History of Hong Kongs Martial Arts Action Films Essay Example

History of Hong Kongs Martial Arts Action Films Paper Films from Hong Kong consist of many different genres however they are best known for their martial arts action films. The history of this genre is rocky with much confrontation growing into what is now so wildly accepted that Hollywood has grown a large appetite for Kung Fu action films. Starting back in 1924 in Shanghai, Tan Sri Runme Shaw began a film company known as Unique Film Productions where they produced many silent films. Silent films being both the first movies presented in Malaya and the most practical for they could be understood by many dialect groups in Singapore at that time, making these silent films an instant success with the masses (Shaw. com). With hopes of expanding the market, Shaw decided to move his business to Hong Kong to produce quality Chinese movies in 1959. This Shaw organization quickly gained the name Shaw Brothers as they began to dominate the film industry in Hong Kong. Similar to Hollywood at that time, the Shaw Brothers ran the studio on what is known as the star system and mass production. Top Chinese investors were eager to pour money into the company allowing the brothers to develop extensive studio facilities for post production including a colour laboratory to ensure consistent quality control (shaw. com). There was no match to the Shaw brothers flourishing business, quickly becoming the largest privately owned studio in the world. We will write a custom essay sample on History of Hong Kongs Martial Arts Action Films specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on History of Hong Kongs Martial Arts Action Films specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on History of Hong Kongs Martial Arts Action Films specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Until the Shaw Brothers a typical Hong Kong budget was around $800 HK dollars or less, while the Shaws films were extreme with budgets up to $50,000. By the 1970s their studios established itself as the best known and most successful movie producer in Hong Kong, producing over 40 films a year the output terms even rivaled with major Hollywood Studios. Raymond Chow, a top executive with Shaw Brothers decided he wished to explore his own options and left Shaw Studios and with Leonard Ho formed the company Golden Harvest Studios. Golden Harvest took chances on independent producers and crew. Chow knew it would take something really big to make the film world take notice and he was willing to try out new talent for a change (page 165). Golden Harvest studios didnt have to wait that long for success, in 1971 an already popular US Born Chinese cult figure was causing a buzz in the TV series circuit. Chow picked up on him quickly. This man was quickly signed to Golden Harvest which later introduced us to him as Little Dragon, or better known today as Bruce Lee. This was the break Golden Harvest needed, not to mention the action film genre. Bruce Lees first movie The Big Boss showed China a different type of hero, harder, faster, a more exciting kind of martial arts fighting (Yang, 145). At this time all other martial arts action films (which would have been mainly produced by the Shaw Brothers) were stiff combat of swordsmen films. The formula for these action flicks were growing old on the audiences and Lees films appeared to be excitingly different. The Big Boss was reflective of chinas street dealings. Bruce as the hero was not of the stereotypical martial arts hero, which would be a noble, stoic man in search for honourable revenge, Lees character was a street fighter, a juvenile delinquent who was a character the audience could relate to even with his deadly skillzzzzz. This breakthrough performance took Golden Harvest from an independent company to a contender against the infamous Shaw Brothers. Bruce lee had turned the Hong Kong movie Industry into Havoc, every independent film company searched for a Bruce Lee equivalent. The Shaw Brothers were almost a monopoly with the biggest actors, biggest directors, not to mention spending the most money on each film. But with Bruce Lee on the scene the giant had stumbled when they had lost Lee to Golden Harvest. His films had set the standard that everyone else wanted to follow in Kung Fu films. Jackie Chan, a fan and coworker to Bruce Lee in his early days believed Bruces movies are like seeds that never had the chance to sprout (Yang page 99). Lees last film Enter the Dragon was the first co-production between American and Hong Kong film studios. The film proved to be an international Hit, famous for its stunning martial art action sequences. When Lee tragically passed away at the age of 32 on July 20th, 1973 the Hong Kong action cinema was faced with a staleness that grew overwhelming. Bruce Lee died, People were not watching action films anymore, and they were turning to melodramas, romances, comedies, anything that did not appear to be a mockery of Bruce Lees genius. His death not only hurt Golden Harvest but the martial arts action industry as a whole. With Martial arts movies being less popular this meant most people in this field were out of work, especially stuntmen such as the now famous Jackie Chan. These stuntmen almost all shared a similar background in Chinese Opera, which is much different than Westernized Opera that we may be used too. It was here they would