Junior High School Essay Example for Free

Junior High School Essay It was during my 7th grade year that I decided upon my answer to the age-old question: â€Å"What do you want to be when you grow up? † Being that it was my first year at a junior high school, I was a little intimidated. I wasn’t fond of making new friends, so I stuck with the people I already knew from the year before. Jonathan, one of my closer friends, was as introverted as I was. He wasn’t looking for a whole lot of attention, but he did want to involve himself in school. Jonathan asked me to join the school’s drama club with him, so he wouldn’t have to do it alone. I decided to humor him and attend the first meeting one day before school. When I walked in the doors, I saw kids laughing and joking around. It was such a comfortable atmosphere; I barely even felt as if I was still at school. Drama club wasn’t just some club, it was a place for me to be comfortable with myself. It was an escape from the humdrum school days which seemed to get longer as time passed. The drama club was filled with people who weren’t afraid to make fools of themselves and wouldn’t judge me when I did the same. I could let myself be silly and not feel ashamed. I played games like ‘Understudy’ where a skit is started with a few students, the leader interrupts, and the students are replaced with new ones. The new actors then carry on the same general plot of the skit. It was the most fun I had experienced in such a long time. I caught myself going every Tuesday and Friday morning before school. We even planned to do a play one day after lunch. For once I was hoping to get some attention. I wanted to be seen. I had never wanted something like that before. I always laid low and kept to myself, but now I was on stage reading lines. The funny thing about all of this was that I wanted to do it. It was my decision, and I was happy with it. I enjoyed myself so much that I wanted to experience it more often, but with no theater in town, it was easier for me to watch movies. I watched more and more, and before I knew it, I started paying more attention to the actors instead of the storyline. I would watch a couple of movies that all featured one actor to see how his or her style would change. One in particular changed my amateur views of acting altogether, Primal Fear featuring Edward Norton who portrayed an older teen with multi personality disorder. His ability to make 180 ° turns in a single scene fascinated me. I could compare this to Sally Field’s role in the movie Sybil. I tried to find more movies with Edward that were as mind-blowing as the last. I watched Fight Club and noted that he again played a character with a split personality. Leaves of Grass was next on the list. Edward acted as his own twin brother, one who was a college professor while the other was a drug dealer. It seemed to me that his strategy was to unveil the pencil-thin line dividing good and evil or moral/immoral. It was amazing to me that I could learn so much about one person by watching him or her portray others. I fell in love with this theory, so I decided to try my hand at them by joining the Teche Theater of Performing Arts. I auditioned for a play named Gypsy based on the life of Gypsy Rose Lee. The role I was given was not very substantial, but it was a role nonetheless. Rehearsals lasted all summer, and I dedicated myself. I showed up early, and I stayed late. I sang and danced after I told myself I would never do that on stage. I realized my motivation was in the applause. I was looking for a thrill, and I found it in the crowd. I found it in making people laugh. I found it in making friends. Now THAT was different. Now, I was different. I was happy. I used this motivation to better myself. I did more shows at the theater, and I met new people. One of which was Mrs. Diane Wiltz, the main director at the Teche Theater. She would tell me how impressed she was by my versatility on stage, but she wasn’t ever afraid to point out when I was doing something wrong. She taught me to improvise when appropriate, push my character onto the audience, be loud, and overact. â€Å"Don’t hold back,† she would say, â€Å"when you think it’s too much, it is just right. † She also taught me to act comfortable in situations that might not be comfortable. Her advice was not bound to theater. I found that I could incorporate the lessons she taught me into everyday life. I took heed to the advice that she gave me. I did a few experiments to see how I could use these lessons offstage. I started pushing myself to be more extroverted at school by talking to more people, even the teachers. I became comfortable joking with complete strangers. I noticed that my overall attitude towards life changed somewhere along the way. I wanted to make people feel good. It felt good hearing laughter or applause, so I looked for it everywhere I went. I further involved myself in school and the theater. I took on roles in several more productions at Teche, becoming a regular there. The Teche Theater was like a second home to me by then, and I wanted so badly to do this for the rest of my life. I then decided to make plans to act professionally. I looked into finding a school that would help me get a foot into an acting career. I stumbled upon a film organization associated with the University of New Orleans. How could I make my way into an organization that I knew nothing about? It would be way over my head considering I knew little to nothing about film, and I wasn’t a student of UNO. I needed to get a little experience at another college before jumping into being a full-time student in New Orleans, so I decided to enroll at Nicholls State University. As of now, I plan on finishing my freshman year at Nicholls before transferring to the University of New Orleans. When I enroll at UNO, I will major in film arts and production. I will work with fellow students on projects as well as doing a few projects of my own. I will also work to serve as an intern on any major motion picture sets that is offered. Students at the University of New Orleans have helped work on the set of movies like Ray, Runaway Jury, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. These opportunities will hopefully open more doors for me, helping me start a career in this field. I look forward to seeing how I fare in a career that is so difficult to jumpstart, and I can’t help but to think of the people that inspired me and pushed me to be on the path that I am on today.

