...A. Micciche University of Phoenix For my report I decided to write about Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, which is an action, adventure, drama. This film was released in 2000 with Russell Crowe who is a method style actor, as the lead actor, Starring as Maximus. Maximus was the favorite general of Caesar Marcus Aurelius played by Richard Harris. After defeating the German Barbarians, general Maximus only dreamed of returning home to his wife and son to live a simply life tending to his crops, and leave behind his life as a respected general. After defeating the German barbarians, and with his health failing Caesar decides to appoint Maximus as the protector of Rome and wishes to pass all of his powers as Caesar to Maximus, on the condition that Maximus restores Rome to its former glory, then returning all power to the senate. Commodus, who is played by Joaquin Phoenix who is also a method actor, is a spoiled self indulged aristocrat that believed Caesar would name him as his successor. Commodus kills Caesar and takes the title of Caesar and orders his soldiers to kill Maximus and his family. Maximus escapes, wounded, only to return home to find that Commodus’ soldiers beat him there and slain his wife and son. He awakes to find himself captured to be sold as a slave to Proximo, played by the late Oliver Reed. Promimo is a Gladiator manager, and trains his slaves to fight as gladiators in arena settings, so that he can profit from their blood. Upon returning to Rome, Commodus...
Words: 1302 - Pages: 6
...An Epic Masterpiece Gladiator is set about 2000 years ago in the Roman Empire. The director, Ridley Scott, gives the audience the feeling that they are actually in the city of Rome 2000 years ago watching the gladiators battle each other to death with many different beautiful types of scenery and sets, such as the battle scene in the very beginning of the film, which is a beautiful forest covered in snow with trees lined on the outside of the Roman base, and Caesar’s palace, which is very big with tall rooms and many different pillars and marble floors. The most notable set in the film is the famous Coliseum of Rome which stands about twenty stories high, holding about 20,000 people to watch the gladiators battle to the death, looked as if it were the actual coliseum being used by the gladiators. Scott gives the film a sense of realism by showing blood and gore as it might happen if they were actually fighting in a ring. The film’s main character, Maximus (Russell Crowe), is made a slave by the new ruler of Rome, Commodus, (Joaquin Phoenix), because his father, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), was murdered by Commodus in a jealous rage because Marcus decides to make Maximus his successor, which does not go over well with Commodus. Maximus is taken away to be executed, but escapes and sets out to find his wife and child dead and is captured by slave-traders to become a slave. He is bought by Proximo who makes him fight as a gladiator around different arenas to make money...
Words: 1566 - Pages: 7
...Critique of the Movie Matchstick Men I recently read a review of Matchstick Men by Nicolas Bardot who said of the movie: “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 “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 “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 “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 “slightly dull and uninteresting.” Despite his lack of glowing praise for the picture, Bardot expands upon the “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...
Words: 370 - Pages: 2
...Film Critique ENG 225 Introduction to Film Instructor: Lynette Cahill Abstract This essay is a critique on Zack Snyder’s movie, 300. This is a film on Leonidas, who is the Spartan King alongside 300 Spartan Warriors that willingly volunteered to stand up against a Persian army, which were almost ten times as many as they were. After a careful look at the film for the following critique, it is clear that there is a general theme prevailing in the whole movie that, sometimes one has to make sacrifices to gain freedom. Film Critique The movie “300” finds its roots from a graphic novel named 300 also, that was written by Frank Miller in 1998. The movie is based on one of the fierce Persian Wars in 492-449 BC in a battle known as the Thermopylae Battle. This battle went down in the historical books as a war that was characterized with plenty of bravery. The Spartan King, who was known as Leonidas, was the leader of 300 Spartan warriors who engaged the Persian Army in a war, which intended to block them from going into Greece via a two-meter wide pass in the Thermopylae Mountains. In as much as the Persian Army greatly outnumbered the Spartan soldiers, they were held back for two days, and in those two days they encountered major losses, which outweighed that of the Spartan warriors by far. However, on the third day, all was lost when a traitor informed the Persian King of a Path...
