children of men

[FondestMemory]

i didn't see any threads dedicated specifically to this movie and it definitely deserves one. if there is one and i missed it, my bad.

i just got done watching it. absolutely amazing.

one of the most intense movies i've ever seen. the action, the characters, the emotion, everything about this film is incredibally intense.

i know it's only january, but this will be one of the best movies i watch all year.

[fluke182]

Best of 2006. Good lord this movie is an instant classic, and by all means should catapult Clive Owen to the tops of the A-List.

[SaoMattie]

Anything Clive Owen is in is amazing, the man is a great actor and picks excellent movies and roles. The cinemtography of this film was amazing and had some very intense moments. One of the best of the year hands down

[Evolution Kid]

i'm glad everyone thinks it's good. i'm catching it in an hour :D

[VeloriumCamper]

I just saw it, I would've liked to see the ending go a little farther but it was a very intense movie.

Whoever directed it and produced it did a fantastic job.

Definitely one to see in the theatres

[preppyak]

Best of 2006. Good lord this movie is an instant classic, and by all means should catapult Clive Owen to the tops of the A-List.
2nd best...Pan's Labyrinth tops it...by a good amount too...but, I loved this movie.

Clive Owen has yet to let me down in a while...which is impressive

[mikeford]

yeah this is like top 5 best movies i've ever seen.

[preppyak]

I just saw it, I would've liked to see the ending go a little farther but it was a very intense movie.

Whoever directed it and produced it did a fantastic job.

Definitely one to see in the theatres

Alfonso Cuaron directed it...and he is also a producer on Pan's Labyrinth, which is not surprising.

Also, Cuaron edited the movie as far as I can tell..which probably gave it the extra intensity in his vision

I think finally the foreign influence in cinema is being felt on the American production studios, so the smaller projects that they get are what are getting to be so good.

[fluke182]

2nd best...Pan's Labyrinth tops it...by a good amount too...but, I loved this movie.

Clive Owen has yet to let me down in a while...which is impressive
Haven't seen Pan's yet, I'm excited about it but I've wanted to see Children of Men for months and months. I was very excited to see it, it was my big hype movie and it didn't let me down - it exceeded my expectations. This is what leads me to believe I'll end up liking it more than Pan's, because Pan's I am excited for, but it isn't a hype movie for me...if that makes any sense. The build up makes it better for me.

But Pan's will be excellent.

[reductiondesign]

This was an incredible technical achievement.

The endless cuts (the car scene and the war zone scene) are the two most incredible pieces of film I've ever seen. Unbelieveable.

[preppyak]

Haven't seen Pan's yet, I'm excited about it but I've wanted to see Children of Men for months and months. I was very excited to see it, it was my big hype movie and it didn't let me down - it exceeded my expectations. This is what leads me to believe I'll end up liking it more than Pan's, because Pan's I am excited for, but it isn't a hype movie for me...if that makes any sense. The build up makes it better for me.

But Pan's will be excellent.
Yep..it's why Big Fish is one of my favorite movies of all time...because I went in expecting great things, and in my mind, it delivered above and beyond what I expected

[jeremyfromva]

Brilliant movie!!!

At the point where they are running out of the building with the door that wouldn't open all the way...the whole audience went (Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.............r eally loud when the certain thing happened. It was crucial.

I loved the storyline, the cinematography, the acting, the movie was exceptional.

[niveK]

i saw it this morning. it was amazing for the cinematography alone. Pan's Lab. needs to open a bit wider, but as of now this is the best of 06.

[jeremyfromva]

I agree Children of Men is my top movie of 2006 now !

[fluke182]

Yep..it's why Big Fish is one of my favorite movies of all time...because I went in expecting great things, and in my mind, it delivered above and beyond what I expected
Yeah, this, Big Fish, Rushmore, Eternal Sunshine, and Garden State are pretty much my biggest hype movies ever. They all exceeded my expectations.

[fluke182]

This was an incredible technical achievement.

The endless cuts (the car scene and the war zone scene) are the two most incredible pieces of film I've ever seen. Unbelieveable.
The war zone scene was quite possibly the most intense bit of film I've ever seen. It felt like a perpetual heart attack.

[Adeniz19]

fucking loved every minute of this movie. really makes you bummed about what we have to look forward to tho. even during a time of an extreme miracle the people couldn't stop fighting for 5 mins.

i loved their take on the advances on technology and music too.

i think it ended perfect too. i mean there really wasn't much left to say other than she made it to the boat. and it made us wanting more and thinking. such an emotional movie

[KB3RG]

This just makes me want to go see it even more...I am going tonight and I still have been looking for a showing of Pans around here and yet to find one

[mrzippo3]

I guess I'll be the first.. I thought it was alright. For me, personally, there were too many questions and not enough answers. I didn't like how the ending just stopped without showing more of the Human Project. I also really didn't like that they never explained how/why Kee was pregnant. They never said why Jasper's wife was in a wheel chair and didn't speak. It was a good movie, but I think it could have used another hour or so of content to explain more. Micheal Caine (sp?) was awesome in it!

[mikeford]

They never said why Jasper's wife was in a wheel chair and didn't speak.
yes they did, you just didnt pay enough attention to things that were written instead of spoken.

[notoaststereo]

i want to see it really badly.

[FondestMemory]

I guess I'll be the first.. I thought it was alright. For me, personally, there were too many questions and not enough answers. I didn't like how the ending just stopped without showing more of the Human Project. I also really didn't like that they never explained how/why Kee was pregnant. They never said why Jasper's wife was in a wheel chair and didn't speak. It was a good movie, but I think it could have used another hour or so of content to explain more. Micheal Caine (sp?) was awesome in it!

if you need a movie to explain that you shouldn't be seeing r rated movies.

[gonz]

if you need a movie to explain that you shouldn't be seeing r rated movies.
HAH!

and I'm seeing it in a couple hours, I couldn't be more excited

[Adeniz19]

I guess I'll be the first.. I thought it was alright. For me, personally, there were too many questions and not enough answers. I didn't like how the ending just stopped without showing more of the Human Project. I also really didn't like that they never explained how/why Kee was pregnant. They never said why Jasper's wife was in a wheel chair and didn't speak. It was a good movie, but I think it could have used another hour or so of content to explain more. Micheal Caine (sp?) was awesome in it!some spoilers below i guess

it was a miracle. there needs no explanation. i think what makes the movie so good is the unexplained. i don't think the human project needed explaining and there was no way to explain it. no one knew anything about it except Owen's ex and she was dead. i like the thought it makes you think what happened to the baby and the girl... do you really think they would of survived long anyways? they would of used her for political gain probably and cause more of a riot

[fluke182]

Every one already explained it just fine, but I'll say it in my way - a movie that hands you everything isn't much of a movie. That's the beauty of this one, it challenges you to make connections, rather simple ones or even big ones like what happens with Kee and the baby. The last one it really depends on you, and depends on your perspective. As a generally hopeful person, I think that it led to the restart of the human race. I just love the hope it showed as Kee smiled while the boat aptly titled "Tomorrow" came to pick her up, and then the title came up. It's such a beautiful film. Also, if things like "why Kee is pregnant?" (seriously though? The human project obviously didn't eat ALL of the storks) and "why Jasper's wife is in a wheel chair?" held you back from liking such an extraordinary film, it seems to me like you were kind of resistant to it to begin with. Either that or you just thought it was average, if so, so be it. But you are DEAD WRONG sir!

Also, Michael Caine DID kick ass in this. Of course who didn't? Chilwetel Ejiofor and Charlie Hunnam were excellent villains, I actually despised them. They did a great job.

[FondestMemory]

cheleafeiojww elakjfoefor is fucking awesome.

i've only seen him in this and serenity, but those two roles are enough to make me a big fan.

[fluke182]

cheleafeiojww elakjfoefor is fucking awesome.

i've only seen him in this and serenity, but those two roles are enough to make me a big fan.
He was superb in Tsunami: The Aftermath. Seriously, check it out. But he was an uber-badass in Serenity also. I hear his best role was in Dirty Pretty Things, but I'll believe it when I see it. The Audrey Tautou/Ejiofor combination I bet could be electric.

[FondestMemory]

He was superb in Tsunami: The Aftermath. Seriously, check it out. But he was an uber-badass in Serenity also. I hear his best role was in Dirty Pretty Things, but I'll believe it when I see it. The Audrey Tautou/Ejiofor combination I bet could be electric.

yeah, i really wanna start going back and checking him out in other things.

just his demeanor makes him a perfect villain. he can be incredibally soft spoken and still manage to be one intimidating motherfucker. but yet, has this human quality to him that still makes you feel for him, no matter how evil he is. this guy should blow up at some point.

[Adeniz19]

Also, Michael Caine DID kick ass in this. Of course who didn't? Chilwetel Ejiofor and Charlie Hunnam were excellent villains, I actually despised them. They did a great job.his death scene was probably one of the most emotional things in the whole movie and he still somehow makes you laugh. what a great scene

[FondestMemory]

his death scene was probably one of the most emotional things in the whole movie and he still somehow makes you laugh. what a great scene

agreed.

i lost it at the scene right before his death. him getting ready to give her the quietus was so emotional for me. the whole sequence, from him telling theo he's staying behind and trying to convince theo he'd be alright, even though they both knew what would happen, up to theo watching it from above, was just brilliant. i've always been a huge caine fan, but i really can't think of anything he's done where i fell in love with his character in such a small amount of screen time.

[rungunnerrecall]

Incredible film.

The whole scene where they get attacked in the car was astounding.

[gonz]

This film was incredible in every way.

[YellowNovember]

This movie is the best movie I've seen since Crash

[Scottt]

I've haven't seen this film.

I must see it. Soon.

[fluke182]

I've haven't seen this film.

I must seen it. Soon.
Hasn't it been out there for a long, long while? Damn you for not taking the opportunity and seeing it and bragging about your experience before! I would have!

[Scottt]

Hasn't it been out there for a long, long while? Damn you for not taking the opportunity and seeing it and bragging about your experience before! I would have!