Death And Corruption In Hamlet Essay -- Corruption in Hamlet

Harold Blume said it best when he said, â€Å"Hamlet is deaths ambassador to us.† Throughout Hamlet, we have the images of death, decay, rottenness, and corruption pressed upon us. The imagery corresponds with the plot of the play perfectly, all culminating with the gravedigger scene. The corruption images illuminate the actions of the people in Claudius’ court, beginning with Claudius’ own actions. The beginning of the play lets us know that it is winter with Fransisco’s statement that it is â€Å"bitter cold† (1.1.6) This may be an allusion to death in itself – things are dead in winter. The guards speak of the ghost and we know right away that we have a supernatural theme, as well as a theme of death. In act 1 scene 2 we get the impression that King Hamlet has been gone for a while. Gertrude is already re-married and is happily out of mourning clothes. Gertrude even tells Hamlet, who is in full black mourning clothes, to cheer up. Good Hamlet, cast thy nightly colour off, And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark. Do not for ever with thy vailed lids Seek for thy noble father in the dust: Thou know'st 'tis common; all that lives must die, Passing through nature to eternity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  (1.2.68-73) Hamlet does not feel that it is time for him to shed his wretchedness just yet. The impression given is that it has been a long time scince the death of the old king and only Hamlet still clings to his memories and grief. After everyone leaves, however, we find out all the sordid details about the new King and Hamlet’s mother. Hamlet begins the rottenness imagery right away when he compares the world to â€Å"an unweeded garden that grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature posses it merely.† (1.2.135-6) He is utterly despondent and blames his mother and uncle for not feeling the way he does. He is the one who points out that the old King, his father, has not been dead long at all – only a month in fact. He rails over the fact that his mother could be so fickle, marrying again so soon. The affront is ground even more sharply into his frail sensibilities when she marries his father’s brother, his uncle. The fact that the two of them could be so jolly s o soon after the death of his father just staggers him. He predicts t... ...ferences to death are true references and not just imagery.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam; and why of that loam, whereto he was converted, might they not stop a beer-barrel? Imperious Caesar, dead and turn'd to clay, Might stop a hole to keep the wind away:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  (5.1.192-7) Hamlet is coming to terms with his own mortality and realizing the true physical destiny. He finds irony in the fact that a king could become a meal for a peasant, a seal for a beer-barrel, or a patch to keep wind out of a dwelling. Hamlet shows us that life is to be viewed without prejudice. It does no good to go about life with only your own interests in mind. He saw the rottenness and corruption that comes of that and it broke him. He loved his father and to see him so maligned was heartbreaking, especially coming from those who should have loved him most. That revelation shattered Hamlets ideal view of the world.

