Watch Jack Neos Homerun Essay Example for Free

Watch Jack Neos Homerun Essay These two shows are very Singaporean. By this I mean that they contain many elements which are unique to my country, elements which only within the paradigm of our society will resonate with local viewers. Homerun, an Asian remake of the internationally acclaimed Iranian movie Children of Heaven is a movie directed by Jack Neo, who is a local celebrity best known for his comedic prowess and the many comedy shows under his name. Police and Thief is a relatively new weekly half-hour sitcom shown on Channel 5 which has yet to set a foothold in the heart of local audiences. These locally produced shows use, essentially different techniques in many areas to present the story to us while making use of our experiences as Singaporeans to help us understand and appreciate the shows from their story/plot to the surprises and nuances contained within. I will proceed to show you how the techniques used are also more different than similar. A distinction between the two shows is the element of narration. Cause and effect is employed to effectively present the story or stories in the shows. It is not uncommon to find secondary stories in an episode of a situation comedy or sitcom. These are often inserted into the plot and often come together in conclusion at the end of the episode. In Police and Thief, the show starts off on this episode with Lee Tok Kong the main character of the show wanting to get under the blanket with his wife and due to common reasons of tiredness and falling asleep quickly, has his pleas ignored. This scene is related to how Tok Kong later reacts to the wiles of a less than archetypical femme fatale. There is another story inserted in between, which shows how the neighbours sons, Rudy and Rafi having an unspoken conflict over a common love interest. This plot development has no explicit and implicit impact on the main story mentioned earlier. It almost feels like tokenism has taken place, either to fill up the half hour of screen time or to give emphasis to the other characters in the sitcom. In Homerun, it is quickly established that poverty leads to a lack of options and hence with the losing of shoes early into the movie, we see the main cause in the show that explains later effects. The show revolves around how the main characters are thwarted at every attempt to obtain a new pair of shoes or retrieve the old pair. We do not see scenes that have no relation to any other. In fact the entire narration of Homerun is about a search for a cause-shoes. Both the shows have different range of stories. There is less suspense buildup in Police and Thief and this is probably due to restricted narration where both the audience and the characters in the show know the same information at relatively equal times. The only example of unrestricted narration in the recent episode was when Rudy cheated on his promise to his brother Rafi behind his back to get a chance to go out with the girl, Cecilia, they both like. Rafi only found it out in another scene when Cecilia whom similarly does not know of the conflict called their home. In this case, we know more than several characters in the show at a particular time. In Homerun, during the opening sequence of Chew Kiat Kun running errands for his family, it is quickly established that a rag-and-bone man had taken away the pair of shoes which Kiat Kun had put down. Kiat Kun has no idea how the shoes had mysteriously disappeared and hence his sister Seow Fang too. In this scene alone, a beautiful play on camera angle suffices to keep us in suspense till much later in the show. This seemingly passing top down close up scene of the gnarled hands removing the shoes helps to tug hard at our heart strings when we later realize the rag-and-bone man is blind. The above is a good example of how both restricted and unrestricted narration can be developed from one scene. We know who had taken away the shoes (unrestricted narration) but like the characters in the show we have no idea he was blind (restricted narration). These two shows belong to the 2 commonest genres in Singapore. Police and Thief can be classified as belonging to the HDB genre. In fact this plot of this particular sitcom revolves around the conflict faced by two men who live in close proximity. It has an appeal particular to local viewers who are able to appreciate the familiar settings. One example which we can relate to is the scene of Lily, Tok Kongs wife who repeats a punch line in a scene where her face is framed in the center of our common older HDB window panes. It is common to see neighbours walking and talking from the same angle for those who have lived in HDB flats. Homerun is a social commentary and even as it is based in 1965, the year Singapore became independent, it reflects on socio-political situations which were prevalent during the time of filming i. e. the water issue between Malaysia and Singapore. Another genre which is mixed into both these shows is the coffee shop genre, featuring many scenes of meeting and interactions at local coffee shops. We see this in Police and Thief where Tok Kong was being interviewed by a lady near the beginning of the show and in Homerun, Kiat Kun helps out his teacher from school who is close to collapsing from shortness of breath at a roadside coffee shop. There is obvious stereotyping in Police and Thief. Tok Kong is your typical gangster or Ah Beng in colloquial terms. He has wild, pointy gelled hair and wears colourful clothing, even for sleeping attire (Opening scenes). His heavily accented Singapore Colloquial English (SCE) (Dont play with my heart) and his love for techno music scream Ah Beng. He is put in direct contrast with his neighbour and antagonist in the show Sergeant Dollah who is a policeman. Dollah is characterized with short hair, very neat and righteous. These stereotypes alone set the premise for tension and conflict as neighbours. It is akin to Phua Chu Kang versus his sister-in-law Margaret. The stereotypes in Homerun broadly differentiate the rich and the poor. A simple comparison can be made between Beng Soon and Kiat Kun, friends of opposite ends of the economic spectrum whose relationship sours then mends in the course of the show. Beng Soon is cast in shirts, clean with well-gelled hair (in school) and stands at a good head taller than Kiat Kun. His friend however is almost always dirty, with smudges on his singlet and/or face. Even during a game of soccer, Beng Soon provides the soccer boots and he is the only one on the field with soccer socks. Tok Kong as the gangster also becomes an icon easily associated with local shows of similar genres. There is no obvious icon in Homerun. It uses a motif rather, to play out the story. There were multiple scenes of close ups of your Bata white or dirty shoes (in the shops or in the background with Seow Fangs face in the focus). Many scenes of tension started because of shoes e. g.the shoes slipping off and into a canal full of rushing water and even in the scene where Seow Fangs teacher paces as the children are exercising). These scenes feature changes in music, close ups with dialogue in the background, all to draw attention to the motif in the show. During the scene at the well with the confrontation between the two groups of boys, we see wealth being equated with power, that Beng Soon who was the rich one could actually decide who got to use the well. This is perhaps the directors ideology portraying the way Malaysia hordes over us in the water issue. The premise of Homerun revolved around three things: shoes, intelligence and power being associated with wealth. Jack Neo parodies the socio-political situation between Singapore and Malaysia using the three elements with shoes being the water, Singapore being the more intelligent country and power that Malaysia holds over us due to their superior water resource. The two shows end differently too. The end of the sitcom is close without answered questions while the cryptic ending of Homerun leaves us pondering what the director would have us think as we leave the cinema. There is no element of suspense left in Police and Thief to entice the audience to look out for the next episode, unlike a soap opera. Even as both shows make use of our experience to enhance our appreciation and understanding of the shows, they obviously use several different techniques and some similar ones to bring forth the essence of each individual story. These different methods highlight certain elements essential to the plot of the stories and ultimately help us to enjoy the shows as Singaporeans. Word Count: 1512.

