Classics: A Review of Millenium Actress By Lauren Ennis

 How far would you go to chase a dream? Would that chase still be worthwhile even iv you never reached your final goal? These are the questions that lie at the heart of the 2003 animated masterpiece Millennium Actress. At once a portrayal of one woman's impossible dream and a universal homage to creative pursuit. Millennium Actress is truly a story for the ages.

Running up that road, running up that hill...

The story begins in present-day Japan with director Genya and cameraman Kyoji traveling to the home of celebrated actress Chiyoko Fujiwara. In her youth Chiyoko was an iconic performer, but at the height of her career she mysteriously turned her back on cinema, becoming a recluse. Intrigued by his promise to return something that she had lost to her Chiyoko agrees to allow them to interview her. Devoted fan turned successful director Genya begins the interview by presenting her with a worn key, prompting her to reflect upon her career and the inspiration that propelled it. So begins a surreal journey that blurs the lines between memory and fiction, and past and present to relate a tale of love, loss, and the creative spirit.

Satoshi Kon's signature surreal style is utilized to dazzling effect in this allegory of creative pursuit. On the surface, the film follows a deceptively simple tale of one woman's efforts to find the man she loves. As Chiyoko's adventure unfolds, however, it becomes clear that the film's subject is actually a different,  more complex, journey. She begins her story by recalling how she was discovered by a local film studio. Although she is excited at the opportunity her mother forbids her from accepting the studio's offer. After her chance meeting with the mysterious dissident painter, however, she is determined to pursue an acting career in an effort to one day reunite with him. Over the course of her career it is her desire to find him and return his key to "the most important thing" that drives her to keep moving forward. In this way the painter and his key serve as apt metaphors for inspiration and artistic fulfillment. When viewed in this context the film takes on a deeper, bittersweet, meaning as Chiyoko follows her inspiration through cinematic history with her dream of artistic fulfillment always just out of reach. In this way, the film aptly captures the trials and triumphs of creative pursuit in which an artist is forever chasing the next part, story, or project with fulfillment always promised around the next corner. In the film's divisive finale she reveals that it is the pursuit of the painter rather than the man himself that she truly loves. This poignant parting line perfectly captures the bittersweet nature of the artist's journey as she comes to terms with the impossibility of her destination while looking ahead to the next step of her journey. In this way, the film serves as more than just a meditation upon creative pursuit and instead offers a universal reminder that "It's not the destination, its the journey". In the midst of its philosophical musings the film also serves as a loving homage to Japanese cinema as it follows Chiyoko's career through parts that clearly recall everything from war-time melodramas to Kurasawa's samurai films, to the Godzilla franchise. As a result, the film works equally well as Kon's personal tribute to his own inspiration and a universal ode to creative pursuit. Join Chiyoko for the journey of a lifetime in Millennium Actress.

The film serves a feast for the eyes and heart through its breathtaking animation and engaging performances. Koichi Yamadera fuses somber realism with romantic idealism to alluring effect as the nameless painter. Shoko Tsuda perfectly captures the outward haughtiness and inner vulnerability of Chiyoko's rival, screen siren Eiko. Masaya Onosaka offers plenty of dry humor as cynical camerman Kyoji. Shozo lizuka is utterly endearing as Chiyoko's most devoted fan and former colleague, Ghenya. Miyoko Shoji, Mami Koyama, and Fumiko Orikasa take viewers on an unforgettable journey as they bring each of Chiyoko's ages to vibrant life. The animation showcases Kon's signature style while paying apt tribute to Japanese cinema. The character designs keep the often surreal story grounded by depicting the characters as looking like real people rather than the idealized faces and figures so often seen in modern anime. Even as the character designs remind us that we're in the real world, the film's ability to seamlessly transition between settings and styles lend the story an otherworldly sensibility. The animation's blending of various cinematic styles transports viewers into each of Chiyoko's films and the era in cinematic history that they represent. Experience the magic of the movies with Chiyoko in Millennium Actress.

Millennium Actress is a must-watch for cinephiles, artists, and anyone who has ever chased a dream. The film's dizzying animation and entrancing vocal performances take viewers on a journey through cinematic history and into the depths of the human heart. The script offers a poignant tale of personal and artistic passion that resonates across the ages. Fall in love with Chiyoko, the movies, and above all the journey in Millennium Actress.

Classics: A Review of They Live By Lauren Ennis

 "The whole deal is like some kind of crazy game" laments drifter Jon Nada about modern life. In 1988's action horror comedy They Live Nada learns all about the rigged game that is modern society and just how high the stakes of that game are. At once a biting satire of modern America and a call to action, They Live remains one of the most subversive and relevant films in cinema. Join Nada on an action packed thrill ride in They Live.

The story begins with drifter Nada arriving in Los Angeles. soon after his arrival he finds temporary construction work and befriends fellow transient, Frank. Frank takes him to a nearby soup kitchen run by the mysterious Gilbert. After listening to a local street preacher warning that "they" are recruiting the rich and powerful to enslave humanity. The next day broadcasts across the city are hacked to show a message that echoes the preacher's warning. When he sees the preacher meeting with Gilbert Nada follows them to a church. Inside the church he witnesses the meeting of a secretive group which includes Gilbert, the preacher, and the man who hacked the broadcast. Later that night, the police raid the church, leaving no evidence of the group except for a box of sunglasses. When Nada puts on a pair of the sunglasses he sees reality for the first time and makes a terrifying realization. So begins his quest to expose the truth and free humanity before its too late.

Released as a scathing critique of Reagan-era America, the film manages to be even more relevant and biting today. The film aptly satirizes the pervasive presence of mass media through its depiction of coded subliminal messages surrounding the characters at every turn. While the depictions of mass media's efforts to promote conformity, subservience, and above all their own profits resonated upon the film's release they are even more crucial in the era of social media. While in the 1980's corporations and politicians would utilize their influence to own benefit, in today's society private citizens unwittingly spread that influence for them, free of charge.  For example, while in the film Nada sees subliminal messages urging people to marry and have children to support the state in today's society one need only open a friend's social media page to be bombarded with images carefully curated domestic bliss. Similarly, throughout the film the characters are brainwashed into spending their money on frivolous luxury items and told that their worth depends upon their ability to make those purchases. While advertisers have always sought to increase sales the marketing campaigns of the past are dwarfed by the reach of self-styled social media influencers who promote everything from their personal brand to individual products to idealized lifestyles to their fan base. Additionally, the film highlights the way in which our human need for connection and belonging is weaponized by political regimes, religions, and society as a whole in order to ensure obedience. This demand for conformity has become nothing short of militant in the advent of cancel culture in which people have been ostracized for merely questioning the accepted narrative. Finally, the film's portrayal of society's elites as space aliens is more bitingly ironic than ever in an era in which those in power continuously prove themselves to be out of touch with and alienated from their fellow citizens.

The film is brought to life thanks to the out of this world work of its cast. Keith David aptly captures the decency and honesty of Frank. Meg Foster combines cool charisma with cold calculation to create a femme fatale for the modern era as Nada's love interest, Holly. Even in the midst of apt ensemble performances the film belongs to Roddy Piper as unlikely hero, Nada, who blends deadpan humor, raw physicality, and roguish charm to be the hero we may not have wanted but just might need.

At once an action-packed adventure and a scathing satire They Live is a film that, much like the world behind Nada's sunglasses, must be seen to be believed. The script serves up one of the most sharply written critiques of modern society to have ever been put to celluloid and manages to cut even deeper today. The cast bring each of their characters to colorful life with humor and charisma. Pack up your bubblegum and prepare to kick some ass courtesy of They Live.