Adoption of the Euro and the European Countries Economies Essay

Adoption of the Euro and the European Countries Economies - Essay Example It is evident from the study that the need to achieve a stable monetary and economic stability for these countries, the need for appropriate rule of law and respect for the human rights and the protection for the minorities, the proper and efficient functioning of the market economy, to enhance the capability of all the countries to work together in the face of economic as well as political crises and pressure of the market forces etc. It was also aimed to achieve full cost transparency and price transparency. These were aimed to achieve for the single market for goods and services as well as for labour and capital. They aim was focused on the achievement of the exchange rate stability and economies of scale in the production process and hence on an efficient market mechanism with efficient market allocation and distribution of resources. Among the other major economic goals, the need for an introduction of low inflation and low level of long-term interest rates for the member countr ies. The benefits obtained from the adoption of the euro can be discussed considering two perspectives. One is from the point of view of the economies of each countries and the other from the perspective of the euro zone as a whole. Considering first the entire euro area it can be said that the adoption has helped all the countries to achieve greater economic and monetary stability. It also helped to achieve greater economies of scale as well as greater economies of scope in the production of goods and services. ... g the other major economic goals, the need for an introduction of low inflation and low level of long-term interest rates for the member countries (Tumpel-Gugerell, 2007). Benefits: The benefits obtained from the adoption of the euro can be discussed considering two perspectives. One is from the point of view of the economies of each countries and the other from the perspective of the euro zone as a whole. Considering first the entire euro area it can be said that the adoption has helped all the countries to achieve greater economic and monetary stability. It also helped to achieve greater economies of scale as well as greater economies of scope in the production of goods and services. It also helped in achieving efficient market outcomes with efficient allocation of scarce resources of the economies along with efficient distributions. The biggest benefit from the adoption was the exchange rate stability and the price stability among the member countries. After the adoption, the Euro pean countries experienced low rate of inflation and lower rate of long-term interest rates (Tumpel-Gugerell, 2007). There has been a process of convergences with respect to stable long-term interest rates and low inflation rates. After the adoption of the euro, monetary policies became more credible to the markets compared to the pre-adoption period. This was one of the major benefits that the eurozone has acquired from the introduction of a single monetary authority. The monetary policies were initiated with the major goal of reaching price stability and interest rate stability. The targeted inflation rate was mentioned to be within 2 % in the medium run (Schadler, 2005, pp. 106-110). Events, such as oil price shock in the early 1990s, have created great barriers to achieve this price and

E-Commerces Effect on B2B Relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

E-Commerces Effect on B2B Relations - Essay Example Organizations typically participate in more than one exchange in order to derive network advantages from complementary goods and services. Participating in an existing web-enabled B2B exchange allows organizations to reduce their own online start-up costs and to benefit from lower customer acquisition costs. (Kabir, 2004). "Today, supply chain management is far more important than manufacturing as a core competence; so much so that it's possible, as Nike and Cisco Systems have amply demonstrated, to dominate the market for a product without owning so much as a single factory" (Taylor, 2003). Online business-to-business (or B2B) exchanges are widely used in commercial and industrial sectors be it automotive or retailing. The Wall Street Journal (2003) reported that US businesses spent $482 billion in B2B transactions, up 242% from 2001. It was predicted that by 2006 $5.4 trillion in goods and services would be transacted B2B. Bandyopadhyay et all (2006, 512). B2B exchanges lower the cost to buyers through the automated nature of the procurement process. Further transaction cost falls occur with the use of reverse auctions. Value is added because of the interoperability of the application platform amongst users. Users are able to plan in concert. Ordanini et al (2004) investigated the factors which determined success for B2B electronic market places or exchanges in Italy.They looked at the content, structure and governance of a variety of business models, using a cluster analysis of the three dimensions. They found that in a period of 3 years (2000-2003) B2B e-commerce operators had fallen from 120 to 40, with less than 50% of the survivors operating above break-even. Research shows that similar patterns have occurred in the US and Europe. Ordanini et al found that private, large exchanges were generally more successful, due to their "superior capability to generate turnover compared to vertical niche operators" (Ordanini et al, 2004, p281). Electronic marketplaces were supposed to be a panacea to all the ills of electronic data interchange with its proprietary systems and 1:1 networking. An internet based platform promised disintermediation and new sources of competitive advantage, since the Internet was based on generic public standards and considerably cheaper to make use of. Figure 2: Alternative Business Models: Output of the Cluster Analysis. Source-Ordanini et al (20

Principles of Instructional Design Essay Example for Free