Words: 2433 - Pages: 10
...“Lara is super strong, invincibly strong. But also stunningly beautiful, unbelievably beautiful” (Smelik, 2009, p. 179). These qualities have become a requirement in the portrayal of female heroine in films since the 1990’s. But is it an accurate portrayal of women? Films have been guilty of an unfair and inaccurate portrayal of gender roles especially for women. In the early years, women were portrayed as submissive, emotional and dependent on males and males are portrayed as the lead hero in the movie, saving the day and getting the girl in the process (Gilpatric, 2010). However, in recent times, we can observe a new trend in recent movies. Films such as Tomb Raider (2000) and Kill Bill (2001) have emerged showing women in a new light. Similarly, films such as Gladiator (2000) and Finding Nemo (2003) have showed a softer side of males that is rarely shown on screen. So what is have the film industry progressed towards a fairer and more accurate of gender in movies? Literature Review In recent studies, Gilpatric (2010) uses violence as a tool of measure to demonstrate that movies are still depicting gender stereotypes in violent female action character. This is backed by Sternheimer (2003) as she argues that even though females appear to be independent, they are still dependent on males which reinforces traditional gender stereotype. Nevertheless, there has been a noticeable trend that there is a fairer portrayal of gender in films in recent years (Nelmes, 2007). Such a trend...
Words: 2200 - Pages: 9
...shipping warehouses. Additionally, Netflix started to offer online video streaming in 2008 to expand their services and appeal to a younger audience. This shows how Netflix adjusts in changes in the industry. The video rental industry was slowly loosing its appeal, in which companies like Blockbuster Inc. and others had a hard time making a profit using the usual classic video rental method at physical stores. But Netflix did not suffer from the industry losing its appeal. Netflix’s source of revenue comes from the monthly fee its millions of subscribers pay. Even when the economic environment was not at its peak the last few years, Netflix managed to sustain growth. Its unlimited service plans has kept demand buoyant, and it is one of the few movie rental companies that profits go up as time goes by. Financially, Netflix is not only maintaining their revenue, they are increasing it. Through the calculations of return on assets, return on sales, return on equity and earnings per share, Netflix showed consistent improvement over the past three years. Cash reserves are plentiful, which means that the company has the opportunity to expand in the market. Additionally, their...
Words: 7650 - Pages: 31
...Running head: Does Media Violence Promote Aggressive Behavior Does Exposure to Media Violence Promote Aggressive Behavior? Valerie Bean Psychology 150-107 October 29, 2011 Abstract There have been many studies done on the effects of media violence exposure and aggressive behavior. First the term media violence needs to be examined. What form of media violence is perceived to be the most influential? There are television shows, movies, music, news shows and newspapers, video games and cartoons. What type of violence such as, murder, rape, bullying, or theft is the public more apt to associate with and be affected by? Should a look at how true violent crimes are reported by the media also be considered? Last we should also look at statistics of rising population and families that have more than one income to survive now compared to 60 years ago. The term “media violence” is defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary as: Media – Plural of the word medium which is the means of communication, such as radio, television, newspaper, magazines, music etc. that reaches or influences people widely Violence – an exertion of physical force so as to injure or abuse; injury by or as if by distortion infringement or profanation; an intense, turbulent or furious and often destructive action of force. Does Exposure to Media Violence Promote Aggressive Behavior? There are many forms of media and different ways they can influence behavior. Researchers, Politicians, Psychiatrists, and...
Words: 1639 - Pages: 7
...media violence and aggressive behavior within vulnerable "at risk" segments of youth. Children spend more time in front of the television every week than they do on any other activity except sleeping (Muscari 31). Exposing children to violence can desensitize them to violence and cause them to act more aggressively. To understand human attraction to violent entertainment, it is necessary to look not only at, but beyond, the mass media. Depictions of violence, bloodshed and death are not new, and they certainly are not a product of the electronic age. Many cultures in history used violence as a form of entertainment. Interest in bloodsports was as fervent in classical Greece and Rome as it is today. From Greek chariot races and Roman Gladiators to wrestling and Football games, crowds of spectators have gathered together to witness the mayhem and excitement elicited during such events. At one time, even executions were public...
