International Cross Cultural Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

International Cross Cultural Management - Essay Example Culture refers to the way of living of a people basically referring to the way people carry on in their daily life. Each and every group of people has its own culture and this is what creates a difference between various groups of people. National culture is commonly used to refer to or is described as the shared programming of the mind of the people nationally. This makes one country unique from another. Individual countries have various cultural rituals as well as cultural activities. This includes the way that these people understand and think about the world, the values and beliefs they hold. The differences in national culture are more often reflected in the basic solutions given to the organisational issues and problems in various countries. The various national cultures normally have differences in the preferred ways towards the organizational structure as well as different modes of motivating the employees. For instance, some organizations minimise on the options appraising employee performance, managing the organization by objectives, and the use of strategic management. National culture is not an individual affair but rather a function of a group. The boundaries between countries usually put boundaries for national culture. This form of culture is usually instilled in individual's right from birth. The national culture has everything in regard to what is perceived as proper, polite behaviour in that particular country. This includes for example how to behave in front of the family, colleague's strangers, family. Germany's National culture Germany is a culturally diverse state. German is the language spoken by almost every citizen. Other cultural groups found in Germany include the Frisians, Danes, Sorbs, and Gypsies; these are the people who are non-Germany minorities. The religious beliefs observed in Germany include Protestants which has the largest percentage of approximately 38%, the Catholics who form a proportion of 34% and a small portion of Jews. Islam has also become common from immigrants. The culture of this country has been influenced by the middle ages. The philosophers from Germany have assisted in shaping the culture of this nation. There is a lot of influence by the guild system of the medieval times. This system has today seen Germany attain an apprenticeship system. The people have a pride in their occupations and the organizational managers need not work too hard on their motivation. The country is rated as having very productive personnel but does not have good leadership skills. Magala, S. (2005). The united Kingdom The UK is made up of North Ireland and the Great Britain. The United Kingdom is culturally diverse wit a total population of close to 58,587,194 people. Majority of these people live in the suburban and urban areas. The UK is home to different cultures especially due to immigration. The people have their origins in China, the Caribbean, Africa, India, South Asia, Pakistan and continental Europe. The indigenous people include the Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, Roman, and the Pre-Celtic. The dominant language spoken here is English. Other languages include Scots aw well as the insular Celtic Languages. The religious beliefs are also diverse with reports of having Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and

Taj Mahal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Taj Mahal - Essay Example The picture depicts the beautiful monument made of white marble, on the blue backdrop of the sky and the river, below! The Taj Mahal was built over a period ranging sixteen years, from 1632 to 1648, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, in the sweet remembrance of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is essentially a mausoleum, built by the emperor, with love for his wife. Ever since, it has been the cynosure of tourists, architects and historians, alike. The first striking feature of this picture is the magnanimity of this mausoleum of love, contrasted against the miniature structure of humanity! We can see the huge graceful structure, against which the tourists and visitors look inconspicuous. This is what the monument delivers, with its beauty, which is a visual treat. The visitors and tourists possess expressions of awe and wonder, on viewing this magnificent building, which refuses not to cast a spell on anyone who visits or views it. Another striking feature of this monument is that the pure white marble used to build this monument is reflective of t

A Study on Kolbs Learning Cycle (1984)