The Advantage and Disadvantage of Using Social Media Essay

The advantages: Based on my own experiences, there are several advantages for marketers to use social media as part of their marketing communications strategies. Social media represent a revolutionary new trend in communication. More and more people begin to use social media to communicate. It is freer, more convenient, faster and cheaper than the old ways, people also can get more information what they want, what is more, people can get in touch with their friend easier. For the company, it can face to their target market precisely. Social media hold a great deal of customers’ information, through the information that people share, company can easily know customers’ hobbits and the goods they like. Social media also increase the communication between customers and marketers. Company can get lots of users’ feedback information and use that information to improve their product. It also help the organization leave a good impression in customers’ minds. One of the most important things is that social media not only can help companies advertising well but also nearly have no costs. What social media bring for the company cannot be measured but the cost of it is really low. It lowers the company’s advertisement costs. Read more:  Essay on advantages and disadvantages of social media Disadvantages: Based on my own experience, the disadvantages or risks for marketers in using social media as part of their marketing communications strategy are as follows. Company’s web page can be attacked by hackers and viruses; it may lose company’s important information, company may lose their competitive advantages. Customers can be deceived by the false information online and the extra information may let them get annoyed. The negative comments may damage companies’ image. The use of the internet may cause the reduction of production efficiency, because employees may busy use the internet to solve the problem online or update their software so that waste times. Company should learn how to handle a social media and that may waste company’s time. Because the social media is not a â€Å"face to face† communication, so it can have many incredible situations, the information may be not real, the likelihood of people been fooled are greatly increased.

Comparison Of The Alchemist And Life Of Pi - 799 Words

When we hold, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, and Life of Pi, by Yann Martel together, their big ideas argue messages that are different, but end up complimenting each other because they both have different points between religion and both believe in some sort of â€Å"God† in their life. In both books the protagonist set of for a journey of self adventure and each character learns new valuable lessons and results in having self confidence and discovering their true adventurous and powerful self. In The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Santiago wanted to give up but had encouragement to keep going, throughout his journey he had many people around him telling him to continue and to fight so he can complete his personal legend, Fatima was his true†¦show more content†¦In the Alchemist Santiago has a recurring dream which sets him off to find treasure in the pyramids, and he believes its his personal legend, and he must complete it. Santiago learned no heart suffers while it pursues its dreams. Fear acts as the biggest motivation to achieving one’s Personal Legend. As Santiago faces many obstacles, he is tempted to leave his journey and turn back. Santiago was afraid to turn back and abandon his journey and lose everything he had, but he was also afraid of continuing and losing his family and Fatima. â€Å"We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it’s our life or our possessions or our property.† In Life of Pi, Pi went on a journey of self adventure and accomplishment, throughout the journey a Bengal Tiger for company and in the process discovering himself, faith and God. â€Å"You must take life the way it comes at you and make the best of it.† Pi learned many valuable lessons on his journey such as If you believe in everything, you will end up not believing in anything at all. Listening to all sorts of advice will harm your chances and cause delay in reaching your end goal. Pi has learned to have many obstacles thrown at him and hes dealt with all of the with his tiger as a companion on his lifeboat. Pi learned to solve problems and find his way back to safety and completed his journey of self accomplishment and adventure. In