Well instead of being able to brag about seeing it before everyone, I will brag about the fact I COULD of seen it before all of you.

[iwasahero]

This was the first movie I have ever seen in my entire life that utterly blew me away.

I loved every second of it.

Great acting, great cinematography, great story line.

Has anyone read the book the movie was based off of? After seeing this I need to read it.

[tambam]

It was really depressing, but I liked it.

[cantnokdahustle]

Like watching a nightmare.

A- 90/100

[fluke182]

Well instead of being able to brag about seeing it before everyone, I will brag about the fact I COULD of seen it before all of you.
Fair enough. You're still a bastard.

[FondestMemory]

watched it again last night. probably gonna watch it again today.

i haven't liked a movie this much in a long long time.

[Smithers]

i just DLed this the other day and i'll be watching it ASAP. cuaron is an oustanding director, y tu mama tambien was awesome and the Prisoner of Azkaban was the best of the HP series,

[hobbes2809]

just saw it today, and the long shot single take of the scene towards the end with the combat on the streets, into the building, then back out onto the street was absolutely breathtaking and phenomenally well done

[Adeniz19]

i loved how the blood splattered haha. i just thought it was so cool

[hobbes2809]

i loved how the blood splattered haha. i just thought it was so cool

yeah I liked that alot too. alfonso cuaron decided that after a couple minutes of it though it got distracting so he had it digitally removed frame by frame

[reductiondesign]

just saw it today, and the long shot single take of the scene towards the end with the combat on the streets, into the building, then back out onto the street was absolutely breathtaking and phenomenally well done

The single best shot I've ever seen on film. Incredible. I can't stop raving about it--think of how much work had to be put into that shot. Any idea how long it was?

[hobbes2809]

The single best shot I've ever seen on film. Incredible. I can't stop raving about it--think of how much work had to be put into that shot. Any idea how long it was?

I was kinda too much in shock from the pure visual intensity of it to keep track, but Im going to guess it was probably somewhere in the 8-9 minute range, at least thats what it felt like. Id need to go a second time with a stopwatch to know for certain.

no matter how long it was, every second of it was simply stunning. worth the price of admission alone.

[reductiondesign]

I was kinda too much in shock from the pure visual intensity of it to keep track, but Im going to guess it was probably somewhere in the 8-9 minute range, at least thats what it felt like. Id need to go a second time with a stopwatch to know for certain.

no matter how long it was, every second of it was simply stunning. worth the price of admission alone.

That and the car scene. I'm in awe as to how they pulled those two shots off.

The birth scene was incredible as well.

[preppyak]

This movie is the best movie I've seen since Crash
I wish you hadn't said that...I was hoping that comparison would be a great movie on COM's level.
just saw it today, and the long shot single take of the scene towards the end with the combat on the streets, into the building, then back out onto the street was absolutely breathtaking and phenomenally well done
The single best shot I've ever seen on film. Incredible. I can't stop raving about it--think of how much work had to be put into that shot. Any idea how long it was?
Their is a film called Nine Lives you might like then...they tell 9 stories in 9 shots...all theatrically blocked so the action can take place, it's awesome. An effective long take adds to the credibility of action like perfect CGI or effects never will be able too...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0420015/

[gonz]

I was so overwhelmed in the scene when they're leaving the building with the baby crying and all of the refugees and soldiers are just in awe, watching them walk by. That scene was so powerful.

[kirbs84]

I'm going to the 9:20 showing tonight. Pretty excited. This kind of snuck up on me. I hadn't heard anything about until a little over a month ago. I didn't bother reading this thread, b/c I don't want anything ruined, but it looks like it will be very good.

[fluke182]

Saw it again today. Shit man. Better the second time, and I was going to time the combat shot, but I got overly distracted. My apologies team CoM.

[Spooky]

i'll probably end up seeing it again... badass filming

[FondestMemory]

Saw it again today. Shit man. Better the second time, and I was going to time the combat shot, but I got overly distracted. My apologies team CoM.

what do you want timed? the entire time of the one shot?

[iwasahero]

Saw it again today. Shit man. Better the second time, and I was going to time the combat shot, but I got overly distracted. My apologies team CoM.
The combat scene is seven minutes without a single cut.

My mom heard an interview with the director on NPR.

[FondestMemory]

from the time they're in the tunnel on the way to the boat, all the way until theo gets upstairs to kee is 6:02 without a single cut. and in reality, the blood is only on the lens for 69 seconds, before it's flawlessly removed before he heads up the stairs. seems like a lot longer than that.

such a fucking impressive sequence. just the thought of the amount of preparation it took to get that shot is amazing to think about.

[preppyak]

i'll probably end up seeing it again... badass filming
It should win Best Cinematography, no doubt...
I was so overwhelmed in the scene when they're leaving the building with the baby crying and all of the refugees and soldiers are just in awe, watching them walk by. That scene was so powerful.
I just watched it again...hadn't seen it in a week...and it still moved me to tears, even knowing it was coming.

Now that I have watched this movie again, after having seen Pan's, I want to amend what I wrote earlier...I can't really decide between the two, they are both so amazing.

[gonz]

It should win Best Cinematography, no doubt...

I just watched it again...hadn't seen it in a week...and it still moved me to tears, even knowing it was coming.

Now that I have watched this movie again, after having seen Pan's, I want to amend what I wrote earlier...I can't really decide between the two, they are both so amazing.
I hope this movie gets the recognition it deserves.

I need to see it again and I also need to see Pan's (if it ever opens up around here), but as of now, Children of Men is my movie of the year.

[smokedsanity]

I saw it last night....and I liked it a lot, but sitting next to what had to be the smelliest man in the world ruined it(the experience, not the movie) some. I can see how good it is and realize how I would've gotten into it, but that guy...people really should not go to movie theaters without bathing. It's really not fair to those around them. I feel that I was cut short. Sorry to rant, I was just incredibly pissed about it.

[fluke182]

I saw it last night....and I liked it a lot, but sitting next to what had to be the smelliest man in the world ruined it(the experience, not the movie) some. I can see how good it is and realize how I would've gotten into it, but that guy...people really should not go to movie theaters without bathing. It's really not fair to those around them. I feel that I was cut short. Sorry to rant, I was just incredibly pissed about it.
I'm sorry for you. This old woman next to me randomly started laughing, even when nothing was happening. It kind of freaked me out, but I persevered.

[smokedsanity]

I'm sorry for you. This old woman next to me randomly started laughing, even when nothing was happening. It kind of freaked me out, but I persevered.

Haha, this guy did some weird shit, too. Like react with a "WTF" type gesture, throwing his arms up at stuff...but at random types when the gestures didn't make sense.

When I first sat down, I thought that my nose would adjust and it would all be alright. But, I had to keep my nose covered or else I started to gag. I almost left. I'm glad that I didn't though.

[fluke182]

I hope this movie gets the recognition it deserves.

I need to see it again and I also need to see Pan's (if it ever opens up around here), but as of now, Children of Men is my movie of the year.
More than any movie around I hope it finds the recognition it deserves. Other favorites like Big Fish or Garden State, I totally understand the lack of recognition because they weren't those types of movies. However, Children of Men is the type of movie the Oscars normally love and should love, because it's amazing technically, it's incredible to watch, and it is important. I feel as if it is important for it to get recognition.

[preppyak]

More than any movie around I hope it finds the recognition it deserves. Other favorites like Big Fish or Garden State, I totally understand the lack of recognition because they weren't those types of movies. However, Children of Men is the type of movie the Oscars normally love and should love, because it's amazing technically, it's incredible to watch, and it is important. I feel as if it is important for it to get recognition.
Yeah...that is what made me want Pan's to get the recognition too...because technically and story-wise it is awesome, but, the thematics should be right up the OSCAR's alley...unfortunately, they are already so dead set on The Departed, Flags of our Father, etc

[fluke182]

Yeah...that is what made me want Pan's to get the recognition too...because technically and story-wise it is awesome, but, the thematics should be right up the OSCAR's alley...unfortunately, they are already so dead set on The Departed, Flags of our Father, etc
To my understanding, it's pretty much the Departed, the Queen, Dreamgirls, and Babel in four spots, with Little Miss Sunshine likely as the fifth. How they can't find room in there for a truly exceptional choice like Pan's or Children of Men I have no idea. That's why people don't like the Oscars anymore. They don't go for any risks ever.

[pinklipgloss]

I need to see this. Still isn't shown here.

[Evolution Kid]

i loved this movie so much. i want to get my parents into going to see it just so i have a resaon to see it again.

and it was given the Best Cinematography spot by the National Society of Film Critics and they gave Pan's Labyrinth Best Film of 2006.

i've been hearing so much about Pan's and really want to see it but it's not opening anywhere around here

[fluke182]

http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2267066

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lfs1UIKALQ

I want to help, I guess we're doing our part by having this thread here, but I want to help get this damned movie nominated. Someone want to make something to put in our signatures, a Children of Men for Best Picture 2006 campaign? I want that.

[Adeniz19]

i don't see this getting best picture. i dunno, both this and the departed blew me away so i won't mind either way. But I agree with if this doesn't get best cinematography then fuck the academy

[joshbandyface]

ive heard only good things about it

i'm looking forward to seeing it

[Adeniz19]

it seems as the users on rottentomatoes didn't care for it as much as the critics.... i read a couple reviews and it seemed some people couldn't connect emotionally to the movie... i don't see how that's possible

[preppyak]

http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2267066

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lfs1UIKALQ

I want to help, I guess we're doing our part by having this thread here, but I want to help get this damned movie nominated. Someone want to make something to put in our signatures, a Children of Men for Best Picture 2006 campaign? I want that.
Yeah...I have time tomorrow, I can make some banners...it's funny, Children of Men is an incredibly powerful movie, likewise is Pan's Labyrinth, but in two almost completely opposite ways. Pan's, it is the interweaving of the tales into a parable that makes the ending so striking, and COM, it is vision of the world without a child that makes the ending so strong...but still, they both remain easily two of the more powerful movies in recent memory. That they will be overlook for Beyonce and a mediocre thriller (Babel) is beyond me.

