Classics: A Review of Office Space By Lauren Ennis

 The average American spends roughly 2,080 hours at their job. That's over two-thousand hours of micromanagers, office politics, and the ever dreaded 'case of the Mondays'. 1999's cult classic sendup of corporate culture Office Space perfectly captures the modern office environment at its most absurd. Nearly a quarter century after its release this hilariously brutal satire of white collar work  continues to resonate with every employee who has ever had the misfortune to sit in a cubicle.

The story begins with computer programmer Peter facing an existential crisis. While he has a decent wage, a nice apartment, and a stable relationship he begins to realize that he takes no joy in the life that he worked so hard for. He soon determines that his greatest problem is the soul-sucking nature of his job where he faces an inability to advance, a demanding boss, and an endless stack of monotonous paperwork. He becomes so depressed by his work that he finally seeks the help of a hypnotherapist who successfully places him in a blissful state. Hijinks ensue, however, when the hypnotherapist dies mid-session, leaving Peter perpetually in a carefree state. He then breaks up with his nagging girlfriend and becomes completely indifferent to his work, living purely for today. The more that he slacks the more quickly that he finds himself ascending the corporate ladder, even as his hardworking colleagues continue to struggle. When he learns that two of his friends are about to be laid off he leads them in a plot to topple their company and abscond some corporate funds along the way.

While it was a commercial failure upon its 1999 release Office Space has since gone on to become widely regarded as a modern comedic classic. In its exploration of Peter's journey from depressed, but dedicated, office drone to Zen slacker the film perfectly captures the trials and triumphs of the office experience. The depiction of the callousness that he endures at the hands of his insufferable manager aptly portrays the ways in which all too many companies undervalue and overwork their employees, Similarly, the ways in which Michael, Samir, and Milton are discarded by management highlights the ways in which employees are too often treated as disposable. Peter's unlikely rise up the corporate ladder also stands out for its uncannily accurate depiction of the phenomenon of 'failing up' in which some employees' poor performance and bad behavior are rewarded, with the least capable often rising to the highest levels of a company. Even as it explores the darkness lurking beneath the white collars the film manages to remain as light as an office window and as sharp as a brand new stapler. Through its wonderfully over the top depictions of the frustrations of failing office equipment and eye rolling  efforts at boosting office morale the film expertly sends up office culture at its most inane. The film's portrayal of the daily grind paints an apt portrait of work at the end of the millennium while also eerily predicting such modern phenomenon as 'quiet quitting' and 'the great resignation'. For the ultimate workplace comedy pull up a keyboard in Office Space.

The film is brough to uproarious life thanks to the brilliant work of its cast. Stephen Root steals each scene in which he appears as abused office grunt Milton. Ajay Naidu infuses straight laced Samir with amiability and optimism. David Herman is wonderfully outrageous as rage prone Michael. Diedrich Bader is a comic marvel as Peter's unfiltered neighbor, Lawrence. Jennifer Anniston conveys warmth and girl next door charm as Peter's love interest, Joanna. Gary Cole is the boss everyone loves to hate as Peter's smarmy manager and arch nemesis, Bill Lumbergh. Even in the midst of outstanding supporting performances the film belongs to Ron Livingston as everyman Peter, as he perfectly captures Peter's journey from desperate office drone to satisfied slacker with charm, wit, and relatability.

At once a scathing satire of corporate culture and a call to break out of the cubicle Office Space is nothing short of comedic gold. The film perfectly captures the everyday absurdities of the modern office while hinting at the darkness lurking just beneath the the shiny desktop surface. The cast brilliantly brings the story to uproarious life, with wit and charm. For essential comedic viewing punch in to Office Space.

Damn it feels good to be a gangsta

Classics: A Review of Perfect Blue By Lauren Ennis

 "Who are you?" That is the question that lies at the heart of 1997's Perfect Blue. As it follows a young woman's journey from successful singer to struggling actress this psychological drama blurs the lines between fiction and reality and the boundaries between the private life and the public persona to ask if any of us are really who we think we are. Through its twisting, almost surreal, plot the film explores the high price of fame, the cost of creative pursuit, and the fragility of the human psyche in a manner that is nothing short of haunting. Embark upon the dangerous pursuit of perfection with Perfect Blue.

