Millenium Actress: suggestions?

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Millenium Actress: suggestions?

Postby Jeikobu » Sat Jan 08, 2005 8:54 pm

Yep, another thread. ^^;
I read the review of this film (http://www.christiananime.net/reviews.php?display=58) and it sounds really good, but what's with this witch thing, this woman who haunts the main character? Does this ruin the film, is it too dark religiously, and how much of the film does this take up?
"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6

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Postby Arnobius » Sat Jan 08, 2005 9:20 pm

That review seemed to miss the point. The movie is about an aged actress who is being interviewed for a magazine. She is telling life her story, which suddenly becomes a movie she starred in. As the movie is told in flashback form, it becomes difficult to tell what is reality and what is fiction as the story switches between her real life and the movies she made. No magic or anything like that.

Very high quality movie. Rated PG.
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Postby true_noir_chloe » Sat Jan 08, 2005 10:57 pm

I have to totally agree with AH here. I'd agree with the review AH just gave it. If there was a witch, which I really need to watch it again to see this, it must have been in passing. I honestly don't remember any witch. I actually got kind of bored with this movie, and decided not to buy it after I rented it.

On another note, Jeikobu, you sure start a lot of threads. *hehe* lol

[size=84][color=seagreen]YOU SEE


You see into the deepest part of me ---

beyond the fog I hide behind.

You cast your light upon the shadows

that stretch like cobwebs in my mind.

You ease the pain when I am hurting,

and morbid visions from my past

pierce into the realm of Reason

as though I danced on blades of glass.

You grant me strength when I have fallen

and, once again, I've lost my way.

You take my hand in Yours and lead me

into the promise of a brand new day.

You bring order to all my chaos,

yet set my well-laid plans awry.

You place me on a firm foundation ---

then give me wings so I can fly.

You sand away my roughened edges

and polish all the dullest parts

until I stand before Your presence...

a newly-sculpted work of art.

You see into the heart within me,

right through my motives and selfish will.

And yet, in spite of all You see

You say You love me even still.


~by D.M.~

[/color][/size]
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Postby agasfas » Sun Jan 09, 2005 12:00 am

Hmm... still a bit confused. Though, if anyone needs it, animetempy.com always gives decent reviews-- usually w/ different viewpoints. http://animetempy.com/reviews/LMNO/millennium_actress.htm

Personally, I've heard so many good reviews and comments about Millenium Actress that I'm just so curious to see what all the hype is about. I've always wanted to see it, though for some reason I've been putting it off for a while. *shrugs*
This anime gets a ton of good reviews, though when reading more reviews about it in detail, it seems a bit boring for my taste. My instincts are usually right... Who knows... Though I'm still so curious to see what the hype is all about. :P
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.." Prov 17:22

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Postby Rev. Doc » Sun Jan 09, 2005 5:47 am

I really enjoyed Millenium Actress. My daughter and I watched it together and she gave it a thumbs up also. While it can be somewhat confusing switching between reality and movie at the begining, you become accustom to it. It's facinating to see her life portrayed by the movies she made. It's very touching and is somewhat like Voices Of A Distant Star in that it is very bittersweet. I also don't remember the "witch" in it so it must be a very minor part.
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Postby ClosetOtaku » Sun Jan 09, 2005 5:56 am

The "witch" that "haunts" the main character is more of a symbol - sort of this recurring fear that she is confronted with. As Rev. Doc says, it is minor. I would not let this stand in the way of watching a very enjoyable, very thought-provoking film.
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Postby Ichigo_89 » Sun Jan 09, 2005 7:57 am

true_noir_chloe wrote:I actually got kind of bored with this movie, and decided not to buy it after I rented it.


Haha, the exact thing happened to me. SO glad I rented it. It's still a good watch, just not worth alot of money, IMO. (please don't flame)
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Postby Arnobius » Sun Jan 09, 2005 9:36 am

Interesting that so many people found it boring. I thought it was really good. Also funny. Probably a matter of taste. The director used the sudden shifts of scene like that in "Perfect Blue" as well.

