Matrix Review :: essays research papers

The Matrix Action / Sci-Fi (US); 1999; Rated R; 135 Minutes Cast Keanu Reeves: Thomas "Neo" Anderson Laurence Fishburne: Morpheus Carrie-Anne Moss: Trinity Joe Pantoliano: Cypher Hugo Weaving: Agent Smith Produced by Bruce Berman, Dan Cracchiolo, Andrew Mason, Barrie M. Osborne, Joel Silver, Erwin Stoff, Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski Directed and directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski Keanu Reeves as a martial-arts master and savior of the earth? Laurence Fishburne as his mentor? The world as we know it does not even exist? Surely, you can't be serious. Welcome to the fascinating and confusing world of "The Matrix." In this sci-fi thriller, Reeves stars as Neo, a computer programmer by day and cyber-hacker by night. Out of nowhere, he is contacted by a group of super hackers who tell him that his life is in danger and his only hope is to trust them. The group's leader, a quiet but confident man known as Morpheus (Fishburne) tells Neo that he is the one chosen to save the world and that the "Matrix is the wool that has pulled over your eyes - that you are a slave." Neo is the world's only hope. In a nutshell, Morpheus explains that computers developed on their own and won a brutal war against man. So the computers made a program to put all of the slaves back in the past, which is our present day. He tells Neo that he can chose either to live now or to see what the world is truly like. Neo chooses the latter, and the trip down the rabbit hole begins as does the fight for the salvation of humanity. But the battle must be fought out in â€Å"The Matrix†, not the real world, where computer sentinels are seemingly invincible and where the laws of physics can not only be bent, they can be tossed right out the window. With that kind of freedom, characters can run up the sides of walls, leap incredible distances, dodge bullets, and with the help of Hong Kong stunt specialist Yuen Wo Ping, pull off some of the most impressive kung fu fight sequences ever filmed. Slow-motion film sequences, some shot at the rate of 12,000 frames per second, allow the filmmakers to manipulate the on-screen action much like in the Gap commercials where the dancers are frozen and the camera angle shifts around them. Andrew Mason lends the film the same look he gave Dark City, only this time the good guys wear black and everyone else is either a sentinel or prime fodder for target practice.

Ib Business Steeple Analysis –

Every country has its own legislations however in the course of achieving their aims and objectives, businesses face challenges from both within and outside of their organizations. Those internal and external opportunities and risks will effect a firm’s gradual performance, therefore to analyze these factors and understand them to carry out effective decisions we use something called the STEEPLE analysis. STEEPLE analyses and examines the context in which the authority operates.Identifies key issues that exists (or are emerging) in the internal and external environment, by suggests how these will or may impact on the future strategy and resources. The factors are identified in these 7 areas: Social: Factors that include cultural aspects and include health consciousness that represents opportunities and threats to a business. They include aspects like income distribution, demographics, labor/social mobility, poverty levels e. t. c. For example Multiculturalism has led to a majo r boom in the trade of exports from different cultural backgrounds.Starbucks is known as a respectable employer and a business that values the workforce. They were even mentioned in the ‘Fortune Top 100 companies to work for’ in 2005. Technology: The efficiency of spending on technological advancements that may benefit or become a problem to the company. For example the new technological advancements can hinder the development of the business because of the high costs that are put into advancing the technology can interfere with the performance of the business.Hong Kong consumers are mostly capable in using computer based platforms because of highly technologically savvy population the consumers tend to look at the factor of convenience to their advantage. Therefore Starbucks has an opportunity to start a platform that will essentially provide to this need of consuming the wide public. Economic: The economic state of where the business operates is defined by inflation, unemployment, economic growth and international trade.Not only are there these four variables that determines the state of the economy but the consumer and business confidence level also determines the state of the economy that they are operating in. For example the actions of rival firms can alter performances of businesses. Hong Kong has faced a considerable flow of traffic involving tourist and travelers present in Hong Kong. A lot of mainlanders and travelers from neighboring regions have started swarming in Hong Kong due to the opening of Disneyland in 2002.The large rise of the number of consumers available in Hong Kong, whom are mostly very well off have therefore raise the consumer confidence overall. External environment: The factors that may effect any business activity and issues that should be addressed in any business strategy carried out. They include business strategies like the potential cost and benefits of a joint venture, marketing planning (like threats from othe r rival businesses), business propositions (whether to further expand the business internationally or not). Starbucks company has the opportunity to expand its global operations.Starbucks has already created branches located all globally. There are just as many Starbucks available in Hong Kong have opened over 60 new shops by the end of 2005. New markets for coffee such as India and the around the Pacific rims are beginning to emerge. Political: Government legislations like employment law, consumer protection rights, copyrights and trademark and regulations used as boundaries for the business to operate within. For example the Hong Kong government’s minimum wage policy that sets a boundary for all businesses to operate within.As Hong Kong (HKSAR) has been under the rule of mainland China for several years after the handover by the British government. Nevertheless it has business friendly laws in the land. These liberties allow Starbuck Coffee Company to be capable of operatin g internationally in Hong Kong. However it has to follow the general legislations and regulations imposed by the HK government. Legal: The government imposes various rules and regulations to ensure the protection of the general public from the negative aspects of businesses. These legislations are normally to protect consumers, competing firms, employees, the social environment e. . c. Ethics: The moral principle that should be considered during decision making in a business. For example, what is the right thing to do and what is the wrong thing to do. Minimum wage is morally right because there are people that work for the least amount of wage possible where you can not even afford a meal for a day. For those that are in need, minimum wage is morally right. Starbucks as an organization has strong ethical view and an ethical mission statement with strong ethical values as follows, ‘Starbucks is committed to a role of environmental leadership in all facts of our businessâ€℠¢.

