Friday, March 6, 2020

Four Brothers Essays

Four Brothers Essays Four Brothers Paper Four Brothers Paper Essay Topic: Film Four Brothers was released in 2005 worldwide and told an amazing story about four adoptive brothers who are not blood related going through the trauma of losing their adoptive mother in a gruesome murder attack and work together to capture their mothers killer for revenge. Although these brothers are not blood related, they show the real loyalty and love of a real family. The director and producer of the movie is John Singleton who has directed many successful movie blockbusters including 2 Fast 2 Furious and Hustle Flow. The certificate of the movie is 15 with scenes of a sexual nature and strong language. This action movie keeps you at the edge of your seats impatiently waiting for more to come. The movie also brings tension and makes you feel like you have butterflies swarming in your stomach making your heart race and its a good feeling. : The movie brings scenes of humour and gets you to understand the real values of having a family because in the early stages of their life, the brothers were brought together as complete strangers and still love one another from all that time ago when they are reunited at their mothers funeral. But even as they reconnect, their main objective is to find the truth behind their moms murder. As they search out the thugs and other lowlifes who might have an idea about what really went down, it begins to dawn on the brothers that there was more to their mothers murder than meets the eye. The actors in the movie are, Mark Wahlberg, (Italian Job, The Departed) who plays Bobby Mercer, the eldest of the four and is the brother who is in control of everything and does most of the killing in the movie to try to find out who killed his mother and is always too overprotective of his younger brother Jack Mercer. Another actor in the movie is, Andre Benjamin from the world famous RB duo Outcast with his brother, Big Boi. Andre plays Jerry Mercer the 2nd oldest, who is shy businessman but very secretive brother who has hidden information from his brothers in connection to their mothers killer and also gained her $400,000 (Â £200,000) life insurance. But what does he do with the money? Successful music artist Tyrese Gibson plays Angel Mercer and is the 3rd oldest out of the four and he is only interested in satisfying his girlfriend Sofi in the bedroom who is played by Rosarita Sofia Vergara and killing the low-life thugs in connection to their mothers murder but is so frustrated by the fact that Bobby is always having arguments with Sofi because she wont let him go out and solve the mystery murder because she wants to have dinner with him so Angel is always stuck in the middle. The youngest out of the four who is played by Garrett Hedlund (Friday Night Lights) is Jack Mercer who hates killing and is too quiet to be able to express his feelings to his brothers. Because of this, Bobby assumes Jack is gay and calls him Jackie/Jacqueline. The movie is set in a poor and ghetto part of Detroit, with not so fortunate people and a lot of killings, pimps, stealing and many more disastrous things happening constantly. Cold and harsh colours are used to portray the citys underbelly to the crimson blood that flows after the gunfights in the city. Fortunately, the brothers are able to look after themselves but are not able to keep out of trouble. Always up to no good, you will witness the brothers breaking bones, to massacre shootouts that they get away with anyway. At the start of this promisingly exciting action movie, their mother is shot and killed in a grocery store hold up, which has more to it than it seems with a local gangster kingpin named Victor Sweet (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and a bent police officer, Detective Fowler, (Josh Charles) in connection to the murder but no one knows. Or do they? Fortunately for the brothers, they also have police connection, Detective Green, (Terrence Dashon Howard, Hustle Flow) who knows their trouble and grew up with them in the neighbourhood so lets them get away with everything through self-defence. But his life is taken when he discovers Detective Fowlers secret. The stunts are outstanding from cars flipping over to an amazing shoot out with the four brothers vs. a team of masked men who come in there 30s. Although the brothers win the shoot out, it doesnt end up all sweeter then sugar, as they will be mourning a brother, but which one? Fortunately, Four Brothers won No.1 movie Box- Office with $20.7 million. As the movie released, it became a huge achievement as Terrence Dashon Howard won the Break Through Artist Award and John Singleton won the Best Image Award. In conclusion, this winning movie has a fantastic and relieving end. The film does an admirable job of stomping on a few cinematic racial stereotypes. The good guys arent all white; the bad guys arent all black. And while no one should look to Four Brothers as a message movie, it is a gritty, absorbing film thats for the most part worth seeing. The movies is out on DVD and on Sky Movies on occasion so if you want to watch it, go to your local Blockbuster store or library and rent the DVD or buy it in your local HMV store or buy online on the internet.

