Awakenings (1990) - Movie Watch

Storyline:

Based on a true story as related by neurologist Oliver Sacks, Awakenings stars Robin Williams as the Sacks counterpart, here named Dr. Malcolm Sayer. Something of a klutz and naif, Dr. Sayer takes a job at a Bronx psychiatric hospital in 1969. Here he's put in charge of several seemingly catatonic patients who, under Sayer's painstaking guidance, begin responding to certain stimuli. Apprised of the efficacy of a new drug called L-DOPA in treating degenerative-disease victims, Sayer is given  permission to test the drug on one of his patients: Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro), who has not communicated with anyone since lapsing into catatonia as a child. Gradually, Lowe comes out of his shell, encouraging Sayers to administer L-DOPA to the other patients under his care.

Cast:  

Robert De Niro (Leonard Lowe), Robin Williams (Dr. Malcolm Sayer), Julie Kavner (Eleanor Costello), Ruth Nelson (Mrs. Lowe), Penelope Ann Miller (Paula).

Trailer:

 

Reviews:

Spenser S. (Rotten Tomatoes) says,

Awakening to the world after thirty years, lost youth, the incomprehensible loss of who you were in contrast to who you could be in the future, is a heavy subject matter. Luckily we have the extraordinary efforts of actors Robin Williams and Robert De Niro to encapsulate the spectrum of human behavioral science and  emotion. The aspects of the film that make it true are for certain the most astounding, drawing on the experiences of neurologist and author Oliver Sacks, who worked with catatonic patients from the 1917-1928 encephalitis epidemic. What is really very disturbing about the film, is watching fictionalized Dr. Malcolm Sayer come to the conclusion that these patients are in fact only sedate, and have the mental faculties to make a full recovery. This is both good news for their future state, and devastatingly horrifying to think of their mental prison for the past thirty years, trying to communicate with the broader world but being limited by their own body. We watch the good doctor bring back Leonard Lowe (De Niro), a child at the time of his crisis, and now a full grown man with the faculties of an infant. His transformation is subdued, nothing overall astounding about his awakening, since no one seems able to witness them when they happen. He wakes from sleep, recognizes that he's back with the tender joy of a child, and remembers the death of his former state, but not the events of the past thirty years. As the other patients also awaken, and their journey begins, we're fed the horror of wasted life, the principle of the film to drive you into living when others cannot. The premise was executed in a fairly original way, the acting was sincere and realistic for the otherworldly circumstances that developed from it, and everything is believable and neither sappy nor unenjoyable. It's only the long winded approach to certain sections that keeps me from enjoying it through and through, the lack of true depression at the very end, only the possibility for Sayer to finally live now that he's seen the worst of unused potential. It's too bittersweet a taste for me when I've gone through the rigmarole of this film.

Snapshots:

IMDB: 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%

Passage Reading on "Assessments for Process Improvement in an Organizations"

Para-1

An aborted or misguided assessment will do little good and can even make situation worse. Prior to an assessment the professionals are generally aware of their worst problems and often assume management is not. While this leads them to view management as mildly inept, they frequently assume management doesn't understand the issues and cannot be expected to solve them. After an assessment, this is no longer the case.

Para-2

A small team of outside experts cannot hope to identify in a few days the most critical problems in any organization. Complex problems rarely have simple answers, and the subtleties of most organizations are far too intricate for any group to fathom quickly.


Para-5
Exhortations that ask for increased productivity without providing specific improvement methods can handicap an organization. They do nothing but express management's desires. They do not produce a better product or service, because the workers are limited by the system. Goals should be set that are achievable and are committed to the long-term success of the organization. Improvements in the process can be made only with adequate availability of tools and methods.

Para-6
Instead of management by objective, management must learn the capabilities of the processes and how to improve them. Internal goals set by management, without a method, are a burlesque. Management by numerical goals is an attempt to manage with our knowledge of what to do. An excellent analysis supporting this point is given by Castellano and Roehm.


Para-7
Punitive supervisions of workers in an organization, Inadequate or ineffective equipments for performing the required work, Poor designs leading to production of junks, Inadequate training, Workers blamed for system problems can be a barrier that rob people of Pride of workmanship. Restoring pride will require a long-term commitment by the management, by doing so, workers can work for common good.


Para-8
Proven methodologies like Total Quality Management (TQM) should be adapted. TQM enhances traditional way of doing business. It is a proven technique to guarantee survival in world-class competition. Only by changing actions of management will the culture and action of entire organization be transformed. TQM is the art of managing the whole to achieve excellence. TQM provides a firm base for continuous improvement in an organization. It applies quantitative methods and human resource to improve all the processes within an organization and exceed customers need now and in the future.


Para-9
TQM ensures the following aspects:

• A committed and involved management to provide long-term top-to-bottom organizational support.
• An unwavering focus on the customer, both internally and externally.
• Effective involvement and utilization of the entire work force.
• Continuous improvement of the business and production process.
• Treating suppliers as partners.
• Establish performance measures for the process.

Word List from Psalms.

1. Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
2. I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites.
3. I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.

