Modern British Cinema: Themes and Perspectives

Modern British Cinema: Themes and Perspectives INTRODUCTION The history and rich heritage of the modern British cinema can be rooted from its rich history and films which were produced in the past and served as an unwavering inspiration to the themes and perspectives which were evident in the British films which were shown today. One of the most common themes existent among the British films of today would most probably be the concept of social realism. This theme, as being present and influential in the production of modern British films, represents the actual happenings in the real lives of the people, together with all the difficulties and predicaments which were present in the peoples daily struggle to survival. The stories and the people which were portrayed in the films were reflective of everyday characters and usually are have an economic background belonging to the middle class group in the society. The theme of social realism started to be portrayed in British films in as early as the 1960s with also the emergence of the so-called B ritish New Wave. Some of the films in the past which showed themes of social realism include Look Back in Anger, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. Because of the presence of social realism in various literatures in the past, most of these movies were based on written novels and produced plays which showed the same theme. Furthermore, it has been noted that social realism is more than just a genre in modern British cinema, it is considered to be a dominant form of cinema. This theme of social realism is often coupled with political awareness as such has been also noted to be permissive in British cinema. Modern films with the themes of social realism include Trainspotting, My Name is Joe, This is England, and Human Traffic (Strozykowski, 2008) Moreover, new perspectives in the British cinema is also said to have been focused in masculinity, showing themes which were centered and aptly inspired by the British men in the society, or at least, the crisis in British masculinity. Furthermore, more than the crisis, it is said that what the British cinema actually articulates would be the dilemmas of identification and ideology for modern British men. (Claydon, n.d.) LOOKING FOR ERIC One of the British films in the modern society would have been Looking for Eric which was show in theaters last year. The central theme which was depicted in the movie Looking for Eric could be aptly described as how a football player was able to run away from the trials and problems which life has confronted him and it also shows how the heroes of footballs can bring for fans. The movie was directed by an English director in the name of Ken Loach while the story was written by Paul Laverty. The main casts of the movie included real-life football fantasy and superstar, Eric Cantona together with Steve Evets. According to the director of the film, the movie was actually intended to show the life of major celebrities as being only as simple and as complicated as everyone life and the notion that we are stringer as a tem rather than as separate individuals with differing goals and perspectives. The film was also used as an entry in a competition, the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. The movie was considered to be an exceptional addition to the glitz and glamour of the film festival as it showcased the presence of the Manchester United and France footballing legend. The film was shot in the United Kingdom, distributed by Icon Film Distribution and produced by the company owned by Loach which was Sixteen Films. It was said to have an estimated budget of 4 million pounds. THE SYNOPSIS AND PLOT The movie depicts a bitter sweet comedy illustrating the life of a loser postman who was able to receive words of wisdom from Eric Cantona, who is also Eric Cantona in real life, a philosophical football legend who is considered to be the hero of another character in the said movie. The movie is also said to be a significant addition to the list of movies which were football related in terms of the story or the central plot. The movie was all about a middle-aged postman who was able to find employment at the Manchester sorting office through the character of Eric Bishop. Bishop in the movie was going through a dreadful crisis in life which sprouts other themes which were evident through the course of the film. Bishop was alo looking through and guiding the growth of his grand daughter which makes him make contact with his ex-wife, Lily. The grand daughter is a main reason why he needed to still establish close relationship and contact with Lily despite the fact that the two were already separated after Bishop abandoned her when their first child was born. His son, Ryan, was then hiding a gun in their house which is used by the gangsters which are present in the place. In one of Bishops weakest and most depressing time, he considers the possibility of committing suicide in order to end the adversaries which have been confronting his life. Furthermore, in order to discount the possibility of such occurrenc e, a meditation session was held inside his room and after which, he had a clearer perspective of things and let go of the possibility of ending his only life and instead went to see the philosophical football legend which happens to be another Eric, in the person of Eric Cantona. His visits to the football star were able to give him