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Music - Rock and Roll Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Music - Rock and Roll - Essay Example This principle helps them to look and differentiate between ordinary and underground music. Modern Garage movement tries to show people how they are engrossed in their own doings and how individuals can reform themselves within the normal capitalist. The movement tries to prevent the idea of capitalist manipulation over individuals. This idea was mostly practiced by the traditional and underground music (Abbey, 2006, Pg 50). Garage movement has addressed the importance of people practicing uniqueness and avoiding indulges in normal actions. The movement has come up with a way to teach individuals on ways to become engrossed in the normal actions of the society. This is because of how the group has provided a longing of music for times and periods. The engrossment to mainstream society activities has given people an option to how people should become biased to capitalist involvement of individuals. When Garage rock was starting its movement, they received unexpected responses from peo ple at the market places. This is a normal encounter to any emerging music movement because it has not yet established itself properly. The movement found this uncertainty to be helpful to them since they were able to show people the difference between ordinary music and the way to perform real music. The movement enjoyed the mixing of the music people longed for and the changing of the past with severity and sarcasm of the current America. Modern Garage movement started with the aim of supporting an American society and still has the goal of addressing the importance of uniqueness. The first Garage group that was successful incorporated both characteristics of the past, and connected them in the modern background. This was a challenge for the underground music because they thought that Garage style was not going to be successful. This was not hard-core or confrontation music, but it brought actual rock music. The underground music became the concern with those involved with Garage music, but they also offered a chance for new music to come up. Modern Garage shows interest to go back to periods when revolt was taken lightly (Fox & Chings, 2008, Pg 44). This is demonstrated by how they play their music and the attitude presented in the performance. Modern Garage music is related to self-longing version within people’s culture. These versions started from Britain and the backgrounds of the 1960 Greek culture. It is also noted that Hollywood films have demonstrated these versions of rebellion, which are acceptable in the societal customs. Some participants claim that these actions are intrusive, and can result to violent actions while others suggests that the music is a set of music that force people to the principles of music standards. There are people who are fond of the mainstreaming music while others have a negative feeling about the music and they are interested in the underground music (Fox & Ching, 2008, Pg 57). There are certain times that indivi duals are given an opportunity to come up with modern Garage music within certain periods of longing rebellion. The periods that are demonstrated are those that show times in which revolt were realized in the societies and made people be shocked because of certain happenings. The current world has denied people a chance to revolt. This is the reason as to why people get involved into Garage rock so that they can demonstrate some rebellion as they are

