張藝謀新片的上映永遠都能立刻聚集起所有人的目光。2018年新作《影》表現寄託政治寓言和俠義情結的古裝武打片。 《影》便是一部由鄧超一人分飾兩角，並和他現實中的伴侶孫儷共同出演的多重面孔×多重身份電影。子虞、境州這一影雙身，產生出衰老與健壯、惡毒與坦誠、奴役與被奴役的強烈衝突，是本片闡發一切主題的起點。
鄧超為這部電影，付出了很大代價。他既要在短時間內增重到85公斤，去扮演境州，又要在短時間內瘦身到63公斤，去扮演子虞。
《影》極為優秀的美術視覺風格無庸置疑，幾個如鐵傘陀螺與境州對決的動作場面也讓人驚嘆不已，不過儘管鄧超一人分飾兩角的表演十分精采，還是無法掩蓋全片劇情薄弱的致命缺點。
《影》在片中就不斷強調人獨立的自由意志，一句「沒有真身，也有影子」代表著一個人從來就不該是另一個人的代罪羔羊，最終境州殺死所有阻擋他去路的人，成為目前位階最高的倖存者。所以問題又回來了，在電影最後小艾到底在門前看到了什麼？這大概才是小艾最艱難的選擇。
This year’s theme, The Time Machine. Taking their cues from the H.G. Wells Victorian novel of the same name, The Time Machine follows an unnamed traveler as he rockets through time experiencing everything from the great works of art in history to the industrial revolution before viewing the arguable pinnacle of human achievement, the landing of Apollo 11 on Earth’s moon. It took us on a journey through time and space. Especially, visual art is complemented by a professional orchestra to create an unforgettable experience. This full orchestra, conducted by Correy Hirsch, took us on a journey through time.
It is nearly impossible to determine what is part of the set, and what is a living performer. For example, The Mechanics Monument, created by Douglas Tilden in 1901. The bronze statue is brought to life on the side of the stage. Bronze-hued performers are positioned precariously, with limbs hanging unsupported out in the air. It is amazing to see how even in those unsteady positions, actors balance perfectly still.
We also went to the Festival of Arts. Every trip to the Pageant of the Masters is enjoyable and inspiring. The show has every member of the audience laughing, then gasping in awe at paintings that come to life at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach, California.