I have yet to see The Queen or Dreamgirls, but, I highly doubt their importances as films is in any way comparable to these two...especially Dreamgirls...and how the Academy looks right past that blows my mind.

[utgjames]

Let me say in my own opinion there were things here, symbolism, it was like a wicked forrest of sensations for my palette to enjoy.

*spoilers below*

There is a shot in the old school house where Clive and Kee's keeper are chatting and it cuts to a shot of the window in the room. Everything on the glass is cracked and covered in miscellanious things that make it impossible to see out of except a whole that you can see Kee directly trhough, but if you look into the shot, The hole is in the shape of a tear drop - completely did it for me.


Also, early in the car scene, before the attack the dj on the radio says something along the lines of "this is golden oldy all the way from 2003, back when people still didn't accept the future was right in front of there faces." I almost needed new pants [as did Al Gore most likely] after that moment.

Thirdly, the fact that everyone expected the child to be male spoke volumes to the sexist stance society still had. Even Kee, upon giving birth, asked how "he" was. Also, the true turning point for the last bit comes as Clive informs the villain, that "it's a girl" and the look the villain finds on his face....disgustingly perfect.




I don't knwo what to say, other than thatthis is a true piece of cinematic achievement on every possible level.

[iwasahero]

This was such a well done film.

[Adeniz19]

To my understanding, it's pretty much the Departed, the Queen, Dreamgirls, and Babel in four spots, with Little Miss Sunshine likely as the fifth. How they can't find room in there for a truly exceptional choice like Pan's or Children of Men I have no idea. That's why people don't like the Oscars anymore. They don't go for any risks ever.i also think that because they came out so late in the year with small opening releases might of hurt their chances.... i guess we'll see

[fluke182]

i also think that because they came out so late in the year with small opening releases might of hurt their chances.... i guess we'll see
Yeah, but that really never affects chances. More often than not, Best Picture nominees come from platform releases in December that are on like, 4 screens, and then 3 weeks to a month later they get released on like 800 to a thousand.

[preppyak]

Yeah, but that really never affects chances. More often than not, Best Picture nominees come from platform releases in December that are on like, 4 screens, and then 3 weeks to a month later they get released on like 800 to a thousand.
i also think that because they came out so late in the year with small opening releases might of hurt their chances.... i guess we'll see

Yeah...I always ignore the Golden Globe nominees because often the fail to take in these December movies that tend to win it...but, the way the Oscar buzz is sounding...it's like these movies aren't even being released...it sucks

[Adeniz19]

Yeah...I always ignore the Golden Globe nominees because often the fail to take in these December movies that tend to win it...but, the way the Oscar buzz is sounding...it's like these movies aren't even being released...it sucksmaybe CoM can create enough buzz by the time the oscars finally come around

[IAmNietzche]

The single best shot I've ever seen on film. Incredible. I can't stop raving about it--think of how much work had to be put into that shot. Any idea how long it was?
That is a bit of an overstatement, though the shot was great.

[preppyak]

maybe CoM can create enough buzz by the time the oscars finally come around
Let's hope...

I just can't believe Pan's Labyrinth, which got a 20 minute standing ovation from Cannes...isn't even being mentioned really...its borderline impossible to get any ovation from Cannes, let alone a 20 minute one.
That is a bit of an overstatement, though the shot was great.
Haha, yeah...that shot was sick...I also love how the blood gets removed flawlessly from that shot.

[SingleDoubt]

the torrent im downloading for this has about 5% left. im excited.

[reductiondesign]

That is a bit of an overstatement, though the shot was great.

For all the work put into it and the skill that had to be required to pull off something like that, I stand by my statement.

[Evolution Kid]

Let's hope...

I just can't believe Pan's Labyrinth, which got a 20 minute standing ovation from Cannes...isn't even being mentioned really...its borderline impossible to get any ovation from Cannes, let alone a 20 minute one.

Haha, yeah...that shot was sick...I also love how the blood gets removed flawlessly from that shot.

until some one else had mentioned it in here, I had never even noticed that the blood had disappeared. incredible

[FondestMemory]

For all the work put into it and the skill that had to be required to pull off something like that, I stand by my statement.

i would agree with the statement.

i hope to hell when the dvd comes out that it's loaded with extras. i'd watch an entire documentary just on that shot. from the blocking, to the rehearsal and everything. i wonder how many takes they did of it.

[Spooky]

Let's hope...

I just can't believe Pan's Labyrinth, which got a 20 minute standing ovation from Cannes...isn't even being mentioned really...its borderline impossible to get any ovation from Cannes, let alone a 20 minute one.

Haha, yeah...that shot was sick...I also love how the blood gets removed flawlessly from that shot.

? Pan's Labyrinth has been winning awards. It's a lock for best foreign film but i could see it being passed for best picture because of this.

[JunkBondTrader]

i have an incredible version of this film on my comp. so good.

[IAmNietzche]

For all the work put into it and the skill that had to be required to pull off something like that, I stand by my statement.
I prefer the single shot fight sequence in Oldboy and that is off the top of my head... but to each his own I guess.

[IAmNietzche]

i have an incredible version of this film on my comp. so good.
Could you hook up a link?

[JunkBondTrader]

Could you hook up a link?
i didnt dl it from anywhere online.....i have this program at school...youve probably heard of DC++. i can im you though, not sure how fast it will go.

[reductiondesign]

I prefer the single shot fight sequence in Oldboy and that is off the top of my head... but to each his own I guess.

I mean, that shot was cool, but it doesn't even begin to approach the depth and scope of the COM shot.

[hobbes2809]

i didnt dl it from anywhere online.....i have this program at school...youve probably heard of DC++. i can im you though, not sure how fast it will go.

mmm dc++ is a miracle

[hobbes2809]

I mean, that shot was cool, but it doesn't even begin to approach the depth and scope of the COM shot.

true, the shot is a great blend of technical achievement and visual intensity and I truly think its a fantastic achievement but I don't know if Id put it at the top of the list without seeing it some more, but seeing it just once and I already feel like its definitely top 5-10.

just off the top of my head, some scenes that I would rank above COM would be saving private ryan's normandy opening, the good the bad and the uglys shootout ending, the minas tirith battle sequence in return of the king, the matrix lobby scene, the battle in seven samurai, and the extermination of the jews in the warsaw ghetto in schindlers list

[reductiondesign]

true, the shot is a great blend of technical achievement and visual intensity and I truly think its a fantastic achievement but I don't know if Id put it at the top of the list without seeing it some more, but seeing it just once and I already feel like its definitely top 5-10.

just off the top of my head, some scenes that I would rank above COM would be saving private ryan's normandy opening, the good the bad and the uglys shootout ending, the minas tirith battle sequence in return of the king, the matrix lobby scene, the battle in seven samurai, and the extermination of the jews in the warsaw ghetto in schindlers list

I'm talking about a single cut. Not a great scene. And Saving Private Ryan is WAY overrated. Full Metal Jacket > all other war films.

[hobbes2809]

I'm talking about a single cut. Not a great scene. And Saving Private Ryan is WAY overrated. Full Metal Jacket > all other war films.

oh single cut. nevermind then. some great single cuts in alfred hitchcock's Rope too.

I usually never disagree with you about movies, but after the first half of full metal jacket and once out of boot camp, I feel like the movie is mostly crap.

[reductiondesign]

oh single cut. nevermind then. some great single cuts in alfred hitchcock's Rope too.

I usually never disagree with you about movies, but after the first half of full metal jacket and once out of boot camp, I feel like the movie is mostly crap.

Irreversible also has some crazy cuts. Nine minute rape scene, for one.

That's a harsh statement, but to each his own. Do you not enjoy other films by Kubrick, or is it just this one?

[hobbes2809]

Irreversible also has some crazy cuts. Nine minute rape scene, for one.

That's a harsh statement, but to each his own. Do you not enjoy other films by Kubrick, or is it just this one?

yeah, Irreversible's scene was pretty hard to watch.

Dr Strangelove is one of my all time favorites, but other than that, i'm not much of a fan of the shining, a clockwork orange, and I only like a few parts of 2001 and only half of full metal jacket.

:shrug:

Ive watched them all twice though, to give them each a fair chance, but never really cared about them

[preppyak]

? Pan's Labyrinth has been winning awards. It's a lock for best foreign film but i could see it being passed for best picture because of this.
That's more what I meant...that it will be overlooked for Best Picture because it will win Best Foreign...

[reductiondesign]

yeah, Irreversible's scene was pretty hard to watch.

Dr Strangelove is one of my all time favorites, but other than that, i'm not much of a fan of the shining, a clockwork orange, and I only like a few parts of 2001 and only half of full metal jacket.

:shrug:

Ive watched them all twice though, to give them each a fair chance, but never really cared about them

Wow, that's terrible. How does one not love The Shining or A Clockwork Orange? True masterpieces.

[hobbes2809]

Wow, that's terrible. How does one not love The Shining or A Clockwork Orange? True masterpieces.

haha, true 'mastermehs' to me

[reductiondesign]

haha, true 'mastermehs' to me

Haha.

Have you gotten a chance to see either Inland Empire or Pan's Labyrinth?

[hobbes2809]

Haha.

Have you gotten a chance to see either Inland Empire or Pan's Labyrinth?

neither are playing probably within 50 miles of me haha

but pans labyrinth is my number one "oh my god I need to see that fucking movie" movie

[reductiondesign]

neither are playing probably within 50 miles of me haha

but pans labyrinth is my number one "oh my god I need to see that fucking movie" movie

Gah, I'm the same way. Neither are playing anywhere near here. I need to see those, Little Children, and The Good German.

None are playing. It's so sad.

[FstFtsVsFences]

I lucked out and downloaded a dvd rip of this that was tv optomized and just finished watching it. It was a great quality download and I'm stoked that I got to see this movie since I was really excited for it. I thought it was really well done and it had me through the whole thing wondering what was gonna happen next. Great film.

[richter915]

this movie was AMAZING

[richter915]

to all those who saw it at home...unless u have 5.1 digital dolby surround sound and a nice big screen, I'd suggest u go see it in the theaters...the shock value is much much greater.