Principles of Instructional Design Essay Pilot or field test are programs where new software concepts or new project ideas are tested and reviewed. A pilot test takes place earlier before the initial implementation of the project. During these period of field test participants are encouraged to provide feedback not just on the project being implemented but how the project is useful and how it can be improved. Its main aim is to influence the feature and the future of the final product to be implemented. Also peoples reaction about the project or soft ware should be taken into consideration as they are they main target. Pilot tests are mostly used during the implementation of new ideas . Pilot tests are also plans, conducts, directs and reports associated with ideas to bring new designs, development, and modification of a new or existing product (Taylor, 2005). Pilot tests are important because they help create better implementation of projects or soft wares or improve the existing project or software. For example, mobile phones Company like Nokia it has to have a tester before it starts mass production. Testers help the new soft ware to fit within their current corporate system and preview new features which the consumers expect to get in the final product. Feed back is vital because about the soft is vital because it helps in determining the features to be enhanced in the final software (Paul, 2000). Field test is important because it provides an ideal way of meeting quality product and meeting all the requirements as requested by the consumers. Also it helps reduce chances of loss because a company produces according to the response they got from the consumers . If it’s software they indicate all adjustments indicating such that the final soft meets consumer needs. In addition, the field test gives peoples perception about the ability of a product or project . Issues of connectivity with the current surrounding are important. Pilot test also enables a company to know the test and preference of its consumers. A company is able to understand its consumers know what to expect from them, their likes and preferences, cultural behaviors, ethics and believes. Field test is a good idea because it helps reduce wastage of resources and time. As a result, less energy is spent improving the quality of the final product. Resources which could have been used in mass production of certain products are reduced and used after the pilot test. This helps to reduce losses which could have been incurred. A field test also creates a new opportunity. After reading the feedback companies are able to look into ideas which they consider might be vital to them some of he ideas create new opportunities which it could get if the company had not carried out a pilot test. Pilot test are important because they prepare organization and companies on what to expect when they implement the final plan. That helps the organizations to introduce strategies on how to tackle problems which they encounter because they are aware of some of the problems. Some of the obstacles found when carrying out field test are; failure to rely on the collected information because of lack of good feedback also known as standardized field sobriety testing. For example a research conducted for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration where the purpose of the research was to provide a reliable method of determining intoxication caused by highway vehicle and the best way to reduce congestion in the highway. Another obstacle is negligence by the people by not considering g to get involved in the project. This makes it difficult for an organization to get the appropriate information regarding their program. Also negligence in terms of the consumers failing to give the appropriate information regarding their project or product. Also high pricing when doing pilot test. Many people will feel uncomfortable buying a new product at a very high cost which is just acting as a tester in the market and opt to avoid. An example is a mobile company introducing a new phone in the market and selling it at a very high cost. Also when implementing some pilot programs a lot of money is spend because some materials are given free of charge and the company end up investing a lot money in the pilot test which may not bring positive impact to the company. In order to overcome some of these obstacles, the workers of the organization are supposed to give feed back which is reliable. Reliable in terms of truth. In addition, give testers at a lesser cost to get many people getting involved in giving commends for the implantation of the final product. Also pilot tests are carried out in areas with a large population and also a population in which the product is supposed to serve. Conclusion In conclusion, pilot or field tests are very important because they act as samples for the final plan or product there for an organization is able to improve its product or plan depending on how the market responds. Also less risk are involved because this is not the final plan so finances are saved for final implementation no huge losses are incurred this are testers. Since pilot program take place before the initial launch of the final plan the organization is able to provide ways of solving problems which they predict may occur and provide means of minimizing those problems.

Movie Analysis Of The Film Legion

Movie Analysis Of The Film Legion The movie opens with a scene of a vast, barren land with a womans voice on the background solemn and weary. The woman narrates about her memories of her mother constantly reminding her to always have a heart-to-heart talk with God. This was true until that moment they were left by her father (the husband). Instead, she only talks about the Apocalypse, saying that God has become tired of this crazy bullshit. The next scene is in Los Angeles, the 23rd of December 1:02 am. There is darkness filled with chaotic sounds such as sirens, the loud thunder and shattering of glass with a reflection of a bloody moon. Then came Michael, falling from the sky. He went to a dark alley, pulled an ornate knife and started peeling of his coat, revealing his wings (through shadow). He began tearing his wings from his back using the sharp knife. To tend his wounds, Michael went inside a weapon/gun/survival shop (GUN AND SPORT WORLD), killing the person guarding it from the inside. He used a fishing wire to stitch the horrendous holes on his back left by the detachment. He raced along racks and racks of guns, searching for weapons the right ones. Meanwhile, two cops, Burton and Estevez, patrols downtown in their police car (LAPD). Burton blurted how burning the streets would make him happy. A fresh start, thats what this place needs. he said. Estevez was not even finished expressing his thoughts when a loud explosion commenced almost right in front of them. Michael gradually appears from the smoke carrying two huge sports bag. He was confronted by the two cops, ordering him to drop the bags and to position his hands behind his head. Estevez slowly approached him