The Battle of Fort Donelson During the Civil War

The Battle of Fort Donelson was an early battle in the American Civil War (1861-1865). Grants operations against Fort Donelson lasted from February 11-16, 1862. Pushing south into Tennessee with assistance from Flag Officer Andrew Footes gunboats, Union troops under Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant captured Fort Henry on February 6, 1862. This success opened the Tennessee River to Union shipping. Before moving upstream, Grant began shifting his command east to take Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River. The capture of the fort would be a key victory for the Union and would clear the way to Nashville. The day after the loss of Fort Henry, the Confederate commander in the West, General Albert Sidney Johnston, called a council of war to determine their next step. Strung out along a wide front in Kentucky and Tennessee, Johnston was confronted by Grants 25,000 men at Fort Henry and Major General Don Carlos Buells 45,000-man army at Louisville, KY. Realizing that his position in Kentucky was compromised, he began withdrawing to positions south of the Cumberland River. After discussions with General P.G.T. Beauregard, he reluctantly agreed that Fort Donelson should be reinforced and dispatched 12,000 men to the garrison. At the fort, the command was held by Brigadier General John B. Floyd. Formerly the US Secretary of War, Floyd was wanted in the North for graft. Union Commanders Brigadier General Ulysses S. GrantFlag Officer Andrew H. Foote24,541 men Confederate Commanders Brigadier General John B. FloydBrigadier General Gideon PillowBrigadier General Simon B. Buckner16,171 men The Next Moves At Fort Henry, Grant held a council of war (his last of the Civil War) and resolved to attack Fort Donelson. Traveling over twelve miles of frozen roads, the Union troops moved out on February 12 but were delayed by a Confederate cavalry screen led by Colonel Nathan Bedford Forrest. As Grant marched overland, Foote shifted his four ironclads and three timberclads to Cumberland River. Arriving off Fort Donelson, USS Carondelet approached and tested the forts defenses while Grants troops moved into positions outside the fort. The Noose Tightens The next day, several small probing attacks were launched to determine the strength of the Confederate works. That night, Floyd met with his senior commanders, Brigadier-Generals Gideon Pillow and Simon B. Buckner, to discuss their options. Believing the fort was untenable, they decided that Pillow should lead a breakout attempt the next day and began shifting troops. During this process, one of Pillows aides was killed by a Union sharpshooter. Losing his nerve, Pillow postponed the attack. Irate at Pillows decision, Floyd ordered the attack to commence, however it was too late in the day to begin. While these events were occurring inside the fort, Grant was receiving reinforcement in his lines. With the arrival of troops led by Brigadier General Lew Wallace, Grant placed the division of Brigadier General John McClernand on the right, Brigadier General C.F. Smith on the left, and the new arrivals in the center. Around 3:00 PM, Foote approached the fort with his fleet and opened fire. His attack was met with fierce resistance from Donelsons gunners and Footes gunboats were forced to withdraw with heavy damage. The Confederates Attempt a Breakout The following morning, Grant departed before dawn to meet with Foote. Prior to leaving, he instructed his commanders not to initiate a general engagement but failed to designate a second-in-command. In the fort, Floyd had rescheduled the breakout attempt for that morning. Attacking McClernands men on the Union right, Floyds plan called for Pillows men to open a gap while Buckners division protected their rear. Surging out of their lines, the Confederate troops succeeded in driving back McClernands men and turning their right flank. While not routed, McClernands situation was desperate as his men were running low on ammunition. Finally reinforced by a brigade from Wallaces division, the Union right began to stabilize however confusion reigned as no one Union leader was in command on the field. By 12:30 the Confederate advance was stopped by a strong Union position astride Wynns Ferry Road. Unable to breakthrough, the Confederates withdrew back to a low ridge as they prepared to abandon the fort. Learning of the fighting, Grant raced back to Fort Donelson and arrived around 1:00 PM. Grant Strikes Back Realizing that the Confederates were attempting to escape rather than seeking a battlefield victory, he immediately prepared to launch a counterattack. Though their escape route was open, Pillow ordered his men back to their trenches to re-supply before departing. As this was happening, Floyd lost his nerve and believing that Smith was about to attack the Union left, ordered his entire command back into the fort. Taking advantage of the Confederate indecisiveness, Grant ordered Smith to attack the left, while Wallace moved forward on the right. Storming forward, Smiths men succeeded in gaining a foothold in the Confederate lines while Wallace reclaimed much of the ground lost in the morning. Fighting ended at nightfall and Grant planned to resume the attack in the morning. That night, believing the situation hopeless, Floyd and Pillow turned command over to Buckner and departed the fort by water. They were followed by Forrest and 700 of his men who waded through the shallows to avoid Union troops. On the morning of February 16, Buckner sent Grant a note requesting terms of surrender. Friends before the war, Buckner was hoping to receive generous terms. Grant famously replied: Sir: Yours of this date proposing Armistice, and appointment of Commissioners, to settle terms of Capitulation is just received. No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works. This curt response earned Grant the nickname Unconditional Surrender Grant. Though displeased by his friends response, Buckner had no choice but to comply. Later that day, he surrendered the fort and its garrison became the first of three Confederate armies to be captured by Grant during the course of the war. The Aftermath The Battle of Fort Donelson cost Grant 507 killed, 1,976 wounded, and 208 captured/missing. Confederate losses were much higher due to the surrender and numbered 327 killed, 1,127 wounded, and 12,392 captured. The twin victories at Forts Henry Donelson were the first major Union successes of the war and opened Tennessee to Union invasion. In the battle, Grant had captured nearly one-third of Johnstons available forces (more men than all previous US generals combined) and was rewarded with a promotion to major general.