Words: 3991 - Pages: 16
...Rhetorical Terms/Devices Figurative language is the generic term for any artful deviation from the ordinary mode of speaking or writing. It is what makes up a writer’s style – how he or she uses language. The general thinking is that we are more likely to be persuaded by rhetoric that is interesting, even artful, rather than mundane. When John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” (an example of anastrophe), it was more interesting – and more persuasive – than the simpler, “Don’t be selfish.” Indeed, politicians and pundits use these devices to achieve their desired effect on the reader or listener nearly every time they speak. The stylistic elements in a piece of writing work to produce a desired effect related to the text’s (and author’s) purpose, and thus reveals the rhetorical situation. In classical rhetoric, figures of speech are divided into two main groups: Schemes — Deviation from the ordinary pattern or arrangement of words (transference of order). Tropes — Deviation from the ordinary and principal meaning of a word (transference of meaning). *Important Note: Words marked with an asterisk* are words for which it would be impossible for you to write 3 examples for your weekly vocabulary assignment. In those cases, please write only the definition, in your own words, and the rhetorical uses/effect of that device, or do what you are instructed to do under those words. Please mark these words that deviate...
Words: 7172 - Pages: 29
...9-508-076 REV: APRIL 14, 2008 ELIE OFEK Sony PlayStation 3: Game Over? [W]hen you look at the history of the video game industry since the PlayStation was launched back in 1995, we were able to take the leadership position very quickly with the PlayStation. With PlayStation 2 we have more than 110 million gamers and consumers enjoying the PlayStation 2 on a worldwide basis. And I think we have a very loyal following for the PlayStation family of products. So with the PlayStation 3, I believe that we are going to be able to quickly take the leadership position once again and maintain that position for a very long time. — Kaz Hirai, President and CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment of America, November 17 20061 It was a picture that was reminiscent of the launch of the original PlayStation nearly a dozen years before. Some eager customers had arrived as early as 6am and from as far as New Jersey to a video game store in Manhattan with the hope of purchasing one of the newest and most sought after video game consoles. By 9am, the number of customers waiting for entrance to the store exceeded 100 and the line extended down the block. One customer in line had been searching stores across the region for two weeks in order to find a console for her brother’s twenty-fifth birthday. A twelve-year-old and his grandmother were visiting their third store in search of the new console. “I just hate what you have to do just to get one,” the boy said.2 In one sense, long...
Words: 10292 - Pages: 42
...17.3.2011 ABSTRACT The purpose of this analysis is to determine some of the primary issues concerning the influence of the media and technology in post-modern American society. We know that the media is a prevalent and powerful force in contemporary society and that technology has infiltrated the everyday lives of most Americans. In this analysis I will examine the impacts of media and technological saturation through an exploration of my own media usage habits. After a 72-hour period in which I will not use my media/technological electronics, I will define what I see as the prevalent issues surrounding present-day American reliance on media and technology as a source of information, as well as a method of understanding the world. Included is a discussion of the conflict theory and its perception of the ways in which the bourgeoisie and elite politicians control and oppress the proletariat through utilization of media and technology as well as a brief overview of the class-dominance theory of the social media. I will explore some of the methods by which this is done, as well as investigate some of the impacts that the media/technology have on the public, especially Narcotizing Dysfunction. I will explain in detail precisely how the media shape and influence people and society, and I will address the controversial use of electronic devices as communication tools, particularly their overuse. I shall discuss the possibility that these kinds of technologies are addictive...
Words: 3912 - Pages: 16
...movies." | | "The question whether movie violence should be regulated or not is a difficult and complicated matter." Although many people criticize violent movies, if there is a movie which does not contain sex and violence, who will go to see that movie? Most major movies, such as "Lethal Weapon", "Die Hard", and "Independence Day", were really popular in spite of the fact that the "good guy" killed more people than the "bad guy" did. In my opinion, Hollywood tends to produce few kinds of movies--action, panic, love story, and comedy. Whenever I watch a movie or a video, there is at least one murder in each movie. The biggest number of deaths are in the panic movies, in my opinion. Action movies with violence take heat from adults who blame them for real life violence because they are closer to reality than other movies. For example, in "Natural Born Killers" we can see around 50 deaths, whereas in "Independence Day" thousands of people die. In both movies, tons of people are killed, though the ways to kill are different. The big difference between them is about reality. |[pic] | |PHOTO BY THOMAS PETERS | |"Although many people criticize violent movies, if there is | |a movie which does not contain sex and violence, who will go| |to see that movie?" | Children might imitate behavior they...
