The 1990s also saw innovative interpretation of law enforcement's role in the perpetuation of organized crime. One of the most notable examples is L.A. Confidential (1997), in which corruption has reached so deep into the Los Angeles police department that two seemingly unrelated criminal investigations both lead to the police chief. The genre also proved its adaptability and continued appeal with Heat (1995) and Carlito's ay (1993); both films starred Al Pacino, and Heat brought Pacino together with De Niro in two of the most memorable scenes in the pair's careers.

Prior to 1999, however, the gangster genre had not successfully expanded to television. But in January of this year, HBO's the Sopranos debuted with considerable critical acclaim. Again, the emphasis of the Sopranos, directed by David Chase, was upon realism. One of the most powerful appeals of the series was the portrayal of the delicate balance the main protagonist, Tony…...

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Works Cited

Biskend, Peter. "An American Family." Vanity Fair, April 2007. Available:  http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/04/sopranos200704?currentPage=1 .

Earp Trial Homepage. "Shoot-Out Scenarios." University of Missouri, 2007. Available:

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/earp/scenarios.html.

Faludi, Susan. "An American Myth rides off into the Sunset." New York Times, March 30, 2003. Available:

He gave it up and returned to the streets, where his gang members hung out and fenced stolen goods for money.
When he was eighteen, one day his little brother, Paco, came to him and said he wanted to join the gang. Jose looked at his little brother, four years younger than he, with a round, innocent face and big, black, trusting eyes. Fear and anger rose in him.

No way!" he said. "You just stay away from those gangs. You're too young, you don't know what you are asking. You should go to school and make something of yourself, not waste your time with a gang!"

As soon as he said it, and saw the tears start to come up in Paco's eyes, he knew what he had to do. He was not setting a good example for his brother. His brother saw him smoking and drinking sometimes, and glimpsed him…...

Frank ends up in prison and comes out after 15 years a frail and misplaced person who no longer fits in the Harlem streets, no longer the feared drug baron that he was. It is also a positive experience since even in the midst of the rotten and corrupt police force, there was Richie who refused to compromise his personal and work ethics at all costs.
I did experience a cultural shock, since it is not a common scene for me to experience such extent of drug dealings and prostitution and a rotten police force that ended up being incriminated up to three quarters of the entire force responsible for Harlem being convicted for drug related cases, this was shocking.

The theory that best fits the movie and the experiences in the movies is the Social / learning theory and aggressive personality. There is a lot of influence that the society…...

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Delattre, E. (2006). Character and cops: Ethics in policing (5th ed., pp. 10, 79, 85, 88).

Washington, D.C.: American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research. Retrieved August 5, 2011 from  http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/359222/predominant_theories_of_police_corruption_pg2.html?cat=17 

The Internet Movie Database,(2011). Biography of Ridley Scott. Retrieved August 5, 2011 from  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000631/bio

American Gangster" and "Scarface." Specifically it will discuss the similarities in the films. Both of these films explore the underworld of drug trafficking, and they illustrate how wildly profitable and dangerous the practice is for those who are involved. Interestingly, one of the things that the films have in common is main characters named Frank, but there are many more similarities to the films. They both show the world of drug dealing, violence, and paranoia that fills these people's lives, and they show that drug dealing really does not pay.
In "American Gangster," set in the 1970s, Denzel Washington plays Frank Lucas, a protegee of a well-known Harlem gangster and drug dealer. He takes over the business after the gangster dies, and he realizes that he can make huge profits by importing heroin directly from Southeast Asia, eliminating the middleman and keeping all the profits for himself. In "Scarface," Tony…...

Gangster Rap Responds to Police Brutality
Gangster Rap Speaking Out Against Police Brutality

Art often reflects life. When life creates situations that are dire, the art projected from that experience echoes that sense of urgency for change. In today's modern existence, the values of various subcultures do not always correlate with that of the dominate culture. This can often result in a clash of cultures, where minority groups are left to deal with the judgment of the majority group. A prime example of this is the gangster rap coming out of Los Angeles in the late 1980s and the early 1990s. At the time, gang violence was increasing, thus prompting for up scaling of law enforcement strategies. Ultimately, this led to LAPD acting out often much too aggressively in order to curb the increasing violence of the region. The art coming from such circumstances thus illustrates a clear defiance for law enforcement…...