Reference:

The Ages Digital Library Bibles - New International Version - Old Testament, Version 1.0 1996           

Audio Bible @ : Biblegateway.com         

The Lady is a Tramp! - Tony Bennett ft. Lady Gaga

She gets too hungry for dinner at 8 (I'm starving)

She loves the theater but she never comes late

I never bother with people i hate

That’s why this chick is a tramp

She doesn't like crap games with barons and earls

Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls

And I definitely won’t dish the dirt with the rest of those girls

That’s why the lady is a tramp

I love the free fresh wind in my hair

Life without care

Oh, I'm so broke, IT'S OH!

I hate California. It's crowded and damp

That’s why the lady is a tramp

I'M A TRAMP!

Sometimes I go to Coney Island

Oh, the beach is divine

I love the yankees

Jeter is just fine

I follow rounders and park

She sings every line

That's why the lady is a tramp

I love the prize fight

That isn't a fake

No fakes

And I love to rowboat with you and your wife in Central Park Lake

She goes to the opera and stays wide awake

YES I DO

That's why this lady is a tramp

She likes the green (green) grass (grass) under her shoes

What can I lose? cause I got no dough

I'm all alone when I'm doing my hair

That's why the lady is a tramp, GO!

I love your free fresh, I love your handkerchief in my hair

Life without care

But I'm so broke, THAT'S OH!

Hates California, it's cold and it's damp

THAT'S WHY THE LADY IS A TRAMP

THAT'S WHY THIS LADY IS A TRAMP

THAT'S WHY THE LADY IS A TRAMP.

Do not confuse one word with another

 Ability, Capacity. Ability means the power to do something, mental or physical ("ability to manage an office"). Capability is the ability to hold, contain or absorb ("a suitcase filled to capacity").

Affect, Effect. Affect as a verb, means "to assume" or "to influence". ("Her voice affected me strangely"). Effect, as a verb means "to cause"; as a noun, it means "result". ("Being captain effected a change in his attitude"). "The decision had a profound effect on labor relations").


Among, Between. The former indicates a relationship of more than two objects; 'between' refers to only two, or to more than two when each object is considered in relation to the others. ("The land was divided among seven farmers". "The rivalry between Joe and Kate is  intense". "Trade between nations is desirable".


Complement, Compliment. Complement means something which completes. ("This hat will complement your wardrobe"). A compliment is a flattering comment. ("When she remarked that he was awesome, Ted thanked her for the compliment").


Continual, Continuous. In some uses, these words are synonymous. A subtle distinction is that 'continual' implies 'a closed recurrence in time', in 'rapid succession'; continuous implies, "without interruption". ("I objected most of my sisters' continual quarreling"). "The continuous dripping of water from that leaky faucet unnerved me").


Council, Counsel. Council means 'an assembly', 'a group'. ("A council of labor leaders voted to the proposal"). Counsel is both a noun and a verb ans means 'advice' or 'to advice'. (" 'Work hard and save your money' is indeed wise counsel"). "Our minister will counsel me whenever problems arise").


Emigrate, Immigrate. The former means to 'to leave'; the latter means 'to enter'. ("The foreman emigrated from Russia in 1918"). "In the future, a great number of people from Latin countries will immigrate to Canada").


Envelop, Envelope. The verb en-vel' op (accent on second syllable) means 'to cover', 'to wrap'. ("Fog will soon envelop the island"). En'vel-ope (accent on first syllable) is noun meaning 'a covering'. ("Your invoice is contained in this envelope").



Farther, Further. These are interchangeable; however, some writers prefer farther to indicate 'space', 'a measurable distance', and  further to indicate 'greater in quantity, degree, or time' and also 'moreover', 'in addition to'. ("I drove eight miles farther". "Let us give the matter a further consideration").


Formally, Formerly. The first word means 'in a formal manner', 'precisely', 'ceremonially'. The latter means 'in the past'. ("The artist was formally introduced to the President"). ("I was formerly treasurer of my class").


Fort, Forte. Fort means an 'enclosed place', a 'fortified building'. Forte means 'special accomplishment or ability'. ("The old fort has been turned into a museum". "I am not a golfer; tennis is my forte").


Gourmand, Gourmet. These words have to do with eating, but they are different meaning. A gourmand in a large eater. ("Teen-age boys are notorious gourmands'). A gourmet is a fastidious eater, an epicure, 'a person who knows a lot about food and cooking, and who enjoys eating high-quality food'. ("Les Chevalier du Tastevin is an association of well-known gourmets").


Healthful, Healthy. These words are often used interchangeably, but healthful precisely means 'conductive to health'; healthy means 'possessing health'. In other words, place and food are healthful, people and animal are healthy. ("An athlete must be a healthy person because of his healthful daily activities").  


Human, Humane. The term human refers to a person. Some particularly precise writers and speakers do not use the word alone to refer to man as man; they say or write 'human being'. However, use the word alone as a noun has a long and respectable background. Humane means 'tender', 'merciful', 'considerate'. ("The general insisted upon humane treatment of all prisoners").