and attempted to cuff his hands but as soon as he was near, Michael was able to grab him to be used as a human shield. Burton, while pointing the gun towards Michael and commanding him to let go of his partner, suddenly had his head shaking like mad. The now possessed Burton reminded and warned Michael that this was not the orders given to him by God and if he continues he will die together with the baby (human races only hope).Michael was able to kill the possessed c op, leaving both cops lifeless. He drove away using the police car. The movie continues with the scene showing what is going to be the main venue of the movies highlights. There is a couple of old silver trailers which looked like has not moved from the ground for a long period of time. Then, there was Jeep Hanson, bolted awake from a bad dream, covered with sweat and breathing deep. He got up from bed, stepped out of one of the trailers, gazed up to the diners roof where a large sign glows PARADISE FALLS GAS N GRUB and contemplated. Then came Charlie, a very pregnant girl who asked Jeep if he is alright and shared that she could not sleep because of the constant kicking of the baby. They had a deep conversation about how he worries about her too much even though the baby is not his. Jeep said that she can laugh like everybody else but he believes that she can be better with him and that they can raise the baby together. Charlie just kissed him on the cheek and left. It is now morning, a regular day for the keepers of the diner. Bob, the owner and Jeeps father, is shown trying to fix the TV while a black named Percy is cooking on the grill. They had a short conversation about their partnership and relationship. While on the other side of the diner, there is a beautiful girl, Audrey, seductively leaning over a jukebox. She is the epitome of rebellion. Watching their daughter move her hips to the beat, Howard and Sandra Anderson were both disgusted. The couple and the daughter had a few exchanges as to why she dressed like that and how she did not fail in answering them back every time. A black Cadillac driven by a black, Kyle, blazed the desert path. He passed a weathered road sign ENTERING PARADISE FALLS, NEXT SERVICES 50 MILES. He grabbed his cell phone only to find out that there is no signal in the area. He then spotted the diner just up the road ahead. He pulled over and got out of the car. Leaning next to the broken phones is Charlie. Kyle grabbed a crumpled hand drawn map and showed it to the very pregnant woman who was then smoking. He let out a statement that smoking is not going to do any good for the baby. Intrigued, Charlie said that she might consider quitting. Kyle asked Charlie if he is anywhere near where he is going by showing the map. Charlie said he is not even close. Jeep saw the two talking and asked if everything is alright. Charlie said that the man is just lost and needs a phone, and that was when they both entered the diner. Bob, upon seeing cigarette sticks held by Charlie, claimed that it is about time for her to quit smoking due to her condition. Charlie replied that he is not in the position to tell her that since he also smokes that heavy. Charlie then gave a pack of cigarettes to Kyle. Kyle is about to ask Bob if he can use his phone when Howard butted in to verify when will their car be fixed. Bob went out of the diner and into the mechanics bay only to find out that Jeep is not doing his job fixing the car, instead, the man is busy cleaning up a small crib for Charlies. Bob became upset and started confronting Jeep about what he is doing with his life, about his obsession towards Charlie and about his future. Bob thinks that it is time for him to leave the place. Jeep said otherwise, saying that he is constantly having dreams about Charlie and about something that he needs to do but having a hard time figuring it out. Bob told him that he had same visions when he was young, which only led him to his mediocre life right now. Bob walks back to the diner. Dark clouds form and line the horizon to the south. Jeep shifts his gaze up to the north highway. Same thing. A storm is coming. Meanwhile, back into the diner, Kyle is again about to address Bob on using the phone when something caught Bobs attention. The TV is on snow-screen. Bob gave it a final wallop and the picture snaps into the STARK GRAPHIC OF THE EMERGENCY BROADCASTING SYSTEM accompanied by its hollow tone which filled the diner. Percys old battery-powered radio did the same thing, hollow tone station after station. Kyles conversation with his son was cut off and dial tone was lost. Audrey speculated that it can be a terrorist attack. Bob calmed everyone down (especially Mrs Anderson) and speculated that this was just a line problem. A beat up Eighties Cutlass Supreme pulled off the highway and stopped abreast the pump station. An old lady stepped out of the car with her metal frame and wheels of a walker. Grandma entered the diner and ordered, commented on how unusual the name Charlie is for a girl. The old woman smiled to the Andersons and said that things will be over soon. Jeep entered the diner and quietly huddled with Bob about the cars condition. He said that he could try to fix the car but it might take time. Bob was upset about the news. Moments later, Charlie handed over the order and started having a conversation with the guest. As what seemed to be a sudden turn of event, Gladys started cursing and exclaiming that all babies should burn including Charlies. Mortified with what she heard, Sandra tried silencing Gladys but she failed, only to be called a cunt who always complain. Shocked and stirred with what Gladys has said to Sandra, Howard stood and tried making Gladys apologize for what she said. Gla dys lunges towards Howard and took a bite out of his neck which made him crumbled to the floor. Percy threw a pan to the old woman which broke her neck. Surprisingly, she is still standing, ready to assault anyone in the diner. She jumped and started walking on the wall and up to the ceiling like a lizard/crab, landed right in front of Bob, who was shooting his shotgun, slapped him, and knocked him unconscious. The shotgun clatters at Jeeps feet. Jeep snatches it and aims at grandma but cannot pull the trigger. He does not have enough courage to do so. Gladys screamed he cannot save HER and rocketed straight at him when suddenly three gunshots came from behind which knocked Gladys dead. It was Kyle with his gun. Percy, Kyle, Sandra and Audrey frantically carry Howard, his neck bandaged, to the Escalade. Kyle drove as fast