A Study on Kolbs Learning Cycle (1984) David A. Kolb with Roger Fry created this famous model out of four elements: concrete experience, observation and reflection, the formation of abstract concepts and testing in new situations. The principle of Kolbs learning cycle is that we all follow the following four stages of learning as we acquire knowledge, experience and skill. He represented these in the famous experiential learning circle that involves (1) concrete experience followed by (2) observation and experience followed by (3) forming abstract concepts followed by (4) testing in new situations. All this may happen in a flash, or over days, weeks or months, depending on the topic, and there may be a wheels within wheels process at the same time. Forms of Knowledge and the Learning Cycle The four quadrants of the cycle are associated with four different forms of knowledge, in Kolbs view. Each of these forms is paired with its diagonal opposite. Four kinds of knowledge located in Kolbs scheme Kolbs model therefore works on two levels a four-stage cycle: Concrete Experience (doing/having an experience) The Concrete Experience is the doing component which derives from the content and process of the programme through attending the workshops or, in the case of the on-line module, your reading of the on-line learning materials together with your actual experience of teaching in the classroom plus your other teaching duties and practices. It may also derive from own experience of being a student. Reflective Observation (reviewing/reflecting on the experience) The Reflective Observation element stems from your analysis and judgements of events and the discussion about the learning and teaching that you engage in with your mentor and colleagues. This might be termed common-sense reflection. For example this might be through your own self-reflections or evaluations after the event through keeping a log or journal. It may also include student feedback, peer observation of teaching (e.g. comments made by your mentor or colleague), moderation of assessments, external examiner comments, and discussions with your mentor. All of these can be brought together to give an overall reflection on your practice. Reflection in itself, though, is insufficient to promote learning and professional development. Abstract Conceptualisation (concluding/learning from the experience) In order to plan what we would do differently next time, we need in addition to our reflections on our experience to be informed by educational theory e.g. through readings of relevant literature on teaching and learning or by attending staff development or other activities. Reflection is therefore a middle ground that brings together theories and the analysis of past action. It allows us to come to conclusions about our practice Abstract Conceptualism. Active Experimentation (planning/trying out what you have learned) The conclusions we formed from our Abstract Conceptualisation stage then form the basis by which we can plan changes Active Experimentation. Active Experimentation then starts the cycle again when we implement those changes in our teaching practice to generate another concrete experience which is then followed by reflection and review to form conclusions about the effectiveness of those changes. Four-type definition of learning styles, (each representing the combination of two preferred styles, rather like a two-by-two matrix of the four-stage cycle styles, as illustrated below), for which Kolb used the terms: Diverging (CE/RO) Combination of Concrete Experience and Reflective Observation Feeling and Watching Like to gather information, good at brainstorming, interested in people, see different perspectives, prefer group work, open minded. Assimilating (AC/RO) Combination of Abstract Conceptualization and Reflective Observation Watching and Thinking Concise logical approach, ideas and concepts more important than people, prefer lectures, reading, time to think Converging (AC/AE) Combination of Abstract Conceptualization and Active Experimentation Doing and Thinking Solve practical problems; prefer technical tasks, like experimenting and simulation, less interested in interpersonal issues. Accommodating (CE/AE) Combination of Concrete Experience and Active Experimentation Doing and Feeling Hands on, attracted to new challenges and experiences, rely on others instead of doing own analysis, action oriented, set targets work hard in teams to achieve tasks. Kolbs learning styles matrix view Its often easier to see the construction of Kolbs learning styles in terms of a two-by-two matrix. The diagram also highlights Kolbs terminology for the four learning styles; diverging, assimilating, and converging, accommodating: Doing (Active Experimentation AE) Watching (Reflective Observation RO) Feeling (Concrete Experience CE) Accommodating (CE/AE) Diverging (CE/RO) Thinking (Abstract Conceptualization AC) Converging (AC/AE) Assimilating (AC/RO) Thus, for example, a person with a dominant learning style of doing rather than watching the task, and feeling rather than thinking about the experience, will have a learning style which combines and represents those processes, namely an Accommodating learning style, in Kolbs terminology. The Kolb Model and Subject Disciplines Broadly speaking, David Kolb suggests that practitioners of creative disciplines, such as the arts, are found in the Divergent quadrant. Pure scientists and mathematicians are in the Assimilative quadrant. Applied scientists and lawyers are in the Convergent quadrant. Professionals who have to operate more intuitively, such as teachers, are in the Accommodative quadrant.ÂÂ  There are also differences in the location of specialists within the more general disciplines This would suggest that different subject areas call for different learning styles, and raises the usual chicken and egg question as to whether the discipline promotes a particular learning style, or whether preferred learning style leads to adoption of a discipline, or of course, both. (All of the above assumes that there is some validity in this conceptualisation of learning styles.) Simply, people who have a clear learning style preference, for whatever reason, will tend to learn more effectively if learning is orientated according to their preference. My learning style is the converging and accommodating one. I think I have the ability to find solution to practical issues. I can solve problems and make decisions by finding solutions to questions and problems. I like challenges and carry out plans. I like experiment with new ideas and work with practical application. Studying is not just gaining greater knowledge and understanding of subjects but also more confidence, broader interests and more purpose in life. Well Im studying because I do have an objective in life which I want to achieve at any cost. It is very hard to study and to work at the same time which unfortunately I have to do, no choice! Kolb learning cycle is actually very effective way to study which just need to be followed. I like groups works, when discussing with other people I get different point of view for the topic discussed. One of the main problems I have is how to manage my study time. In fact I have two kinds of problems with time: finding enough of it and using it effectively. I do make plan about my time but its hard to stick to it, almost impossible. The only thing I need is to improve my time management skill and should take it serious now. Conclusion Kolbs learning cycle is a key model in current use relating to adult learning and development. Knowing your own and your teams learning style allows you to grow and develop more effectively, building skills and experience which allow you to meet your life goals. Thus the learning cycle can begin at any one of the four points and that it should really be approached as a continuous spiral. However the learning process depends on how the person is carrying out a particular action and then seeing the effect of the action in this situation.