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

History of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Research Paper

History of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) - Research Paper Example Introduction Open dumps and landfills have been used over the years as a place for waste disposal. Open dumps were used back in 1950’s and 1960’s. However, they unhygienic and had a lot of negative impact to the environment. Therefore, most of them were illegally created. Later, in 1970’s early landfills were created to cover the dump sites so as to reduce it impact to the environment. However, this early landfills lack proper equipments and designs that enabled the waste to be disposed off properly. This brought more research and modern landfills were created. These landfills are well deigned, planned and monitored thus improving waste disposal method. Further, these landfills also act as sources of energy and revenue to municipalities. 1. Open dumps are abandoned piles of garbage, household appliances, bags of yard waste, used tires and demolition debris such as shingles, lumber, asbestos and pipes in large quantities. There are commonly found in backyard, fore sts, abandoned swimming pools and buildings. Generally, open dumps are created when making building foundations (Binder et al, 2007). Open dumps are usually not permitted thus illegal. Often, if open dumps are allowed they tend to grow very large. 1a There are many problems associated with open dumps as it possesses safety, health and environmental threats. These environmental threats include; air pollution: open dumps has garbage’s of from different source which react to produce toxic gases. These toxic gases are inhaled by humans and animals around the area thereby causing respiratory diseases. Open dumps also cause water contamination in rivers, streams, lakes and even ground water. This leads to drinking water contamination thus resulting to water scarcity as water is a scare resource. Furthermore, open dumps cause a lot of damage to the natural ecosystem that is the plants and wildlife habitats. They cause soil contamination, which does not work well with the plants and animals. Evidently, local communities near open dumps have high prevalence of diseases such as malaria because open dumps carry disease carrying mosquitoes, rodents and flies. Moreover, open dumps cause a loss of aesthetic value of a location. Due to the many types of garbage in the open dump it makes the area unattractive, smelly and unbearable environment. Lastly, open dumps cause fire and explosion which in turn cause severe damage to the environment. These also decrease the quality of life of residents and local community living around it. 2 Early landfills were constructed without much technology and designing put to it. They were constructed in the 1970’s, to control the problem of odors as a result of sanitary landfills. They mainly entailed installing cover system in formal dumpsites to deal with the problem of windblown refuse and often fires caused by the open dump sites. These early 1970’s landfills were constructed without leachate and liners collection sys tems (Reno, 2008). Lack of leachate collection system becomes one of the major problems associated with these landfills. 3 Leachate is the liquid that comes from dew and rain, and natural moisture penetrates through waste. It moves through the waste dissolving salts, picking up organic components and leaching heavy metals. Furthermore, landfill leachate has an organic strength greater than 20 to 100 times that of raw sewage. Consequently, this makes it a potentially potent polluter of groundwater and soil.

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Understanding Media Production And Techniques Media Essay