as he could, hitting the gas hard. Audrey noticed the dark clouds ahead but was not sure what it was. Kyle grips the wheel, picking up speed. Suddenly, hundreds of tiny bugs begin to hit the windshield. They are not clouds, they are flies! The car then entered the swarm. Everyone is screaming. Back to the diner, Jeep is puking into a toilet bowl. Bob is tending his sored cheek. The father and son had a conversation about what happened moments ago. Jeep is hurting inside, telling his father how coward he was not being able to pull the trigger. Bob comforted his son by telling him that it was alright and that not everybody can play hero. They heard the sound of the front door chimes. Kyle, Percy, Sandra and Audrey carry Howard into the diner, all of them gasping for air. They narrated what happened on their way and Percy raced for the back to get his Bible and to start praying. A police cruiser skidded to a wild stop in front of the diner. It was Michael. Charlies face lit up when she saw the police car but froze a few feet from the car when she saw those piercing eyes of Michael. In moments, Bob, Kyle and Jeep formed a protective shield in front of Charlie. Bob raised his shotgun and demanded Michael to show his teeth. Michael let out a dangerous smile and snatched the gun from Bob, telling them that they do not have much time and possessed people like Gladys will arrive in no time. Michael distributed the weapons from the cars trunk and ordered everyone to go back inside the diner and seal the place. Everybody is clueless of what is happening. That night, two headlights appear in the darkness. An ice cream truck rolls slowly toward the diner. The eerie music emanates from the speaker on its roof. A tall figure stepped out of the van. The ice cream man is unnaturally thin. His gaze snaps up to the roof, jaw unhinges, bolts to the diner with startling speed. Michael and the men started firing. Bullets rip into the creatures body, knocking him on his back, arms and legs still twitched. Not long after, numerous headlights appear from the darkness as what seemed to be a parade of commuters. The men let loose with ferocious firepower. Explosions here and there, tires blow out, engines crash; vehicles swerve and collide with one another. Dark shapes bolt from the burning vehicles, scattering and surveying the condition of the area. They converge the diner form all directions, they move so fast it is as if their feet do not touch the ground. The men followed Michaels instructions and cut down everything in sight. Casings drop from their weapons like mad. Bodies burst and crumble to the ground. Suddenly, something got a hold of Howards body. It was torn away from Sandra. Howard screamed for help. Sandra dived for Howards stretched hands. It was a teenager about Audreys age. See what you made me do, mother!? Charlie and Audrey rushed to Sandras side. Howard screamed as his body is torturously stretched. Then, another disfigured man punched through the window, grabbed Charlies hands. Jeep came to rescue and grabbed her free arm just before shes pulled through. Without the help, Howard is ripped from his familys hands and out of the window. The dark figures started to pull back as if they had what they want. Charlie was still struggling from the rip of the creepy man when a sound of metal slashing flesh was heard. It was Michael who managed to disarm the possessed. Jeep and Charlie scooted away from the window as Michael lit up the night with successive firepower. After the incident, Bob demanded some explanation of what was going on. Michael told them that this is extermination; that the weakest willed are the easiest to turn. Those people were possessed by angels. Percy pointed out what he knows is that angels are the good guys, followed by a statement from Bob that he does not even believe in God. Michael said that their beliefs do not matter right now as the only thing that matters is the safety of Charlies baby. This intrigued Charlie, saying that she is just a regular waitress not worthy of any saving. The fallen angel stressed the fact that she bears the child who is the only hope for mankind, the Messiah. Either your child lives or Mankind dies, he said. They guarded from the roof in shifts of two. Percy and Kyle were first. They had a conversation about Percy being in army for two tours and about the gun Kyle used to kill grandma. They were surrounded with coldness. Percy let out a memory when he was a kid, when his father used to remind him to be happy and be satisfied with life until the very last day. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Bob was cooking while Sandra stared blankly at her prescriptions. Bob, noticing how distressed Sandra is, offered a can of beer. Sandra politely accepted it and sipped a little, reminded her of Howard and how he was the beer drinker in the family. Sandra burst to tears. Jeep and Michael had a conversation about everything going on and about Michaels past. Michael narrated that he was once the general of His army and that his love and hope for mankind has not yet lessened. Jeep questioned Michael as to why he continued believing in mankind. He shared that he had witnessed mankind abuse the gift given to them through wars and killings. He also shared how he saw some people not lose hope which Some people, realize that being lost is so close to being found. He said that Jeep is one of those people, that Jeep is one of the reasons he is doing this right now. Michael headed for the roof, left Jeep staring after him, deep in thought. There is a faint glint of sunlight, the 24th of December. Michael is searching the horizon for movement. Sandra awakened, heard the voice of Howard calling her. Sandra rushed to the back door, pushed the tables blocking her way out. Kyle tried to stop Sandra but her determination and longing to see her husband helped her knock the black man, hit his head on the table. Audrey tried to do the same thing but was pushed back. Percy came to get a hold of the hysterical woman who managed to get out and was just a few feet away from the nailed husband. Suddenly, Howards body, covered with boils and pustules, exploded, shooting acidic juice around him. Percy was able to shield Sandra by making an about-face while holding her tightly. They managed to go back inside the diner. He came to a stop and fell, revealing the whole back side of his body, melted by the acid. Percy just died in front of Bob. Bob was so devastated by the death of his friend. Tears fell from his eyes. Meanwhile, a scene showed Sandra being tied