Saturday, February 29, 2020

A View of Alex Garland’s Film, Ex Machina

A View of Alex Garland’s Film, Ex Machina In the bathroom scene in Ex Machina (2015), Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) performs a test on himself, to see if he is an android like Ava, and, as he has just discovered, Kyoko. While one would think this scene should resolve the question, it only muddies the water. As Caleb examines himself in the mirror, green and blue digital effects flash on his face. Is this a function of the mirror, or a HUD of Caleb’s potentially robotic eyes? Or perhaps it is a non-diegetic element solely to heighten the viewer’s curiosity. Sound design plays an integral role in this scene as well. As he pulls at his teeth, small click sounds emanate from his mouth, which could be plastic pieces snapping, or just the sound of his fingers clicking on his teeth. The score features electronic instruments and synthesizers playing non-lyrical rising tones. This both reflects a mechanical mood, hinting that Caleb may be an android, and instills a sense of rising tension with the viewer, anxiously anticipat ing a reveal. The cinematography is vital to this scene’s function. The camera work toys with the viewer, first with quick, non-continuous cuts, followed by long, suspenseful shots, keeping the audience disoriented and unable to predict the pace of the scene. As the scene progresses, the lighting shifts to emphasize his bone structure, tantalizing the audience to see what is below his skin. One particular shot is composed so that Caleb’s arm and body form a triangle with his face obscured behind it. This separates the audience from Caleb, making the viewer wonder if they can trust and relate to him anymore. Is this a moment of revelation for him as he looks at his cut open arm? The framing of the shot, with his eye at the top of the triangle formed by his arm and body, is ever so slightly reminiscent of the Illuminati symbol, which could allude to the conspiracy facing Caleb. What is most compelling in this scene is Gleeson’s performance. What kind of human can cut deep into their own arm without so much as flinching or uttering a sound of pain? Though he begins the scene frantic and curious, he ends the scene staring at his reflection, unblinking in a very Terminator-like fashion. He ends the scene by punching the mirror, creating a shatter which very poetically mirrors the shatter on the glass between him and Ava. Though this ultimately proves to be a red herring, this scene all but convinces the viewer that Caleb is likewise a robot.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Assess the importance of Kerensky, Trotsky and Lenin in the outcome of Essay - 1

Assess the importance of Kerensky, Trotsky and Lenin in the outcome of the February and October revolutions of 1917 - Essay Example 12). In 1912, Kerensky was elected to become a member of the Fourth Duma in which he represented the Trudoviks. Kerensky was an active member in both camps of the Petrograd Soviet and the provisional government. It is worth noting that initially he was used as a bridge between the two principal bodies. During his time in the provisional government, he was the minister for justice, war, and became the prime minister later in his career (Acton, Cherniaev, & Rosenberg, 1997, p. 56). On the other hand, Lenin believed that Kerensky was not taking the Russians to the right direction and as a result, he used the Bolshevik party to engage the people in a revolution. The Russians were against the First World War and they thought that the Tsars were not fighting for their rights. When Lenin got the control of the government, he became more tyrannical than any other ruler in the history of Russia. This is despite the fact that the Russians believed that Lenin would fight for the rights of the common citizen (Kennan, 1989, p. 194). Strikes, food riots and the ensuing war made Russia ungovernable. When Lenin arrived by train from Switzerland, he was against the war and could not stomach Kerensky because he thought that he was not for reforms. Lenin mobilized the people and especially the army by promising them economic reforms and ending the war. Leon Trotsky was born by the name of Lev Davidovich Bronshtein and he initially supported Meshevik Internationalists. Prior to October Revolution, which occurred in 1917, he had joined the Bolshevik Party. He went ahead and became a prominent leader of the Bolshevik party. Despite the fact that he supported people and workers, he was later removed from power by the rise of Josef Stalin. By the time the February Revolution erupted during 1917 spring, Kerensky was among the most vocal leaders for the revolution. The fact that he was an

Saturday, February 1, 2020

Creating a Business Opportunity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Creating a Business Opportunity - Essay Example PVC market has been growing at a high rate in India because of its significant demand from the industry. The capacity of PVC growth has been gradually increasing by 10 percent compared to the world average production of 4 percent. The global PVC production and the consumption pattern has been growing and been compared with the world average. As per the statistical data of Chemical Marketing Associates Inc. (CMAI) the PVC demand had been 2.08 million tones and the capacity production was estimated around 34.8 million tons. The global demand of PVC production rose from 1.63 million tons to 3.1 million per tones. The demand for PVC production has been mainly for the manufacturing, glazing of the windowpanes and the doors. PVC chemical is required for the thermal production and its durability purposes (Butow & Taylor, 2009).Business Opportunity FeasibilityThe manufacturing of windowpanes is required to exhibit durability of the windowpanes and doors. The popularity of the windowpanes has been growing at increase rate in the metropolitan areas. Consumption pattern of PVC chemical has almost doubled three to four times. Demand of PVC products has been increasing at a rate of 10 percent compared to the world statistics of 4 percent. The consumption pattern of PVC chemical has been increasing with a substantial capacity. Additionally, 30 to 250 kt reflects demand and supply of PVC chemical. Heavy investment in manufacturing chemicals in industries is a main factor, which drives PVC production.