...Berkshire-Hathaway, conglomerate holdings company founded by Warren Buffet, may have a hidden connection to actress Anne Hathaway which was originally discovered by Dan Mervish of the Huffington Post. Mervish noticed six events, five movie premieres and one decoration (announcing the Oscars), all relating Hathaway to a positive daily performance by Buffet’s company. Mervish attempts to explain the trend that “automated, robotic trading programming are picking up the same chatter on the Internet about ‘Hathaway’ as the IMDb’s StarMeter, and they’re applying it to the stock market”. The following write-up tackles the issues and accuracy of Mervish’s accusation. Establishing a Database Using the original six events (movies and awards) we decided to expand the list to 28 total. Even though hosting the Oscars is not an award it is an honor and therefore we decided to use all movie honors in addition to movie openings. Starting in August 2004 with the opening of The Princess Diaries until 2013 her most recent release Don Jon (September 2013), we ran all daily data for BRK.A (Berkshire Hathaway.) Furthermore, award data was comprised for all ceremonies in which Anne won and was not just nominated. Note that movies and awards that opened/conducted over the weekend were not included in our data (i.e. Monday). Some award ceremonies were conducted in the evening; however, in order to stay concurrent with movie release data we decided to use the day the awards took place. We wanted to reflect...
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...ratings in the Netflix Prize dataset. 1 Auxiliary Functions EM belongs to a general class1 of optimization algorithms using successive locally approximating auxiliary functions. For an objective function f : X → R, call g : X × X → R an auxiliary function if ∀x, x0 ∈ X : g(x, x0 ) ≥f (x) g(x, x) =f (x). ∞ Then for any x0 , define the sequence (xn )n=0 by xn+1 = arg min g(x, xn ) x 1 For example, the Newton Rhapson method can also be stated in terms of auxiliary functions. 1 This sequence has a non-increasing image under f . This is easy to prove: f (xn+1 ) ≤ g(xn+1 , xt ) ≤ g(xn , xn ) = f (xn ). This idea may be more clear graphically in figure (1). Each g(·, xt ) dominates f (·) but is equal at xt . It is easy to see why we might hope that the minimums of g would approach the minimum of f . Figure 1: An objective function f and the auxiliary function g on two iterations Assuming f is bounded below (and it really ought to be since we are trying to find its minimum value), then f (xn )∞ is also bounded below. We have already n=0 shown that (f (xn ))∞ is monotonically decreasing and so must converge. Hown=0 ever, without more information we cannot guarantee that (xn )∞ converges, n=0 let alone that it converges to a global minimizer. In specific applications–such as EM–we can say more about convergence. 2 2 Expectation Maximization EM uses a form of this auxiliary function idea. Specifically,...
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...existing work only explores global temporal variation, or the overall trends of topics. This ignores an important aspect of social media—the communities. A community is a collection of users with more or/and better interactions amongst its members than the rest of the global network [10]. Communities play a crucial role in social media, and provide the basis for user participation and engagement. Members in the same community typically bear similar content preferences and often communicate on shared topics [21, 20]. Given that the content of social media is so dynamic, it is expected that different communities tend to have different temporal dynamics of topics. One example from our experiments on the microblog data is illustrated in Figure 1, where we show the temporal distributions of topic “food security” in a community interested in “food”, and another community mainly focusing on “law”, respectively. We can clearly...
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...forms of art. ✔ understand how and why most of the formal mechanisms of a movie remain invisible to casual viewers. ✔ understand the relationship between viewers’ expectations and filmmakers’ decisions about the form and style of their movies. ✔ explain how shared belief systems contribute to hidden movie meaning. ✔ explain the difference between implicit and explicit meaning, and understand how the different levels of movie meaning contribute to interpretive analysis. medium. With so much experience, no one could blame you for wondering why you need a course or this book to tell you how to look at movies. After all, you might say, “It’s just a movie.” For most of us most of the time, movies are a break from our daily obligations—a form of escape, entertainment, and pleasure. Motion pictures had been popular for fifty years before even most filmmakers, much less scholars, considered movies worthy of serious study. But motion pictures are much more than entertainment. The movies we see shape the way we view the world around us and our place in that world. What’s more, a close analysis of any particular movie can tell us a great deal about the artist, society, or industry that created it. Surely any art form with that kind of influence and insight is worth understanding on the deepest possible level. ✔ understand the differences between formal analysis and the types of analysis that explore the relationship between culture and the movies. ✔ begin...