The reaction between sodium thiosulphate and HCL :: GCSE Chemistry Coursework Investigation

The reaction between sodium thiosulphate and HCL Aim - The aim of this experiment was to find out the rate of a reaction at different temperatures. - We also wanted to find out the rate of the reaction at a different temperature in bigger or smaller surface areas. Prediction - My prediction is, by increasing the temperature a reaction will happen more quickly. The more heat - The Faster reaction and more collision. The lower the temperature - The slower the reaction and less collision. GRAPH My Understanding Reactions occur at different speeds in different temperatures. I’ve learnt that if the temperature is high reactions will take place much more quickly and the particles will collide more often. The table and graphs prove my theory. The Calculator was used for calculating the average of the times that was recorded for the reactions to happen. The Beaker was used to mix the chemicals for the reaction to take place. The Stop watch was used for timing how long it took for the reaction to happen. Method - For this experiment I first set up the apparatus with the apparatus that is shown above. - I then poured 5lm of HCL into a conical flask. - I then measured 10 ml of sodium thiosulphate, - I then I added it to the 5 ml of HCL. - I recorded how long it took for the reaction to take place, which was how long it took for the X to disappear. - With the times that I recorded from the experiment, I calculated an average. - I then repeated the experiment at 3 different temperatures. Factors and Fair Test To make this a fair test I: - Kept the amount and concentration of the chemicals the same. - Varied the temperatures to find out how long it would take for a reaction to happen at different temperatures - Did each experiment at each temperature three times to make the experiment more fair. I also calculated an average, this reduces any anomalous data. Conclusion - My results show that the hotter the reactants the faster the reaction. - This happened because the particles move more quickely and collide more often as stated in the collision theory. - The experiment proved my prediction correct which was based upon the