learn how to sing, fight and perform acrobatics. Many had no other qualifications for jobs besides stunts in action films, and work was becoming extremely scarce. With the major kung fu studios trying to find a replacement for Bruce Lee, everyone was forgetting the option of reinventing the martial arts movie. Jackie Chan wanted desperately to bring humor and humanity to a genre that seemed to have lost its sense of both (Yang pg 220). With several failed attempts Chan was giving the opportunity to have more creative freedom with the movie Half a Loaf of Kung Fu, which was the first real attempt of a martial arts parody movie. Chans producer who thought it was a flop put it in the vault with hopes never to release it. Jackie Chan was giving another chance, this time he incorporated a new style of Kung fu which he had invented called Cats Claw kung fu, involving him leaping around making meowing noises. Although not a real kung fu style, the acrobatics and tumbling that were incorporated looked amazing on camera, the fight was considered to be just as exciting as Bruce Lees battles yet completely unique in look, feel and tone (Yang pg 221). When Seasonal Films (an off branch that had started from Shaw Brother Films) had finished the production, they realized that the finished film was different from any kung fu movie ever made. The film was Snake in Eagles Shadow which turned out to be a blockbuster hit, during its time it had become the biggest film in the history of Hong Kong, bigger than any of Bruce Lees films. His next film proved himself not to be a fluke; Drunken Master had been an even bigger hit than Shake in Eagles Shadow. In Drunken Master his team of stuntmen had created a whole new set of kung fu styles, called Eight Drunken Gods martial arts, and based on the drunken style kung fu that Wong Fei Hung was supposed to have practiced as his secret weapon. With these martial arts techniques they added wild acrobatics, street brawling, slapstick antics, comic mime, and even real drama (Yang pg 222). Actors such as Jackie Chan were not getting remotely comparable wages to Hollywood. Even after Chans success he was still receiving according to his strict contract $3,000(HK currency) when he was being offered 2. 7 Million dollars to sign with the now international production company Golden Harvest. Due to the Shaw Brothers control over the entertainment industry, there was the creation of Triads a group of Hong Kong gangsters who have been a part of the Hong Kong performing arts since the turn of the Century. Since many early film stars come from the opera, there was always a tie between the triads and the movies. The biggest fault can be laid at the feet of the Shaw Brothers, which basically controlled the movie industry until the rise of Golden Harvest. Shaw Brothers with their domination were able to pay slave like wages to its employees, even the major stars of China, got almost nothing to compensate. To survive, several actors and stuntmen turned to the triads, acting as small time muscle men to get money they werent getting as actors (Yang, 184). Jackie Chan found himself to be one of the many actors who were threatened by this mob into accepting an unacceptable contract with his past employer who was jealous of Chans success. These situations caused much of the Hong Kong talent to move to Hollywood where they would receive less threats, more money and world wide recognition. Hong Kong has been the second largest exporter of movies to North America, Europe and Pacific Rim countries in recent years with more than 200 films mostly action genre being churned out by a place with a population less than the size of New York City (alkdfjalkdjflaksjdf). With major Hong Kong talent moving to the United States, Chinas ticket sales have dropped from 45 million which once stood in 1989, down to 25 million as of last year, a downward trend which has been said to show no sign of slowing. Directors such as John Woo and Woo Ping who had made themselves famous while working in China, have become Hollywoods secret choreography and action scene weapons. In 1978, Woo Ping changed the direction of Kung Fu films in Hong Kong when he directed Jackie Chans Snake in the Eagles Shadow followed by Drunken Master films that are said to have saved Martial Arts action films. While John Woo left Hong Kong for Hollywood around seven years ago believing the industry slump is a result of hand over fears. John Woo is known now internationally for his stunning choreography in action scenes. Now a days not only the talent is expanding internationally but so is Studios such as Golden Harvest group, the studio that launched the careers of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and John Woo and began the Kung Fu style of the 1970s cinema is now leaving Hong Kong. They are in the process of finding a new site that may take it outside of Hong Kong. The Government of China has been trying to prevent the deterioration of this industry by grants to local film industry, up to 100 million Hong Kong dollars. What once was the worlds third largest film producer, behind the United States and India has now been cut to one third of its previous level because of the Asian Financial crisis. With the decline in quality films thanks to the departure of Hong Kong film makers and stars you have to wonder if China will be able to reestablish itself again in such a money absorbed industry.