The Purpose of Vegetarianism :: Healthy Lifestyle Essay

Being a strict vegetarian means making the choice to eat absolutely no meat, poultry, or fish. The health risks of being a vegetarian was a major concern, but it has been proven that non-meat foods can provide all the nutrients necessary for a healthy, complete diet. Jeanne Peters, R.D., the former nutrition specialist to Pritikin Systems, argues that Ascience has proved that a plant-based diet is the healthiest@ (Finn 1). Many scientific studies have also proven that meat dramatically raises blood pressure and increases health risks such as heart attacks and cancers. Also, growing concerns over environmental protection, personal health, and moral and ethical beliefs often lead to vegetarianism. According to national polls, in the U.S. alone Athere are 12.5 million vegetariansB 7 percent of the population@ (Finn 1). Concerns are rising about the relationship between meat production and our environment. Beef production is a very inefficient way to produce protein. The amount of grain which is needed to Aprovide four people with one serving of hamburgers could feed one person for over a week@ (R.F.B.V. 1). In Alberta Amore than 50% of the grain grown is fed to livestock@ (R.F.B.V. 3). This 50% of grain could definitely be put to much better uses in a world where people starve to death every day. In fact, Aproduction of the least energy-efficient plant foods are nearly ten times more efficient as the production of the most energy-efficient animal foods@ (Finn 2). For example, one acre of land planted with legumes yields ten times more available protein than if that same acre was used for meat production. Furthermore, the production of meat wastes massive amounts of water: AIt takes an average of 10 tons of waterBthe amount a small town uses for all purposes in a month. An average chicken processing plant uses 100 million gallons of water in just one day; enough to provide a community of 25,000 people for one day@ (R.F.B.V. 3). Not only is meat production wasting valuable production means, but it is also polluting our air. Cattle are a main source of methane gas, which is rapidly destroying our ozone layer. Vegetarians often replace meat and dairy foods with soy products. These foods are highly nutritional and contain disease-fighting properties. The National Cancer Institute has Aidentified specific substances in soy products called phytochemical that have anticancer properties@ (Finn 7). In 1994, the British Medical Journal announced that:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   researchers have examined 12-year mortality rates of non-meat eaters and meat-eating control groups and found that cancer deaths were 40 percent less common among vegetarians then meat eaters.

One Ingredient To Make Bread

Have you ever just had a craving for some warm, amazing, homemade banana bread? Well, I have a simple but mouthwatering, taste bud tickling recipe to share. This banana bread recipe is great to bake for a tasty treat or a family get-together. All you have to do is purchase all the right ingredients, mix the correct amounts of ingredients together, bake in the oven and enjoy! The first thing you will need to do when making banana bread is to go to the store to purchase all the ingredients. You can find everything you will need to make this wonderful banana bread at your local grocery store. During your trip to the store you will need to buy sugar, flour, salt, baking soda, white vinegar, vegetable oil, milk, eggs, cooking spray such as Pam, nuts if you’d like, and of course bananas. When buying bananas the riper the better, I would actually recommend using bananas that are starting to turn brown because they are sweeter than when they first ripen. You will also need 2 large mixing bowls and a loaf pan, if you do not have these at home you will need to purchase them. After getting all these items you are ready to head home and make your yummy, homemade banana bread! Once you arrive home and take all your ingredients out you will need to preheat your oven to 350 degrees farenhigt. While the oven is preheating you will need to take out your first large mixing bowl and mix together 1 cup of sugar and ? of a cup of vegetable oil. In the second mixing bowl mash the bananas with a fork and mix in 2 eggs and 3 tablespoons of sour milk. To make sour milk you will need to mix together 1 part white vinegar with 1 part milk in a small dish, and then measure out the 3 tablespoons needed. Add the banana mixture to the sugar and oil and mix together thoroughly. When the ingredients are thoroughly mixed together you will then need to add in 2 cups of flour, ? teaspoon of salt, ? teaspoon of baking soda, and half a cup of chopped nuts and mix together. The best way to do the mixing is for you to use a hand mixer, but you can also use a large cooking spoon to get the job done. Finally when your batter is complete you can pour your finished creation into a loaf pan that has been thoroughly greased and floured to prevent the read from sticking, and place the loaf into the oven. Your banana bread will need to bake for about 50 to 60 minutes before it will be fully cooked and ready to eat. At about 50 minutes you can check to see if the bread is cooked all the way through, to do this you will need to stick a toothpick into the middle of the loaf and pull it out. If the toothpick comes out clean the bread is finished, if there are little pieces of batter stuck to the toothpick it will need to cook for a few more minutes. Don’t worry, just put it back in the oven and it will be perfect shortly. When the toothpick comes out of the banana bread clean you can take the bread out of the oven and let it cool. Banana bread is best served warm, cut into single slices about ? an inch wide, with a bit of butter spread on top. Making amazing banana bread has never been simpler. All you have to do to have amazing, homemade banana bread is buy the ingredients, mix the ingredients together, bake the banana bread, and enjoy. Will you dare to try this simple, yet amazing banana bread recipe?