I always feel like somebody's watching me...

The story begins in 1990's Japan with pop singer Mima relenting to pressure from her agent to leave her girl group, Cham, and pursue an acting career. The transition from music to movies proves a difficult one, which is made even worse when her agent begins pushing her to accept racy roles and engage in risque photo shoots. Making matters worse, her struggle between her conflicting desires to succeed in her new career and maintain her principles plays out in full view of the public eye, drawing ridicule from her former fans. In the midst of her internal ordeal she is confronted with the external threat of a fan turned stalker, who is determined that she return to her former pop glory at any cost.  What ensues is a mind bending journey into the darkest depths of the human psyche with Mima driven to the brink of insanity as she finds herself fighting for  her career, integrity, and even her very life.

The film sets itself apart from the youthful adventures and slapstick antics Westerners have come to associate with anime by delivering a psychological drama of Hitchcockian proportions. The film offers plenty of chills courtesy of the cat and mouse dynamic between Mima and her stalker's horrific efforts to preserve his ideal vision of her. What could have been an apt but standard suspense story, however, is transformed into psychological horror through the film's exploration of the terrifying puzzle that is Mima's increasingly fractured mental state as she crumbles beneath the weight of internal and external pressures. Even as it takes viewers on a mind bending journey into its heroine's broken psyche the film offers commentary on the entertainment industry and the price of fame. The portrayal of the ways in which Mima is forced to compromise herself and her principles in order to pursue acting highlights the predatory nature of the entertainment industry that was present long before the 'Me Too' era. Similarly, the backlash from her fans following her career change captures the fickle nature of celebrity and the ways in which fandom can turn into fanaticism. The film's depiction of the use of the internet to create false narratives about, harass, and even surveil Mima eerily mirrors the dangers of internet celebrity and social media decades before their inception. Find the perfect blend of suspense, social commentary, and psychological drama in Perfect Blue.

Every breath you take, every move you make, I'll be stalking you

Mima's haunting journey is brought to visceral life thanks to Satoshi Kon's animation. In keeping with his signature style the characters are designed with a realism that is rarely seen in a genre dominated by characters with enormous eyes, impossible proportions, and hair colors in every shade of the rainbow. Instead of the fantasy ideals that populate most anime, Kon's characters are designed in the various shapes, ages, and sizes of actual people. As a result, the characters feel like they belong in our own world, making their stories that much more resonant. This is particularly felt during the film's many scenes of graphic violence, which are every bit as disturbing as if they were performed by live actors. This stark realism in turn adds to the film's sense of suspense and is sure to leave viewers leaving the lights on in the real world. Even as it keeps the characters grounded in realism the animation allows the film to move between reality, the fictional world of Mima's roles, her stalker's fantasies, and her own paranoid delusions with seamless fluidity. This constant, almost instantaneous, change in perceptions leaves viewers experiencing the film from a disorienting, fractured, view that perfectly mirrors Mima's shattered perspective. As a result, the animation effectively places viewers into Mima's mind, forcing them to experience her confusion and terror along with her. If you've ever doubted that animation could be for adults look no further than Perfect Blue.

At once an utterly unique exploration of one woman's journey to the brink of madness and back and a universal cautionary tale of the dangers of celebrity Perfect Blue is never less than unforgettable. Through its original approach to storytelling the script expertly transports viewers into the glaring spotlight of modern celebrity and the darkest corners of Mima's fractured mind.  Through its blend of the realistic and the fantastic the film's animation brings its tale of media, murder, and madness to visceral, haunting, life. Step into the spotlight in Perfect Blue...if you dare.

Classics: A Review of Blade Runner By Lauren Ennis

What is the true meaning of being human? What is it that separates us from animals, or better yet, machines? These are the questions that lie at the heart of the 1983 epic Blade Runner. Blending the technology and adventure of science fiction and the existential ennui of film noir the film relates a tale that is truly out of this world. At once a fantastic vision of the future and a dire warning for the present the film acts as an ode to the human experience and raises questions that will have you thinking long after its final credits fade. Party like its 2019 with Blade Runner.

