Invincible

It's taken over 30 years to make its way to the big screen but the Cinderella story of ex-teacher/bartender Vince Papale's triumph in the world of professional football came to life on the big screen in Invincible in 2006. Papale captured the attention of Philadelphia Eagles fans when he made it onto the team after Coach Dick Vermeil held open tryouts. The film version stars Mark Wahlberg as the lifelong football fan who just wanted his hometeam to play with heart – and maybe win a few game. Invincible follows the rules of the football film genre very closely but also added a couple of innovations to popular sport genre. The movie followed popular cliches of football films with the â€Å"new coach† who has radical new ideas and during the final game of the movie the starring team is down at halftime. One major cliche that Invincible innovates is the cliche that the star actor is the leader on the team; instead, he is the low man on the team and actually doesn’t make any great contributions to the team. In Invincible, the new and young coach Dick Vermeil is new to town and has a whole lot to prove. As much like most football films with a new coach, he has huge radical ideas for the teams operation. This is represented in the theme that he opens tryouts to anyone in the community to wants to play for the Philadelphia Eagles, mostly as a publicity stunt to bring fan support back up. This theme is also seen in â€Å"Remember the Titans† and â€Å"We are Marshall. This cliche often leads to a sub-cliche that the new coach has several obstacles to overcome and receives some sort of negative criticism in the early scenes of the film. This again is also shown in Invincible when the coach heavily gossiped about in the local pub where Papale works at. A second major cliche that is seen in numerous football films is the dramatic â€Å"final game† where the starring team is losing at halftime only to win in a last minute victory. In Invincible’s case, the final game is against the Dallas Cowboys in a conference championship game. The team is of course down and out about to lose it all when all of the sudden Papale forces a fumble on a punt return that gives the Eagles a bit of hope. The Eagles go to score on the returning drive with a crucial kickoff to the cowboys. Paple who only plays special teams sprints down the field to recover the kickoff and run the ball into the endzone for a touchdown puts the Eagles in the lead for a victory. The fact that Paple score a touchdown symbolizes the message that of the film which is that anyone can do anything they desire as long as the put forth the effort and determination. Often in football films the star player is hero of the team or the most talented. In Invincible the star play, Paple, is actually one of the less talented players on the team. Paple isn’t even one of the leaders on the team, for most of the film the rest of the team doesn’t like Paple because they think he doesn’t belong on the team nun the less the NFL. During practice the other players’ intensely try to hurt him so that he may quit or be unable to play. Paple turns out to be a hero for his community rather than a hero for the team. His motivation to keep going is his teammate’s disapproval and his friend’s support, which I sends a message that one must always pull forward even if his peers or colleges are against them. Invincible is a great football film that relies on the classic under-dog story that for some reason never gets old. The movie sends us messages that perseverance and determination lead to great things, which is very satisfying and compelling to witness. While this film follows most of the popular football film cliches, it still has its own key elements that make it unique. Football films such as Invincible and other renditions will always be cranked out of Hollywood on a regular basis for decades to come, but there’s just something about watching the beloved characters run down the field in slow-motion and jump high in the air for a dramatic last minute win, that never gets tiring to watch.

