Alfonso Cuarón - Children of Men

[kerraig UK]

finally saw this. I've been holding out cos of my bias towards the film. Y'see, i've written a script called Son of Man which is about events leading up to a worldwide infertility of women. Don't think that'll be getting made any time soon!

But anyway, yes it is superbly powerful, and is a mindbogglingly well realised vision of a post apocalyptic future. completely compelling.

[spaz]

Son of Man... or Children of Men...

[Pob]

finally saw this. I've been holding out cos of my bias towards the film. Y'see, i've written a script called Son of Man which is about events leading up to a worldwide infertility of women. Don't think that'll be getting made any time soon!

You could get it made as a prequel!

Why did you choose the name 'Son of Man'? I didn't really understand the title 'Children of Men', but it seems you've gone for the same kind of name. It kind of implies that we'll solve the infertile women situation by bumming each other until blokes start getting pregnant.

[Despin]

Hey there.

"It kind of implies that we'll solve the infertile women situation by bumming each other until blokes start getting pregnant."

In your mind maybe...

I think it implies the use of genetic engineering and cloning and other scientific shit to help create a baby.

Despin out.

[K]

I thought the title was a biblical quote, given that the author of the original book (PD James) is a devout Christian. And, having done a bit of a search, it is. It's from Daniel chapter 2, verses 37 & 38.

37 You, O king, are king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the strength, and the glory;

38 and wherever the children of men dwell, the animals of the field and the birds of the sky has he given into your hand, and has made you to rule over them all: you are the head of gold.

Seems very appropriate!

[kerraig UK]

You could get it made as a prequel!

Why did you choose the name 'Son of Man'? I didn't really understand the title 'Children of Men', but it seems you've gone for the same kind of name. It kind of implies that we'll solve the infertile women situation by bumming each other until blokes start getting pregnant.

the titlwe son of man makes a lot of sense in the context of my screenplay as it is about cloning. And yes i've sent a copy over to both Cuaron's office and the co-writer. I had changed the name of my script to Nephilim at one point but am thinking of changing it back and pitching the whole 'prequel' angle. Lord Cookie has read it, is he in this thread?

[Exit Chamber]

Just got to echo the love and say that I though it was a fantastic film

Snowman's point about the gunfire being particularly excellent sounding was something I mentioned to my wee bro when we got out. It sounded amazing. The cinema was fairly empty (Glasgow Cineworld) and when

Sid got the rock in his face as he came out the door

there was an audible intake of breath from about half the audience Also thought the little drops of blood on the camera during the long sequence in the camp was a great touch.

[Capwn]

Saw this last night and it really is great, especially for the art fanatics out there. Just about every shot is visually interesting and the film has to be one of the best directed films I've seen in a while. Suprised that I have not seen any of the director's past films...apart from erm...Harry Potter 3...

[Strawp]

The cinema was fairly empty (Glasgow Cineworld) and when

Sid got the rock in his face as he came out the door

there was an audible intake of breath from about half the audience

It was a car battery wasn't it? Same when I watched it though

[Vemsie]

This was quite something. A film that really spoke out to me. I'll echo what many people have said. It is a fairly straightforward (and at times a bit heavy handed) story, but it is heartfelt and told with so much technical panache that it completely pulls you into it's world. A world filled with detail and references to a climate that - scarily enough - is a lot like our own. The way we treat refugees, the pollution, the fear, the lack of privacy. Like Crispin pointed out, it's hard to watch this film and not think of Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib. Subtle? No. But I think subtley isn't always needed.

Thought Owen was great, as was the girl that played Kee. Moore is good as always and Caine was a scene stealer. I liked that there were some light-hearted scenes in a film that - though it shows glimmers of hope - is ultimately quite bleak.

Another big plus is that the movie didn't go overboard with exposition. You had to fill in some blanks yourself, which is something quite rare in film these days.

The Mexican three seem to be on a roll. Innaritu's Babel and Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth also received a lot of acclaim at film festivals over the world. This is a film that deserves to be seen by many.

[Exit Chamber]

It was a car battery wasn't it? Same when I watched it though

I didn't think it was rectangular/square, thus leading me to believe it was a rock. Could well be wrong though, wasn't really focusing on the weapon used.

[Exit Chamber]

Cool, whatever it was, it looked horrible

[srgbilco]

When do you lot think this will this be out on DVD?

[Paradigm]

I thought it was a rock.

About 4 months I'd say.

[Belbo]

Another vote for car battery here.

Can't wait for the DVD release. Cannot. Wait.