Declining Fish Stock: over-Fishing the World’s Oceans

The world’s oceanic large fish populations are disappearing at an alarming rate and extinction is a growing concern. An estimated 90% are already gone and the situation will continue to get worse if drastic measures are not taken (University of Phoenix, 2007). Even though the fishing industry will suffer, conservation methods should be developed and enforced soon because large fish populations are endangered and their habitats are being destroyed. Various netting techniques not only deplete fish populations, but also destroy habitats for many of the ocean’s species including plants and animals.Growing world populations and commercial fishing have placed an overwhelming demand on the oceans. Drastic steps should be taken soon to allow fish populations to regenerate and to sustain the numbers necessary to maintain the oceans’ natural balance, and to feed the world’s growing human population. Steps should include conservation methods enforced by the United St ates (U. S. ) government, development of massive fish farms, and cooperation from other countries world-wide. Implementation of such measures will require active efforts from several organizations.According to Jeremy Jackson of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, the damage to the ocean is almost complete but can be reversed (Wiley, 2000-2009). In an effort to bring this issue to the forefront and gain support, a plan must be devised and presented to key groups. In developing the plan, certain action items must be developed and completed prior to presentation to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The NOAA and EPA are strong influences on governmental policy and the public.Action Item One Within nine months, research regarding the effects of over-fishing large fish populations in the world’s oceans will be conducted. Endangered species and habitats will be identified. Research facts and concerns regardin g the current impact on the environment and effects of the continuation of practices will be documented. Commercial fishing techniques and their impact on fish populations and habitats will be outlined, along with other statists related to marketplace demands and commercial fishing industry economics.Research will also include conservation and sustainment statistics and other information to support new and innovative ideas regarding fish farming. Environmental issues related to fish farming will also be identified and addressed. Locations for fish farms and the resources needed will be detailed along with funding issues. Fishing industries and human populations that will be most impacted by the plan will also be identified. Action Item Two Within three months following the completion of the research portion of the plan, a presentation will be developed.The presentation will include the purpose of the presentation and the urgent need for action will be explained. The purpose of the p resentation is to urge the NOAA and EPA to develop and implement the Healthy Oceans Act to improve and sustain the oceans. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, â€Å"A Healthy Oceans Act would provide a national vision for protecting, maintaining and restoring oceans while encouraging the development and implementation of local ocean plans†, (para. 10, n. d. ).Continuation of current practices and the lack of conservation efforts will result in devastating consequences. Industry changes will be addressed along with a plan for displaced workers. As part of the plan for fish farming, fisherman can be educated and relocated to areas where fish farms are developed and maintained. Fish farms will aid in marine repopulation efforts, provide jobs for displaced fishermen, and provide an alternative food source. Arnold (2009) states, â€Å"Some scientists say the answer is a massive growth of fish farming — a so-called â€Å"blue revolution† to help feed the planet† (para 2).Action Item Three In tandem with action item two, this action item will also be conducted due to the length of time it will take to pull together the target audience for viewing of the presentation and will be ongoing up to the scheduled date. The target audience includes key individuals from the NOAA, EPA, and various other environmental organizations in the U. S. These organizations are influential in Oceanic environmental issues, have much influence in local and global policies, and have far-reaching educational programs already in place. Action Item FourIn month nine or when the date is set with NOAA and the EPA, informational packets and invitations will be created and distributed to key environmentalists to persuade them to attend. Names of key environmentalists will be identified and invitations sent through month 12. The addition of key individuals will serve two purposes. The first purpose is that they will bring to the meeting their experiences w ith local issues, financial concerns, and objections. The second reason is that they will be able to contribute their own ideas of how the implement the plan and what will work best in their areas.Action Item Five Prior to the meeting date, attendance and the location of the meeting will be confirmed. Reminders will be sent to all attendees along with pertinent information. Equipment will be assessed and the presentation completed. Objections to the plan will be anticipated and addressed in a question and answer session. Perception of the Plan and Effects The plan will include specific recommendations for placing at least 40% of the oceans off limits for the next 15 years (Natural Resources Defense Council, n. d. ). After 15 years the off limits zones will decrease to 30% and be maintained indefinitely.Environmentalists will see the necessity of the plan based upon the decreasing fish populations and degradation of habitats for other marine plants and animals. They will also be conc erned about pollution generated by fish farms. Innovative ideas regarding the reduction of pollution will be presented. Commercial fishermen will be hurt the most and objections from industry fishermen will be strong. Fishermen have spent their lives fishing and with that in mind, opportunities for training, funding, and employment will be made available.Other Problems Caused by Commercial Fishing Commercial fisherman cause other problems to the marine populations by the way they catch fish. They catch many other animals unintentionally in their nets called â€Å"bycatch† (University of Phoenix, 2007). Additionally, they destroy many habitats by net-dragging and contribute to water pollution during their processes. Laws should be developed and enforced regarding bycatch and what should be done with the unintentional catch before they are destroyed in the process. Community EffectsThe creation of underwater parks or fish farms will create more jobs in coastal communities and f or displaced fishermen. Lifestyles changes will affect fishermen the most and perhaps they will realize a financial loss on expensive equipment. Additionally, many of the areas where their fishing has been successful will be made off limits which will also cause financial losses.?University of Phoenix. (2007). Declining Fish Stock VLR. Retrieved October 10, 2009, from University of Phoenix, Week Six, SCI/275 – Water Resource Plan.John Wiley ; Sons, Inc. (2000-2009). Visualizing Environmental Science, Chapter 11. Retrieved October 10, 2009, from University of Phoenix, Week Six, SCI/275 – Water Resource Plan. Arnold, Chris. (2009). Feeding the World with Deep-Sea Fish Farms. NPR. Retrieved October 10, 2009, from http://www. npr. org/templates/story/story. php? storyId=5291579Natural Resources Defense Council. (n. d. ). Reviving Our Oceans. Retrieved October 10, 2009, from http://www. nrdc. org/water/oceans/policy. asp

A Definition of Endocytosis With Steps and Types