Abraham Lincolns Gettysburg Address, Facts and Myths

Abraham Lincolns Gettysburg Address, Facts and Myths On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered a few appropriate remarks at the dedication of Soldiers National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. From a platform set some distance away from the ongoing burial operations, Lincoln addressed a crowd of 15,000 people. The president spoke for three minutes. His speech contained just 272 words, including the observation that the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here. Yet Lincolns Gettysburg Address endures. In the view of historian James McPherson, it stands as the worlds foremost statement of freedom and democracy and the sacrifices required to achieve and defend them. Over the years, historians, biographers, political scientists, and rhetoricians have written countless words about Lincolns brief speech. The most comprehensive study remains Garry Willss Pulitzer Prize-winning book Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America (Simon Schuster, 1992). In addition to examining the political circumstances and oratorical antecedents of the speech, Wills dispels several myths, including these: The silly but persistent myth is that [Lincoln] jotted his brief remarks on the back of an envelope [while  riding the train  to  Gettysburg]. . . . In fact, two people testified that Lincolns speech was mainly composed in Washington, before he left for Gettysburg.Though we call Lincolns text the Gettysburg Address, that title clearly belongs to [Edward] Everett. Lincolns contribution, labeled remarks, was intended to make the dedication formal (somewhat like ribbon-cutting at modern openings). Lincoln was not expected to speak at length.Some later accounts would emphasize the length of the main speech [Everetts two-hour oration], as if that were an ordeal or an imposition on the audience. But in the mid-19th century, a talk of several hours was customary and expected.Everetts voice was sweet and expertly modulated; Lincolns was high to the point of shrillness, and his Kentucky accent offended some eastern sensibilities. But Lincoln derived an advantage from his high tenor voic e. . . . He knew a good deal about rhythmic delivery and meaningful inflections. Lincolns text was polished, his delivery emphatic, he was interrupted by applause five times. [T]he myth that Lincoln was disappointed in the result- that he told the unreliable [Ward] Lamon that his speech, like a bad plow, wont scour- has no basis. He had done what he wanted to do. Above all its worth noting that Lincoln composed the address without the aid of speechwriters or advisers. As Fred Kaplan recently observed in Lincoln: The Biography of a Writer (HarperCollins, 2008), Lincoln is distinguished from every other president, with the exception of Jefferson, in that we can be certain that he wrote every word to which his name is attached. Words mattered to Lincoln- their meanings, their rhythms, their effects. On February 11, 1859, two years before he became president, Lincoln delivered a lecture to the Phi Alpha Society of Illinois College. His topic was Discoveries and Inventions: Writing- the art of communicating thoughts to the mind, through the eye- is the great invention of the world. Great in the astonishing range of analysis and combination which necessarily underlies the most crude and general conception of it- great, very great in enabling us to converse with the dead, the absent, and the unborn, at all distances of time and of space; and great, not only in its direct benefits, but greatest help, to all other inventions. . . .Its utility may be conceived, by the reflection that, to it we owe everything which distinguishes us from savages. Take it from us, and the Bible, all history, all science, all government, all commerce, and nearly all social intercourse go with it. Its Kaplans belief that Lincoln was the last president whose character and standards in the use of language avoided the distortions and other dishonest uses of language that have done so much to undermine the credibility of national leaders. To re-experience Lincolns words, try reading aloud his two best-known speeches: The Gettysburg AddressThe Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln Afterward, if youd like to test your familiarity with Lincolns rhetoric, take our Reading Quiz on the Gettysburg Address.

How Societal Factors Influence Divorce in America Essays

How Societal Factors Influence Divorce in America Essays How Societal Factors Influence Divorce in America Paper How Societal Factors Influence Divorce in America Paper Discuss how societal factors influence divorce In America, based on research. Can you Identify additional factors that you think lead to divorce? Societal factors affect marriages and Influence divorce in America In many ways. Divorce Is legal separations of duties and responsibilities of marriage between couples. Divorce has many types to suit each situation some types are contested divorce, At-fault divorce, and No-fault divorce. Divorce and many its many forms affect the children some way or other. In America studies done by Jenifer L. Barrater and Roseland of the Education Resource Information Center found that the 1 percent increase unemployment rate affected the decrease of 1 percent of divorce rates in America in 2011. This finding of this research makes a lot of sense because people were financially challenged to afford the legal cost. Age of marriage affects divorce in America research been by Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield Missouri stats that when a couples that got married under the age of 25 as a higher chance of getting divorce than those who got married after that age. I read somewhere In the class book allowing the world wars that Divorce was greater social acceptance which Influence greatly In Americas today. One more factor I did wanted to add was Dual-worker Marriages. Dual-worker marriage couple usually has no or little time for relationship. Factors that I think that lead to divorce are cheating, abuse, financial stress, family. Cheating includes physical, emotional, or online cheating is relatively a new form of cheating online cheating involves lusting after someone or having an emotional connection with someone other than a spouse. Financial stress factors into divorce in any ways in can dispute peace and harmony in the home and it can cause blame games causing a couple to battle each other instead of battling the problem. Abuse like cheating comes In different forms like physical, emotional and Just like cheating It comes In patterns and cycles. Other factors I think that leads In divorce are education finished, social class and family stability, fading romantic Interest and leftover from a prior relationships. All those factors In one way or other contribute to divorce In some way other. Society has always impacted the way we live: the traditional family who ere farmed for food has gone away to the model families buying whatever they need in the urban areas. Divorce is no except to those changes. Stats show that divorce and marriage are effect by the same society we live in from depressions to wars to recessions. In my opinion I think its good that Americans are waiting to get married. According to the book The Marriage and Family Experience before 1974, the view of marriage as lasting till death do us a part reflected reality but today approximately 35 percent to 45 percent of all new marriages are likely to end in divorce. My dad has been married to my step mother for 14 years, at one point I suggest they should get divorce, neither one had any comments but as I looked back know I understand that part of the reason for staying together had a lot to do with me and my brother. I believe that divorce Is acceptable If the marriage cant be repaired after seeking help from multiple professionals and those professionals me the divorce is like a burning building and you and your family is on the highest floor with one fire escape but only one person if going to make it out alive. You may be divorced and happy but everybody else is affected for life.