by Bob and Michael. In a booth, Audrey watched as her mother is being restrained. She returned her attention to Percys radio, tuning, trying to find something in the static. After a while, she called everyones attention as she finely tuned the radio for the hint of a voice. It was a broadcast about a resistance formed against the possessed people on the outskirts of Las Vegas, also in Red Rock National in the northern Mojave Desert area. Michael countered everyones belief that they can head to Red Rock National for refuge, saying it is too risky to leave. Charlie stood at the sink, filled her lungs with smoke from the cigarette. She caught a look at herself in the mirror, run her hand along the curvature of her belly. Tears welled up in her eyes. Jeep and Charlie had a conversation about her not willing to give birth to the Messiah, about Jeeps unconditional love towards her and how she did not like the entire thing. Jeep left her in hurt and frustration, telling her to let him know if she is done feeling sorry for herself. Audrey and Kyle are bundled on the roof together, keeping watch. Kyle was teaching Audrey on how to hold a gun. Kyle was surprised, it is as if Audrey has been holding one all her life. Audrey stared to the red nothingness surrounding them. Then she shared why their family was on their way to Scottsdale. She told him that her parents believed that a more wholesome place would help her change her ways. The conversation turned into passionate kissing and touching. Then all of a sudden, the diner came back to life. The jukebox started filling the room with music, TV glowed with bright rolling static and the electric fans started spinning. After a moment, headlights appear on the highway. A Family Minivan stopped at the pump. A man jumped out of the car and, seeing that the coast is clear, raced around to the gas pump. Then an army of dark shades swarmed in fast. Kyle and Audrey tried all their might to warn the family about the trap but were too late. The man was bitten; splats of blood filled the vans windows. The mother and son frantically avoided the grips of the creatures. Kyle makes a desperately courageous play. He leaps onto the roofs sloped overhang sliding fast he drops to the ground in front of the diner. Kyle charges the dark mob. Creatures peel away from the woman and boy to confront Kyle head-on. He lets loose with a rain of bullets. He closes in on the family, blasting back the creatures huddled around them. He finds the young boy curled up with his hands protectively covering his face. Kyle swoops down and gathers the boy into his arms. Kyle moves on to the mother. But something odd is happening. Kyles throat is torn out. Kyle drops to his knees. Up on the roof, Audrey watches helplessly as Kyle falls. Out the window they see Audrey drop down from the roof and run towards Kyle. The boy moves toward Audrey, stepping over Kyles body. Audrey backs away. She looks toward the entrance to the diner. Theyre everywhere. Shes trapped. She notices the open door to the Minivan. And so she bolts. Audrey dives into the car as the throng of creatures ra pidly closes in. She hammers the auto door lock. She moves to the center of the car as gruesome faces press against the windows. With stunning calm, Michael marches straight for the pumps. In the minivan, Audrey screams as the windows begin to crack. Michael grabs a gas pump, flips the lever and points it at the minivan. The creatures covering the car turn to look at Michael. And thats when he starts spraying gas at them. Up comes Michaels gun in his other hand and shoots the spray of gas turning it into a spray of fire. The minivan is engulfed in flames. Bursting out of flames, Michael marches confidently into the diner. Jeep slams the door closed just as the wall of fire reaches them. Michaels clothes are a smoky, smouldering mess. Jeep and Bob rush to pat him down. Charlie dashes behind the counter to the sink. She fills up a pitcher of water. The young boy with the lifeless white eyes stands before her wielding an enormous butchers knife. The boy swings the knife at her, slicing open the waitress outfit covering her pregnant belly. Charlie tumbles back to the ground behind the counter. She frantically pushes herself away from the approaching boy. The boy instinctively raises his hands to strike again, but theres no knife. Charlie watches in horror as the boy calmly realizes that his thumbs are missing. Charlie pulls her legs in close then rockets them out at the boys chest. Hes catapulted away from her. Michael leaps over the counter, landing in front of Charlie, guns ready for action. But the boy is gone. Jeep and Bob whip up their guns as Michael throws the wicked creature into the air. Audrey helps Charlie to her feet. She winces. Charlie, drenched in sweat is writhing on the ground with Michael holding down her arms and Audrey kneeling bet ween her legs. Pots of steaming water surround them. Charlies screaming rises up from below. A deep, long, rumbling tone rising up off the plain, as if emanating from the largest horn ever constructed. Michael reacts to the sound. Urgency comes over him. Audrey arrives with more steaming water. Charlie pushes, tears streaming down her face, delirious with pain. Jeep and Bob watch helplessly as the army of creatures has closed within a hundred yards of the diner. Their ranks stretch back seemingly without end into the darkness. Jeep rests a comforting hand on his fathers shoulder. Bob pulls his son close and hugs him with all his might, tears filling his eyes. Audrey places the child in Charlies arms. She stares at the baby, holding it at a distance, unsure of whether to embrace it or be terrified by it. A commitment shes not yet ready to make, even at this late hour. Off Charlies look, we move across the diner where Audrey approaches her mother, kneels down in front of her. Despite how much her mother pisses her off, it breaks her heart to see her in such a demoralized state. Audrey moves to hand over the baby to Charlie. Sandra springs out of the chair an snatches the baby from Audreys arms. Sandra backs away from them, moving toward the front door. Hers is the face of madness. A brilliant spectral light pours into the diner. Sandra is blinded. She raises a hand to block the light. And thats when Michael fires. Sandra staggers back, blood dripping from the hole in her forehead, and the baby goes flying from her hand. Charlie screams and everything suddenly goes very quiet. Jeep dives for the baby, catching the bundle of rags mere inches from the ground. And then he looks