enlightenment after Cantona gave him several words of wisdom and inspiration which gave him ideas on why he should go on with his life. Such visits led to an improvement in his relationship with his ex-wife. Bishop also discovered about the hidden gun and he immediately confronted his son after finding it out. When his son was confronted, Ryan did not deny of his involvement with the gangsters in the place. Bishop returned to the gun the rightful group. His sons were said to be making his life more problematic and they are deemed to bring Bishop into an early death with all the problems that the two have caused in Bishops life. When he returned the gun, he was forced to keep it himself and a series of unfortunate events followed which even included a posting of a humiliating video of him in a video uploading site. The entire family was then arrested and the house was searched in order to find the gun but it was nowhere to be found all over the place. Bishop was given different words of wisdom and advice by Cantona. With a number of fanatics of the Manchester United football team, in an operation which they dubbed as Operation Cantona, Bishop sneaked through the gangsters house to be able to find the gun and threatened that they will also release a humiliating video of the gang just like what they have earlier did to Bishop. Cantona was considered by Bishop to be like a genie who suddenly pops out of the bottle, acted his life coach, and gave him more inspiration and reasons to be able to enjoy and live life despite the predicaments especially with all the trouble that confronted him as being brought about by his children. The movi e ended with the scene of a graduation of one of Bishops children, depicting a happy family and finally enjoying a peaceful life. CLOSER LOOK AT THE MOVIE With the central characters which assumed the major roles in the movie, it can be said that the film revolved around the lives of two Erics Bishop and Cantona who each had their fair share in the flow of the story. The first Eric is the depressed one who has been confronted with numerous challenges in his life, from his children, to his ex-wife, and even to the environment in which he has been living. However, the second Eric was legendary and ghost-like. He was like a genie who provided words of wisom and encouragement to be able to inspire the former Eric in his life amidst all the struggles which confronted him. Like in any other works of Ken Loach, the movie included a spectacular cast which has been deemed to be perfect in the portrayal of their respective roles in the movie. The meticulous casting process for Looking for Eric is said to be an additional in the bones of the character and also serves as an embellishment in the whole process of completing the movie. In the movie, the most important and central character is not the legendary football player, but the little Eric who found inspiration in the middle of his struggle to survival. Moreover, the humor in the story can be especially seen and illustrated in the scenes where Cantona has been giving the other Eric a series of advises to help him go on with living his life instead of trying to end it because he was confronted with too many troubles. Form this advises, there were presence of self-deprecating humor which included his metaphors. The enigmatic philosophical ramblings of Cantona were depicted in the film without losing the to uch of humor to provide more interest in the storyline (Strozykowski, 2009). The presence of social realism in the central theme of the film cannot be also discounted as the main characters and setting of the film revolves around the middle class society and reflects their struggle for survival in the middle of the illustrated political and economic situation. THE DIRECTOR As what has been mentioned earlier, the movie was directed by Kenneth â€Å"Ken† Loach, a native of Warkwirshire. His earliest experiences in the fields of movie and television can be attributed to his membership at his schools experimental theater club. His first experiences in directing were harnessed as he joined ABC television in the year 1961and he then switched to BBC after several years. One of his most notable works in the field of television entertainment would have been The Wednesday Play which he did in collaboration with the skills of Tony Garnett. The said work of the two directors is said to have been a significant evolution and revolution in the field of British drama as such show has spurred political debates. The drama is said to be a socialist as it has been geared towards providing an inspiration to the middle class members of the society to become agents who could be able to potentially revolutionize and inspire the existence of economic change in the Briti sh society. Ken Loach has always been a name surfacing in the Cannes Film Festival as his works have made him one of the favorites in the said award-giving body. During the eyar 2006, the director won the most prestigious award at Cannes, the Palm dOr for his movie entitled The Wind That Shakes the Barley which is about the troubles in Ireland. The most successful works of Loach in the field of British entertainment were said to be exploratory of the varying dimensions of the life of human wherein the personal dimensions intersect with the political aspects. His works show the fusion of politics with the lives of ordinary human beings and how such can greatly affect the mode of living. Much of the directors works