One of the reasons I watched it twice at the cinema was that I really couldn't see how my poor little TV would be able to convey such powerful cinematography. Definitely one for the big screen, in my opinion. Until I get a projector or giant flat screen set-up, at least.

[Lovelyman]

It's a car battery - it even had handles on it.

[Vemsie]

Devin at Chud calls it one of 2006' best films and compares it to the other two masterpieces of this year (in his opinion): The Fountain and Pan's Labyinth.

I have to agree that this year looks to be ending on a strong note. It wasn't a year for blockbusters (though the new Bond is getting some great word of mouth) but there's been some interesting stuff (let's not forget movies like United 93 and Road to Guantanamo) and more to look forward to. And three Mexican directors who really made a name for themselves this year.

[Major Britten]

Saw this over the weekend and thought it was absolutely superb, one of the best films of the year for me. Going to go see it again this weekend. I was almost in tears

when they walk down the stairs and the expression on the soldiers' faces as they see the baby

I thought Clive Owen was simply amazing as well and should hopefully silence the idiots that keep saying that he cant act.

[Goose]

It's out on DVD on 15th Jan and released in the US in a couple of weeks I think (That's the cinematic release).

I've just finished watching it and simply couldn't believe how good it was. The technical aspects were superb and it was brilliantly directed. One of the best films I've ever seen.

I have never wanted a film to keep on going and at the same time praying for it to end, so much in years.

The first kick in the bollocks was Moore dying so early in the film. She was in three scenes? That really caught me off guard, I kept expecting her death to have been somehow faked (no idea how!) and have her turn up at the very end. I'm glad they kept well clear of that.

I have to admit I couldn't always hear the film so I think I missed out a on MAJOR plot point or two.

Was that a goverment suicide kit that Caine gave to his wife? (quitus?)

The ambush - I'm guessing that was a setup because Moore didn't want to use the kid as a political tool but the rest of the group did?

The birth scene was really well done. Michael Caine was great too.

The end uprising sequence was fantastically staged, the contrast between the awe of the people at seeing a baby and the suddenly shocking restart to fight was exceptionally well done. The section where Owen was trying to get into the building was some of the best war footage I've experienced, you literally were there with him.

I too am glad that Owen didn't suddenly become some hardcore motherfucker and started breaking necks and wielding dual pistols - he'll save that for Shoot'em Up. He was terrified for most of the film. I was worried he'd become hardcore after Moore mentioned them as squatters and how he'd spiked the cops tea.

The vision of the future was also a little too close to comfort, a little too realistic. I don't think we're looking at 2027, more like 2015. At times I did want to know more about the details of how the world ended up there but really, you only need to look around and see how they could have arrived there.

Easily one of the best, if not the best, film of the year.

[Goose]

One other thing...

How can someone trying to jumpstart/pushstart a car be SO fucking tense?!!?!?!?

[Paradigm]

The ambush - I'm guessing that was a setup

The bit that gave it away, and why Owen got spooked in the house, was because the guy who came in was the same guy riding on the motorcycle (black helmet etc. IIRC, he had it in his hand?). Yeah it was all to do with using her for their cause, as is touched upon by the black guy in the ruins at the end.

[polygon_monkey]

When be the hd-dvd release?

[Goose]

Thanks Paradigm, you're right on the money.

[John0]

Saw this yesterday, absoluetly brilliant film! Haven't read the thread but I'm guessing that most of what needs to be said has been said already. If you haven't seen this yet, do it, you won't be disappointed.

One other thing...

How can someone trying to jumpstart/pushstart a car be SO fucking tense?!!?!?!?

Totally, that scene went on for aaaages.

EDIT:

Oh, and everyone's seen "Y Tu Mama Tambien" right? If not, get the DVD, it's well cheap.

[Paradigm]

It's in the HMV sale for fuck all, I think. Great movie.

[spacedinvader]

Drat.. my yarred copy stopped with 10 mintes to go. That'll teach me. Will get the DVD.

[Vin]

DVD release comin' up - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000J4P...2781383-2140615

Awful cover art, though.

[CarloOos]

Jesus Christ, that is bad. Really bad.

[thingymajig]

Almost as bad as the cover art for The Matrix Revolutions.

[Major Britten]

Thinking about it my only problem with the film was the ending going on too much

I think it would have been much better ending the film once Owen dies with Kee left on the boat with her baby alone and leaving it up to the viewers imagination if the boat really did come to save her or if she just ended up drifting in the sea with the only baby in the world and noone ever finds her

Not really a fault of the film, just a personal preference