THX 1138, was George Lucas’s 1971 debut feature film.  A pioneering work in the science fiction genre, offering a profound commentary on individuality, control, and the dehumanizing effects of a technologically advanced society. Set in a sterile, dystopian future, the film explores the consequences of a society that prioritizes order and conformity over human emotion and freedom.

Robert Duvall plays THX 1138, a citizen in a futuristic, enclosed society where emotions are suppressed through the mandatory use of drugs. The inhabitants, devoid of names, are identified by alphanumeric codes, reflecting a system that reduces individuals to mere numbers. Everything is assigned and monitored in this existence, from occupations to cohabitants, nothing is left to chance or personal preference. THX skips taking his medications and feels a growing sense of dissatisfaction and rebellion against the oppressive regime that governs his life. His relationship with LUH 3417 (Maggie McOmie) ignites a spark of emotion and desire, driving him to question the societal norms that bind him.

Watching the sterile environment in THX 1138, with it’s stark white walls, narrow corridors, closed minimalist living spaces, cold lighting and bleak clothing, the viewer can sense the characters’ emotional desolation. Exploring the themes of control and resistance, this film vividly illustrates the consequences of a society stripped of personal freedoms, where surveillance and regulation dictate every aspect of life. This aesthetic choice amplifies the film’s critique of a future dominated by technology and bureaucracy.

One of the film’s most poignant themes is the struggle for individuality. THX’s journey represents a quest for self-identity in a world that denies him the right to feel. The initial suppression of his emotions leads to a transformative awakening when he begins to experience love and desire. This evolution underscores the importance of human connection and the inherent need for emotional expression. THX’s rebellion against the system ultimately becomes a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

*THX 1138* also serves as a cautionary tale regarding the unchecked advancement of technology. The film presents a society where automation and surveillance have reached disturbing heights, reducing human beings to mere cogs in a machine. The omnipresent droid police force, depicted as faceless, reflects the fear of a future where individual rights are subordinated to state control. Lucas’s vision resonates with contemporary concerns about privacy, data surveillance, and the ethical implications of technological progress. As AI is infiltrating so much in this modern world, now more than ever we should embrace our humanity and individuality and oppose the overwhelming push for conformity. Lucas’s film invites us to reflect on the delicate balance between progress and personal freedom, urging us to cherish the emotional connections that define our existence.

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Willow is a delightful adventure fantasy written by George Lucas and directed by Ron Howard. It has all the standard elements of a children’s movie: magic, fairy folk (brownies actually), little people, a powerful witch queen and a dragon. The title role is played by Warwick Davis as a farmer who dabbles in magic. His small stature, wide-eyes, willful heart are all reminiscent of a child and make him an instantly lovable character. When Willow ventures on a mission to bring a hunted baby back to her people, he fearlessly takes on the task as her protector. (Great film for big brothers with a new baby sister).

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Val Kilmer plays a rogue warrior Mad Martigan, he is the first tall person Willow encounters, but he hesitates in leaving the baby under his care. He doesn’t trust that she won’t be dumped off the first chance Mad Marigan gets to rid himself of the needy infant. The baby is pursued by the evil sorceress because it fulfills a prophecy about destroying her power and Mad Martigan is lacking in knowledge of basic infant care. Kilmer, forever the character actor is formidable in Willow.

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Soon Mad Martigan, Willow and the baby are joined by a pair of brownies on their quest. The brownies are comic relief as the danger (possibly frightening to small children) mounts. Fighting a dragon and facing a murderous master sorceress with a sword and bag of party tricks is not exactly good odds. These pint sized sprites are catalysts to the movie’s subplot. Mad Martigan is accidentally given a love potion that makes him fall in love with the evil queen’s warrior daughter Sorsha, played by Joanne Whalley. (But this is a real love story because Val and Joanne met on set and were married soon after.)

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