The advantages and disadvantages of a business plan

Entering the world of business is not that easy. When starting a new venture, one should never come unprepared. If you started a new venture without planning anything first, chances are, you will end up going wherever the wind takes you. That is why a business plan is a necessity for someone who is interested in starting a new venture. In the world of business, a business plan is treated like a bible for it lets investors and lenders know about the business you are trying to put up. It also serves as a manual for suppliers and other stakeholders of the business. A business plan may have its advantages but it also have its disadvantages. In this part of the paper, we shall look at the strong and weak points of developing a business plan for a new venture. However, a business plan is supposed to be an advantage to the business that is why the advantages, as expected, outnumber the disadvantages. Advantages One advantage of developing a business plan for a new venture is that it identifies what the consumer really wants. Of course, a business plan is all about making your target market patronize the product or service you are offering in your new business. Before you can make profits, you must first identify your target market and know what they really need or want. This is one important advantage of a business plan especially for those who are new in the business scenario. Once you identify what your target market really wants, you are most probably headed to indentifying the demand for the service or product you intend to offer. Identifying the demand for the product is also very important in launching a new venture because from this, you will know whether the service or product you are to offer is needed by the people. Of course, you cannot just think about your supplies and your suppliers. Those things will come after you determine the demand for your product. Aside from identifying the target market and the demand for the product or service, the advantages of a business plan also include assistance in designing your product that are appealing to the senses of the consumers. Since your purpose in developing a new venture is to make profit, the consumers’ senses are your main target. Designing your product is very important. It includes the packaging of the product and other advertising tools to make the people buy the product. This is also an important aspect of the business plan for it contributes a lot to the success of the business. Of course, if you are developing a â€Å"for-profit† business, making profit and paying debts will have to be included in your business plan. Aside from paying debts, your plan should also include measures on how to generate daily income. In this aspect, a business plan is very helpful because you already have your plans on how to manage the financial aspects of the business (which is one of the most important aspects). If you know exactly the financial path of what you are venturing, you are most likely to succeed in terms of profit. Another advantage of a business plan is that it makes the proprietor identify his competitors. When you have the knowledge about your competitors, you will be able to identify your competitive advantage over the competitor’s firm. Since you are developing a new business, it is important that you know exactly your edge in the business scenario over the others. If you have planned beforehand about your competitive advantage over the competitors, chances are, there will be product differentiation in the market. That is actually a good thing because it lessens competition within simi8lar firms. By analyzing your competitors, you will be able to create strategies that are effective even if there are many competitors in the market. A business plan is also advantageous because it enables us to indentify new product and service areas, and new or potential customers. In business, it is not only important to find the customers for some of them will not be loyal to your firm. It is hard to find new customers when you are just developing a new venture but it is much harder to retain them. The good thing about a business plan is that it helps the owner of the firm to identify potential customers. If it is hard for the owner to retain his customers, it would be very helpful to identify new or potential customers. In that way, at least, you will have your next resort. Lastly, an advantage of a business plan is that it allows the business owner to evaluate his business strategies and if his strategies are giving the desired results. What is good about a business plan is that it enables the owner to assess whether his strategies are effective or not. If he found out that his strategies are not effective enough to make the business succeed, he can immediately formulate new strategies to make the business succeed. As we all know, business strategies are very important, be it human resource, financial, etc. The business plan serves as a test for the formulated strategies and also serves as way to make room for improvement. If the owner finds out that there is something wrong with his first strategies, he will be able to change it right away and save his business from falling apart or incurring losses. Disadvantages Although we mentioned a lot of advantages in making business plans, it also has its drawbacks. If the owner is new in the world of business, he may not have all the business skills that a new venture requires. If he happens to be the one making his business plans, the business plan can be one way of identifying his weaknesses in dealing with business. If the owner is not used to making business plans, people who will look to it will find out the weaknesses of his business skills. Suppliers, investors, and lenders will most likely not to participate in the business when they find out that the person they are dealing with is not that skilled in business. Also, if the other stakeholders of the business find out that the person they are making arrangements with is not as skilled as they thought, they might not trust him with the success of the business. They might even plan to use his weaknesses or his business plan against him since they know that he is not a skillful businessman. Another disadvantage of a business plan is when it is