Dna1 essays

Dna1 essays Fetal surgery itself is a relatively new procedure with only a few hundred attempts world wide. Because of the risk of inducing preterm labor and delivering so early in the pregnancy, fetal surgery traditionally was reserved for life- threatening circumstances. While spina bifida is not necessarily life- threatening, it is the most common debilitating birth defect, diagnosed in about one of every 1,000 here in the US. Babies born with spina bifida typically experience one or more lifelong and an sometimes devastating physical disabilities like weakness or paralysis in their lower limbs, loss of feeling, urinary and bowel dysfunction, and hydrocephalus (water on the brain). In addition some children also have skeletal deformation, sexual dysfunction, and mental impairment. Each child is an individual with differing degrees of disability. If we have the chance to lessen the extent of injury, why wouldnt we do that, asks Dr. Joseph Bruner, Director of Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy at Vanderbilt. (fetal-surgery.com/; 10/29/00; Copyright 1998-2000 fetal-surgery.com). Fetal surgery for spina bifida is intended to decrease the handicaps associated with spina bifida by protecting the fetuses previously exposed spinal tissue from additional damage by the amniotic fluid and intrauterine movement. Doctors say this procedure can not restore neurological function which has already been lost, but it may prevent additional loss from occurring due to the intrauterine environment. (fetal-surgery.com/; 10/29/00; Copyright 1998-2000 fetal-surgery.com). As an added and unexpected benefit, it was discovered that the procedure apparently affects the way the brain develops in utero, allowing certain malformations of the brain, typically associated with spina bifida to correct themselves. Its extraordinary that the malformation goes away, ...

Personal Qualities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Personal Qualities - Essay Example From this paper it is clear that from the time the reporter   was allowed to skip 8th grade, he discerned that the greatest element of education is success. He also learned that the reporter can do anything so long as he set his mind well. Currently, he can affirm that he is ever determined in everything the reporter does. He has also grown to be exceptionally open-minded and non-judgmental. One of the factors that contributed to this is his schooling in a private school. Attending a private school up until seventh grade exposed him to stereotypical judgments. Some students referred me as a pretentious diva living an opulent lifestyle which is often revealed by her designer clothes and expensive handbags. However, this was a false accusation. Torn between two households, a fortune holder father and a poor mother, he could probably not afford such a lifestyle. As a result of their divorce, his parents shared custody with his dad paying for his education.As the discussion highlights the author can associate his childhood spoilage with growing up in a gated community. He associated himself with kids who not only grew up with money, but also showed no appreciation for what they had. The situation was changed however by the fall of his mother’s relationship with her second husband. Being robbed off all her money by her second husband who ran away to Vietnam, him together with his mom was forced to move into an apartment. The switching of houses led to him shifting from private school to public school.

