points. In her article, Ayana asserts the feminist tone by critiquing hip hop videos. Her main area of focus is hip hop’s gender and sexual depiction of women. Her primary critique comes from the fact that women are depicted as sex objects in most hip hop videos. For example, Ayana points out that in parties, women are mostly scantily dressed while men are fully dressed. This depiction belittles women hence portrays them as just sexual

Enterprise Architecture Q&A Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Enterprise Architecture Q&A - Assignment Example The business principle aims at ensuring that disruptions to the enterprise operations resulting from system interruptions are decreased. Therefore, technical architecture must provide users of the enterprise the capability to continue their business functions (Minoli, 2008). Hence, because the business principle is business continuity then the technical architecture is likely to adapt to ensure continuity of business function through capabilities established by the enterprise. When the business principle changes to maximize benefits of the enterprise, this ensures little fragmentation of the technical architecture while maximizing investment that serves enterprise-wide purpose as opposed to solutions that serve individual business units (Minoli, 2008). Because the business principle changed to maximize benefits, the technical architecture would now need to focus on priorities set by the entire enterprise to avoid duplication that can be expensive. In the above CRUD matrix, three processes are identified that include student registration, tutor support and coaching. Online registration provides information regarding the student that can be edited and accessed as needed. Tutor support and coaching enable a student to access the necessary course document while relating with the tutor