up to see the dark silhouette of a man approaching from out of the spectral light a man with wings. Jeeps eyes grow wide as the fierce angel steps into the diner. This is a creature built for war. His body armour making him appears disturbingly insect-like. His wings are not feathery or gentle. Rather they are hard, mechanical, an organic machine. The angels wings retract with clockwork-like precision. Gabriel flies into a wall in an attempt to crush Michael. He fails that but succeeds in leaving a massive dent. Gabriel runs/flies for the opposite wall. This one doesnt hold and the two enemies crash through it into the bathroom. Unbelievably Michael is still holding on. Gabriel is up. He thrusts himself back into the bathroom mirror. It shatters painfully behind Michael. Gabriel rages out of the bathroom and into the diner. Michael continues to ride him like a wild bull. Gabriel slams Michael into a wall once more. Its a brutal struggle. Gabriel spots his mace sticking out of the wall within arms reach. He grabs it, holding it futilely in front of him. Gabriels strength is giving w ay. Michael is winning. Gabriel lets out a tremendous roar and plunges one of the maces long spikes into his own stomach. Michaels eyes go wide with surprise, his grip loosens. Gabriel has run them both through. Gabriel rips the mace from his body and stumbles forward. Blood pours from a huge hole in Michaels chest right through his heart. Gabriel looks down at the hole in his own belly not nearly as bad as Michaels. Michael falls to his knees weakening. Gabriel looms over Michael. Michael looks up at him, blood leaking from his mouth. Gabriel watches as the last of the writing fades from Michaels body when he hears a faint clicking sound from somewhere in the diner. Gabriel moves gracefully through the destroyed diner, toward the source of the clicking. He steps behind the counter and finds Bob lying in a massive pool of blood. It takes the creature a moment to realize that the clicking sound is coming from Bobs lighter. Bob is focusing every last ounce of life in his body to lighting that lighter. Bob looks at Gabriel. And with one last brush of his thumb, Bobs trusty lighter ignites. Gabriels eyes go wide as the tiny flames dance in front of the stoves broken gas line. Gabriel spins and runs like hell as the gas explodes. Jeep tries to hide his pleasure that the tables have turned at least a little. Charlie is about to respond when Audrey leans in from the back seat. Gabriel smashes down on the cruisers roof with massive force. Jeep grabs the gun and fires wildly up at the roof. Gabriel takes a direct hit in the thigh, causing him to slide off the roof and onto the trunk where he grabs a hold of the rear window frame for support. Audrey desperately tries to load a flare while avoiding Gabriels grasp. Jeep cant get off another shot without the risk of hitting Audrey. Gabriel is almost entirely in the car now. Audrey swings the flare gun toward Gabriel, but he knocks her hand aside just as she pulls the trigger and the flare goes off inside the car. Gabriel lunges over the passenger seat, grasping for Charlie, his ferocious hand only inches from her and the baby. Audrey leaps onto Gabriel, pulling him away from Charlie just in time. He flails wildly about but this young girl rides him like one hell of a cowboy. Jeep slams on the breaks, sending Gabriel and Audrey shooting forward through the windshield like bullet. The intertwined bodies of Gabriel and Audrey hit the road with a sickening crunch and roll into a ball of fire. Charlie, the baby bundled in her hands, leads Jeep away from the demolished cruiser. They are only a few steps from the edge of the ridge when Gabriel rockets up in front of them. Jeep pushes her and the baby out of the way just as Gabriel comes down hard in front of them, kicking up a cloud of dust. Gabriels mechanical wings haltingly retract. The crash has done some serious damage. Much of his skin has burned away. Gabriel is about to launch the finishing move when a ray of light blinded him as a creature descended from the heavens. It was Michael. Gabriel, pissed and agitated, launched an all-out attack to Michael with his rotating mace. After all, Michael was the General, countering the attack was a piece of cake. He managed to slice Gabriels stomach, rendering him immobile. Michael said that its enough and God has already seen what he needed. Gabriel took flight, leaving Michael and the newly-formed family behind. Michael took flight not long after, left them a message that the child is now their responsibility and that they would have to teach him all the goodness in the world. The last scene depicts a happy family, with a womans voice on the background just like in the opening, narrating that the birth of HER son marks the start of a new beginning for humanity. ~FIN~ B. CHARACTER ANALYSIS I. ARCHANGEL MICHEAL (Paul Bettany) The commander of The Army of God; defender of faith and of the church. In the movie, he abandoned his seat in heavens (thus a fallen angel) to follow what he believed. He believed that mankind can still change for the better and that people will someday understand one another. God lost his faith in mankind, he did not. Im saying this is extermination. Those things out there are vessels. The Possessed. The weakest willed are the easiest to turn. This, explained in brief by Michael, shows how he is very familiar with the situation on contrary with the other characters. Knowing the situation, he is the only character fully prepared for what is coming. Well thats just fine, Bob, he doesnt believe in you either. This shows how well he knows Him, how he can speak for Him. After all, he is the General of His army and he can easily listen to what Gods heart has to say (though in the movie, they are not allowed to). Listen. I simply dont care what you people believe. And those things outside, they dont care either. They just want the child dead. Now, this first attack was a test of our strength. The next will be a test of our weakness. Now we can sit here and discuss it Or you can try to help me. This shows his sense of urgency and leadership and how ready he is to protect what/who needs to be protected. When God chose your kind as the object of his love. I was the first in all of heaven to bow down before you. This tells us how Michael truly loves humankind and how honoured he was to serve in accordance to Gods will. No, Im following my own orders now. Depicts the rebellious act / change of heart of Michael to protect humanity against the Apocalypse. II. JEEP