Human Intelligence And The Biomedical Engineering Field

Vernor Vinge states, â€Å"I have argued above that we cannot prevent the Singularity, that its coming is an inevitable consequence of the humans natural competitiveness and the possibilities inherent in technology.† Technological singularity is on the verge of having a massive breakthrough but are we ready for what it brings? Raymond Kurzweil, an American author, believes that singularity will emerge in 2045. Technological singularity is an event in which artificial intelligent machines go beyond human intelligence and have the possibility to redesign themselves. Scientific development and enhancement is in our daily lives. The concept of creating intelligent machines was almost deemed impossible but in the last decade, researchers and scientists have shown beyond doubt that creating intelligent machines is possible. These artificial intelligent machines produce potential benefits and problems in the biomedical engineering field, a field where scientists should not continue to work to on due to the dangers this field poses. In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, an inspired man by the name of Victor Frankenstein believed that he could create new life. Victor had excessive self pride and had an idea that he could create this perfect creation of a human that would obey his every command. Once Frankenstein accomplishes his goal and creates new life, his creation looks more like a colossal brute. â€Å"His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath†¦hisShow MoreRelatedTheoretical And Conceptual Of Computer Science1528 Words   |  7 PagesComputer Science is not just the study of computer software and computational problems. It comprises the investigation of imitation and natural manifestations. The fundamental studies in this field are: computer system, artificial intelligence, data base system, programming languages, networks, software engineering, human computer interaction, graphs, and bioinformatics and computing theories. Even though, computer programming is a pri ncipal part of computer science, it is only one piece of the puzzle. SomeRead MoreA Career in Biomedical Engineering Essay1879 Words   |  8 PagesMany great inventions have been made through research in biomedical engineering, for example, genetic engineering, cloning, and insulin. After insulin has been invented, there are still a lot of problems with the purity and the quantity of the insulin produced. Biomedical engineering devised a way to produce large quantities of insulin with a higher level of purity, which has saved a lot of human lives. Although biomedical engineering just been officially founded 200 years ago, its practice has beenRead MoreArtificial Intelligence And Human Science1309 Words   |  6 Pagesfeel that way. Imagine this, for the rest of your immortal life. Technology is improving at an astonishing rate in the field of human science. Artificial hearts and wombs are successful in transplants, and more utilizable prosthetic limbs are being introduced to the world currently. In college, students are learning how to program a robot hand that can replicate basic motions of a human hand. From there, scientists are attempting to place artificial mechanoreceptors that can alert the brain in a moreRead More The Human Genome Project Essay941 Words   |  4 PagesThe Human Genome Project is a worldwide research effort with the goal of analyzing the structure of human DNA and determining the location of the estimated 100,000 human genes. The DNA of a set of model organisms will be studied to provide the information necessary for understanding the functioning of the human genome. The information gathered by the human genome project is expected to be the source book for biomedical science in the twenty-first century and will be of great value to the field ofRead More10 Years Beyond: The Role of Biomedical Computing in Future Health Care835 Words   |  4 PagesBy convention, the field of healthcare research was entirely occupied by physicians an d doctors. They were the ones who came up with new methods to treat diseases and get better results from diagnostic tests. Technology, on the other hand, was always looked at as a way to solve problems that we faced that didn’t pertain to the medical sector. It was employed to enhance the quality of life and make day to day work easier. But as technology progressed, so did the areas of application. The structuralRead MoreStatement of Purpose for Admission to the Graduate Program in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Carnegie Mellon University1017 Words   |  4 PagesSTATEMENT OF PURPOSE I am applying for admission to the graduate program in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Carnegie Mellon University. I intend to pursue research in the fields of Signal Processing and Machine Learning. I am particularly interested in working on real world problems and applications which combine concepts from signal processing and machine learning with computational modelling and statistical inference. I am also interested in developing applications of signalRead MoreImportance Of Synthetic Biology : High-Technology Perishable Designs952 Words   |  4 Pagesare a major technological trend, especially in the fields of robotics and biomaterials. Researchers from the Biomedical Research Centre of Granada, Spain, have reported a successful technique to make artificial bone ex vivo from stem cells and an activated carbon support. (McKeag, 2013) This is the first time that such a complex tissue has been made outside the body using cell differentiation. Similarly, at MI T’s Institute of Medical Engineering and Science, bioengineers have crafted heart muscleRead MoreWhy Algebra Should Be Considered Prudent?1358 Words   |  6 Pageslimited to the following fields: law, medical, and mathematics. However, further research shows that even occupations such as electricians, upholsters, and plumbers that do not require a college degree must have some type of background in mathematical and reading skills. If as a society we consider to lower academic standards, then we will face the consequences in our nation, especially with the immense competition in the new global economy. As a citizen, scientist, or simply a human being, one must prepareRead MoreWikipedia Meditech ( Medical Information Technology )1455 Words   |  6 Pagesgraduated from MIT and while he was there he created a software/program which we would later referred to as MUMPS. MUMPS later became the industry standard language for most of the software used in medical field. He started his company MEDITECH out of curiosity when he saw that the medical field has too many errors when it came to handling paperwork’s in the industry. The focus of this paper is going to be on the HER software that Meditech is using on their end. Since Mr. Pappalardo worked on theRead MoreComputer and Medical Field3625 Words   |  15 Pagesï » ¿ No Content Page 1 Introduction 2 2 History 3 3 Computer Software 4 4 Computer Hardware 6 5 Function and Application In Medical Field 8 6 Advantage 10 7 Disadvantage 12 8 Precaution 13 9 Conclusion 16 10 Reference 17 INTRODUCTION The first use of the word â€Å"computer† was recorded in 1613 in a book called â€Å"The yong mans gleanings† by English writer Richard Braithwait. It referred to a person