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...beauty, some are gentle and virtuous, some are sweetie and pleasant, and some are full of unique personality but still attractive enough. In such a representation, it is hard to notice, even their own aesthetic values are deeply affected by the male views. Not so much a woman as a sign of beauty, as it is a sign to attract male attention. In many generations of Chinese directors, only one of the few is female director. In the Male-dominated film industry, obviously, female characters are created by them, reflecting men’s centralism’s view of women. This paper applies feminist film theory, by analyzing the feminine images in a famous Chinese director—Jiang Wen’s films, to reveal the hidden gender inequality as well as the phenomenon of “male gaze”. Through the criticism and introspection of these hidden and potential problems to discover the root cause of these perspectives. Finally, I put forward some solutions to eliminate gender opposition, which is also the significance of this study lies. Since the beginning of the 18th century, men and women equal rights movement spread from France to the world. But when the point that women and men have no difference is popular, another problem highlights. There...
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...GUNG HO! CULTURAL ANALYSIS Michael Hamilton MKTG 3852 – Second Summer 2012 7/22/12 GUNG HO- CULTURAL ANALYSIS Cultural differences influence how business is conducted in today’s rapidly expanding global market. These cultural barriers affect human interactions through our perspective of one another, credibility, time frames, as well as through communication. The success of international business depends upon the ability to set aside our differences, unite and strengthen one another. Many of these challenges can be seen throughout the movie Gung Ho. The movie portrays the relationship between the Japanese and Americans in a lightly comically point of view through an auto factory. However, when comparing and contrasting the interactions of these two cultures, both in and out of the film, they’re dynamics of become more apparent. The connections and exchanges between the Japanese management team and the American workers throughout the film present examples for each of the five dimensions in Geert Hofstede’s cultural dynamics analysis: Individualism/Collectivism, Uncertainty Avoidance, Power Distance, Masculinity/Femininity, and the later added Long-term Orientation. I. Hofstede’s Cultural Dynamics The results from Hofstede’s analysis for the United States and Japan are in the following table. When comparing the two we see that the Americans have a highly individualistic, male reinforced, ambiguous, society with a slight hierarchy with a weak connection to tradition...
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...FILM 3759G Dr. Christopher J Mitchell Chengdong Hu Analysis of Cultural Denotation and Humanity in Ang Lee’s Films Ang Lee’s film works, not only in the business, but in artistic level won the world audience recognition. He grew up in a traditional Chinese family and study in the United States. The differences between eastern and western culture took a sharp collision in his heart, and it revealed without hiding in his movie and finally become his own unique aesthetic features. This article try to read Lee’s creative thought and artistic style through analysis and research of Lee’s special culture background master’s creative ideas, and learn more about the human temperament of the director which is full glory of human nature. First, this article will introduce about Ang Lee’s growing environment and studying experiences, in order to analysis the formation of his Chinese and Western characteristics. Secondly, through multiple films, the article would analysis of the impact of the East-West cultural collision and merger. Furthermore, a comprehensive interpretation of Ang’s unique film elements and the traits would be expounded. Abstract Ang Lee, Taiwan filmmaker, however, doesn’t have the same characteristics with other Taiwan film makers. He is like a movie ranger, with no specific cultural identity, however, simultaneously, it could be find a certain kind of familiar cultural identity on him, especially in his...