[richter915]

some spoilers below i guess

it was a miracle. there needs no explanation. i think what makes the movie so good is the unexplained. i don't think the human project needed explaining and there was no way to explain it. no one knew anything about it except Owen's ex and she was dead. i like the thought it makes you think what happened to the baby and the girl... do you really think they would of survived long anyways? they would of used her for political gain probably and cause more of a riot
exactly...i felt as though the characters had no idea what the project was and the audience was just as informed...we had no idea. Honestly, let's say we did know what it was...it woulda brought me a little bit of closure and answered my question...but that's not vital. All that matters is knowing that the human project was there to fight for good (then again, so were the fischers and we saw how that ended up) and having the baby in their hands would help humanity.

[richter915]

i loved how the blood splattered haha. i just thought it was so cool
ya it was so cool...that scene was done gears of war style lol.

[richter915]

I was so overwhelmed in the scene when they're leaving the building with the baby crying and all of the refugees and soldiers are just in awe, watching them walk by. That scene was so powerful.
almost made me cry haha

[richter915]

More than any movie around I hope it finds the recognition it deserves. Other favorites like Big Fish or Garden State, I totally understand the lack of recognition because they weren't those types of movies. However, Children of Men is the type of movie the Oscars normally love and should love, because it's amazing technically, it's incredible to watch, and it is important. I feel as if it is important for it to get recognition.
hollywood will also like the very anti-war, anti-conservative stance of the film. Kinda funny how pro-life it is, pun intended.

[Adeniz19]

exactly...i felt as though the characters had no idea what the project was and the audience was just as informed...we had no idea. Honestly, let's say we did know what it was...it woulda brought me a little bit of closure and answered my question...but that's not vital. All that matters is knowing that the human project was there to fight for good (then again, so were the fischers and we saw how that ended up) and having the baby in their hands would help humanity.if the human project was explained it wouldn't of improved the movie at all. it probably would of taken away some of the mystery and made it worse actually.

[richter915]

Spoilers ahead.

alright, my thoughts, I'll separate this into a few posts to make quoting easier. First, what I absolutely loved. Everything. what I hated...nothing. I never really noticed much cinematography wise but this movie really made it stand out. The car scene, the battle scene...all done perfectly. The way it started, amazing. The use of music was good in this movie (not as good as in 28 days later but music didn't play that huge role in this movie). Characters, they were all well done...I did particularly enjoy Sid. I felt that Julian was taken out too early but the effect it had was perfect...we all wanted her and Theo to be together and bam, she's gone..well done.

[Adeniz19]

haha show me your fugee face!

[richter915]

themes: I'm so surprised no one discussed the obvious baby = Jesus theme lol. They even said the pregnancy was a miracle...they weren't sure who the father was. Hell, the day after the birth when Sid showed up, it looked like a nativity scene...he even said "jesus christ" a bunch of times! lol...my guess, the director hinted at it earlier to get the audience to think that and then kinda toyed with the audience by making it overtly obvious after the child's birth. To add controversy...a black female Jesus? The messiah as a woman sent to save mankind? Also liked how a crass black woman (possible prostitute?) was chosen as the child-bearer.

The whole idea of a futuristic society that relates so well to today was good in that it just adds that interest factor. it makes people think that this is a realistic possibility. I like how it was only 20 years in the future and the last birth was in 2008. The pictures of stop the war in Iraq and signs saying "homeland security" on them really make people think. The separation between class was kinda cheesy but it served it's purpose...when his cousin says "I just don't think about that" in reference to what will happen 100 years from now speaks volumes of the mindset of many people today.

[richter915]

haha show me your fugee face!
I kept thinking of the fugees throughout the movie haha.

[richter915]

my questions: Did anyone notice how there were animals constantly surrounding the characters? The deer in the school, the cat clawing at theo's leg, Jasper's cat, Theo's cousin's big cats, the dead and burning cows, the goats/lamb/sheep in the streets, the dogs...they were everywhere. I really don't understand how it relates but I know there must be some meaning behind it.

what was the purpose of quietus? I know it was essentially a suicide pill issued by the gov't but why would the government encourage such a thing?

who were the people who ambushed the car and were throwing shit at the train near the beginning? Pretty much the people we'd say are "rejects" of society...were they terrorists like the fischers? I know we find out that some of them were working with the fischers but that was only after they usurped Julian.

why was their such anger and violence towards illegal immigrants? I'm guessing that it's because they tied illegal immigration to terrorism? That part kinda confused me.

oh and I love how there were no Muslims in the story or part of the fischers yet when the uprising began in that immigrant town, everyone became Muslim lol.

[Adeniz19]

ya i think the jesus parallel is an obvious. I loved the look on Owens face when the girl told him she was a virgin haha. it kind of drew me back when she said she had no idea who the father was but i guess in that type of world people really don't have to worry about getting pregnant so they just fuck whoever.... but i would think disease would be everywhere

[richter915]

ya i think the jesus parallel is an obvious. I loved the look on Owens face when the girl told him she was a virgin haha. it kind of drew me back when she said she had no idea who the father was but i guess in that type of world people really don't have to worry about getting pregnant so they just fuck whoever.... but i would think disease would be everywhere
the look was priceless. Her saying she was a virgin just made me think the director was just fucking with the audience because he knew what we were thinking and expecting. So well done.

the only reference to disease was the flu pandemic of 08. I guess burning the cows might be a reference to mad cow disease.

[Adeniz19]

my questions: Did anyone notice how there were animals constantly surrounding the characters? The deer in the school, the cat clawing at theo's leg, Jasper's cat, Theo's cousin's big cats, the dead and burning cows, the goats/lamb/sheep in the streets, the dogs...they were everywhere. I really don't understand how it relates but I know there must be some meaning behind it. maybe the meaning behind it is a religious one? animals are pure and have no committed sin so God has not punished them.

what was the purpose of quietus? I know it was essentially a suicide pill issued by the gov't but why would the government encourage such a thing? people don't see a future. so why prolong the inevitable?

who were the people who ambushed the car and were throwing shit at the train near the beginning? Pretty much the people we'd say are "rejects" of society...were they terrorists like the fischers? I know we find out that some of them were working with the fischers but that was only after they usurped Julian. no idea

why was their such anger and violence towards illegal immigrants? I'm guessing that it's because they tied illegal immigration to terrorism? That part kinda confused me. it's the governments way of trying to control the people. and i guess with england being such a small country and people all over the world trying to get there they have to find some way of trying to stop the over population and still provide for their citizens?

oh and I love how there were no Muslims in the story or part of the fischers yet when the uprising began in that immigrant town, everyone became Muslim lol.haha i didn't notice that but interesting

[hobbes2809]

in the book, the cats and dogs etc replace children for many families.

[Adeniz19]

that makes sense. i should really try to find time to read the book.

[richter915]

in the book, the cats and dogs etc replace children for many families.
ahh I see...that's actually kinda cool.

[richter915]

one thing I kinda thought up...dunno if it is true but remember when the fischers kidnapped Theo and he was talking to Julian and she's talking about the frequency u can't hear anymore cause the receptors are dead...I felt like that referenced the sounds of children and how it's something we shouldn't forget...the sound of children was brought up later on in the movie and how the crying of the baby was almost able to stop a war...powerful stuff right there.

[richter915]

oh and the terrorists are known as the fishes...more bible references as well as ocean reference as well as animal reference.

[richter915]

anyone notice in the detention center that Miriam (kee's caretaker) was taken off on showed a prisoner being tortured in the same manner that a prisoner in Abu Gharib was tortured (face was covered, he was standing on a box with arms up making a kinda Y shape)

[Scottt]

I think I'm gonna watch this movie today.

[richter915]

I think I'm gonna watch this movie today.
be a man, do it

[fluke182]

I bought the book a couple of days ago. It's supposed to be way different so it should be interesting.

To Richter, read IMDB's boards on the animal thing. Some people had some really interesting ideas about the Orwellian themes in the movie, not just 1984 but Animal Farm. They were very interesting and I thoroughly recommend. Animals were definitely replacements for the lack of children, but at the same time I think there were deeper themes to them. Cannot get this movie out of my head.

[-Aaron-]

I loved the this movie. In my top 3 of the year.One thing that I caught was at his cousins house when they look at the huge window. The view of the house is Pink Floyds Animals album cover. It made me smile.

[Scottt]

be a man, do it

Well, it looks as though I'm not going to watch it, I downloaded it, for the second time, and it won't play.
Any other film I download, it plays, but when I download that film, it won't.

[thejetstolehome]

what a fucking great movie.

[Protested Hero]

I dragged my girlfriend with me to see this movie. I was seriously impressed.

[thejetstolehome]

I dragged my girlfriend with me to see this movie. I was seriously impressed.

the fact that your girlfriend had to be "dragged" to see such a great movie makes me not like her.

[Protested Hero]

the fact that your girlfriend had to be "dragged" to see such a great movie makes me not like her.

Naw, she loved it. She just had no idea what it was about except for the fact that I raved about wanting to see it.

[thejetstolehome]

Naw, she loved it. She just had no idea what it was about except for the fact that I raved about wanting to see it.

haha okay she passes now.

[Protested Hero]

haha okay she passes now.

Kinda off topic, but nice avatar.

[richter915]

I bought the book a couple of days ago. It's supposed to be way different so it should be interesting.

To Richter, read IMDB's boards on the animal thing. Some people had some really interesting ideas about the Orwellian themes in the movie, not just 1984 but Animal Farm. They were very interesting and I thoroughly recommend. Animals were definitely replacements for the lack of children, but at the same time I think there were deeper themes to them. Cannot get this movie out of my head.
i'll def check it out, see what others think.

did u guys catch that little conversation between Jasper and Meriam about Faith vs. Chance? I thought it was fantastic...a little cliche topic wise but Jasper's explanation made sense...why have faith when chance determines everything. I thought it was interesting also how Meriam had all different kinds of faith (I know for sure she followed Buddhism or hinduism as well as Christianity)...kinda showed how people will jump on any faith just for hope in a world that lacks it...in a world where extreme faith is a danger.