HANSON (Lucas Black) A selfless man, who is constantly having some nightmares about Charlie. After being left by his mother, Jeep decided to stay with his father in a deserted place. He was, somehow, the driving force of his father (Bob Hanson) to stay strong and sane after all of the wrong decisions he had made in life. He is a perfect example of a hopeful human being. Must know something I dont? Another bad dream..? Youre the only thing I like to worry about. Shows how caring and worried he is towards Charlies condition. I could help you. We could do it together. I want toà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ This line tells us how willing Jeep is to take responsibility of Charlies even if the child is not his own flesh and blood a statement that points out how selfless Jeep is and how he loves Charlie unconditionally. Look. I know it doesnt make much sense to you. Sometimes it doesnt make much sense to me either. Ive been having these dreams about her. Some of them so badà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ I wish Id never have to sleep again. I just feel like its something I got to do. In this line, Jeep expresses his strong belief that he is doing the right thing, and he is doing what needs to be done though he cannot truly explain what that thing is. As uncertain as he is, he insists on doing what he believes and no one can stop him from doing so (even Charlie). III. CHARLIE (Adrianne Palicki) The troubled pregnant woman, who self-pities and blames herself for all the time she has lost for herself. She considers herself capable of nothing and is of no importance. Youre worried about a girl thats eight months pregnant and it isnt your baby. Its enough to give anybody nightmares. This line shows how unappreciative she is towards those people who love and care for her. Why cant she just be thankful? Bob, see where Im at right now? Can my condition really get any worse? One of the lines that show how pretty good Charlie is in putting down herself. She considers her pregnancy as a condition she is neither proud nor happy about. For her, it was all a mistake Wait just a minute. This cant be happening. Im nobody, Im just a waitress. I dont even own a car. The text explains it all. What makes you think I can do that? What makes you think I want to do that? If hes so important, why dont you take him? After the baby was born, she did not care. It was the fruit of her mistakes. It was even hard for her to look at the baby. Well, her view towards life changes at the end of the movie, so pretty much reality has sank in and lived happily with Jeep. C. REFLECTION It is pretty fascinating to think how God has just given up and lost faith to humanity. He, of all the beings, should know that as humans, we are prone to committing the extremes becoming very disobedient or very beneficial to one another. HE has given us free will, and we have used it. I think when you give someone freedom to do whatever he/she wants to do, then you would have to accept his course of action. But then again, religion would counteract this with the concept of grace which we would have to live in His grace. The movie depicted how people turned against one another the weakest willed being possessed, becoming more powerful and less prone to death than the willed ones. So, why did He not do the other way around possessing the willed ones to kill the weakest willed to wipe them all out? Why did He just not nuke all the sinful places and bless the faithful ones? I think God wanted to give us a chance thanks to Michael; the Messiah was introduced to the world unharmed. It took a one hell of a catastrophe and a fallen angel to make people realize what has been in front of us ever since but dont know how to utilize peace. To conclude, man is born naturally good. It is up to him to stay good or defy what has been written. We just have to be

Million Dollar Baby Essay examples -- Movie Film Movies Essays

Million Dollar Baby Million Dollar Baby, Clint Eastwood’s latest movie as a director has been getting more and more positive reviews recently and it is even better than Mystic River. At first glance, the film looks like another boxing-movie clichà ©. However, Eastwood has succeeded in creating a compelling and moving story about the intricate world of human relationships, the price of success and the realization of dreams. The movie explores many different subject matters. Million Dollar Baby is about friendship and respect. It is about love and it is about dreams. The main theme of the movie is the boxing career of Maggie Fitzgerald (played by Hilary Swank) - a 30-year old waitress who lives alone and barely gets by. However, she is strongly determined to become a professional boxer and this is why she seeks the help of Frankie Dunn (played by Clint Eastwood), a boxing trainer and an owner of a gym. Initially, Frankie is unwilling to train her because she is female and too old to have any chance of achieving significant accomplishments in professional boxing. However, Frankie’s friend and associate Eddie Dupris (played by Morgan Freeman), really believes in Maggie and lets her train in a corner of the gym. As time passes, Maggie’s persistence and Eddie’s pushiness finally change Frankie’s mind. This is when the true story begins. Maggie’s determination and strong will to fulfill her dream, combined with Frankie’s excellent training skills launch both of them into the professional boxing orbit where the y gloriously win battle after battle. Although the story seems like a big clichà ©, in truth, the world of Million Dollar Baby involves much more than boxing and success. Clint Eastwood treats such subject matters as love, f... ...she is happy. In general, all the actors in the movie make the audience feel what they are feeling and this is essential for the movie as the plot is deeply emotionally charged. As reviewer Sean O’Connell notes in his column at Filmcritic.com, Million Dollar Baby was expected to be â€Å"a half-baked, rushed-into-awards-season castoff by a respected filmmaker still basking in the glow of his last well-received piece†. Fortuitously, the movie has turned out to be one of the best motion pictures of the year. Once again Clint Eastwood surprises us all with his work as a film director. He gives the audience a chance to consider life from another viewpoint. The movie makes one think about what he or she has achieved in life and Maggie shows us that it is never too late to have a dream fulfilled. After all, this is why we are actually born and live: to fulfill our dreams.