were aimed towards the criticism of capital targets which included gangsters, exploitative employers, conservative employers, and loan sharks, which have been a common theme in his works. The artistic visual style of Loach as a director is said to be unassuming, illustrating careful narrative construction, and showing performances which are sympathetic making the target audience relate into the situations which were depicted by the motion picture. The political points which Loach tries to emphasize in his works could be seen arising from natural emotions and situations which are shown to be very realistic. The exis tence of humor in his works cannot be also discounted as such themes make the claims of the film stronger, and at times, can also add sarcasm to the political satires which the film expects to deliver. Loach has already an experience of almost 40 years in the industry with an estimated works of almost 60 films which included theatrical figures and works which were intended not to be show in cinemas but only in the televisions yet still depictive of the same themes and concepts which were common in the directors works. It has been said that most of his finest works were explicitly political with a tough of humor and powerful emotion inspired by the directors intellectual ideas and major concepts. His works were said to be one way of depicting the nations unconscious as it illustrates what has been actually happening in the modern society in terms of the political and economic dimension. Despite hindrances in the industry such as financial constraints, fickle artistic trends, and the ebb and flow in politics, Loach remains in his commitment of providing the society with films which are committed to progressive ideals. The most powerful scene sin the movies which were created by Loach were said to be established in a setting were a large group of film characters were gathered as they discuss and debate over various issues, mostly were political and economical. For instance, in his movie The Big Flame the characters were shown to be having a conversation as they try to organize a strike, in the movie Land Of Freedom there was also a scene which depicts an extended debate in which the characters were fighting about land reform, and the movie Bread and Roses depicted a scene where the janitors were having an argument on whether or not they will be joining an established union. Other works of Ken Loach include the following movies: Poor Cow, Kes, family Life, Black Jack, Looks and Smiles, Fatherland, Hidden Agenda, RiffRaff, Raining Stones, Ladybird Ladybird, Land and Freedom, Carlas Song, My name is Joe, Bread and Roses, The Navigators, Sweet Sixteen, Ae Fond Kiss, Tickets, McLibel,.The Wind That Shak es the Barley, Its a Free World, and Looking For Eric (Robins, n.d.). REFERENCES: Strozykowski, M; Social Realism in British Film; 2008 Claydon, A. E.; New Perspectives on British Cinema: Going Beyond the Crisis in Masculinity Robins, M; Senses of Cinema: Ken Loach The Internet Movie Database; Looking for Eric; 2009 The Official Website of Looking for Eric The Movie; 2009

Minority Rules :: essays research papers

In the novel A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, the author uses many minor characters. Although labelled "minor", these characters contribute fully, and are essential to the depth and excitement of the novel. Three such characters are: Miss Pross, Gaspard, and Jerry Cruncher. These three characters take on a couple different roles, depending on what point in the novel one is at. From the beginning, and throughout the novel, Miss Pross plays a simple role. She takes care of Lucie Manette. A simple role it may seem to be, but she adds humor to the story from the offset. Once Lucie and Dr. Manette have returned to England, after Dr. Manette's imprisonment, Miss Pross continues to take an influential role in the story. She is constantly looking after Lucie and this includes Miss Pross attempting to discourage any suitors. Miss Pross is quite successful at appearing and acting in a commanding and intimidating manner. An example of this is when Mr. Lorry came to visit at the Manette's home; "...Miss Pross, the wild red woman, strong of hand...`I don't want dozens of people who are not all worthy of Ladybird, to come looking after her....to take Ladybird's affections away from me.'" Miss Pross being part of the novel deepens the plot by providing some humor and giving the reader another side to consider when thinking of Lucie and her several relationships. Gaspard's purpose in the novel is dissimilar to that of Miss Pross. Gaspard is used to help the reader understand how the majority of the French population was feeling prior to the revolution. Gaspard and the other peasants were treated, by the aristocracy, as if they were disgusting rodents. When Gaspard's son is run over by the Marquis, all the Marquis is worried about, is if his horses or his coach were hurt or damaged. Gaspard's anger and realization of how he is being treated causes him to rebel and kill the Marquis. The one murder symbolizes the animosity of all the peasants and is a taste of what is to come with the revolution. Gaspard was therefore used to foreshadow what is to happen in the future, this is auvioce especially after Gaspard is captured and hung. He is left hanging with a knife in him so that he poisons the water. Later that afternoon the Jacquerie are talking in Defarge's wine shop of how "the chateau and all the race.