Sources of Stress and Anxiety in Adolescent Students Study Assignment

Sources of Stress and Anxiety in Adolescent Students Study - Assignment Example Stress is the response or the reaction that a body shows when faced with disturbances that may be external or internal in nature and is actually a process by which one meets the challenges and threats in our daily lives (Myers, 2005). In an adolescent, if stress enhances the learning abilities it is known as good stress (â€Å"Eustress†), but if it inhibits or suppresses the capabilities and inherent potentialities of the adolescent, then it is bad stress (â€Å"Distress†) and must be avoided. An adolescent may face stress owing to parental pressure to excel in their studies, poor time management while organizing studies, while planning for their future which may often be hampered by parental interference, and also often due to impending school report cards and the parental reaction thereafter. This article will examine these causal factors for ‘adolescent stress related to studies’, and will explore its outward manifestations in various ways, like psycholo gical, physiological and social dysfunction in adolescents, and interventions to lessen stress. â€Å"Children are constantly being subjected to stress and conflict in their external environment: from family school and work, and nature; and in their internal environment: from their feelings of anger, anxiety, sadness and loneliness† (Arnold, 52). Stress may manifest itself in various ways, which may in effect cause our bodies to function differently as a reaction to the stressful situation. Khalid in his research papers on adolescent students has shown that over one-third (35.5%) of adolescents have had stress (Khalid, 33-37) while Bawens and Jack in their papers have concluded that adolescent stress comes mostly from school and are related to disproportionate amounts of assignments amounting to huge workload, frequent class examinations, biased behavior of the school teachers and the indignity of lagging behind the school peers in class studies.

Jesus Film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Jesus Film - Essay Example After His baptism and temptation, Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth and reads from the book of Isaiah. Several other times, references are made to other books of the Bible, especially as prophecy that Jesus fulfilled. Jesus: Fact or Fiction? is based on the Gospel of Luke. What is the significance of the Bible for understanding who Jesus is? Referring Jesus to the other books of the bible, more so the Old Testament seeks to reveal his divine nature, and purpose of restoring man’s relationship with God. It also helps in demystifying who he was to the Jews who expected a â€Å"liberator† of an earthly nature. The most-significant parable of Jesus is that of the Prodigal son. This parable refers to the relationship between man and God. From the parable, God can forgive and restore once man realizes his faults, confesses his sins and seeks God again. Jesus death in the film signifies the consequences of sin as death. He sacrifices himself, dying on behalf of man, and so the price has been paid, and man has been made free. Jesus resurrection reveals his godly nature. He is no longer human as only God has the power over death. In comparing the film to the Gospel of Luke, it is surprising that the film has revised, expanded, altered, and fictionalized, in some instances the Gospel of Luke. Even with these modifications, the message about Jesus according to the Gospel of Luke is delivered home. Jesus’ person and deeds are important to a Christian worldview in the sense that he bridges man and God. It is through Him that a man shall see God. Jesus is portrayed as the â€Å"friend of man† even in man’s sinful state. He is man’s vindicator before God. Jesus person is simple and likable by the pure, destitute and hopeless in the societies who often are discriminated against. Jesus is the second member of the Holy Trinity, and therefore God the son