Understanding Media Production And Techniques Media Essay Advertising is like a form of communication, often intended to persuade the viewers or listeners to purchase or consume a product. It crosses numerous platforms from broadcast, print, billboard and online. Video production, or videography, is the art and service of videotaping, editing, and distributing a finished video product. This can include television production, commercial video production, and corporate and event videos. Elements of video production include (1) Pre-Production, (2) Production, and (3) Post Production, and all video productions are organized this way to ensure that the process is a seamless one, and the final-result is as envisioned. Production is the shooting stage of your shoot, which includes cinematography, audio, lights, as well as directing, art and effects. Video production can be used at sporting, school, stage, wedding, church, and similar events to provide recordings of the events. Event video production can also be used to broadcast events live to viewers at home such as a press conference or concert. Video of live events can be sent by microwave or satellite from the event location to a studio in order to be broadcast. Tips for video production The best way to understand video production is to think of it as a process. The process is always the same, whether you are producing a simple video or a intricate one. Here is a description of the process, step-by-step. It can be broken down into three phases. Pre-production Production Post-production Pre-production is probably the most important and the easiest. Even if you want to outsource most of the work, you can (and should) do most of the pre-production yourself. Pre-production includes everything you do before you ever touch the camera. First, think about what you want your finished video to be. Ask yourself these questions. Who is your audience? What does your audience need or want to hear? What does the audience already know? What style of video would appeal to your target audience? What is your budget? What resources do you have readily available? The answer to these questions will determine most everything else. Next, think about what you should actually go and get on video tape. Do you need to interview experts? Do you need footage of specific things that represent your subject? Where and how will you video tape these things? Plan it all out. Make phones calls. Schedule crews, etc. Write out a first draft of your script. Nothing needs to be carved in stone at this point, but a working script will help you collect all your thoughts. A good script should be conversational. Pretend you are explaining the subject matter to a friend. What would you say to them? Write that down and then modify it by using more colourful words and better descriptions. Video scripts are best if they use simple, short sentences. Avoid long, complex words that will be tongue twisters. Read it aloud to test it. Have someone else listen to you and get their reaction. The production phase includes gathering all of your raw materials. All your raw video and audio. This phase probably takes the most work and know-how, especially if you are shooting everything from scratch. Post-production is the phase where you take all your raw materials and assemble them into a finished video. Mostly, post-production means video editing. There are many wonderful computer video editing programs that do a great job. Personally, I use Final Cut by Apple Computers. This is an advanced video editing program that allows you total control over every single aspect of your video. Most beginners would never want to fool with it. A beginner would be much better off with a simple program like Windows Movie maker or iMovie, which are both free. Those programs rely on pre-produced templates that make it much easier and less complex. Sony Vegas Movie Studio is a popular program that is inexpensive and allows more control than the freebie programs but isnà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢t nearly as complicated as Final Cut. Video editing is also a step-by-step process and I have many free tutorials here on video production tips.com that will help you. So there you have it, a brief description of the process of video production. Audio production The post process in recording acoustic music is often referred to as mixing, as this process happens after recording the musicians. In electronic music the workflow is usually quite different, and in this context the term post processing would typically not refer to the actual mixing process but rather what is applied to the resulting mix-down. With todays increasing amount of music software and musicians creating electronic music in their homes, post production is often done