Lac talks about his journey into what he calls the "thug life." He is more into the Vietnamese gang headed by Dragon Head. They drink a lot, curse all the time, and go into somebody's house to rob. They steal money, jewelry, and whatever of value they can find in the house. It turns out that the owner of the house is the father of Lac's classmate. Although Lac joined the robbing, he feels remorse for what he did. He does not want to repeat it but he also wants to stay with the gang. When the Dragon Head asks him for a favor, he conforms. Lac, I think, tells this story to further discuss his inability to find the right place at his youth years. He thought being a member of a gang was cool. He also wanted a group he felt he belonged to as a respectable…...

They reasoned that reputable people would take precautions against being arrested. If the workers were discreet and protective of their jobs, it follows that they would, in return, protect the policy operation. Teachers and unemployed wives of prominent community leaders, people who would feel a lasting shame to be arrested, worked in policy banks. ("Harlem Policy ackets" website)

Yet, despite all the struggles in her life she did not fail to have the last word, over Dutch Shultz. She sent him a telegram, on his death bed, after he had been shot during one of his many illegal activities. The telegram simply stated: "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." From "The Queen of Policy." ("Dutch Shultz is Dead" website)

eferences

http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001557345

Arnold, G. (1997, August 29). Bumpy oad for Star: Fishburne's 'Hoodlum' ecalls Harlem Thug. The Washington Times, p. 12. etrieved November 19, 2004, from Questia database, http://www.questia.com. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=101010770

Bailey, F.Y., & Green, a.P.…...

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References

 

Crazy Horse and the Western Hero
Crazy Horse, believed born sometime in 1838, was a respected member of the Oglala Sioux Native American tribe and is noted for his courage in battle. He was recognized among his own people as a visionary leader committed to preserving the traditions and values of the Lakota way of life and leading his people into a war against the take-over of their lands by the White Man. The location of Crazy Horses birth is not conclusively known. Some sources report his birthplace as the South Cheyenne River. Other sources point to either Rapid Creek, near present day Rapid City, South Dakota, or near ear utte outside Sturgis, South Dakota.

Crazy Horse earned his reputation among the Lakota not only by his skill and daring in battle, but also by his fierce determination to preserve his people's traditional way of life. Celebrated for his ferocity in battle,…...

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Bibliography

Marshall, Joseph M. "Crazy Horse (Tasunke Witko) 1840-77."

Pautler, N.P. "We all play the hand we're dealt, honored historian says." University Week. June 22, 1995, p. 3.

Robert Warshow. The Immediate Experience: Movies, Comics, Theatre and Other Aspects of Popular Culture. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2001.

White, Richard. It's Your Misfortune and None of My Own. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1991.

Conclusions -- It becomes immediately clear that the art of the silent film depended on three major elements: smooth editing, appropriate use of subtitles, and actors who were able to use their eyes and movement to communicate or "play to the camera." It was surprising that only one of the films viewed seemed "primitive," and that was only the initial parts of Gertie. By the time we get to The ink, there has been an obvious improvement in camera techniques and the ability to film from different angles and heights, even if the camera is stable. In addition, the vaudevillian arm and comedy of The ink is classic. It is also interesting to note that the subject matter, while varied, seemed far less censored that what we would come to expect in later Hollywood years -- we see prostitution, abject poverty, criminal behavior, sexual innuendos with fairy creatures, and a…...

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REFERENCES and WORKS CONSULTED

Bowser, E. (1990). The Transformation of Cinema, 1907-1915. Scribners.

Clegg, B. (2007). The Man Who Stopped Time. Joseph Henry Press.

Wexman, V. And J. Wllis. (2006). A History of Film. Allyn and Bacon.