Freud s Trust Vs. Miss Trust Theory - 907 Words

â€Å"Half of the infants in the United States today have employed mothers, twice the proportion that there were in 1970.† Studies on the affect of mothers going back to work have been varied and have thus for lead to interpretations of the results. The mothers and infants relationship has a central part in a lot of theories on an infants trust development. Freud’s trust vs. miss-trust theory is an example of this. â€Å"Infants must learn to trust their caregivers to meet their needs. Responsive parenting is critical.† (Pg 38, Life span and development, Text book). Freud theory focused on the importance of the individuals early experience with the family. He believed that an infant’s early experience went on to contribute to the individual’s adult personality. The following studies data is based of a one time assessment session. This research found by (refecence 3) has found that infants still form attachments with their mothers who work full time. Although they did argue that these infants are more likely to form an insecure relationship with their mothers compared to mothers who did not work or worked part time. This then posses the risk that working mothers are at risk of having a emotional insecurity as the infants may perceive the parents absence as a rejection. This could be disturbing because of the development of coping strategies leading to anger and mistrust with the mother. Other study that have been done to try and compare infants trust with working or non workingShow MoreRelatedErik Erikson s Stages Of Psychosocial Development1695 Words   |  7 PagesFrankfurt,, Germany, in 1902. He was raised by his mother and stepfather and never knew his biological father. Throughout his life he struggled with his identity and felt that his stepfather never fully accepted him. After meeting Anna Freud the daughter of Sigmund Freud in Vienna, he decided to pursue a career in psychoanalysis. 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INTRODUCTION Objective I.1 Define psychology: the science of behavior and mental processes. |Margin Learning Question(s) (if applicable) |Page(s) | |None | | Key Terms Psychology: the science of behavior and mental processes. Exercises 1. Put a check markRead MoreLife Of Pi Questions6295 Words   |  26 Pagesif he stays true to his reasonable self, if he stays beholden to dry, yeastless factuality, might try to explain the warm light bathing him by saying, Possibly a f-f-failing oxygenation of the b-b-brain, and, to the very end, lack imagination and miss the better story. Spoken by Pi, this quotation-[chapter 22] in its entirety emphasizes the important distinction between facts and imagination, the background of the entire novel. This was used to show the distinct division between people with faithRead MoreOrganisational Theory230255 Words   |  922 Pages. Organization Theory Challenges and Perspectives John McAuley, Joanne Duberley and Phil Johnson . This book is, to my knowledge, the most comprehensive and reliable guide to organisational theory currently available. What is needed is a text that will give a good idea of the breadth and complexity of this important subject, and this is precisely what McAuley, Duberley and Johnson have provided. They have done some sterling service in bringing together the very diverse strands of workRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pagesbuilt-in pretests and posttests, focus on what you need to learn and to review in order to succeed. Visit www.mymanagementlab.com to learn more. DEVELOPING MANAGEMENT SKILLS EIGHTH EDITION David A. Whetten BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY Kim S. Cameron UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Prentice Hall Boston Columbus Indianapolis New York San Francisco Upper Saddle River Amsterdam Cape Town Dubai London Madrid Milan Munich Paris Montreal Toronto Delhi Mexico City Sao Paulo Sydney Hong Kong Seoul SingaporeRead MoreLogical Reasoning189930 Words   |  760 PagesCredibility .................................................................................................. 144 Seeking a Second Opinion ............................................................................................................ 147 Trust Me, I Know It on Good Authority ..................................................................................... 149 Suspending Belief...........................................................................................................Read MoreStrategic Marketing Management337596 Words   |  1351 Pagespreparing for the Marketing Planning paper in the CIM’s Diploma examinations âž ¡ Marketing practitioners who will benefit from a comprehensive review of current thinking in the field of strategic marketing planning, implementation and control. 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Seven pounds summary free essay sample