by the musicians themselves. The process typically involves equalization, audio level compression, multi-band audio compression, and limiting. This process somewhat overlaps but should not be mistaken for the term mastering, as post production is usually performed on a per-song basis, whereas mastering is aimed at preparing an entire list of songs for a specific media type. Audio Post Production usually refers to audio that is synchronized with video. This applies to TV, cinema, and commercials. One major aspect of audio post production is the use of ADR, or automatic dialogue replacement. Sometimes the original, or production audio, lacks in performance or quality, and the actor or actors are brought into a sound studio to record some or all of their dialogue from the project. Other elements such as foley, music, and voiceover are also added during post production. Online multimedia production Multimedia is the use of several different media to convey information (text, audio, graphics, animation, video, and interactivity). As multimedia solutions, we understand the solutions that use animation, as a rule, they are developed in Flash. As distinct from static texts (html), multimedia allows to show your product (service) in action, can include audio/video fragments thus making the story about your company more dynamic and attractive and helping it to reach better effect than a static solution could. Research has indicated the following areas are important for new entrants in the creative industries: Client service As a service industry, the client is at the heart of the operation. Some of the most junior roles (such as runners, assistants and receptionists) can be the most customer-facing. As is often said, clients are hard won and easily lost. Transferable skills the ability to apply the same logic and thought processes from one area of advertising to another makes any new entrant more employable. Good numeracy / literacy skills and attention to detail entry level roles are often responsible for a large about of data wrangling. Logging information  as well as monitoring numerical data needs to be accurate in a pressurised environment. Good timekeeping and self organisation good organisation skills are highly sought after in all industries, but particularly in  advertising where deadlines are tight. Speaking and self presentation: these skills relate to client service but are of great importance in  a sector where image is important.

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Survey’s Burger King, Wendy’s, Mcdonalds

Krystal Williams January 29, 2013 Intro to Marketing Marketing Strategies Assignment * McDonald’s * Wendy’s * Burger King 1. What age group is each targeting? * For McDonald’s the age group the restaurant is targeting will be from anywhere to 24-38 with children. * For Wendy’s the age group the restaurant is targeting the 24 to 49 year age group. * For Burger King the age group is targeting will be more for everyone from children up to the age of 50 year of age or older. 2. Do you agree with each one? Why/ or why not? Yes I do believe is the targeting rate for McDonald’s. McDonald’s is a family restaurant and the ideal place for kids and teenagers to go and sit down and eat. * Wendy’s is trying to give up on the fast food when it comes to the age group of 18-24 year olds. The chief executive Roland Smith said that â€Å"Wendy’s plan to target the 24-49 year age group. † I can kind of agree to what he is saying, because I don’t hardly hear people say I’m going to Wendy’s to grab something to eat, the main two restaurants I hear are McDonald’s and Burger King. Yes I do believe Burger King does target the age group from children to elder adults, because Burger King, because from my experience I see mostly everyone eating Burger King from children, to adults, and to elderly adults. 3. What changes in the technology environment have made it possible to YouTube to flourish? * YouTube can remind you of Google; when people want to look up something they just Google it. That is what YouTube is about. There are many viewers on YouTube uploading videos and watching videos. YouTube videos vary from music, movies, or how to do something. 4.How effective has YouTube between in distinguishing themselves from potential competitive? * YouTube corresponds to the mainstream media’s material to mass audiences. YouTube is controlled by viewers, listeners, and readers. 5. What technolog ical changes maybe on the horizon that could cause problems for YouTube? * The two only changes I can see that can cause a problem to YouTube will be sooner or later there will be a surcharge to having a YouTube account just to upload videos. Or something bigger and better comes out that can out do YouTube, like Facebook did to MySpace.