Film Links:

Criminology
obert Merton was the brain behind Anomie Theory. This theory majors on deviance. The theory's major preoccupation is why rates of deviance differ from one society to the other and from one subgroup that come from one society to the other. Merton's work emphasizes cultures' unifying aspects and how it can create deviance and disunity within a society. Cultural norms, according to this theory, break down as a result of rapid changes that take place. The theory attributes occurrence of Anomic suicide to the occurrence of major economic depression that makes people not to achieve the goals they had learned to pursue (Siegel, 2008). Anomic suicide can also occur when there is an economic boom. In such circumstances people fail to limit their goals and be satisfied with their achievements. There can be lack of fit with regard to culture's norm about what constitute success in life and the appropriate…...

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References List

Abadinsky, H. (2004). Organized Crime. Belmont, California: Thomson Wadsworth.

SAGE (n.d.). Major Sociological Theoretical Approaches in Criminology. Retrieved from  http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/50621_ch_7 

Siegel, L.J. (2008). Criminology: The Core. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.

This decision was a wise one from a business standpoint and it allowed him to drastically reduce costs, which in turn reflected in lower prices for cocaine. Soon enough then, Lucas became the preferred drug provider, selling the quality Blue Magic at low prices. He even became the wholesaler for other drug dealers in the city.
This desire to cut the middle man and deal with operations directly is also present with ichie obinson. Not once is he met with the frustration of the bureaucracy that slows him down. And when he finally manages to better follow the illicit activities, he becomes head of a new department that follows drug dealers directly, rather than focusing on the middle men.

Then, there is the theme of discipline and strong character. ichie oberts is not himself a very disciplined man. His marriage is falling apart and his colleagues dislike him. Still, in all…...

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References:

Benshoff, H.M., Griffin, S., America on film: representing race, class, gender and sexuality at the movies, John Wiley and Sons, 2011

Gambetta, D., The Sicilian mafia: the business of private protection, Harvard University Press, 1996

DiCanio, M., Encyclopedia of violence: frequent, commonplace, unexpected, iUniverse, 2004

Sifakis, C., The mafia encyclopedia, 3rd edition, Infobase Publishing, 2005

The film version of the 'GodFather' became famous. The reason is that it was essentially a portrayal more on the family and emotional side rather than the gun toting violence. Thus the viewer shows the discernment between a good and bad movie by analyzing the depth of the portrayal rather than stunts. The argument that violence in cinema begets violence in real life falls flat. The viewers are not imbeciles, although many film producers take that for granted. Scarface 1932 version was all about the real gang rule of America. However the film not only depicted the violent lives of these people but also examined the psychology of the gangster and challenged the administration and there was depth in the portrayal. The viewer was absorbed in the passions of Tony to which they could relate, if not with the violence. Could that film have goaded viewers to become criminals? It…...

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References

Youtube. (2011) "Scarface movie that released in 1932" Retrieved 11 June 2011 from  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qx6DhjaAP8 

Youtube. (2011) "Scarface" Retrieved 11 June 2011 from  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3jin2t_sJM&feature=related 

Pells, Richard H. (1998) "Radical visions and American dreams: culture and social thought in the Depression years" University of Illinois Press.

Lyons, Charles. (1997) "The new censors: movies and the culture wars"

Murder Inc. by Graham K. Bell  

Book Summary

Starting from the 1920s, the American crime landscape underwent a complete transformation under an all-star gang of thugs, garrotters, and snipers. Ethnic and religious diversity was evident in its members. A majority of them hailed from New York City itself, chosen from its toughest neighborhoods, including Ocean Hill, Brownsville, and Flushing. The exorbitant amount of crime they perpetrated led the media to name them "Murder, Inc.."This merciless gang, considered the innovation of Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, and other elderly gangsters, was quick to catch the entire nation's attention, and made headlines across the country for more than twenty years. Graham Bell highlights the sinister history of the most infamous Mafia crime organization, including the men's identities and the forging of their partnership (Arcadia Publishing, 2010).