Tv Shows And Real Life :: essays research papers

TV Shows and Real Life TV shows are probably the primary source of entertainment for the average American. Most of them run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. with reruns starting at 5 p.m. We watch them because they give us something to do, a way to relax, something to help pass the time. We all watch different shows, some people like "Married...with Children", some are repulsed with it, but like to watch "Home Improvement", what draws particular crowds to certain shows? How do these shows portray the average American, or do they portray average Americans at all? These are questions many writers have attempted to answer, at least one column in almost every newspaper is dedicated to this topic. I think the people like to see shows that portray them, or what they'd like to be. "Married...with Children" runs on Fox 29 on Mondays at 8:30 p.m., it has been on air for a long time, and has passed its 200th episode last season. The main characters of the show is women's shoe salesman Al Bundy, his wife Peg, dorky son Bud, and slutty daughter Kelly. Al loves to watch TV, bowl with his buddies, drink and go to the "nudy bar". Marcie and Jefferson, are the Bundy's neighbors and also take an active part in the show. Most shows consist of Al going somewhere or doing something and everyone else making fun of him when he fails miserably. Al is someone you can hardly call a father to his kids, he's doesn't take care of them and he does absolutely nothing father-like for them or with them. Al is constantly complaining about his marriage, he says that if he was sober that night, none of this would have happened. He calls his children accidents and the only good memory he has, is of him being a great high school football player, which he would take to the next level had all his dreams not been crushed by Peg. The only living thing Al really likes on the show is his dog, Buck, to which he can relate as they are both dirty and nasty. Every show it is the same kind of thing, over and over again. Peg is trying to convince Al to have sex, Al blames Peg for his failure in life, Kelly is screwing some guy in the back seat of a car, and Bud is looking at "nudy magazines". Last Monday, the 27, Al decided to join the Army Reserve in order to escape his family. John Ozersky writes in his article entitled "TV's Anti-Families: Married.

Financial Analysis for Ford Motor Corporation

Ford Motor Company was registered as a full company in 1919 and it manages operations in the international automobile industry. Ford is responsible for the manufacture and supply of vehicles in six major continents in the world and its automobile products are Ford and Lincoln. The Lincoln brand sells lavish cars while the Ford brand sells commercial vehicles and automobiles.The company also manufactures automobile spare parts, heavy trucks and tractors. Ford holds minor stakes in the U.K’s Aston Martin and Japan’s Mazda brands. Furthermore, the company is listed in the New York Stocks Exchange (NYSE); with the Ford family has minority ownership. In addition, the company’s automobile sector is composed of Ford Asia Pacific Africa Regions, Ford Europe, Ford South and North America. In the financial year 2012, the company recorded more than five million sales in units at whole sale globally. The company’s spare parts, automobiles, and other accessories are su pplies through retail traders in North America and via other global retail stores that are separately owned.Ford Asia Pacific division is focused on selling and distributing in twelve key market regions through wholesales and tracking every market in the region. Some of the regions tracked by the company include South Africa, China, Australia, India and Association of South East Nations (ASEAN). Ford Europe is involved in distribution and tracking of Ford’s wholesale brands in Russia and Turkey and it has affiliates with Ford Sollers and Ford Otosan. The Ford South and North America divisions are involved in the wholesale of both Lincoln and Ford brands.The market region is the U.S, Mexico and Canada. Motor Company competes with other global players, which include Toyota Motor Corporation, Honda Motor Company, Fiat-Chrysler, Suzuki Motor Corporation, PSA Peugeot  Citroen, General Motors Company, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, Hyundai-KIA Automotive group and Renault Nissan B.V. Horizontal AnalysisThe horizontal analysis for Ford Motor Corporation will enable to exhibit the changes of amounts in the corresponding financial statement items from 2010 to 2012. This is important in depicting and analyzing the trend in these financial years. The earliest period between two financial years is used as the base year, that is, 2010 is the base year for the