Porters Model of National Competitive Advantage Essay - 14

Porters Model of National Competitive Advantage - Essay Example The paper tells that a number of studies conducted for the last ten years reveal that outsourcing of information technology permits the companies to decrease their high expenses and boost their productivity. Through information technology, the firms are in a position to enjoy the flexibility and as a result, enhancing the business performance. USA, China, UK, Japan, and Germany are all experiencing information technology outsourcing growth. IT outsourcing has been around for some time and is significantly affecting these countries’ and the world economy at large. However, it is true that outsourcing IT services offshore brings with it new risks and challenges. The Diamond Porter model is used in this study to determine the competitiveness of IT outsourcing in USA, China, Germany, Japan, and the UK. The model is used to examine the basic industries in the countries. Since Porter’s work was published, about 20 years ago, there has been a multitude of response to his work. Some research studies tallied with his work while others disagreed. However, from the studies, it is evident that some of Porter’s ideas hold while others do not apply in the today’s modern business settings. In his research, Oz applied Porter’s Diamond Model to monitor the competitive advantage of five industries in Turkey. His findings were tandem with Porter’s ideas. The Turkish customers were demanding and as a result forced the companies to upgrade to meet the demand of the consumers. The intense rivalry in the Turkish domestic market for clothing and glass pushed the companies to be in a position to compete favorably in the international markets. On the other hand, the non-competitive automobile companies in the Turkish market remained non-performers in the international markets.

Global Business Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Global Business Strategy - Essay Example Other theoretical aspects and Porter’s five forces vital for achieving a competitive advantage were examined. The author highlighted some strategic challenges impacting the company in the current global market. Company resource audit was included and the author revealed some tangible and intangible organizational resource and capabilities. The researcher analyzed the current strategic alliance and other corporate strategies employed in the business operation process. This included SWOT analysis as a vital strategic tool effective for determining favorable and unfavorable factors in the business environment. Strategic implementations were included and also organizational structure evaluated including the industrial structure, corporate or functional and brand-based organizational structure. Lastly, the author included some recommendations and also the conclusion that summed up the research project. Global Business Strategy Introduction Globilisation, which has been contributed by rapid technology development, has encouraged many multinational enterprises to implement effective global business strategy vital for achieving a competitive advantage. Many multinational enterprises have made significant determinations in order to sustain their business in the competitive global market. Many actors in the international markets have increasingly internationalized their operations; thus their performances are deeply influenced by their mutual interdependencies and by their strategic behaviors towards their competitors. Automotive industries are among the companies that have attempted to implement effective global strategies by forming mergers, alliances and acquisitions in order to improve the automobile markets. Among the automobile companies, Chrysler Group is one of the automobile industries that have adopted strategy of internationalisation and varied strategies for achieving successful business performance. Thus, the research project will focus on Chrysler Gr oup Company’s global strategy and relevant theories, which the company employs in order to improve their business performance in the global competitive market. Historical Background of Chrysler Group and Its Internalisation Process Chrysler Group is an American multinational corporation that designs automobiles and it’s headquarter is located at Auburn Hills in Michigan. It was established by Walter Chrysler in 1925 when Maxwell Motor Corporation was restructured into the Chrysler Group Company, and trades automobile products across the globe under the flagship Chrysler brand, but other brand also exists including the Ram, Doge and Jeep brand. The company has been performing well across the globe and it was named among the leading automaker production globally, in 2011. Chrysler Group established a global strategic alliance with other companies including Fiat and merged also with other firms under, which it currently sells their automobile products. Moreover, with adeq uate resources, improved technology and global distribution network necessary for competing on a global level, the alliance builds on the company’s innovation culture. It also builds their innovation culture, which is based on the complementary technology of Fiat Company that was founded, in 1899. The company employed internalization strategy by merging Daimler Benz and also merged with Volkswagen Group, with an aim of extending their products range to broaden their sales in the automobile ma