The media labeled 1930s-40s organized crime gangs "Murder, Inc.."These gangs were said to work on behalf of nation-wide organized crime…...

Jewish crime organization as a whole fails to live up to the elements that define organized crime. It certainly is violent, it recruits members, it uses monopolies to retain power, and it is a functional and individual culture. It's firm and unrelenting connection to Israel and Jewish rights, however, raises questions as to whether it is a crime syndicate. Its grounding in the promotion of Jewish rights likens it more to the terrorist groups of today than with the Sicilian mob of the 40s. It uses criminal means to support a national and religious ideology. Either Jewish groups shouldn't be labeled Organized Crime or the definition of that term should be re-examined.

eferences

Ebban, Abbas. (1968). My People. The Story of the Jews. New York: Behrman House.

Finckenauer, James O., & Waring, Elin J., (1998). ussian Mafia in America:

immigration, culture, and crime. Boston: Northeaster Uni. Press.

Friedman, Jeanette, (1996). Our Dirty Little Secret is…...

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References

Ebban, Abbas. (1968). My People. The Story of the Jews. New York: Behrman House.

Finckenauer, James O., & Waring, Elin J., (1998). Russian Mafia in America:

immigration, culture, and crime. Boston: Northeaster Uni. Press.

Friedman, Jeanette, (1996). Our Dirty Little Secret is No More. Sh'ma, 26/506, Jan. 19,

S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. The legislation makes the provision of over $ billion in funding "for gang prevention, intervention and law enforcement programs over five years and establishes new crimes and tougher penalties to deter and punish members of illegal street gangs." (Feinstein, 2007) the legislation proposed by Feinstein would make illegal participation in a criminal street gang a federal crime. The legislation criminalizes violent crimes in furtherance or in aid of criminal street gangs and creates a new criminal offense for murder and other violent crimes committed in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Under the present law, "a felon's criminal street gang involvement can be treated at most as a sentencing enhancement, adding no more than 10 years to a sentence. This bill establishes far higher penalties for violent gang crimes, including the possibility of life imprisonment without parole for murder, kidnapping, aggravated sexual abuse, or maiming. If…...

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Bibliography

Matthews, D. And Ruzicka, K. (2000) Proposition 21: Juvenile Crime. Capital Center for Government and Law Policy - California Initiative Review. March 2000 initiatives - Proposition 21. Pacific McGeorge School of Law. Online available at  http://www.mcgeorge.edu/government_law_and_policy/california_initiative_review/march_2000/ccglp_cir_march2000_prop_21.htm .

McKim, J.B. And Rhor, Monica (2007) Justice by Geography (Orange County Register) 3 June 2007. Online available at http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC=%7BE917F382-8B46-4C4E-976E-64261965F209%7D&DE=%7BCA01ACE7-2B51-4E14-8DE4-3C7CC3E4DDFB%7D

Governor Scwarzenegger Endorsees Senator Feinstein's Comprehensive Gang Legislation. (2007) United States Senator Dianne Feinstein California. 20 March 2007. Online available at  http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=NewsRoom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=7189577e-cc9b-d379-16f3-c9194d249b56&Region_id=&Issue_id= 

Velasquez, N. (2007) L.A. City Attorney Delgadillo Establishes New Policy Regarding Gang Injunction Violations: New Policy Enables Check of Convicted Gang Injunction Violators' Residency Status. 5 April 2007. Online available at  http://www.lacity.org/atty/index/attyindex56044369_04052007.pdf .

The Evolving Portrayal of Traditional Filipino Games in Literary Works

Traditional Filipino games, known as "larong Pinoy," have held a significant place in Filipino culture for generations. These games have been passed down through oral traditions and have played a vital role in shaping the collective identity and childhood experiences of Filipinos. However, the portrayal of larong Pinoy in Philippine literature has undergone an evolution, reflecting the changing social and cultural contexts.

Early Portrayals: Nostalgia and Idealization

In early Filipino literary works, such as the novels of José Rizal and Nick Joaquin, larong Pinoy is often depicted with a sense of nostalgia and....