Impractical, Impracticable. Distinctions in the meanings of these words have broken down somewhat, but the former means 'speculative' or 'theoretical'. Impracticable means 'not capable of being used', 'unmanageable'. ("His plan is impractical and his instructions are impracticable").

Jealous, Zealous. The former means 'resentful' or 'envious'; idiom decrees that jealous should be followed by of, not for. ("Ingrid is jealous for Margaret's ring"). Zealous means 'diligent', 'devoted'. ("They were zealous workers on behalf of their candidate").

Later, Latter. The spelling of these words is often confused. They also have different meanings. Later refers to time. ("The train arrived five minutes later than usual"). Latters means 'near or towards the end of something'. ("Building of the new library should begin in the latter part of next year.").

Least, Lest. The former means 'smallest', 'slighest'. The latter means 'for fear that'. ("It was the very least I could do"). ("Close the door lest our secret be overheard").

Leave, Let. Both words are common in several idiomatic expressions implying permission, but Let is standard whearas Leave is not. ("Let [not Leave] me help you wash the dishes").

Loan, Lend. Many careful writers and speakers use 'Loan' only as a noun ("to make a loan") and 'Lend' as a verb ("to lend money"). Because of constant and widespread usage, loan is now considered a legitimate verb to be avoided only in strict formal English.

Luxuriant, Luxurious. 'Luxuriant' refers to abundant growth; 'Luxurious' pertains to luxury. ("The blooms in her garden were luxuriant"). ("Silk curtains gave the simple room a luxurious touch").

Maybe, May be. The first means 'perhaps'. ("Maybe I will go bowling today"). May be (two words) is used to express possibility. ("There may be some food in the refrigerator").

Most, Almost. Most is the superlative of many and much and means 'greatest in amount, quality or degree'. Almost indicates 'very nearly', 'but all'. Most is colloquial when used for Almost. ("He has almost [not most] come to a decision").

Passed, Past. The first word is the past tense of the verb to pass; in its use as a verb, the latter is the past participle. ("He passed quietly by the open doorway". "The years of struggle are now past"). 'Past' is not only a verb; it is also a noun. In one or the other of these two categories, it appears in many expressions which are either colloquial or slangy, among them  pass the buck, make a pass at, a pretty pass, pass up, pass out.

Regard, Regards. The latter is used with as to mean 'consider' or 'think'. ("He regards me as a brother"). 'In regard to' and 'with regard to' are idiomatically sound, but both phrases are wordy and jargonistic. In these same phrases, regards is nonstandard. Limit your use of regards to the plural form of the noun regard and singular form of the verb. ("Please give your aunt my regards").


Reference:
Harry Shaw, "Handbook of English" - Second Canadian Edition, McGraw Hill Publications, 1970. [258/59a]

Vocab Builder - Part-2 - (Braingle)

A) Doctrine

1. An in-closed place in which heat is produced by the combustion of fuel, as for reducing ores or melting metals, for warming a house, for baking pottery, etc.
2. Cognizance; view; especially, reach of sight or knowledge.
3. To pronounce especially publicly to be blameworthy or evil.
4. To be, or come, in the way of; to hinder from passing; to stop; to impede; to retard.
5. That which is taught; what is held, put forth as true, and supported by a teacher, a school, or a sect; a principle or position, or the body of principles, in any branch of knowledge; any tenet or dogma; a principle of faith

B) Hierarchy

1. Fatigued by overwork: EXHAUSTED.
2. Great tumult; violent disturbance and noise; noisy confusion; bustle and clamor.
3. To win ower; to gain from a state of hostility; to gain the good will or favor of; to make friendly; to mollify; to propitiate; to appease.
4. A body of officials disposed organically in ranks and orders each subordinate to the one above it; a body of ecclesiastical rulers.
5. Drooping or flagging from exhaustion; indisposed to exertion; without animation; weak; weary; heavy; dull.

C) Lucubrate [TFD]

1. To negotiate over the terms of a purchase, agreement, or contract: HAGGLE.
2. A substance that enters into and is altered in the course of a chemical reaction.
3. Write in scholarly fashion.
4. Rough with hair; set with bristles; shaggy.
5. Any violent agitation of the mind approaching to distraction; violent and temporary derangement of the mental faculties; madness; rage.

Answers: A-5, B-4, C-3

Vocab Builder - Part-1 - (Braingle)

A) Shrill:

1. Extremely heinous; full of enormous wickedness.
2. To denounce; to condemn publicly or solemnly.
3. A cute; sharp; piercing; having or emitting a sharp, piercing tone or sound; -- said of a sound, or of that which produces a sound.
4. Likely to be useful for a purpose.
5. An arrangement of a body of troops when its divisions are drawn up in parallel lines each to the right or the left of the one in advance of it, like the steps of a ladder in position for climbing. Also used adjectivally.

B) Apropos

1. Being both relevant and opportune.
2. To free from allegation or blame.
3. The art of memory; a system of precepts and rules intended to assist the memory; artificial memory.
4. Having the lees or sediment disturbed; roiled; muddy; thick; not clear; -- used of liquids of any kind.
5. To deride or tease with taunting words.

Answers:

A. 3     B. 1