Words: 20424 - Pages: 82
...2 The latest version of this guide can always be found at http://nofilmschool.com/dslr 2010-2012 Ryan Koo This document is licensed under Creative Commons, so the following freedoms apply. However, I would request you do not email this PDF to a friend; instead, please send them to http://nofilmschool.com/dslr where they can get their own copy of the guide for free. Thanks very much. You are free: to Share — to copy, distribute and transmit the work to Remix — to adapt the work Under the following conditions: Attribution — You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work). Noncommercial — You may not use this work for commercial purposes. Share Alike — If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting work only under the same or similar license to this one. You can find out more about this license at: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/ nofilmschool.com/dslr 3 Most people would charge good money for this guide, but I’m giving it away free. In return, I ask that you please help support NoFilmSchool! You can do this via the following: Share the guide If you have a blog or website, please write a post telling others about NoFilmSchool (and the DSLR Guide)! If you don’t have a website, please share NoFilmSchool via Facebook, Twitter, or any other social network. Also, be sure to friend us on: Facebook...
Words: 22155 - Pages: 89
...TRENDS IN CHARGES FOR PAY TV SERVICES, THE QUALITY OF SERVICES PROVIDED TO CONSUMERS AND SUBSCRIBER NUMBERS Introduction and executive summary 1. In its Third Consultation Document, Ofcom concluded that there are relevant markets at the retail level for (a) “supply of Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2 or Setanta Sports 1 as well as HD versions of these channels or TV packages that contain these channels” and (b) “supply of television bundles containing Core Premium Movie channels”1. Part of Ofcom‟s analysis in support of these conclusions has involved consideration of changes over time in: (a) (b) (c) 3. charges for Sky‟s pay TV services; the quality of services provided by Sky to consumers; and the number of Sky subscribers. 2. In its inquiry Ofcom has put forward a view that Sky has continually raised charges for its pay TV services over time, reducing the value for money received by consumers, while at the same time increasing the number of its subscribers. Ofcom then infers from this assessment that Sky does not face effective competition at the retail level. Sky considers that the facts of the matter wholly contradict this assessment by Ofcom, and the inference that is drawn from it. Sky has already provided Ofcom with significant evidence collected by PwC, which shows that in relation to pay TV services UK consumers are well served compared to their European peers. Similarly, in its Response to Ofcom‟s Third Consultation Document, Sky demonstrated that Ofcom‟s proposition...
Words: 29463 - Pages: 118
...SECOND DRAFT Contents Preamble Chapter 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Background Rationale Aims Interface with the Junior Secondary Curriculum Principles of Curriculum Design Chapter 2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 1 Introduction Literature in English Curriculum Framework Strands and Learning Targets Learning Objectives Generic Skills Values and Attitudes Broad Learning Outcomes Chapter 3 5 7 9 10 11 11 13 Curriculum Planning 3.1 Planning a Balanced and Flexible Curriculum 3.2 Central Curriculum and School-based Curriculum Development 3.2.1 Integrating Classroom Learning and Independent Learning 3.2.2 Maximizing Learning Opportunities 3.2.3 Cross-curricular Planning 3.2.4 Building a Learning Community through Flexible Class Organization 3.3 Collaboration within the English Language Education KLA and Cross KLA Links 3.4 Time Allocation 3.5 Progression of Studies 3.6 Managing the Curriculum – Role of Curriculum Leaders Chapter 4 1 2 2 3 3 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 21 Learning and Teaching 4.1 Approaches to Learning and Teaching 4.1.1 Introductory Comments 4.1.2 Prose Fiction 4.1.3 Poetry i 21 21 23 32 SECOND DRAFT 4.1.4 Drama 4.1.5 Films 4.1.6 Literary Appreciation 4.1.7 Schools of Literary Criticism 4.2 Catering for Learner Diversity 4.3 Meaningful Homework 4.4 Role of Learners Chapter 5 41 45 52 69 71 72 73 74 Assessment 5.1 Guiding Principles 5.2 Internal Assessment 5.2.1 Formative Assessment 5.2.2 Summative Assessment 5.3 Public Assessment 5.3.1 Standards-referenced...
Words: 41988 - Pages: 168