His "Tokyo Godfathers" was more conventional.
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Postby oro! » Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:42 am

I think the witch was really just in that movie she did, right? That was creepy, but the rest was excellent, so it doesn't bother me that much.
"I've learned when you throw mud at others, not only do you get your hands dirty, but you also lose a lot of ground." Ravi Zacharias
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Postby Arnobius » Sun Jan 09, 2005 12:27 pm

oro!girl7 wrote:I think the witch was really just in that movie she did, right? That was creepy, but the rest was excellent, so it doesn't bother me that much.

I think it must have just been a movie, since it had nothing to do with the overall plot.
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Postby Mangafanatic » Sun Jan 09, 2005 1:47 pm

I'd say that the witch was more a symbol. She was real in one of the movies the main character was in, but through the rest of the film, she simply embodies the fear that the main character has of never meeting her true love.

It wasn't really dark at all. The "witch" gets about a minute and a half of screen time, if I remember correctly. Don't let it stop you from atleast renting it.

Personally, I liked this movie alot. It's sort like "Perfect Blue" without all the graphic murder. :lol:
Every year in Uganda, innumerable children simply. . . disappear. These children all stolen under the cover of darkness from their homes and impressed into the guerilla armies of the LRA [Lord's Resistance Army]. In the deserts of Uganda, they are forced to witness the mindless slaughter of other children until they themselves can do nothing but kill. Kill. These children, generally ranging from ages 5-12, are brainwashed into murdering in the name of the resistance and into stealing other children from their beds to suffer the same fate.

Because of this genocide of innocence, hundred and hundreds of children live every night sleeping in public places miles from their homes, because they know that if the do not-- they will disappear. They will become just another number in this genocide to which the international community has chosen to turn a blind eye. They will become, in affect, invisible-- Invisible Children.

But there are those who are trying to fight against this slaughter of Uganda's children. They fight to protect these "invisible children." Please, help them help a country full of children who know nothing by fear. Help save the innocence. For more information concerning how you can help and how you can get an incredible video about this horrific reality, visit the Invisible Children home page.
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Postby Jeikobu » Sun Jan 09, 2005 5:38 pm

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll try this one. ^^
"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6

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Postby agasfas » Sun Jan 09, 2005 7:08 pm

Oh, I'm still going to see it :P. I will admit, something keeps telling me to see it.

Personally, I liked this movie alot. It's sort like "Perfect Blue" without all the graphic murder.

Perhaps it may be worth watching... Looks to have an interesting story premise. Perfect blue was quite good; except for the graphic parts, the story was interesting. Is Millenium Actress made by the same people?
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.." Prov 17:22

The word 'impossible' isn't in my dictionary... but I don't really have a dictionary you know? - Eikichi Onizuka.
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Postby Chaps » Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:24 pm

Dang, I never saw this movie, but I've seen plenty of good reviews for it...tch. I really should check it out now.
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Postby Cap'n Nick » Mon Jan 10, 2005 7:15 am

It wasn't to my taste, but there's no denying that it's a good movie.

My main problems with it are actually its strongest points. I don't like Satoshi Kon's art style because it doesn't play to the strengths of the medium. It's like he wants to do live action, but instead he tries to ape it through animation. The colors are also very dark and often lacking in contrast. Overall, his style lacks life despite his painstaking efforts at verisimilitude.

The directing for Millenium Actress was innovative but overwrought. In my opinion it got in the way of identifying with the main character and tried to disguise the lack of elaboration on the rather simple base plot. I have no problem with simple plots, but ever since Evangelion I've been pretty wary of people trying to confuse me into thinking that what they're saying is worth listening to, or that they're even saying anything at all.
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Postby Arnobius » Mon Jan 10, 2005 3:08 pm

[quote="agasfas"]Perhaps it may be worth watching... Looks to have an interesting story premise. Perfect blue was quite good]
Both directed by Satoshi Kon. Artwork seemed similar enough that it could have been the same crew.
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Postby Ichigo_89 » Mon Jan 10, 2005 4:35 pm

I just saw a preview for it again on my Ghost in the Shell 2:Innocence DVD, and I was like, "HEY, that actually WAS a really good one." My opinions really depend on what I'm in. And at the time when I watched it, I think I was excepting a ton of flashy eyecandy, so that's the reason why I was so dismal about it before. SRY! XP
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