not properly thought of. If the data in a business plan is not properly analyze, it may result to improper marketing decisions which will eventually have a bad effect on the business itself. Although a business plan helps a lot in making the business successful, it may also make the business fail if not done correctly. What makes it hard for a business to succeed is the impulsiveness of the business owners when it comes to decision making. Sometimes, the data in business plans are not analyzed properly that is why decisions are also made incorrectly. If the one who made the business plan is not a professional business consultant or is not really familiar with making a business plan, information can be interpreted incorrectly. The faulty interpretation of information can result to unrealistic financial projections. In a business, financial matters are very important that is why if financial statements are understated or overstated, it could greatly affect the business. If the information in the business plan is interpreted incorrectly, wrong decisions can be made. The owner can also make unrealistic projections about the financial aspects of the business which can cause further problems. This would greatly affect the future of the business. Since the business plan somewhat includes the mission and vision of the business, it would be a great problem if the business plan fails to make correct projections for the firm. If the business owner is not familiar with making business plans, he may opt to hire a business plan consultant. It is very advantageous actually since they offer quality service and they have been making business plans for many successful businesses. The disadvantage is that the service of these consultants is very expensive. Although they offer good service, it would cost you a lot. The money that can be added to your investment in the business will just go to the payment for the business consultant. If the business owner happens to be saving up for his new venture, he can resort to hiring an inexpensive business consultant which is not always good for the business. Sometimes, inexpensive consultants are not as good as the expensive ones. There are also some which uses software that makes business plans. They will just ask the owner of the business certain questions and then enter the information in the software they use. This will eventually lead to improper analysis of data and information in the business plan which will not do the business any good. Assessment of the Biz Air Plan Just by taking a look at the business plan’s executive summary, we can already have an idea that the financial projections are overstated. With only 6 aircrafts, their projected revenues were  £17.4 million. What I am trying to point out here is that what they are trying to build is an airline company and not just a convenient store or a clothing company. There were statements in the executive summary that seem to understate the losses in the first year. They even projected that there would be a 12% improvement in profits in the company’s second year and a long term 16% of sales in the third, fourth, and fifth year. Aside from wrong financial projections, I find the business plan full of assumptions.   For example, in the part where in they conducted customer analysis, they chose to conduct the study during lunchtime and interviewed people who dress like a business person. In other words, they just assumed that if a person is in corporate attire, he or she could be a potential customer since they assumed that he or she is a businessperson. There is also a part in the paper in which it is stated that â€Å"as long as the flights are not delayed, the post experience evaluation should be favourable.† I find this very assuming because it is not only the delay of the flight that affects on whether the customer will or will not like the new airline company. The satisfaction of the customer does not rest solely on the factor that their flight is on time. Factors such as cleanliness, safety, or the friendliness of the staff also affect the satisfaction of the customer. It is also mentioned in the business plan that through satisfying customers (that is in terms of not delaying their flights), they will serve as salesmen for the airline company who will try to suggest the company’s service to other people. I find this a little idealistic for business does not just go that way. Business does not only succeed through word of mouth. When they said that the customers will serve as the salesmen for the airline company, it gave me the impression that they were already assuming that the delay of the flight solely determines customer satisfaction which would later on result to advertising the company. It is very idealistic since they were sort of assuming that all the satisfied customers will endorse their company. Another thing that I found very disturbing about the paper is its being overconfident about the services it offers. Of course it is very important that you have confidence in the business that you are putting up but not to the point that you will sound boasting about your business that has not even tried by the people. You can see this in the part where in they discuss the advertising of the service. They mentioned that they are just going to advertise through newspapers and billboards near airports. I have nothing against that idea, actually. But you don’t have to say that you do not have to advertise in televisions because you are sure that once the news broke, there would be much television publicity that will come out. I think it will seem very unprofessional for those who will take a look at the business plan. Potential investors will have the impression that they are dealing with unprofessional people. Lastly, there are several faulty analysis and incorrect financial projections which can be the main cause of the failure of the business. Reference: 2004. Creating Your Business Plan. [Online]. Available: http://www.nvbdi.org/howto/biz_plan.php.   [29 July 2007] BELLIS, M. 2007. Creating A Marketing Plan for the Independent Inventor. [Online]. Available: http://inventors.about.com/od/licensingmarketing/a/tutor_marketing.htm. [29 July 2007] 2001. Approaches to Writing A Business Plan. [Online]. Available: http://www.caycon.com/plan_options.php. [28