The primary goal of Seven Pounds is to make viewers weep, and it pursues that aim with a doggedness that is almost commendable. The film manipulates shamelessly and, despite defying logic with its contrivances and unconvincing character portrayals, will succeed in getting many audience members to the point where tears are inevitable. Yet theres no cinematic equation that relates the need for tissues to motion picture quality. Seven Pounds works better the more the viewer feels and the less he/she thinks. On an emotional level, one could decree that the movie is satisfying. On an intellectual level, its disappointingly shallow. The story is told in a non-linear and seemingly haphazard manner that confounds and confuses as a means to hide a twist until late in the proceedings. Unfortunately, despite their zeal to obscure the main characters central motive, the filmmakers miss the mark one doesnt have to be Sherlock Holmes to divine the films ultimate trajectory within its first 30 minutes (especially since the movie opens with one of the final scenes). Since this isnt a thriller, recognizing the destination is less of a detraction than a minor distraction. The bigger problem is trying to put oneself into the mindset of the lead character, who is acting largely because thats the way he has been written. Yes, guilt is a powerful motivator and the quest for redemption can be obsessive, but it would be helpful if the protagonist could pursue these objectives in a manner thats consistent with believable human behavior patterns. Ben Thomas (Will Smith) is an IRS agent. We know from his flashbacks that, at one time, he was (literally) a rocket scientist. He lives alone but, from those same flashbacks, we know he was once involved in a committed relationship. Ben has a list of seven people he is apparently auditing. He visits one, Emily Posa (Rosario Dawson), while shes in the hospital being treated for congestive heart failure. Shes on a transplant waiting list but she has a rare blood type and chances for her long-term survival arent good. Ben informs her that she owes back taxes but hell do something with the paperwork to give her a few months reprieve. He moves on to other clients, but his thoughts keep returning to Emily. He visits her home. He slips into her hospital room at night and gazes at her. Meanwhile, Ben has moved out of his beach house and into a seedy motel room. His only companion is a pet jellyfish. Hes a strange person but we understand that his past is marked by an unrevealed tragedy and he is seeking a way to make the rest of his stay on earth meaningful. And that means helping people, and perhaps not just by fudging their tax returns. Seven Pounds demands a bigger leap of faith than some viewers will be capable of making. Ben more closely resembles a Biblical icon than an individual. Seen objectively, some of his actions, which are presented as benevolent, have a cruel side. Either director Gabriele Muccino doesnt realize this or chooses to ignore it. Ben is deeply disturbed, perhaps even clinically insane, but Seven Pounds chooses to present him as a man on a mission. In a way, this is French art film territory, but there are no subtitles and the lead actor is one of Americas biggest and brightest stars. If nothing else, Seven Pounds raises legitimate questions about the lengths to which it is reasonable for someone to go to achieve redemption. Are some sins so grave that they can never be expunged? (See The Reader for a more profound and disturbing examination of this question. ) Can guilt and pain be confused and does the alleviation of one lead to a release from the other? And can acting in the best interests of another confer upon them a burden that they are unable to accept? The last question, which may be the most unsettling, is sidestepped entirely by the movie. In its quest for closure and catharsis, it doesnt want such messy strands left dangling. In the midst of all this angst can be found a tender love story, and therein lies Seven Pounds core of strength. The affection that develops between Ben and Emily is touching and heartfelt, and it keeps the movie from spiraling into a pretentious abyss. There are a lot of things in Seven Pounds that feel artificial, but the quiet moments these two spend together are genuine. Will Smith and Rosario Dawson sell the relationship. It has meaning. Theyre both deeply wounded in their own ways and that adds to the intensity of their scenes together. This is Smiths second appearance for Muccino. His previous effort, The Pursuit of Happyness, had a similar grim, serious tone. Muccino, who came to Hollywood from Italy, plainly sees more in Smith than most other filmmakers do. Yet arguably the actors greatest strengths are his likeability and charisma, and to strip him of them as Muccino does here may be doing Smith a disservice. His scenes with Dawson flow but there are other sequences in which is performance is awkward and unconvincing, although this may have something to do with the screenplays overplotted quality. I believe Muccinos intention with Seven Pounds is to make a spiritual, uplifting motion picture, but I found it to be uncomfortable and depressing. Seven Pounds is an interesting experiment in Oscar-baiting but, while it may make viewers cry, it doesnt achieve its loftier aims. In fact, the message with which I departed the theater was more prosaic than philosophical: put away the cell phone when driving.