[Adeniz19]

the threads on rottentomatoes piss me off... this movie went right over a lot of people's heads there.

[richter915]

the threads on rottentomatoes piss me off... this movie went right over a lot of people's heads there.
agreed...even some of the stuff at IMDB is not worth reading. People focussed too much on how the infertility was never explained and how the human project was not elaborated upon. Neither of those matter much except that they are there. I don't get how people questioned the validity of the human project...maybe after seeing the corruption of the Fishes it's quiestionable but Julian trusted the human project and she was the only clean Fish.

[FondestMemory]

explaining the human project more would have taken a lot away from the entire journey.

theo finds out that nobody's actually talked to the human project and that nobody can confirm their existence, but yet he still puts his life at risk and does anything he can to get to them because whether they existed or not, they were the only hope.

he knew full well rowing out there that this might all be for naught. he knew if he was wrong that this baby would end up dead in a boat at sea. but that hope, albeit uncertain hope, was all he had.

he died not knowing if it was all worth it, but he died knowing he did everything he could just to leave it up to that chance. once again, what he'd put all his faith behind ended up being determined by chance.

i've heard a lot of people bitch about the ending, and i still can't understand why. i thought it ended at a perfect time. i'm not concerned if the human project is real. i'm not concerned if that just happened to be a fishing boat passing by coincidentally. my concern was with theo's journey. i was wrapped up in theo's determination to do what he could to save mankind. he did that. story over.

perfect movie.

[Doug Funnie]

This film was not anywhere near perfect.

Lets not get carried away.

This biggest flaws lie in the fact that the pacing and plot were both disorganized.

[FondestMemory]

was perfect to me.

[Doug Funnie]

The ending was my favorite part of the film.

[Doug Funnie]

People throw the word "perfect" around far too often.

I did however enjoy this movie very much.

No matter what quasi-sophisticated reasons you want to drape over it, the fact that key plot details were left blank is an endearing flaw.

[Adeniz19]

I don't think it was perfect but it was a captivating movie all the way thru and not too much movies leaving you thinking at the end of it like this one. I saw this movie over a week ago and it still makes me wonder

[FondestMemory]

i never throw the word perfect around. in fact, i like so few movies it's ridiculous.

this one had everything i look for in a movie though. the intensity in both the action and the emotions were played out very well. the plot was interesting and the characters were done in a way where i cared a lot about all of them.

but out of curiousity, what key plot details are you referring to?

[Doug Funnie]

I don't think it was perfect but it was a captivating movie all the way thru and not too much movies leaving you thinking at the end of it like this one. I saw this movie over a week ago and it still makes me wonder


I agree with everything you just said.....however, I think a few more blanks filled in wouldn't have killed the vibe and/or essence of the film.

I can see how people whould rather wonder, but for me it seemed a little lazy, even incomplete.

The raw emotion and sense of desperation was truly remarkable. Rarly felt these days.

[thejetstolehome]

agreed...even some of the stuff at IMDB is not worth reading. People focussed too much on how the infertility was never explained and how the human project was not elaborated upon. Neither of those matter much except that they are there. I don't get how people questioned the validity of the human project...maybe after seeing the corruption of the Fishes it's quiestionable but Julian trusted the human project and she was the only clean Fish.

that made my friends mad, too. i thought the ambiguity of both was appropriate and worked very well.

[Adeniz19]

I agree with everything you just said.....however, I think a few more blanks filled in wouldn't have killed the vibe and/or essence of the film.

I can see how people whould rather wonder, but for me it seemed a little lazy, even incomplete.

The raw emotion and sense of desperation was truly remarkable. Rarly felt these days.I dunno, maybe the only thing I would of liked them to elaborate more was the intent of the fishes

[jusscali]

I just got back from Pan and...

I liked it better

[Doug Funnie]

i never throw the word perfect around. in fact, i like so few movies it's ridiculous.

this one had everything i look for in a movie though. the intensity in both the action and the emotions were played out very well. the plot was interesting and the characters were done in a way where i cared a lot about all of them.

but out of curiousity, what key plot details are you referring to?


Where to begin....

-I would have liked to know more about the intentions of the "bad guys"
-Lets face it, we all wanted to know about why she could get pregnant
-The Human project, lets see....everything hahaha
-The state of the world in general
-The history of Ted and Julian
-I could go on....

[Doug Funnie]

I just got back from Pan and...

I liked it better


If that was playing here, I'd be going tonight.

I'm seeing/reviewing The Painted Veil this weekend.

[FondestMemory]

Where to begin....

-I would have liked to know more about the intentions of the "bad guys"
-Lets face it, we all wanted to know about why she could get pregnant
-The Human project, lets see....everything hahaha
-The state of the world in general
-The history of Ted and Julian
-I could go on....

- they didn't want to take the baby to the human project. they wanted to keep it themselves for political gain. with the potential future of mankind in their hand, they'd start to see a lot more things go their way.

- it was a miracle. nobody knew why she could get pregnant. if anybody knew how she was able to be pregnant, it wouldn't have been an issue because they could use that knowledge to get others pregnant. that's one of the reasons it was so important to get her and the baby to the human project.

- if the characters aren't even sure if they're real or exactly what they do, why should we?

- i don't understand what you mean by 'the state of the world in general.' i thought it was pretty clear that it wasn't in a great state. with no future of mankind in sight there was essentially no need to follow government rule. with no new life coming in, human life kind of loses it's importance, thus the amount of violence between groups.

- by ted i'm assuming you're referring to theo. they met, fell in love, had a kid, the kid died, it tore them apart and they didn't speak for almost 20 years until now. what more do you need to know?

- please go on, cause i'm still curious.

[Adeniz19]

Where to begin....

-I would have liked to know more about the intentions of the "bad guys"
-Lets face it, we all wanted to know about why she could get pregnant
-The Human project, lets see....everything hahaha
-The state of the world in general
-The history of Ted and Julian
-I could go on....

1. i agree
2. i've said this already in this thread, but it's was a miracle. something like that doesn't need explaining. you should just cherish it
3. haha yea but no one knew anything about it. i liked the mystery of it
4. i think it explained this a little bit. all the governments have collapsed and England was the only one left standing.
5. the movie explained this a little. it seemed as tho they were activists together at one point and fell in love. they had a child together and the child didn't survive. i know there is more but it's been awhile since i've seen the movie and i don't remember details

[Adeniz19]

haha we said pretty much the same thing

[richter915]

I agree with everything you just said.....however, I think a few more blanks filled in wouldn't have killed the vibe and/or essence of the film.

I can see how people whould rather wonder, but for me it seemed a little lazy, even incomplete.

The raw emotion and sense of desperation was truly remarkable. Rarly felt these days.
i disagree, I don't see it as being lazy I see it as something that can be left up to the audience to interpret...spending time on explaining certain things would answer our questions as viewers, but it would take away from the movie. Imagine if they knew that the human project was true and everything was great...it would take away from the risk that theo and kee took. We WANT to believe they made it to something good because that makes us feel good at the end...but in terms of pure emotion, leaving things ambiguous for characters has a greater effect.

[gonz]

my questions: Did anyone notice how there were animals constantly surrounding the characters? The deer in the school, the cat clawing at theo's leg, Jasper's cat, Theo's cousin's big cats, the dead and burning cows, the goats/lamb/sheep in the streets, the dogs...they were everywhere. I really don't understand how it relates but I know there must be some meaning behind it.
Yes, I noticed this, also, all of the animals in the story seemed to gravitate towards Theo. One example was when the two dogs at the farm went right up to Theo and the owner (one of the Fishes) told him that they don't like anyone. Maybe this was another biblical reference, to Noah possibly. I mean, the animals gravitating towards Theo, the boat at the end. I don't know, all just speculation.
I loved the this movie. In my top 3 of the year.One thing that I caught was at his cousins house when they look at the huge window. The view of the house is Pink Floyds Animals album cover. It made me smile.
Yes, I was wondering if anyone caught that, that was great.
I just got back from Pan and...

I liked it better
It's not playing around here and it's seriously pissing me off.
Where to begin....

-I would have liked to know more about the intentions of the "bad guys"
-Lets face it, we all wanted to know about why she could get pregnant
-The Human project, lets see....everything hahaha
-The state of the world in general
-The history of Ted and Julian
-I could go on....
Hmmmm....none of those things bugged me at all about the movie. Like other people said, the last two were sufficiently explained and the first two's vague explanations are essential (imo) to the movie

[Adeniz19]

nice reference about theo. totally forgot about how it seemed the animals liked him.

[thejetstolehome]

i disagree, I don't see it as being lazy I see it as something that can be left up to the audience to interpret...spending time on explaining certain things would answer our questions as viewers, but it would take away from the movie. Imagine if they knew that the human project was true and everything was great...it would take away from the risk that theo and kee took. We WANT to believe they made it to something good because that makes us feel good at the end...but in terms of pure emotion, leaving things ambiguous for characters has a greater effect.

coudn't have said it better.

[preppyak]

Where to begin....

-I would have liked to know more about the intentions of the "bad guys"
-Lets face it, we all wanted to know about why she could get pregnant
-The Human project, lets see....everything hahaha
-The state of the world in general
-The history of Ted and Julian
-I could go on....

- they didn't want to take the baby to the human project. they wanted to keep it themselves for political gain. with the potential future of mankind in their hand, they'd start to see a lot more things go their way.

- it was a miracle. nobody knew why she could get pregnant. if anybody knew how she was able to be pregnant, it wouldn't have been an issue because they could use that knowledge to get others pregnant. that's one of the reasons it was so important to get her and the baby to the human project.

- if the characters aren't even sure if they're real or exactly what they do, why should we?

- i don't understand what you mean by 'the state of the world in general.' i thought it was pretty clear that it wasn't in a great state. with no future of mankind in sight there was essentially no need to follow government rule. with no new life coming in, human life kind of loses it's importance, thus the amount of violence between groups.

- by ted i'm assuming you're referring to theo. they met, fell in love, had a kid, the kid died, it tore them apart and they didn't speak for almost 20 years until now. what more do you need to know?