Red Rock West by John Dahl Essays

Red Rock West by John Dahl Essays Red Rock West by John Dahl Essay Red Rock West by John Dahl Essay Red Rock West by John Dahl begins with an opening musical soundtrack which creates a western atmosphere and this is further introduced by a twanging guitar refrain which adds a melancholy texture. It immediately casts a traditional feel about the film enhancing the western culture. The early shots that are exposed of the dusty road introduces isolation and an atmospheric effect. Additionally the landscape that is publicized is desert like and also dusty which then signifies the western theme and the sensation of desolation and barrenness. It then later exhibit’s the plate of the white Cadillac to expose that it had been travelling from Texas. The use of clever establishing shots reveals that no one else is around and the sign which is revealed reads ’Wyoming’. This sets the location perfectly. As the character steps out of his Cadillac he does press-ups in the road which gives the impression that he is very keen on fitness and being in shape but furthermore he ta kes very deep pride in his appearance as a person. This is uncovered aswell when he takes a shave and using the car as a mirror. The character seems to have a support cast on his knee which uncovers an injury. Additional evidence for this is the tattoo on his upper arm which is the symbol of being in the Military Marines. This strongly plays a key part of narrative and portrays a lot more about his past. The injury that was introduced could play an important part to revealing more about him as a person and his past experiences. He later on takes a freshly white pressed shirt out of the back of his white Cadillac which introduces Binary opposition. The same colour from both of those items could indicate the good of the character and this could be significant. He then later goes to the oil works for a job as he doesn’t have much money to carry on his journey in his Cadillac. As it was revealed from before he has travelled from Texas so this job could mean a fresh start ,a chance to start again and he maybe wanted to get away from his past from the marines which could bring back memories of the events that took place. He introduces himself as Michael at his job interview. During the interview Michael proves to be very honest and exposes about his injury on his leg. Later on as the firm doesn’t want him because of his injury he is sent away and his friend offers him money. Michael refuses the money from his friend which indicates him to be a very independent man which is too proud to show a sign of weakness. The sequence at the gas station following after the job interview we learn a lot more about Michael as a person and the location. Again the location created is dusty and shabby which provides the evidence of an deserted loc ation which firmly indicates powerful isolation. Michael looks around the gas station as no one is there and he sees money which is just lying around and also the gas unattended. He indicates at one point as thought he might just take the money and some gas and just take off but instead he doesn’t. We now know that Michael as a character is very honest even though his appearance and actions may not suggest this. Shortly after he travels through the location of Red Rock West Michael ends up at a local bar which seems to be very vacant. The mood that is present has a sense of uneasiness about the place. Another character is introduced which is the owner of the bar called Wayne. The impression of Wayne is that he’s a person that to be messed with. He is highlighted in dark shadows which could suggest the sense of evil in this character. As an audience we get a feeling as though something isn’t right and further more we have evidence which indicates this. Michael gets mistaken for ‘Lyal’. A man that was sent for him to murder his wife. As he keeps getting eluded of jobs because of his injury he then decides to take up Wayne on his offer and takes the money. Here we see the good use of power play between the interaction of these two feisty characters. But also a sign from Michael could portray that he is desperate and will do anything for money which could lead to another side of his character. Overall I thought this film was very creative and that the plot of the film kept you guessing. It was very fast moving and suspenseful also the humour was very nicely understated. I thought that Nicholas Cage who played Michael as the character who bumbles into a murderous plot by accident only wanting to earn a buck and leave but never being able to get away from the town was played brilliantly.