horizontal analysis between 2010 and 2012, while 2011 is the base year for the horizontal analysis between 2011 and 2012.The horizontal analysis is important for the following reasons; enables to assess the general performance of the Ford Motor Company. In addition, it will help in evaluating the increases and decreases of items in the financial statements. Horizontal analysis assists in examining if the management is realizing the set goals and objectives (Williams, 2008). Finally, the horizontal analysis will disclose the trends of items in the balance sheet and the income statement.Horizontal Analysis of the In come Statement for Ford Motor Corporation (In $ Millions)ItemDec 2012 Dec 2011 Change % Change Revenues 126, 567 128, 168 -1601 -1.25% ExpensesCost of Sales 112,578 113, 345 -767 -0.67% Selling, Administrative and other Expenses 9,006 9060 -54 -0.60% Total Expenses 121, 584 122,405 -821 -0.67%Interest Expense 713 817 -104 -12.73% Interest Income and Other Income 1185 825 360 43.64% Equity in Net Income 555 479 76 15.87% Income before Income Taxes 6010 6250 -240 -3.84%Horizontal Analysis of the Income Statement for Ford Motor Corporation (In $ Millions)Item Dec 2011 Dec 2010 Change % Change Revenues 128, 168 119,280 8,888 7.45% ExpensesCost of Sales 113, 345 104,451 8,894 8.51% Selling, Administrative and other Expenses 9060 9040 20 0.22%Total Expenses 122,405 113, 491 8914 7.85% Interest Expense 817 1807 -990 -54.79%Interest Income and Other Income 825 -362 1187 -327.9% Equity in Net Income 479 526 -47 -8.94% Income before Income Taxes 6250 4146 2104 50.75%Negative and Positive Tren ds in Ford Corporation From the Income Statement horizontal analysis between 2012 and 2011, the company exhibits negative trends in the total expenses, revenues, cost of sales, selling administrative and other expenses, interest expense and income before taxes. The positive trends in 2012/2011 include equity in net income and in interest income and other income. From the income statement horizontal analysis between 2011and 2010, the company exhibits positive trends in the total expenses, cost of sales, selling and administrative expenses and income before income taxes. The negative trends in the 2011/2010 include; interest expenses, interest income and other income and equity in net income.2012/2011 Horizontal Analysis of the Consolidated Balance Sheet for Ford Motor Company (In $ Millions) Item Dec2012 Dec2011 Change % Change ASSETSCash and Cash Equivalents 15,659 17,148 -1,489 -8.68% Marketable Securities 20,284 18,618 1,666 8.95% Finance Receivables 71,510 69,976 1534 2.19% Other Receivables 10,828 8,565 2263 26.42% Net Investments in Operating Leases 16,451 12,838 3613 28.14% Inventories 7,362 5,901 1,461 24.76% Equity in Net Assets 3,246 2,936 310 10.56%Deferred income taxes 15,185 15,125 60 0.4% Other Assets 5,000 4,770 230 4.82% Total Current Assets 165,525 155,877 9,648 6.18% Net intangible Assets 87 100 -13 -13%Net Property 24,942 22,371 2,571 11.49% Total Assets 190,554 178,348 12,206 6.84%LIABILITIESPayables 19,308 17,724 1,584 8.94% Accrued Liabilities 49,407 45,369 1,038 2.29% Short Term Debt 1386 1033 353 34.17%Deferred Income taxes 470 696 -226 -32.47 Total Current Liabilities 70,571 64,822 5,749 8.87% Long Term Debt 103,672 98,455 5,217 5.3% Total Liabilities 174,243 163,277 11,966 7.33%Redeemable noncontrolling Interest 322 _ _ _EQUITYCapital StockCommon Stock, par value $0.01 per share 39 37 2 5.41% Class B Stock, par value $0.01 per share 1 1 _ _ Capital in Excess of par value of stock 20,976 20,905 71 0.34% Retained Earnings 18,077 12,985 5 ,092 39.21 Accumulated other comprehensive inc. (22,854) (18,734) -4,120 22% Treasury Stock (292) (166) -126 75.9% Total equity to Ford Motor Company 15,947 15,028 919 6.12%Equitable to noncontrolling interests 42 43 -1 2.32% Total Equity 15,989 15,071 918 6.09% Total Liabilities and Equity 190,554 178,348 12,206 6.85%2011/2010 Horizontal Analysis of the Consolidated Balance Sheet for Ford Motor Company (In $ Millions) ItemDec2011 Dec 2010 Change % Change ASSETSCash and Cash Equivalents 17,148 14,805 2,343 15.83% Marketable Securities 18,618 20,765 -2,147 -10.34%Finance Receivables 69,976 70,070 -94 -0.13% Other Receivables 8,565 7,388 1,177 15.93%Net Investments in Operating Leases 12,838 11,675 1,163 9.96% Inventories 5,901 5,917 -16 -0.27% Equity in Net Assets 2,936 2,569 367 14.29Deferred income taxes 15,125 2,003 13,122 655% Other Assets 4,770 6,214 -1,444 -23.24Total Current Assets 155,877 141,406 14,471 10.23% Net intangible Assets 100 102 -2 -1.96% Net Property 22,371 23,179 -808 -3.49% Total Assets 178,348 164,687 13,661 8.29%LIABILITIESPayables 17,724 16,362 1,362 8.34% Accrued Liabilities 45,369 43,844 1,525 3.48% Short Term Debt 1033 2049 -1,016 -49.59% Deferred Income taxes 696 1,135 -439 -38.68% Total Current Liabilities 64,822 63,390 1,432 2.24% Long Term Debt 98,455 101,939 -3,484 -3.42% Total Liabilities 163,277 165,329 -2,052 -1.24%Redeemable noncontrolling Interest _ _ _ _EQUITYCapital StockCommon Stock, par value $0.01 per share 37 37 _ _ Class B Stock, par value $0.01 per share 1 1 _ _ Capital in Excess of par value of stock 20,905 20,803 102 0.05% Retained Earnings 12,985 (7,038) 20,023 -284.5%Accumulated other comprehensive inc. (18,734) (14,313) -4,421 30.89% Treasury Stock (166) (163) -3 1.84% Total equity to Ford Motor Company 15,028 (673) 15,701 -2332.99%Equitable to noncontrolling interests 43 31 18 38.71% Total Equity 15,071 (642) 15,713 -2,447.5% Total Liabilities and Equity 178,348 164,687 13,661 8.29%Negative and Positive Trends in Ford Corporation From the balance sheet horizontal analysis between 2012 and 2011, the company exhibits positive trends in the total current assets, total assets, total current liabilities, total liabilities, total equity and total liabilities and equity. From the balance sheet horizontal analysis between 2011and 2010, the company exhibits positive trends in the total current assets, total assets, total current liabilities, and total liabilities and equity. The company however depicts negative trends in the total liabilities and total equity.Ratio Analysis Current Ratio: This financial ratio is derived from the balance sheet financial and is used to measures of a company’s liquidity performance .This ratio assists in determining whether the current assets are readily available in order to pay off the current liabilities (Bodie, 2004). The current liabilities are cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivables, inventory and marketable securities. The current liabilities i nclude accrued expenses, accounts payables, short term debt, taxes and notes payables (Groppelli, 2000). The 2:1 ratio is the typically suitable current ratio. It is evaluated by dividing the current assets by the current liabilities: Current Ratio = Current Assets/Current Liabilities Current Ratio 2012 =(15,659+20,284+71,150+10,828+16,451+7362+3,246+15,185+5,000) / (19,308+ 49,407+1,386+470) = (162,525)/ (70,571) = 2.3 The 2012 current ratio for Ford Motor Corporation is commendable since it is slightly more than the conventional 2:1 ratio. Current Ratio 2011 = (17,148+18,618+69,976+8565+12,838+5901+2936+15125+4770) / (17,724+45,369+1,033+696) = (155,877)/ (64,822) = 2.4The 2011 current ratio for Ford Motor Corporation is recommendable since it is slightly more than the conventional 2:1 ratio. This means that Ford’s current assets are readily available in paying off current liabilities. Quick Ratio: This is a rather enhanced method to evaluate for liquidity since it does not include inventories from current assets. This is due to the reason inventories may be obsolete, harmed and at times stolen. This ratio reveals the ability of a firm is able to meet its short-term goals from its liquid assets (Groppelli, 2000). The suggested target for the quick-ratio is 1:1 and it is evaluated as: Quick Ratio = (Current Assets – Inventories or Stocks)/ Current Liabilities QuickRatio2012 = (15,659+20,284+71,150+10,828+16,451+3,246+15,185+5,000) / (19,308+ 49,407+1,386+470) = (165,525 – 7,362)/ 70,571= 2.24Quick R atio2011 = (17,148+18,618+69,976+8565+12,838+2936+15125+4770) / (17,724+45,369+1,033+696) = (155,877 – 5,901)/ 64,822= 2.31The 2011and 2012 Quick ratios for Ford Motor Corporation are commendable since they exceed the conventional 1:1 ratio. This therefore means that Ford Motor Corporation is able to meet its short-term objectives. Cash Ratio: This ratio assists in determining the company's liquidity by further refining the current ratio and the quick ratio (Bodie,2004). This ratio is evaluated by calculating the quantity of cash and cash equivalents or invested funds that are in the current assets to cover current liabilities (Groppelli, 2000). It is calculated using the following formula; Cash Ratio= (Cash+ Cash Equivalents+ Invested Funds)/ Current Liabilities CashRatio2012= (15,659+20,284+71,150+10,828+16,451) / (19,308+ 49,407+1,386+470) = (134,372)/ 70,571= 1.9Cash Ratio2011 = (17,148+18,618+69,976+8565+12,838) / (17,724+45,369+1,033+696) = (127,415)/ (64,822)=1.96The a bove Cash Ratio results for 2012 and 2011 reveal that Ford Corporation is able to settle its current liabilities by use of its Cash and Cash equivalents only.Recommendation Any investor willing to invest in Ford Motor Corporation should move ahead and invest in the company. The company’s financial strength as depicted by the financial ratios reveals that the company is able to meet its shot term obligations. This is because the liquidity ratios reveal that the company’s current assets are able to pay off the current liabilities.