- please go on, cause i'm still curious.
Yeah...maybe our audiences are too dumb to understand these movies...evne though they arne't that complex really. #4, an entire generation is lost, of course the world has gone to shit. And #1 was a significant plot line, it added to the suspense in the middle and in the end, jesus, you must have hated this movie if you missed that.

#2, 3, and 5 also seemed very obvious to me. He explained perfectly why #2 and #3 they are that way though...so, I'll only expand on #5, since it most of all was explained numerous times in the film:

**Spoilers**

Theo's sole motivation for even being a part of this movie is his own loss via their child. Without that part of the storyline, he is just some former activist caught up in a bad situation, and he would become kind of trivial in that sense. He would not object to other activists using the child because, either way, a child is born, and it is not his...where is his motivation? He objects because he knows the anguish of a child being lost...and he fears greatly that political actions will cause that. You can see it in all of his actions, he is alive again, the monotony of his day from the beginning of the film is gone as he finds new life in taking that child to it's correct place. Since she trust him, he becomes like a father again. Even in the end, when she names her child the same name as Theo's son (which makes me wonder how you missed that part), his look is not one of sadness because he will die, but rather one of vindication, because he as more so than any of the other people can understand the suffering of the world, not being able to have children, because shortly before the world stopped having them, he lost his child too...it was seeing Clive Owens facial expressions the 2nd time through that sold me on the movie...he kills the whole way through, always having the right look to match the feeling.

[preppyak]

i disagree, I don't see it as being lazy I see it as something that can be left up to the audience to interpret...spending time on explaining certain things would answer our questions as viewers, but it would take away from the movie. Imagine if they knew that the human project was true and everything was great...it would take away from the risk that theo and kee took. We WANT to believe they made it to something good because that makes us feel good at the end...but in terms of pure emotion, leaving things ambiguous for characters has a greater effect.
Bingo on both...well put.

I truly do believe that our casual viewing audience just does not care to become involved in the movie itself, unless it is a really intense action film...to be made to think about the consequences of actions more scares the shit out of them than anything...

[gonz]

...it was seeing Clive Owens facial expressions the 2nd time through that sold me on the movie...he kills the whole way through, always having the right look to match the feeling.
Definitely, he was amazing in it.

Two of his movies would probably be on my best of list if I made one (this and Inside Man)

[PaulsRightNut]

did anyone ever read the book? it seems like it would be a good read

[Doug Funnie]

i disagree, I don't see it as being lazy I see it as something that can be left up to the audience to interpret...spending time on explaining certain things would answer our questions as viewers, but it would take away from the movie. Imagine if they knew that the human project was true and everything was great...it would take away from the risk that theo and kee took. We WANT to believe they made it to something good because that makes us feel good at the end...but in terms of pure emotion, leaving things ambiguous for characters has a greater effect.


I love it when things are left to the imagination in certain situations, mostly with abstract films.

This film is abstract but frighteningly realistic at the same time, in a way that as much info as possible is welcomed.

[FondestMemory]

**Spoilers**

Theo's sole motivation for even being a part of this movie is his own loss via their child. Without that part of the storyline, he is just some former activist caught up in a bad situation, and he would become kind of trivial in that sense. He would not object to other activists using the child because, either way, a child is born, and it is not his...where is his motivation? He objects because he knows the anguish of a child being lost...and he fears greatly that political actions will cause that. You can see it in all of his actions, he is alive again, the monotony of his day from the beginning of the film is gone as he finds new life in taking that child to it's correct place. Since she trust him, he becomes like a father again. Even in the end, when she names her child the same name as Theo's son (which makes me wonder how you missed that part), his look is not one of sadness because he will die, but rather one of vindication, because he as more so than any of the other people can understand the suffering of the world, not being able to have children, because shortly before the world stopped having them, he lost his child too...it was seeing Clive Owens facial expressions the 2nd time through that sold me on the movie...he kills the whole way through, always having the right look to match the feeling.

also, to expand just a little bit: at first, his sole motivation is julian. had anybody else come to him with this, he wouldn't have even gotten involved in the first place. but having that bond of having a child between them, when she comes calling, he's willing to do whatever it takes for her. then, once he finds out what's at stake, and realizes julian could have went to a number of people for this job, it kicks in that this is their second chance. they already lost a child together. in a way, this is their child, and he's determined to do everything in his power to not let them lose a second one.

[Doug Funnie]

I want to see this again.

[preppyak]

I just got back from Pan and...

I liked it better
Me too...I think Pan's is the kind of movie that, on the surface, can be taken lightly and still succeed, but, when looked at in a deeper context, is probably one of the most fascinating studies in quite some time.

It's kind of hard to take Children of Men as just an action/suspense movie in the future...to understand it, you have to take some significant lessons from it.
Yes, I noticed this, also, all of the animals in the story seemed to gravitate towards Theo. One example was when the two dogs at the farm went right up to Theo and the owner (one of the Fishes) told him that they don't like anyone. Maybe this was another biblical reference, to Noah possibly. I mean, the animals gravitating towards Theo, the boat at the end. I don't know, all just speculation.
I took it less as a biblical reference...though it may be...I think it was more to do two things. One, it is to humanize him more, and make us like him...the animals bark at others we aren't supposed to like. Also, when he makes his escape midway through, and when he is sneaking around...the animals don't bark...which is only explained by their liking for him. It seemed more like a slightly more complex plot device...though, I couldn't explain the deer (other than to add brief suspense), so, maybe there is more to it.

[FondestMemory]

I want to see this again.

not to be a dick, but you should. seems like you missed an awful lot the first time around.

[preppyak]

not to be a dick, but you should. seems like you missed an awful lot the first time around.
yeah...though, I definitely missed some smaller details myself that I caught the second time through (mostly facial expressions)...I'm glad I still have it on my comp so I can watch it again or reference it just in case

[Doug Funnie]

I gave the film an 8.5.

A very good rating.....and I do agree that Owen was top notch.

Too bad I can't finish my review.

[Doug Funnie]

I noticed the facial expressions.

And the mild humor was a nice touch.

[gonz]

I took it less as a biblical reference...though it may be...I think it was more to do two things. One, it is to humanize him more, and make us like him...the animals bark at others we aren't supposed to like. Also, when he makes his escape midway through, and when he is sneaking around...the animals don't bark...which is only explained by their liking for him. It seemed more like a slightly more complex plot device...though, I couldn't explain the deer (other than to add brief suspense), so, maybe there is more to it.
Yeah, it was kind of a shot in the dark. Mostly I just noticed animals liking him throughout and connected it with the other biblical references.

[preppyak]

Yeah, it was kind of a shot in the dark. Mostly I just noticed animals liking him throughout and connected it with the other biblical references.
Well, I lack biblical knowledge to support the claim...which is why I didn't see it. The only way to truly know is if Cuaron says it in an interview...of ir Owen or a cast member says it...otherwise it's just an open interpretation.

[Anton Djamoos]

This movie sucked. I really really did not like this movie. You have all steered me wrong in this case.

[fluke182]

This movie sucked. I really really did not like this movie. You have all steered me wrong in this case.
Are you remotely serious? I absolutely cannot understand not liking this movie. I can maybe understand not loving it, and just finding it mostly good, but sucked? Peculiar.

[Anton Djamoos]

Are you remotely serious? I absolutely cannot understand not liking this movie. I can maybe understand not loving it, and just finding it mostly good, but sucked? Peculiar.
What was the point?

[Doug Funnie]

This movie sucked. I really really did not like this movie. You have all steered me wrong in this case.


I'll tell you what really "sucks"........The Dear Hunter.

[thejetstolehome]

What was the point?

hope.

[Doug Funnie]

hope.


No

[thejetstolehome]

No

why not?

[Doug Funnie]

why not?


If I had to pick one defining "point" it would be more along the lines of it's social and political themes.

[FondestMemory]

i'd pick hope.

[Doug Funnie]

i'd pick hope.


Are you religous?

[thejetstolehome]

If I had to pick one defining "point" it would be more along the lines of it's social and political themes.

those were definitely there, too. i just got a message or theme of hope out of it.

[thejetstolehome]

Are you religous?

i'm not but i'd still pick it.

[FondestMemory]

Are you religous?

nope. atheist.

[Doug Funnie]

hmmm

Fair enough

You guys do know who I am right?

Keep it on the dl.

[thejetstolehome]

hmmm

Fair enough

You guys do know who I am right?

Keep it on the dl.

:shrug: i honestly have no clue.

[Doug Funnie]

:shrug: i honestly have no clue.


hahahaha

[thejetstolehome]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a253/123yousuckme/4444.jpg

[Doug Funnie]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a253/123yousuckme/4444.jpg

That makes me laugh every time.

[preppyak]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a253/123yousuckme/4444.jpg
haha...I love that one
i'd pick hope.
hope.
those were definitely there, too. i just got a message or theme of hope out of it.
Yep...and also, the other other theme I got was the human disconnect between life and war...seen most notably as Theo leaves the building that is getting leveled. In a world where there are no new people for almost 20 years, they are still killing the people who are viable to provide children.

Which then comes back to hope...and how the society has lost all sense of it.

This movie sucked. I really really did not like this movie. You have all steered me wrong in this case.
What was the point?
Ok....you have The Emperor's New Groove, Ace Ventura Pet Detective and Jurassic Park in your movie list...explain to me their point...

[bamf]

i just saw this movie for the third time in theatres. incredible movie.

[Vincewithouthee]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a253/123yousuckme/4444.jpg

Ahhhh hahaha I fucking love it. That never gets old.

Anyway, onto the movie. I just got back from it, and I thought it was great. Honestly, at first when I saw the ending I was like "yeah, what the fuck?" and didn't like it. But once thinking about it, it made perfect sense and I don't think it could've ended in a better way.

Very good film though. One of the best in a long time, and easily a favorite.

And what the fuck, why isn't Clive Owen in more movies? Guy's the fucking man.