Friday, January 10, 2020

Genres of Literature Essay

Genres of literature are important to learn about. The two main categories separating the different genres of literature are fiction and nonfiction. There are several genres of literature that fall under the nonfiction category. Nonfiction sits in direct opposition to fiction. Examples from both the fiction and nonfiction genres of literature are explained in detail below. This detailed genres of literature list is a great resource to share with any scholars. Types of Nonfiction: Narrative Nonfiction is information based on fact that is presented in a format which tells a story. Essays are a short literary composition that reflects the author’s outlook or point. A short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative. A Biography is a written account of another person’s life. An Autobiography gives the history of a person’s life, written or told by that person. Often written in Narrative form of their person’s life. Speech is the faculty or power of speaking; oral communication; ability to express one’s thoughts and emotions by speech, sounds, and gesture. Generally delivered in the form of an address or discourse. Finally there is the general genre of Nonfiction. This is Informational text dealing with an actual, real-life subject. This genre of literature offers opinions or conjectures on facts and reality. This includes biographies, history, essays, speech, and narrative non fiction. Nonfiction opposes fiction and is distinguished from those fiction genres of literature like poetry and drama which is the next section we will discuss. Genres of Fiction: Drama is the genre of literature that’s subject for compositions is dramatic art in the way it is represented. This genre is stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action. Poetry is verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that evokes an emotional response from the reader. The art of poetry is rhythmical in composition, written or spoken. This genre of literature is for exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts. Fantasy is the forming of mental images with strange or other  worldly settings or characters; fiction which invites suspension of reality. Humor is the faculty of perceiving what is amusing or comical. Fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement which meant to entertain. This genre of literature can actually be seen and contained within all genres. A Fable is a story about supernatural or extraordinary people Usually in the form of narration that demonstrates a useful truth. In Fables, animals often speak as humans that are legendary and supernatural tales. Fairy Tales or wonder tales are a kind of folktale or fable. Sometimes the stories are about fairies or other magical creatures, usually for children. Science Fiction is a story based on impact of potential science, either actual or imagined. Science fiction is one of the genres of literature that is set in the future or on other planets. Short Story is fiction of such briefness that is not able to support any subplots. Realistic Fiction is a story that can actually happen and is true to real life. Folklore are songs, stories, myths, and proverbs of a person of â€Å"folk† that was handed down by word of mouth. Folklore is a genre of literature that is widely held, but false and based on unsubstantiated beliefs. Historical Fiction is a story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting. Horror is an overwhelming and painful feeling caused by literature that is frightfully shocking, terrifying, or revolting. Fiction in which events evoke a feeling of dread in both the characters and the reader. A Tall Tale is a humorous story with blatant exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the impossible with an here of nonchalance. Legend is a story that sometimes of a national or folk hero. Legend is based on fact but also includes imaginative material. Mystery is a genre of fiction that deals with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets. Anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown. Mythology is a type of legend or traditional narrative. This is often based in part on historical events, that reveals human behavior and natural phenomena by its symbolism; often pertaining to the actions of the gods. A body of myths, as that of a particular people or that relating to a particular person. Fiction in Verse is full-length novels with plot, subplots, themes, with major and minor characters. Fiction of verse is one of thegenres of literature in which the narrative is usually presented in blank verse form. The genre of Fiction can be defined as narrative literary works whose content is produced by the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact. In fiction something is feigned, invented, or imagined; a made-up story. The Oxford English Dictionary is a great place to consult for any further definitions of the different genres of literature explained here.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Odyssey vs O Brother, Where Art Thou - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1620 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2019/04/01 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Odyssey Essay Did you like this example? In Odyssey, the main character Odysseus leaves his land and family in order to battle for an ally’s kidnapped wife, the battle of Troy. He spends a decade later trying to return home, battling various ills and evils so that he may eventually be able to return home. In his long absence, his wife Penelope has the battle of her own to resist the suitors congregating in her home in an attempt to win her hand in marriage. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Odyssey vs O Brother, Where Art Thou?" essay for you Create order Their son Telemachus battles a mostly internal war in both missing his father and despising the suitors who are ruining his home and overtaking his life. In O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the three main characters Everett McGill, Pete Hogwallop, and Delmar O’Donnell escape from a prison chain gang. Everett convinced his fellow inmates that he has hidden a treasure that must be recovered before his hometown is flooded in the name of progress and the creation of a dam. Unbeknownst to his companions until near the end of the film, he is actually in prison for unlawful practice of law, and the treasure does not exist. The trio travels back to McGill’s hometown, with many interesting adventures along the way, including meeting a blind man who foretells their future, McGill’s attempts to woo and win over his wife Penny, and becoming a famous singing trio who receive a pardon for their crimes due to their immense popularity. Homer’s epic The Odyssey and Ethan Coen and Joel Coen’s movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? are remarkably similar despite several large differences. The most notable differences between the two media are the setting, the number of primary characters, and the history and story of the main character(s). The similarities are numerous, and include the varying array of adventures, the theme of nostos, and the pursuit of material reward. In Homer’s epic, the story takes place centuries ago, while the Coen’s movie takes place very recently, in the 1930’s. These