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...Poynter Date: 5th October 2009 Assignment: Assessment Point One Essay Title: No. 4) Analyze a movie poster from a film directed by Martin Scorsese and then, with reference to the ideas of Pierce and Saussure, apply techniques in Semiotics and Semiology in order to illustrate how the text can be interpreted. Any and every piece of text in this world has meaning, or a point it is trying to put across. If you look at a portrait, or a page in a book, different aspects of the picture, or the way the words are put together on the page, all have purpose; To convey a certain message. This technique of analyzing different parts of texts, using signs and symbols, is termed “semiotics. [1] In this essay, we shall be using the techniques of semiotics, to interpret a poster of renowned Director, Martin Scorsese’s blockbuster movie, “Shutter Island”. According to Ferdinand de Saussure and Charles S. Pierce, two founding fathers of semiotics; a sign consists of “the signifier” and “the signified”. The signifier of a sign is the form in which the sign takes, and the signified stands for what the sign represents. [2] Let’s take for example, a picture of a young boy crying. In this scenario, the little boys face would be a sign, the act of him crying would be the signifier, and the signified would probably be that the boy is sad because something has gone wrong. Delving deeper into semiotic analysis, there are two types of relationships signs and signifiers can have with each other; they are...
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...Ezekiel Mascuilli Comp 1 Dr. Poznar November 25, 2014 Psycho If the title hasn’t given a sense of mystery, then maybe an analysis could help shed light on Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 horror film Psycho. The movie had many characteristics that could be defined as classic horror. From the beginning of the first conflict that arose Marion it’s possible that the use of variety gave a feeling of mystery. The movies elements include Alfred’s use of plot change. However it can be a better argument to say that Alfred Hitchcock’s use of setting change has helped give an emotion that could horrify viewers. In the beginning of the movie we take a view at Marion’s first conflict. The setting of the movie changes from Marion’s work, giving the viewer an in depth look at her surroundings, to a scene of illegal fleeing. The problem arose when Marion’s stress caused rational thoughts over stealing personal cliental money. Marion has committed an illegal act which caused her to adapt to her choices and change locations. Alfred has caused a break in the conflict by having Marion stop at a small hotel called the Bates Motel. The transition from locations has helped Hitchcock with his depict of a feeling of alertness. The setting of the Bates Mansion is given a style that depicts an old Victorian view. From the staircase to the cellar, Hitchcock still gave unsure feelings when it came to safety inside the Bates house. The interior has a look that doesn’t give off too much emphasis. The idea...
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...concept was devised by Mikhail Bakhtin, who said it embodied life taking form of a typical carnival. It is essentially the way things can be obscured in life, or rather what is normal in life being turned inside out (Welsh, 152), which can easily be applied to Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Without the elements of Carnival, it is likely this love story would have never been possible. Due to the overwhelming amount of Carnivalism in this film, many perceive it as though the true nature of Shakespeare’s tragedy has been lost in its exuberant elements and that “the film’s spectacle constantly overpowers and overwhelms the poetry” (Welsh, 152). Despite this common belief, Luhrmann was brilliant to use Bakhtin’s ideas to enhance the hidden undertones that were present in Shakespeare’s play. Carnivalism makes “the world of this film perverse and confused... The lines are often right, but the context is most peculiar” (Welsh, 153) so that we are no longer able to...
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...Hidden Fences The story told in the movie Hidden Figures directed by Theodore Melfi is a story based on the untold story of the three courageous African-American female mathematicians who worked at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. First of all, pat yourself in the back if you got that reference! Anyway, The movie takes place during the Space Race (20-century competition between cold war rivals Soviet Union and and the United States for supremacy in spaceflight capability) These females who contributed to the Space race were known as Katherine Goble, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan. Throughout the movie, for some reason, Katherine Goble(later known as Johnson) received the most screentime. Born in White Sulphur Springs,...
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...In the movie Hidden Figures, there are 3 main characters, Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan. All three of them work for NASA. Katherine is an amazing mathematician, Mary worked with the space shuttles to make sure they were safe, making sure nothing important came off of the shuttle with the amount of force and pressure being put on it in space, and Dorothy is the a leader of all of the colored women at NASA. They all worked with whites, mostly males, and segregation was still in place at the time. They had colored bathrooms, colored coffee pots, and many other things like the offices they had. Mary was assigned to work with the design team to ensure that the space shuttles are properly built to withstand anything they encounter in space. She made suggestions on how they could improve it and make it safe for the astronauts. With her intelligence, Mary was able to help them get into space with no problem. As time went on, she had had enough of the segregation. She considered resigning, but a chance encounter with a supervisor changed her mind. After hearing her complaints, he invited her to work with him and she accepted the offer. He quickly saw her...