[Anton Djamoos]

Ok....you have The Emperor's New Groove, Ace Ventura Pet Detective and Jurassic Park in your movie list...explain to me their point...
The Emperor's New Groove and Ace Ventura are both sit down and enjoy comedies. Jurassic Park discussed the ethics of messing with nature. This had a point but if all you people can come up with is "hope" then why do I need to see a movie that proves that there is hope in the world? The way I see it, it shows how truly sad we are as a people that we're willing to exterminate ourselves rather than let things happen the natural way but that there is always hope for us in the end. The ending was ambiguous as was most of the plot points in the movie. I just felt a lot of it was unnecessary and while the cinemetography was fantastic and there was a lot good with it, I just couldn't get into the story at all. There was so much potential, too and I felt that it was wasted and not used in a way that would have made a better story and theme.

[Anton Djamoos]

I'll tell you what really "sucks"........The Dear Hunter.
I'll tell you what really "sucks"...making a joke account on AP. Really original with that one, I tell ya.

[Anton Djamoos]

And what the fuck, why isn't Clive Owen in more movies? Guy's the fucking man.
He really is an awesome actor. I loved him in the movie.

[preppyak]

The Emperor's New Groove and Ace Ventura are both sit down and enjoy comedies. Jurassic Park discussed the ethics of messing with nature. This had a point but if all you people can come up with is "hope" then why do I need to see a movie that proves that there is hope in the world? The way I see it, it shows how truly sad we are as a people that we're willing to exterminate ourselves rather than let things happen the natural way but that there is always hope for us in the end. The ending was ambiguous as was most of the plot points in the movie. I just felt a lot of it was unnecessary and while the cinemetography was fantastic and there was a lot good with it, I just couldn't get into the story at all. There was so much potential, too and I felt that it was wasted and not used in a way that would have made a better story and theme.
Well, hope was the over-riding theme, but that wasn't its sole point. It is intended as a parable through which we question our actions...much as Jurassic Park isn't a "dinosaur" movie. It draws attention to what can happen when we neglect the youth of our nation, in this case, to the extreme point where they are no longer existing....the world goes to hell. The foundation of any great society is in it's ideas, those ideas come from youthful thought balanced with experience of elder leaders...when you lose the vigor of that youth, the world becomes divided, and devoid of hope, waiting for its eventual cessation.

The difference between Jurassic Park and Children of Men to me was that Children of Men accomplished its intentions through cinematography and plot, not through dialogue, and maybe that was why it didn't really come through. There are no significant quotes that stand out...no long winded Jeff Goldblum soliloquoys where he explains what the movie wants you to know. It works on a much subtler level. This is the only line of dialogue that stood out in my mind, which, oddly enough, is the only thing she says really:

Miriam (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0274913/): As the sound of the playgrounds faded, the despair set in. Very odd, what happens in a world without children's voices.

There was one in the trailer too, but it was never in the movie.

What we get instead is a muted world, one where people talk but nothing important is said, people listen, but all they hear is the ringing sound of bombs that are slowly killing their hearing tone by tone. People have stopped caring for each other and started caring for themselves...and all of that can be changed by one child...one symbol of hope. Once people remember why they cared about life in the first place...they can go about fixing the mistakes they have made.

/rant

[preppyak]

And what the fuck, why isn't Clive Owen in more movies? Guy's the fucking man.
Because he gets to pick and chose his roles now...which is smart, he only takes scripts that he can work magic in...same reason DiCaprio went from "king of the world" to a very highly respected actor

Also, he was rumored to be a possible Bond at one point...imagine that shit. He would even make Daniel Craig look like a pussy

[gonz]

This movie sucked. I really really did not like this movie. You have all steered me wrong in this case.
oh dear
Miriam (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0274913/): As the sound of the playgrounds faded, the despair set in. Very odd, what happens in a world without children's voices.
Thank you for posting that, I've been thinking of that quote ever since I saw the movie but I couldn't remember it word-for-word. That line is definitely one of the things that stuck with me after the movie was over.

[Anton Djamoos]

Well, hope was the over-riding theme, but that wasn't its sole point. It is intended as a parable through which we question our actions...much as Jurassic Park isn't a "dinosaur" movie. It draws attention to what can happen when we neglect the youth of our nation, in this case, to the extreme point where they are no longer existing....the world goes to hell. The foundation of any great society is in it's ideas, those ideas come from youthful thought balanced with experience of elder leaders...when you lose the vigor of that youth, the world becomes divided, and devoid of hope, waiting for its eventual cessation.

The difference between Jurassic Park and Children of Men to me was that Children of Men accomplished its intentions through cinematography and plot, not through dialogue, and maybe that was why it didn't really come through. There are no significant quotes that stand out...no long winded Jeff Goldblum soliloquoys where he explains what the movie wants you to know. It works on a much subtler level. This is the only line of dialogue that stood out in my mind, which, oddly enough, is the only thing she says really:


There was one in the trailer too, but it was never in the movie.

What we get instead is a muted world, one where people talk but nothing important is said, people listen, but all they hear is the ringing sound of bombs that are slowly killing their hearing tone by tone. People have stopped caring for each other and started caring for themselves...and all of that can be changed by one child...one symbol of hope. Once people remember why they cared about life in the first place...they can go about fixing the mistakes they have made.

/rant
I get that and I understood all of that while I was watching it and I even got a bunch of religious aspects (I don't know if any of you saw them), but it was almost as if Theo was a shepherd and everyone was following him. Theo...theologian? Who knows. But there was a lot of that in there and to try and insert religion as a means of controlling chaos seems like a good thing but it's just not my cup of tea. Perhaps that's why some aspects didn't really interest me. I just don't see what all the hype is about but ignore my opinion--I didn't like American Beauty either.
Miriam (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0274913/): As the sound of the playgrounds faded, the despair set in. Very odd, what happens in a world without children's voices.
This is such a narrator's voice and this line completely threw me off. It did not belong to that character and was unrealistic. It offset that entire scene for me.

[preppyak]

I even got a bunch of religious aspects (I don't know if any of you saw them), but it was almost as if Theo was a shepherd and everyone was following him. Theo...theologian? Who knows. But there was a lot of that in there and to try and insert religion as a means of controlling chaos seems like a good thing but it's just not my cup of tea. Perhaps that's why some aspects didn't really interest me. I just don't see what all the hype is about but ignore my opinion--I didn't like American Beauty either.
Yeah...I can see that...I didn't really catch those aspects...either that or I ignored them. Looking back, you could see Theo carrying the kid down as a religious thing too...but, I think the fact that Kee mocked the immaculate conception idea was to make it so you weren't looking for those aspects...but then again, it might have been why they put it there, to put the notion in your head...that's the kind of thing DVD commentary is needed really.
This is such a narrator's voice and this line completely threw me off. It did not belong to that character and was unrealistic. It offset that entire scene for me.
Yeah...that's how I noticed it, it didn't seem to fit really...since it didn't have a narrator voice really through it.

[fedhed7]

Loved the movie. So intense. I noticed a few things about the symbolism though.

The first thing I noticed was the animals. There was an animal in almost ever scene, and they all seemed to be attracted to Theo. Then I just realized.... Theo = Noah. This is the story of Noah: Society was falling apart, and this one righteous man was told to build an Ark. God was going to send a flood to destroy everything and everyone, and Noah was the man who would restart the human race.

In CoM, Theo lives in a world that is falling apart. Suddenly he is in a situation where he needs to do something that will give hope to a dying world. Sound familiar?

One more thing. Where did they end up at the end? A BOAT! The boat represented the Ark that will carry humanity's future. Kee and her baby represented the hope of the human race.

I love when films have symbolism like this.

[richter915]

Loved the movie. So intense. I noticed a few things about the symbolism though.

The first thing I noticed was the animals. There was an animal in almost ever scene, and they all seemed to be attracted to Theo. Then I just realized.... Theo = Noah. This is the story of Noah: Society was falling apart, and this one righteous man was told to build an Ark. God was going to send a flood to destroy everything and everyone, and Noah was the man who would restart the human race.

In CoM, Theo lives in a world that is falling apart. Suddenly he is in a situation where he needs to do something that will give hope to a dying world. Sound familiar?

One more thing. Where did they end up at the end? A BOAT! The boat represented the Ark that will carry humanity's future. Kee and her baby represented the hope of the human race.

I love when films have symbolism like this.
ya we've been discussing this for a while lol, good catch though.

[FondestMemory]

why's everybody gotta look for religious meanings in everything?

[gonz]

Loved the movie. So intense. I noticed a few things about the symbolism though.

The first thing I noticed was the animals. There was an animal in almost ever scene, and they all seemed to be attracted to Theo. Then I just realized.... Theo = Noah. This is the story of Noah: Society was falling apart, and this one righteous man was told to build an Ark. God was going to send a flood to destroy everything and everyone, and Noah was the man who would restart the human race.

In CoM, Theo lives in a world that is falling apart. Suddenly he is in a situation where he needs to do something that will give hope to a dying world. Sound familiar?

One more thing. Where did they end up at the end? A BOAT! The boat represented the Ark that will carry humanity's future. Kee and her baby represented the hope of the human race.

I love when films have symbolism like this.

ya we've been discussing this for a while lol, good catch though.
haha yeah I mentioned that on the last page or so, glad you enjoyed it though

[gonz]

why's everybody gotta look for religious meanings in everything?
Everybody doesn't have to, just in movies like this when they're present.

[fedhed7]

haha yeah I mentioned that on the last page or so, glad you enjoyed it though
Oh.. I only read the first three pages, and then it was too long so i skipped to the end.

[FondestMemory]

Everybody doesn't have to, just in movies like this when they're present.

i wasn't trying to be a dick. it's just come up so many times throughout this thread i wasn't sure if people were looking for them or if they just felt they were there so strongly.

[Adeniz19]

so who's doug funnie? slade?

[gonz]

i wasn't trying to be a dick. it's just come up so many times throughout this thread i wasn't sure if people were looking for them or if they just felt they were there so strongly.
I wasn't either. I mostly just noticed them throughout the movie and as people have been discussing the subject I've been picking up on smaller details I missed when I saw it. I think some were there pretty strongly but some were more subtle.
so who's doug funnie? slade?
Nah, vocabulary and typing skills are too advanced

[preppyak]

Nah, vocabulary and typing skills are too advanced
Though mediocre sense of movies and quality was right up there...so, a valid assumption...but, I agree, unless he was spell checking

[fluke182]

I really don't like Slade. Doug Funnie seems ok. Doug Funnie isn't Slade. Take that reasoning skills.