Compare two finacial statmetns Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Compare two finacial statmetns - Essay Example The BP financial statements reflect the FIFO methodology, which is first-in, first out when considering recognition of inventories. The first-in cost is represented by the cost of inventory at the start of the fiscal year and then a transfer to the cost of goods sold represent the oldest costs incurred, based on the volume of inventories sold, leaving the most recent costs of inventoried merchandise that was purchased or produced in-house. BP did not have to choose the FIFO method, they could have selected from a weighted average option, which â€Å"calculates the average cost of the items in the beginning inventory plus purchases made throughout the year† (McManus et al, 155). Under this option, the average is calculated in order to derive a cost of goods sold figure and the value associated with ending inventory at the end of the fiscal year. BP could have also chosen the LIFO method, which is last in, first out. The calculations show more recent merchandise costs as cost of goods sold after the items have been sold with the on hand inventory at the end of the year costed to the oldest costs associated with the inventories. Stakeholder-orienting reporting standards are issued by the SEC, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The purpose of filing these financial reports to the SEC are to â€Å"provide investors a full and fair disclosure of the securities being issued and the issuer’s business activities and financial position† (Marshal, McManus & Viele, 385). The basic premise of SEC guidelines ensures that the information being presented in the financial reports is congruent to the actual business activities of the organization and is an accurate representation of real-life financial status for the company. This organization acts as a monitoring agency to ensure that companies are not inflating earnings or