differences bring with them different cultures and values. In Odysseus’ time, honor was valued above nearly all else. Homer shares a story of men who were highly valued when they died in battle, which was considered a good, respectable death. In the time period McGill, Hogwallop and O’Donnell lived, honor was not as valued. Rather than being men who were very well off, who left home to do battle, these three are escaped convicts. They hold no honor, something that is very evident when Everett McGill finds that his wife is engaged to another man and has lied to their daughters, preferring to tell them that their father was hit and killed by a train than to tell them he has been jailed. Odysseus’ wife Penelope waits for him for ten years, remaining faithful to him at all costs. She also shares her husband’s good name with their son Telemachus, and they both refuse to fully accept the possibility that Odysseus is dead without irrefutable proof. In contrast, McGill’s wife Penny tells their three daughters that he was hit and killed by a train, to avoid the stigma and shame associated with having a criminal for a husband. The girls believe their mother, as they have no reason not to, and Penny becomes engaged to another man rather than remain faithful to her husband. Despite these differences, both McGill and Odysseus do what they must to get their wives back from the suitors. While McGill takes a much less O Brother, Where Art Thou?violent stance, by punching his wife’s fiancà © and then finding her original wedding band (her requirement to take her hand again), and Odysseus elects to violently murder all the suitors in his home, as well a s any maids that slept with the suitors or other workers who aided the suitors above and beyond their basic duties. These two men have different family dynamics, but the same dedication to their wives and children. In the Odyssey, there is one main character. While there are three central characters, Odysseus, Telemachus, and Penelope, the story only follows one at a time, with Odysseus ultimately being the main character. In O Brother, Where Art Thou? there are three main characters. McGill, Hogwallop and O’Donnell are together at almost all times. This story also has one main character that it follows, McGill, instead of following the stories of the three most important characters. There is a varying depiction of the most common and important characters. The characters also have different stories and histories. Some has been covered above, but there are other large differences. Odysseus is a noble, often given the title â€Å"godlike,† and lives on a large property that supports his in-laws and allows him room and wealth for many flocks of animals, workers, and servants. Odysseus is well-respected, and his name is well known due to his high social status. The three in O Brother are criminals, without more than the possessions of the average middle to low class person during the time – at least before they were jailed. Their names are originally only known because of their failures to obey the law, and because they are escaped criminals. Later on, they are known because of their hit singing ability, but that is not even under their own names, but their â€Å"band† name. While Odysseus is known for his good deeds, McGill, Hogwallop and O’Donnell are known for their misdeeds. The similarities between the two stories are extensive, so I will only focus on a few. There are similarities not only in plot and the adventures the characters embark on and are involved in, but both are ripe with metaphors. In both tales, the main characters are following the strong theme of nostos, or the want/need to return home. Odysseus is battling gods, monsters, even visits Hades to help him return to his family. McGill convinces two others to break out of a chained roadside jail so that he can return to his wife and daughters. In addition, both stories begin with our â€Å"heroes† in captivity when they are first introduced. Odysseus is on an island with Calypso, and the three in O Brother are jailed. Both escape captivity, though through different means. Though at opposing ends of the story, Odysseus, McGill, Hogwallop, and O’Donnell end up floating on driftwood due to violent waters. For Odysseus, the waters are so intense because he had angered the god of the sea, Poseidon earlier in the story. Poseidon did everything in his power to keep Odysseus from getting home, though he was unable to kill Odysseus because of Zeus’ direct orders. As a result, Odysseus handcrafted raft is torn to pieces, and he floats on broken pieces until he has mustered the courage to attempt a swim to land. McGill and company were left floating on their own coffins after the valley they were in was flooded to create a dam. They also narrowly avoided death by those who wanted to kill them, the local sheriff and his men who wanted to hang them (which was why their coffins were there). In other parts of the stories, they both have their future foretold by a blind clairvoyant (in O Brother, the clairvoyant is the blind man who gives them a ride on the handcart, in Odysseus it’s the prophet Theoclymenus). All four characters are seduced by sirens, though they take very different approaches to the water-loving singers. Also in line with the sirens, only one character becomes seduced by them, with Odysseus tied to the mast of his ship and Hogwallop is basically kidnapped for ransom. Another similarity would be when Odysseus and his crew meet, are terrorized by, and escape Polyphemus, the Cyclopes. In O Brother, the men meet and are mugged by Big Dan Teague, another large man who also lures them in with food (though Polyphemus lure isn’t intentional) and they certainly cannot beat with strength alone, and kills one of their â€Å"men† (they believed one had been turned into a frog, who Teague squishes, similar to Polyphemus eating smashing and eatin g some of Odysseus’ crewmates). I was shocked between the similarities between these two stories. I read Homer’s Odyssey in the college I originally attended for my English class, and watched O Brother, Where Art Thou? once before with my father as it’s one of his favorite movies. It didn’t strike me that they were so similar until this paper challenged me to consider it. It seems almost as if they are the same story, and I am honestly shocked that I never noticed the wide array of similarities before. I think this is a very effective way of sharing the story with others, and makes the crazy things that happen seem as plausible in modern times as possible. Odysseus’ adventures today seem impossible, especially as most people now discount Greek mythology as nothing more than interesting stories of odd cultures from the past. By putting similar happenings in a modern context, though it has a lot of happenings that can be considered coincidental (such as correct predictions of future events by others), the Coen’s turn something improbable to plausible and funny. By doing this paper, I now look for similarities between Homer’s tale and other media I see. A lot of modern versions of epics and tales of grandeur, even in media like Scrubs and The Dresden Files. Also, the success of the movie and epic both show the eternal interest of the general population in an epic tale that includes plenty of â€Å"action† and a tale of romance, which is interesting in and of itself.