Condoms: Advantages and Disadvantages

Condoms: Advantages and Disadvantages Contraception is the control of fertility to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Methods prevent ovulation in the woman, stop sperm from meeting an ovum in the fallopian tube, or prevent a fertilized ovum implant in the uterus. Methods of contraception include total or periodic abstinence from the sexual intercourse (â€Å"Contraception†, 2010, p.167). Contraceptive (2001) provides that contraceptive is â€Å"An agent that prevent conception† (p.333). Contraceptive (2001) also provides that â€Å"Relating to any measure or agent designed to prevent conception† (p.333). This essay briefly outline the historical background of contraception, and then discuss the benefits and risks of one specific form of contraception, followed by a discussion of a range of possible causes of infertility. For all practical purposes the education of the general populace on the subject of contraception was not initiated until the early 1800s. The first systematic work in contraception was begun in 1882 by Dr. Aletta Jacobs of the Netherlands (â€Å"Contraception†, 2014, para. 2). Quarini (2005, pp. 28-30) acknowledge that in 1839, the process of vulcanizing rubber was developed for that reason condom became cheap and widely available. Seamless condoms were being made up in factory by 1890. When liquid latex became available in the mid-1930s, condoms became more reliable. Polyurethane condoms, usable since the 1990s. These are thinner and possibility of break is lower than latex condoms. In addition, they are less likely to cause the allergic reactions and these are not affected by heat There are many discussion about benefits and risks of using condom. The benefit of using condom condoms during sexual intercourse, the infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV – 2) to female is significant decreases according to the first study to examine the effectiveness of condoms in preventing this infection. (Larson et al, 2013, pp. 25-31). According to Tishler (2009, para. 1) Condoms can help to prevent people against herpes. But Tishler (2009) stated that herpes can spread by simple skin contact as well as by sexual intercourse so the protection is only partial. People who used condom only for sometimes was less protection. Another benefits of condom is that it can prevent unwanted pregnancy. According to Long et al (2012, pp.1-2) using condom constantly and correctly will reduce unwanted teenager pregnancy. Male partner can improve reproductive health outcome by using condoms consistently with sexual partner to prevent unwanted pregnancy. A better understanding about factors associated with condom use among male students will not only protect students from unwanted pregnancy. However M Carter et al (2012, pp. 449-456) acknowledge that condom is good material to prevent unwanted pregnancy but reported that teenagers do not often use condoms plus other contraception. The first risk of condom is that breakage is quite high In South India the surveys of female sex workers (FSWs) suggest that breakage of condoms are quite high. In Benin in 2005, the study of FSWs reported that 33% of FSWs had experienced a breakage in the previous 2 days. 11.4% of FSWs reported that in the previous month, at least one condom break. (Bradley et al, 2011, pp.S6-S14). However, condom breakage is high in vulnerable population than cross-sectional studies but condom breakage were lower than estimated rates because the proportion all condoms used that broker was only 2.1%. The second risk of condom is that it is not fool proof which mean is that it can fail to prevent pregnancy. Durrer et al (2011, p. 580) acknowledged that there are some condom failure because of miss used. According to laboratory test, they reported that the used condom breakage rate was 1.1% and leaks rate was 2.0 %( Bradly et al, 2013, pp.559-567) Majra (2009, p.53) stated 100 woman and their partner used condoms and approximately 15 of woman pregnant but when they used condom perfect way, only two woman pregnant. However, Majra (2009) believe when people use condom constantly and correct way, it can prevent unwanted pregnancy as well as decrease failure rate. Infertility can occur to female or male and there are many possible causes of infertility. There have been many discussions about possible cause of male or female infertility. The first possible causes of infertility is endocrine disorder. Luciao, Lanzone and Goverde (2013, pp.s9-s17) stats that endocrine disorder is one of main causes of female infertility. The management of female hormonal causes of infertility involves a thorough understanding of all the potential disorders that may interfere with normal ovulatory function. Unuane, Tournaye, Velkeniers and Poppe (2011, pp.861-873) acknowledged that Female infertility occurs in about 37% of all infertile couples and ovulatory disorders account for more than half of these. The ovaries are in continuous interaction with the other endocrine organs. Many endocrine disorders, can lead to female infertility by interacting and impairing the normal reproductive ovarian function. However, Unuane, Tournaye, Velkeniers and Poppe (2011) added these endocrine disorders should be excluded in women with ovarian causes of infertility, without neglecting the other causes of female infertility, such as tubal disorders, obstructions of the genital tract and endometriosis The second possible causes of infertility is oxidative stress. It cause male infertility. It results from high concentrations of free radicals and suppressed antioxidant potential, which may alter protein expression in seminal plasma and spermatozoa. The test found out 30 to 80% of male infertility causes by sperm damage due to oxidative stress. (Agarwal, Durairajanayagam, Halabi, Peng Vazquez-Levin, 2014, pp.32-58). Lanzafame, La Vignera, Vicari and Calogero (2009, pp.638-659) stats that Oxidative stress (OS) has been recognized as one of the most important cause of male infertility. Despite the antioxidant activity of seminal plasma, epididymis and spermatozoa, OS damages sperm function and DNA integrity. However, it emerges that no single antioxidant is able to enhance fertilizing capability in infertile men and a combination of compounds, at an appropriate dosage, may be a possible better approach. The last possible causes of infertility is smoking. The test states that smoking is affected negatively every system in body include reproduction system. Smokers’ Spermatozoa have decreased fertilising capacity, and embryos display lower implantation rates. In additional, the smoking cause decrease fertility in woman. It also increase the frequency menstrual abnormalities. It make female memopause age decrease. (Mostafa,2010,pp.179-186). According to Ji,Yan, Jianhua,Qu and Gu, (2011,pp.144-149) Oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1)is an very important role in repairing oxidative DNA damage induced by chemical agents, such as cigarette. This study found out that OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and cigarette smoking is damaged on sperm oxidative DNA also it can causes the male inferilityHowever, Ji,Yan, Jianhua,Qu and Gu, (2011) suggest it need additional test to validate our findings. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of association, mechanistic test are needed. In conclusion, over the centuries, contraception developed quickly. Recently contraception material is getting cheaper. Also it is easy to find and use it. Contraception is very affective to prevent unwanted pregnancy. There are many discuss about benefits and risks. Contraception help to prevent spread sexual transmitted such as herpes and HIV. However it has risks as well such as it is not foolproof it means it can fail to prevent unwanted pregnancy or spread sexual diseases and the breakage is quite high but people can reduce this risk when they use contraception in correct way. There are many possible causes of infertility such as endocrine disorder, oxidative stress and smoking. Endocrine disorder is the diseases which affected to female infertility and oxidative stress is affected to male infertility. Smoking is negatively affected to male and female. Important thing is that use contraceptive correctly and constantly.