The story begins in a dystopian vision of the year 2019 in which Earth has decayed into an urban wasteland following a nuclear war. The seedy streets of Los Angeles are populated with world weary humans and their automated counterparts known as Replicants. The Replicants are virtually identical to humans but possess superhuman strength, a lack of empathy, an inability to control impulses, and a lifespan of just four years. After six replicants make a bloody escape from 'off world' and land on earth former detective or 'blade runner' Rick Deckard is forced out of retirement to capture and execute them before they can wreak further havoc. The Replicants then set out to locate the scientist who created them in hopes of finding a way to stave off their imminent expiration, with Deckard following their trail every step of the way. What should be a simple case is soon complicated when Deckard meets Rachel, a Replicant who was programmed to believe that she's actually human. As he forms a connection with her he finds himself questioning his mission and wondering if Replicants might be closer to human than he thought. 

While Blade Runner was uniformly considered a commercial and critical failure upon its release, the film has since gone on to achieve widespread acclaim, and its easy to see why. Even as it transports viewers to the future, the film offers vital warnings for the present. For example, through its depiction of the aftermath of nuclear conflict the film recalls Cold War fears while speaking to escalating global tensions that have resurrected the specter of nuclear apocalypse. Similarly, the film's questions regarding the ethical concerns regarding artificial intelligence could have been ripped from today's headlines. Twenty twenty-two alone has seen explosive developments courtesy of Elon Musk's Neuralink, the deployment of AI caregivers in South Korea, and even allegations that Google's artificial intelligence has become sentient. In the wake of such developments the distant world of Blade Runner seems not only possible but likely and frighteningly near.

Although Blade Runner's prescience ensures that it remains more relevant than ever, it is its exploration of the human experience that makes it truly timeless. Through its depiction of Deckard the film aptly portrays the toll that social isolation, moral decay, and trauma take. Rather than truly living his life Deckard goes from performing one assigned task to another, much in the same way as the Replicants he hunts. His gruff interactions with his colleagues and personal isolation also hint at an inability to relate to others that his automated counterparts could appreciate. After years of executing Replicants he has become desensitized to the violence surrounding him and lost any sense of the value of life. In short after years of working as a Blade Runner he has become little different from the Replicants he hunts. It is only when he finds an unlikely human connection with Rachel that he finally begins to think for himself and feel for others. Through its portrayal of Deckard's regaining of his humanity the film transcends both science fiction and noir by asking the vital question of what it means to be human and forces viewers to question if they are truly living or merely existing. Journey across the stars and into the depths of the human soul with Blade Runner.

The film transports viewers into its dystopian world thanks to the stellar work of its cast. Daryl Hannah expertly balances sensuality and vulnerability as 'pleasure model' Replicant, Priss. Brion James is appropriately menacing as Replicant strongman Leon. Joseph Turkel expertly portrays the callousness and hubris of the Replicants' creator, Dr. Tyrell. Edward James Olmos lends knowing humor as Deckard's enigmatic colleague, Gaff. Joanna Cassidy gives a heartbreaking peeformance in her brief appearance as runaway Replicant Zhora. William Sanderson aptly conveys the loneliness, and innocence of prematurely aging genetic engineer J. F. Sebastian. M. Emmet Walsh expertly depicts the sleaze of corrupt policeman, Lt. Bryant. Rutger Hauer steals each scene in which he appears as the rogue Replicants' charismatic leader, Roy. Sean Young turns in the best performance of her career as she balances Rachel's blend of Replicant cool confidence with aching vulnerability. Harrison Ford plays against type and earns his place in noir history as the morally conflicted Deckard.

In the decades since its release Blade Runner has earned its place in modern culture. Through its at once gritty and poetic script the film takes viewers on an unforgettable journey into a dark future while asking essential questions about our own present. The cast brilliantly bring the film's dystopian world to life through their multi-faceted performances. For a film that will make you think, feel, and long for those moments lost like 'tears in the rain' take the case with Deckard in Blade Runner.