Death comes for the archbishop :: essays research papers

Death Comes for the Archbishop By Willa Cather Willa Cather is the author of the award winning novel Death Comes For The Archbishop written in 1927. She was born in 1873 near Winchester, Virginia and soon moved to Nebraska (Cather, 1927). During her childhood she was surrounded by foreign languages and customs. Even at her young age she felt a connection to the immigrants in Nebraska and was intrigued with their connection to the land. Willa also loved writing about the vanished past of the American Southwest where nature and Christianity is opposed to the modern urban life and society (http://fp.image.dk). She was raised Episcopalian and later in life she joined the Protestant Church in search for spirituality while still being captivated with the grandeur of ceremonies performed in the Catholic Church. These fascinations were projected directly into to her writings, as seen in her book Death Comes For The Archbishop. This book was awarded the Howells Medal of the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1930 (http://www.geocitie s.com). This book is considered an American Classic due to its longevity in popular literature. It also provides the important historical background on the Catholic Church and its impact on the American Southwest. Willa emphasizes, through her writings, the hardships of the people involved in making this part of America what it is today. It points out the influence of the earliest Spanish missionaries of the 16th century through the latter part of the 19th century involving French missionaries and exposes the corruptness as well as the dedication of the missionaries of the church. The book’s main setting is in the 19th century, during the settlement of New Mexico and Colorado and recalls the journeys that a priest undertook and the hardships overcame in order to meet his and the churches goal of bringing the Catholic faith to Mexicans and native Indians. Through his travels and the spiritual work in the beautiful, yet rough environment he was radically transformed. He was especially i nfluenced by the experiences of the westward movement of the agricultural frontier because of the impact of the native people. The main character of this book is Father Jean Marie Latour. He was consecrated the Catholic Vicar Apostolic of New Mexico and Bishop of Agathonica in partibus at Cincinnati and was destined to reach his Vicarate (Cather 1927) and help the people of the land. When he was given his mission to retrieve the bishopric (Cather 1927) by the Vatican in Rome he accepted it whole heartedly.

Cultural Anthropology Essay -- Marching Band Arts Music Dance Papers

Cultural Anthropology Almost all cultures world wide have highly developed traditions of music and dance. According to Mari Womack, author of Being Human: An Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, music and dance carry much importance within a culture. "As do other artistic forms, music and dance reflect cultural and social organization. Cultural values can be conveyed in the words of a song, and the performance of a song or a dance is dependent on the social context" (Womack 226). Music and instruments are of great significance in many places world wide. For example, the BaMbuti foragers from Africa's Ituri rain forest have an instrument which they call the molimo which looks like an extremely long pipe. The men of the BaMbuti culture are the owners of the molimo and behave as if it is alive. Women and young boys are forbidden any contact with the molimo, because of its importance in male initiation rites (Womack 226). In the United States, we also have extensive rituals involving music and dance. For ex ample, in wedding receptions, many rules prevail about who dances with who when. The father-daughter dance, the bride and groom's dance, the mother-son dance, and the dollar dance are just a few of these rituals. Marching Band is another form of the music and dance combination. Marching may not sound like dancing, but, in reality, the marchers move in their individual paths which create forms that are constantly blending into each other and creating new forms. According to Jordan, my informant, "To me, it really is kind of art, just seeing all these forms move and mesh, with music to go with them and flags and stuff. It is a type of art, I guess." Along with just basic marching, the band adds choreography which produces wonde... ...s A. Sectionals B. Districts C. Regionals D. State VI. Football Games A. Home Componential Analysis of Band Activities Characteristics 1.0 1.1 Performing 1.2 Being Judged 1.3 Show on Field 1.4 Marching in Forms 1.5 Practicing Timing 2.0 2.1 Summer 2.2 During School Year 2.3 Sequential 2.4 Non-sequential Types of Activities Characteristics 1.0 Timing 2.0 Parades 1, 5 1, 4 Band Camps 5 1 Rehearsals 3, 4, 5 2 Invitationals 1, 2*, 3, 4 2, 4 Competitions 1, 2, 3, 4 2, 3 Football Games 1, 3, 4, 5 2, 4 *Marching Bands are judged at all invitationals, but their scores are not publicly announced when they are the hosting school. Works Cited Womack, Mari. Being Human: An Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc., 1998.