19th Century Reviews of Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn :: Adventures Huckleberry Huck Finn Essays

Reviews of Huckleberry Finn in the late 19th Century In the 20th Century, no other book was discussed or fought over more then The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. The book has been banned and reinstated in many school systems and libraries throughout this century. Controversy over the use of the word "nigger" has been one of the biggest arguments. The fact that people are still feeling the sting and abuse from the creation of this slang word is understandable. The other problem that many people have is that Jim, the black main character, was played off as a comical, half-wit character. This didn't help much when this character was used as the icon for the early minstrel shows of the 20th Century. Both of these arguments have been used since the 50's as reasons to ban the book and never have it in any public facility. The controversy that surrounds this book has followed it wherever it goes and it's a wonder that it still is used in classrooms around the country today. The reasons above have kept this book in discussion and in circulation through out the 20th Century and probably this will continue into the 21st Century. What concerns me about most about this is that we are imposing 20th Century values on a book that was written in the 19th Century. Trying to censor this book is like trying to fight for child rights in the novel Oliver Twist. The main thing about this book that interests me is what did the critics of Mark Twain's time have to say about the novel? What concerns did they have about the book? Did they like it, hate it, and why? To commence with (as Huckleberry Finn would say), Twain at the time was a respected author and writer. When this book came out in the late 19th Century, The Civil War had been over for a few years, The Reconstruction era was ending as the country's scar were beginning to heal, and the African-Americans were going through their first trial period of being free Americans. This is the time when Huckleberry Finn came out. When critics first read the book, their reviews from what I read were mixed.