Macbeth Blind Ambition Essay Example for Free

Macbeth Blind Ambition Essay The tragedy, ‘Macbeth’, composed by William Shakespeare is a play of manipulation and blind ambition. This is clearly depicted through the character of Macbeth, a great man fallen from God’s grace. Initially, Macbeth’s is presented as a character with noble qualities, who earns himself the trust of King Duncan and admiration of his people. However, the meeting with the weird sisters takes a toll on his personality for the worse, as they ambiguously prophesise that Macbeth will become King of Scotland. Upon hearing this, Macbeth takes fate into his own hands and embarks on a journey of blind ambition. Ultimately, Macbeth’s character deteriorates and is destined to fall. Therefore, through the dramatic elements of the play, we anticipate the downfall of valiant Macbeth as a ramification of the fatal flaw of blind ambition. Blind ambition comes at the cost of our humanity. Macbeth aligns himself with the supernatural elements, which are associated with darkness and evil. Originally, Shakespeare introduces Macbeth as a great man, as depicted through the similes of Yes, as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion and â€Å"Signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This reflects Macbeth’s bravery, as he is bequeathed the gift of stars by King Duncan. Quite soon, however; we witness how he morphs into a two-faced, conniving snake, as illustrated through this simile â€Å"Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under it. † The audience immediately recognises the disparity between the dark supernatural elements and the elements of goodness and light. We expect the power play will be evoked through the illusions and half-truths through the paradox of â€Å"Fair is foul, and foul is fair. † A strong illusion that Shakespeare evokes to dramatise the mental state of Macbeth is the dagger soliloquy, â€Å"Is this a dagger which I see before me. † Whilst we see him in inner conflict over his intention to assassinate King Duncan, we recognise that he will not deviate from the path of darkness as he calls on the stars as seen through the apostrophe â€Å"Stars, hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires’. This establishes that Macbeth represents darkness and this contrasts to Duncan, as he is a symbolism of light. Through the apostrophe, â€Å"Come spirits, unsex me†, we perceive that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth align themselves to the supernatural world for power, and in return they are stripped off of their humanity. Shakespeare dramatises these events to challenge us to consider of ramifications of blind ambition. Taking destiny into one’s hands for self gain may lead to self annihilation, and unnatural chaos ensues. Once regicide is committed, Macbeth is overwhelmed by nausea, as he has â€Å"murdered sleep. He then realises the magnitude of his sins, as it is emphasised through this hyperbole â€Å"Will all Great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? † This imagery is juxtaposed with the litotes of â€Å"A little water will clear us of this deed. † Therefore, pathos is established between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, as they are anointe d by blood through the act of regicide, â€Å"My hands are of your colour†. Dramatic irony is established as we know that this couple can never be extricated from guilt. With little remorse, he embarks on a journey of self destruction and mass murder. There is no salvation for him, and this is clearly demonstrated through the metaphor â€Å"Stepped in so far, that, should I wade no more. † He repeats his mistakes as he continues the assassinations of the innocent, and his sins further escalate when he slain Macduff’s family. However, the further they continue on the path to darkness, the more plagued they are by the blood seeping from their hands, â€Å"Out, damned spot! † Macbeth also hallucinates and is haunted by Banquo’s ghost. This can be demonstrated through the imagery â€Å"Quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee† Unnatural chaos ensues as a result of King Duncan’s death and Macbeth’s unnatural deeds due to blind ambition. This is evoked through the disorderly image of and â€Å"Unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles. † Until another great being can overthrow tyrannical Macbeth, then the violation of nature’s order will not be restored. Shakespeare invites us to consider the law of ‘cause and effect’. Blind ambition overrides Macbeth’s rational mind and any sense of inherent moral sensibility. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are left tormented as they cannot sustain inner peace and sleep, â€Å"Sleep no more! which leads them to the brink of insanity. Furthermore Macbeth acknowledges that Duncan is at peace in the liberation of death, and he dramatises the inner conflict and insecurity through the paradox â€Å"To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus. † This foreshadows the downfall of Macbeth and soon he will be released from his torment. Blind ambition robs Macbeth’s foresight and without realising it, it puts a strain on his and his wife’s marriage. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s mental deterioration is emphasised through their severed relationship. As a result of blind ambition, Lady Macbeth resorts to suicide. She lives in fear, as she is constantly plagued from the murder. Therefore, death is her release. Shakespeare invites us to evaluate our behaviour and challenge us to take responsibility for our own actions. As a result of blind ambition, Macbeth is trapped in an illusion of perception versus reality. He consolidates his relationship with the supernatural elements. The witches present three apparitions, which include the â€Å"armed-head†, â€Å"bloody child† and the â€Å"boy with a crown and a tree from his hand. This directs Macbeth to the road of self-annihilation, and through the half-truths, dramatic irony is established and this serves to heighten tension, as the audience expects the downfall of Macbeth. Macbeth is struggling to find the purpose to live, as exemplified through litotes of â€Å"Out, brief candle†. He compares his life to a â€Å"brief candle† that is easily blown out by the wind and it connotes that human life is uncertain. â€Å"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,† Macbeth laments on the loss of his future, as he comes to term of his inevitable demise. Therefore, Macbeth is associated with pathos, and as an audience, we do pity his pathetic being. In the climax of the play, Macbeth is confronted by noble Macduff and it is revealed that the witches’ ambiguous prophecies were half-truths and Macbeth was so wrapped up in his own illusion that he could not see through it. As a result, it led to his downfall. The catharsis is established when Macduff defeats Macbeth and claims justice to Scotland. Shakespeare writes to raise awareness that some things are not what they appear to be. By the end of the play, we witness the downfall of Macbeth as a result of blind ambition. Blind ambition robs Macbeth of his humanity and foresight, and because of this, Macbeth’s character has deteriorated, as his deterioration is manifested through acts of massacres. In the end, Macbeth does not fully redeem himself, although he does hold regret for the heinous deeds he has committed, and therefore, he dies an undignified death. Hence, Shakespeare invites us consider the natural cycle of ‘cause and effect’ and how acts of blind ambition can lead to deadly consequences.