Original writing-persuasive writing-DRAFT Essay

Are you aged eight to eighteen and searching for the hottest and latest games? Look no further. Join CGS the computer games society and we will certainly fulfil your gaming needs. Be it Nintendo, Xbox or even playstation/2 we know what you want and we’ve got it. CGS has been running for a simple 3 years and has already spread its wings nationwide. With just over 2 million members CGS is undoubtedly the fastest growing games society ever. We have all the experience, the inside and out knowledge and indeed the numbers to keep you up to date with what’s hot and what’s not. Here at CGS we give you what you want, we take in your ideas and criticism and channel it towards giving you what you need. With the number of members we have attained here in the UK we are assured success when we choose to go international. Visit our website at www. cgs. co. uk, we have just recently refurbished the site so be sure to visit and check out the new games forum where you can discuss, debate and argue the latest issues about consoles and games. We have a new games attachment (compliments of macromedia flash player) where you and your mates can battle it out to get the highest score. With over 60 brand new free online games your sure to be entertained, and if they don’t why don’t you check out our other batch of brand new downloadable games and no internet broadband system is needed, they can simply be downloaded with the 56. 6kb of your average computer. We also have the latest movie and games downloadables including pictures, backgrounds and wallpapers also for you to enjoy. Enter the new chat-rooms where we have a full-proof system of no one being able to see your details so you are completely protected. CGS was founded in 2001 by a group of young teen game fanatics. They had a large collection of games (300) between the four of them and they, just like you, loved playing, swapping and talking about games. Wherever they would go they would dispute about what was the coolest game out. They would test out each others games and criticise it. Sometimes they would hold tournaments and invite loads of their mates around. Soon they had their own â€Å"sub-culture† in school like the grungers, nerds, dossers and townies, they were known as the ‘game-boys’. More and more people started to join their little clan until it grew and they gave their selves a new name, CGS ‘computer games society’. They told their parents about the success of their group and they found out they could make a career out of this. Opportunity came their way when one of their parents’ company were looking for a new business opportunity. The father pessimistically agreed to ask the company if they were willing to sponsor CGS, much to every ones surprise the company agreed. As you can imagine they were over the moon and CGS has been an absolute success ever since. The boys, who were at the time sixteen are now nineteen year old young men who are doing what they love and getting paid for it. This is every young game fanatic’s dream and you can be a part of it. CGS is paving the way for young gamers giving you articles on careers in gaming†¦ yes that’s what I said, careers in gaming, from games tester to official games critic. To be a games tester all you need to do is fill out a form that can be found on the CGS website. Unfortunately you have to be over eighteen to be an official games critic but don’t let that demoralise you as there is probably a lot more game watching than playing! Apply now to make your dreams come true. Here at CGS as you can imagine we get a lot of post and email on how to make the company better suited for you but recently we’ve been getting post and email specifically telling us about rumours for the CGS magazine. Well we can definitely tell you that those, outrageously, notorious rumours are†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. TRUE. CGS are most definitely looking forward to publishing the first issue of the CGS magazine. The new magazine is fantastically entertaining with full graphic screen shots, published reader articles, amazing news on all the latest gossip for the new games and consoles, great new competitions with mind-blowing prizes. Be sure to carry the first ever issue of CGS magazine and enter the competitions so you can be in with a chance of winning one of the three top prizes; a fantastic holiday for you, an adult and 3 of your mates to Japan to visit the international centre of Nintendo in Tokyo, or you could win a trip to the XBOX party in London where you can test out there newest releases and get a wild goody bag, or you could even win a chance to come to CGS head quarters and interview our CEO and the founders of CGS. You must agree these prizes are undoubtedly cool! And you can enter, just simply log on to our website and subscribe to the new CGS magazine out on the thirteenth of September and with these few easy steps you could win one of these wicked prizes. As you probably have now established CGS is what everyone’s talking about and a full platinum membership is definitely top dog this Christmas. So grandma, don’t go and knit them a grotty, un-cool woolly jumper, simply log on to the CGS website and apply your grandkids to the platinum membership where they will be in with a chance of winning the top prizes, a full monthly subscription to the brand new CGS magazine and much, much more. For more details please contact us at our free call 24 hour hotline; 0800-477 477.