[richter915]

i wasn't trying to be a dick. it's just come up so many times throughout this thread i wasn't sure if people were looking for them or if they just felt they were there so strongly.
word it's not like we're actively looking...it's the themes the author presents so we pick up on it. There are many others and we have looked into those as well.

[richter915]

I really don't like Slade. Doug Funnie seems ok. Doug Funnie isn't Slade. Take that reasoning skills.
agreed.

[richter915]

This is such a narrator's voice and this line completely threw me off. It did not belong to that character and was unrealistic. It offset that entire scene for me.

what's meant by narrator's voice? I thought that line was very fitting for the scene and was crucial to the movie.

[kshtoinks12]

I just came back from this. Awesome.

[gonz]

what's meant by narrator's voice? I thought that line was very fitting for the scene and was crucial to the movie.
Same, although I can see what they were talking about.

[Scottt]

This comes out on DVD on Monday, might buy it.

[gonz]

This comes out on DVD on Monday, might buy it.
Really? That's so early. Wanna ship me a copy?

[preppyak]

what's meant by narrator's voice? I thought that line was very fitting for the scene and was crucial to the movie.
Same, although I can see what they were talking about.
Well, her character wasn't set up to have that kind of profundity...if anything she was set up as an annoying hag/overly bearing mother type, not the intelligently spoken woman who drops the critical line.

I like the line, but, it in no way fits her character, and so it ends up feeling like she became a narrator instead of herself.

The Matrix has a lot of examples of that, where they step outside their characters to try and say really profound things...it can work, and it can fail...depends on the delivery

[preppyak]

In the following transcript, philosopher and cultural critic Slavoj Zizek provides his commentary and observations about Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men. The filmmakers recently spent time with Mr. Zizek after identifying him as an important element in their research because of the unique philosophical view he offers on both the implementation of governmental power, and the damaged emotional state of a refugee.


In this transcript, he discusses issues including the foreground/background dynamics of the film, infertility and politics. Zizek brings a complex and informative view on Children of Men's portrayal of London, the emotional state of the characters and overall vision of the film.
Slavoj Zizek's Transcript:


For me, Children of Men is a model of a kind of materialist subversion of a reactionary classic, because the novel is obviously a spiritualist Christian parable of resuscitation, bringing new life and so on. The novel ends with baptizing. It’s clear Christian parable. The film is a model of how you can take a reactionary text, change some details here and there and you get a totally, a totally different story. I would say that it’s a realist film, but in what sense? Hegel in his esthetics says that a good portrayal looks more like the person who is portrayed than the person itself. A good portrayal is more you than you are yourself. And I think this is what the film does with our reality. The changes that the film introduces do not point toward alternate reality, they simply make reality more what it already is. I think this is the true vocation of science fiction. Science fiction realism introduces a change that makes us see better. The nightmare that we are expecting is here.
I think that people who notice that Children of Men is in a strange way a remake of Y Tu Mama Tambien have a point. What attracted me immensely to Cuaron’s first international breakthrough in Y Tu Mama Tambien is this wonderful tension between figure foreground and background. That is to say if you look at the film superficially, in foreground it’s just a sexual adventure with a desperate ending. The woman has cancer and so on. But then you notice how the texture of the film is totally permeated with signs of social oppression. Like you learn that the young boy’s family had to escape to United States because they were involved in some big corruption in Mexico. Then you learn that they are friends of the president. Then remember when they travel along the roads of Mexico you always see strange things like police beating some group of people, beggars and so on. And I think this is a unique formula. I admire it so much. The true focus of the film is there in the background. And it’s critical not to lose that background, but at the same time it’s crucial to leave it as a background. Sometimes you can see the oppressive social dimensions only if it remains in the background. I think that is one feature that connects Cuaron with Raymond Chandler, if good reviewers detect it. Chandler offers a unique portrayal of silent despair decadence, desperate lost lives of California in the 40’s, 50’s and so on, but it’s filtered through the narrative of detective story. Sometimes you get this social background of despair only if it’s filtered through an apparently amusing story. And it is clear that the truly most radical impact of global capitalism is not just this immigration immobility but it’s that in a way we lack this basic world view. A meaningful experience of totality. Which is why we all talk about culture because that culture has lost its substantial character.
So this I think is a true despair of the film. It’s not so much infertility. I think it’s problematic to focus on infertility and then do the obvious spiritualist trick and say ‘oh but you know this biological infertility is really a metaphor for spiritual infertility’ or whatever. I think that we should avoid this cheap direct spiritualist reading of the film. I think that the true infertility is the very lack of meaningful historical experience. It’s a society of pure meaningless hedonism. Today, ideology is no longer big causes such as socialism, equality, justice, democracy. The basic injunction is ‘have a good time’ or to put it in more spiritualist terms ‘realize yourself’. This is why I think Dalai Lama is such a big hit. He preaches enlightened Hollywood egotism; be happy, realize your potentials and so on and so on. And this is our despair today. I think that this film gives the best diagnosis of the ideological despair of late capitalism. Of a society without history, or, to use another political term, bio politics. And my god, this film literally is about bio politics. The basic problem in this society as depicted in the film is literally bio politics: how to generate, regulate life. But again, I think the crucial point is that this obvious fact shouldn’t deceive us. The true despair is precisely that; that all historical acts disappear. Like all those classical statues are there, but they are deprived of a world. They are totally meaningless, because what does it mean to have a statue of Michelangelo? It only works if is signals a certain world. And when this world is lacking, it’s nothing. It all depends on whether we have a world. Do we have some horizon that makes it meaningful? It is against this background I think that the film approaches the topic of immigration and so on.


I got this from the Childrenofmen.net site...very interesting reading of the film...and, to a far less knowledgeable form, the one I took, at least in part. I agree with him that I don't like the spiritual reading of the movie...even if the book had it.

[richter915]

Well, her character wasn't set up to have that kind of profundity...if anything she was set up as an annoying hag/overly bearing mother type, not the intelligently spoken woman who drops the critical line.

I like the line, but, it in no way fits her character, and so it ends up feeling like she became a narrator instead of herself.

The Matrix has a lot of examples of that, where they step outside their characters to try and say really profound things...it can work, and it can fail...depends on the deliveryohh I see what u guys are saying. I felt Meriam's role changed so much after Julian's death (as did everybody's really) but you're right, she never showed much depth until the abandoned school scene. Came outta left field.

[preppyak]

ohh I see what u guys are saying. I felt Meriam's role changed so much after Julian's death (as did everybody's really) but you're right, she never showed much depth until the abandoned school scene. Came outta left field.
Yeah...I actually liked the line itself...but, I'm not sure if it fit or not. I think only because I heard the line from the trailer:

Theodore Faron (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0654110/): I can't really remember when I last had any hope, and I certainly can't remember when anyone else did either. Because really, since women stopped being able to have babies, what's left to hope for?

And so, that line made sense to me...and I understood why they said it...but, I think the movie would have been just as good without it...or a scaled down version like "Eerie, isn't it, without the kids..."

[fluke182]

Ah...drunk posts. Fantastic.

[kshtoinks12]

I'm seeing Pan's today.

[nicolerork]

Good movie if you appreciate urban decay. I wouldn't be surprised if that's what life's like 20 years from now.

[TranscendTrends]

i need to see this movie, but it's not playing in my town. i'll have to resort to downloading. i was looking forward to this flick since june.

[lulitta]

u must see this movie, it is so well done...

intresting

[thejetstolehome]

massive bump. i just bought it yesterday and cannot wait to watch it.

[FondestMemory]

massive bump. i just bought it yesterday and cannot wait to watch it.

haha. i actually almost bumped this thread yesterday because i wanted to talk about it again.

i've yet to watch it again since it came out on dvd. i may do that today.

fucking amazing movie.

[ForlrnPerplxity]

massive bump. i just bought it yesterday and cannot wait to watch it.
i'm going out soon and buying it. i'm pretty sure this is going to be the first time i buy a movie without watching it first. it looks amazing and pretty much everyone i've talked to has said the same thing.

[Adeniz19]

my parent have bought it so i'll probably borrow it from them more than once haha

[meeotch]

I'll be seeing it on campus Wednesday, finally.

[tambam]

After seeing it for the second time, I began to wonder what the big deal was.

[aircourtneys]

I Just did a film project on this movie...AMAZING!

[gonz]

I bought it the day it came out and watched it a few days ago. It was just as good as the first time imo

[kshtoinks12]

I'm going to buy this soon.

[Bob Payne]

I know this movie doesn't need anymore dick sucking, but its quite possibly the best movie I've ever seen. (18 minute continuous shot? WTF!)

[FOBPrettyNPunk]

I know this movie doesn't need anymore dick sucking, but its quite possibly the best movie I've ever seen. (18 minute continuous shot? WTF!)

Great scene, when the blood hits the camera it adds a nice touch. I really want to see it again.

[FondestMemory]

it's not 18 minutes though. the continuous one shot is like 6 minutes. still damn impressive though.

[FondestMemory]

http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/03/27/children-of-men-the-television-series/

a pilot is in the works for a television series based on the books.

it's not gonna be as 'world at war' as the film was, but would concentrate more on the moral dilemmas faced when knowing there are no future generations to be concerned about.

i could see the concept working out very well if it's done right.

[thehereaway]

I know this is a huge bump, but i've been meaning to watch this film for years now. Tonight, I finally got round too it and, wow, what a film. Its simply amazing, its so intense and moving throughout - definitely one of the best (and most interesting) movies i've ever seen. You know its got to be a good film when they use King Crimson in the soundtrack.

[Cheshire_Buddha]

Still one of my favorite films of the past ten years.

[GuitarR0cker1]

I just saw this for the first time. I can't believe that I had not even heard about this movie until yesterday.