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...Louis E. Kohler Critical Film Analysis 1 Fine Arts Film- Spring 2014 Order and Chaos in Jurassic Park First time watching Jurassic Park the theme that stands out most is Man vs. Nature but this is not the best fit. The true theme is almost shown straight forward during the helicopter ride to the island when Dr. Malcolm states, “John doesn't subscribe to Chaos, particularly what it has to say about his little science project!” (Koepp 19) pitting him against Hammond. These two are the most obvious players in the chaos game, but Dr. Sattler against Dr. Grant and the Tyrannosaurus Rex (T. rex) against the Velociraptors (Raptors) are also players. The other characters do not have as defined roles but still play into the game. They all have a common theme: Chaos vs. Order. Most of the main characters arrive on the island on the same helicopter. The first view inside shows Hammond, Dr. Sattler, and Dr. Grant on the right with Dr. Malcolm and Gennaro on the left. This scene shows who is on which side of the line, but Hammond’s and Dr. Malcolm’s conflict with each other is most prevalent. Hammond is wearing all white while Dr. Malcolm is, “dressed all in black” (Koepp 18) adding visual representation of the polar difference between chaos and order. Chaos and order is the root topic during the Velociraptor birth and lunch scene. Dr. Sattler and Dr. Grant debate which will win in the end but Dr. Malcolm and Hammond have already made up their minds. Chaos is thrown its first blow when...
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...Denean-Cobb October 2, 2012 The film I have chosen to do my critique on is Zack Snyder’s 300. 300 is a film about King Leonidas, the King of Sparta, and his 300 Spartan warriors who all stood up against the God-king Xerxes and his massive Persian army from annihilation. After watching the film very closely for my critique I believe there is a serious underlying theme that everyone has the right to be free and sometimes you have to stand up and make sacrifices to keep your freedom. Standing up for freedom is never an easy task as shown in 300 but, everyone deserves to be free. In discussing the storytelling, acting, cinematography, editing, sound, style and directing, the impact of society on the film, genre, a formalist approach to analysis, and the overall textual theme of 300 I will attempt to back up my belief. Storytelling 300’s narrative structure is the first-person point of view of Dilios, a Spartan solider under the command of King Leonidas. The film is presented in chronological order and takes place in Sparta and Thermopylae, Greece. The major conflict in the film is that the Persian army has come to Sparta and requests their submission or will kill them and enslave their women and children. King Leonidas makes the decision to stand up to the Persians but; is not allowed to go to war with the Xerxes, the Persian God-king, because the Ephors deny him the right. The Ephors are later found out to be traitors. Unfortunately, by the end the Spartans are betrayed by...
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...Personally, I have always been a huge fan of the movie, but I never got around to reading the book, and as it usually is, the book is so much better. There is detail left out in the movie that gives the whole plot so much more meaning. Reading this books helped me make a lot more connections within the real world than what just watching the movie would have done for me. Fictional books are always my favorite, especially when they are fantasy based because it is always just more enjoyable to find hidden messages and meaning throughout it. This book was a very easy read and was very easy to understand. It wasn’t like the books you get assigned to read for class that you just dread constantly, it was relaxing and very entertaining, instead of boring and I didn’t have to force myself to read it. The plot is very interesting and really influenced so many more authors for their writing, it really added to the growth of fictional books throughout time. Especially at a very stressful time of year, Wizard of Oz was just refreshing to read. I’m personally sick of reading these class assigned books that I can’t even get passed the first page with, so I am very glad that I chose this instead of something nonfiction and well, boring. The book and movie are so widely viewed and I have seen the movie at least five times, so I’m glad I actually got an excuse to read this. The character development, the word choices, and the...
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