Anti-trust Law Case Study

Anti-trust Law Case Study Landmark: Antitrust Case Study Question 1: Write a 100- word abstract of the case, including the date of the case The essay gives a brief analysis and review of a case in which the government of the United States led to the U.S. Supreme Court. This is the defense of the claim appeal 384 U.S. competition 270 presented by the U.S. government against VON Grocery Co. (Von) in 1966 in the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of California No. 303. Duration was March 22, 1966 and the delivery of a verdict was the May 31, 1966. It was in favor of the defendant. This just reminded demand, government regulators were ignoring situations that occur within its jurisdiction. It was despite his knowledge of the changing developments in market structures that controlled processes. Government regulators failed to switch to a relaxed mood compared to previous legislative procedures necessary reacted to the threats and opportunities of his time. As a result, this led to the p revention of unfair trade practices or disposal of similar economic activities of small-scale business. Key words: VON’S GROCERY CO, 384 U.S. 270, Shopping Bag Food Stores and 7 of the Clayton Act. Question 2: Describe the provision of the US Antirust Law invoked to judge the presence of anti-competitive behavior or potential of for moving the industry in that direction. The 1960 merger of Von Grocery Company with competitor Shopping Bag Food Stores (Shopping Bag) whose locations are in Los Angeles, California violated Section 7 of the Clayton Act (n. P Thomson Reuter). Its amendment in 1950 regulates the reasonable termination through the prohibition of mergers and acquisitions, which decreased competition. Even after a new amendment in 1980, remains the main reference point for antitrust law mergers that threatened the United States (Fox CR4, CR8 and HHI, specially in cases of mergers. The claim of the United States had other modifications as support for their arguments. They were the 1950 amendment to Section 7 of the Celler-Kefauver and Congress sought to preserve competition for small businesses. Was also intended to help companies focus. The court was the agent that was against large companies that use concentrations in markets with increasing centralization of business. He succeeded in divesting after United States v. Philadelphia National. . Bank, 374 U.S. 321 Celler-Kefauver 362 Anti-Merger Act 1950 as amended provides relevant information: â€Å"That no company engaged in commerce †¦ shall acquire all or part of the assets of another company also engaged in commerce, where in any line of commerce in any part of the country, the effect of such acquisition may be substantially to lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly. â€Å" Question 4: Describe the â€Å"conduct† in question that has been considered â€Å"anticompetitive:†Determine if the defendant had used an anticompetitive Price Strategy and explain how. Likewise, describe any Non-price Strategies the defendant had used and describe how.

Personal Statement for Transferring to UC Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

For Transferring to UC - Personal Statement Example Economics doesn’t only teach to make distinction between better choice rotating around only investments and interest rates, it gives ideas about how a person can perk up his/her living standard. I appreciate that if we understand knowledge of economics it better gives idea of where to invest and what good a person can do with his/her money (Wessels). Moreover, Economics not just deals with monopoly, economy growth, and pollution etc., it is also related to personal problems such as wages, the cost of living, taxes, and employment. It deals with current vital problems of the society. The content of Economics is complementary to many other fields. Students enrolled in Economics major are not just restricted to Economics; they can choose other subjects as a minor along with Economics. Students have successfully combine Economics with other diverse fields such as Psychology, Journalism, Political Science, and many more. An economic option opens future options to students. I may gain expertise for my career in Educational Administration, Finance and Banking or Politics. My interest in Economics also developed due to my father’s occupation. He is an admirable man who works for the China Council for the promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) at the position of Vice Inspector. My father’s way of working and dealing with different issues prudently shows his uniqueness and good logic sense. Through his unique visions I learned a lot from him. He always shared his vast knowledge of Economics with me, which developed my curiosity and concern to know more about Economics. Fortunately in 2010, I acquire chance to work at China Council for the Promotion of International Trade as an internee during my semester break. During my internship, I got to learn much more new aspects about Economics and how it is related to the promotion of international trade. I learned how to work practically and