|
Post by Dillson on Mar 23, 2007 22:35:09 GMT -5
(I stole this topic idea from Myke who suggested it in the Equilibrium topic, so ner ner boo sucks to you, Myke. ) Pan's Labyrinth aside, this was my favourite film of last year. Watching it in the cinema, I was gripped and on the edge of my seat from first scene to last. Some of the action scenes are unspeakably good - a case in point being the scene where .... The gang are in the old car driving through the and they are suddenly assailed by the freedom fighters, both on foot and motorbike. The ensuing carnage was gripping The settings in the film remind me of the PC game Half-Life 2. The world is in not quite the same situation in the game, but there is a similar kind of atmosphere to it, particularly around the refugees and the refugee camps. I'm a big fan of Clive Owen and I thought he did a stirring job as the main protagonist, and I loved Michael Caine in this (I love him to bits anyway).
|
|
xkamelx
Global Moderator
Check Those Corners
Posts: 11,108
|
Post by xkamelx on Mar 24, 2007 0:36:21 GMT -5
Excellent movie. It was up for an Oscar for cinematography, and I feel it deserved to win. If the scene with the freedom fighters you mention, notice; from the time the freedom fighters run out of the woods, including the motorbike accident, the gunshot, etc. all the way up until they kill that cop, that is one long take.
Additionally, toward the end when war breaks out, I can't remember where it starts and stops, but it's around the time he's on the bus, it too is one long scene, like 4 minutes. That's amazing considering it is a war scene. During this time you may notice blood hits the camera, and remains for a few minutes.
I've never seen anything like that before in my life, I was very impressed. Overall, including the scenes I mentioned above, Children of Men was an excellent movie. The story within itself is fascinating. The pace of the movie is dead on, and again, the cinematography just blew me away. Clive Owen did a great job, as did Michael Caine. I loved Caine's character in this movie. Children of Men was a nice surprise. I hadn't really heard of it going in, and didn't think I should expect much, but was blown away. Excellent film.
|
|
|
Post by Dillson on Mar 24, 2007 0:57:42 GMT -5
Just for the record, yes, the scene with the car and freedom fighters is the one I mean. And yes, it is an astounding piece of filming. Same with the second scene you mention.
I just realised that when you look at the Topic Summary under the message window, the spoiler tags don't work; they just appear as if they aren't recognised tags.
|
|
xkamelx
Global Moderator
Check Those Corners
Posts: 11,108
|
Post by xkamelx on Mar 24, 2007 1:04:42 GMT -5
Just for the record, yes, the scene with the car and freedom fighters is the one I mean. And yes, it is an astounding piece of filming. Same with the second scene you mention. I just realised that when you look at the Topic Summary under the message window, the spoiler tags don't work; they just appear as if they aren't recognised tags. My first word in the spoiler was supposed to be 'In' not 'If'. It changes the whole meaning of that sentence, one small letter. Yeah, I noticed that too, unfortunately I don't think there is much that can be done about it.
|
|
|
Post by Dillson on Mar 24, 2007 1:11:59 GMT -5
My first word in the spoiler was supposed to be 'In' not 'If'. It changes the whole meaning of that sentence, one small letter. I've realised that now. My fault for reading it too quickly anyway. My comment still stands; amazing filming and amazing scene (on both scenes) Most people tend not to check the topic summary when posting anyway, so I don't think it's too much of a problem. What did you think of the ending? It was an unexpected ending, in my opinion, in comparision to all the action that had exploded on screen not long before. I still loved the ending all the same. It's a wonderful final shot; so poignant. Definitely sent me leaving the cinema in a reflective mood with a lot to think about.
|
|
xkamelx
Global Moderator
Check Those Corners
Posts: 11,108
|
Post by xkamelx on Mar 24, 2007 1:15:48 GMT -5
I definitely loved the ending and agree. Some people were upset that they wasn't able to see the ship, and the society on it, but that really wasn't what the movie was about. The movie was about the discovery of her pregnancy, and their jounrey there. So yes, I agree. The ending was nice. I also like how they showed the film's title at the ending, that reminds me of something, but I can't place my finger on it...
|
|
|
Post by Dillson on Mar 24, 2007 1:32:12 GMT -5
Actually, thinking about it, the title at the end of the film also reminds me of something. But I can't figure out what it is either. I know this is going to bug me for ages, until I get it.
|
|
xkamelx
Global Moderator
Check Those Corners
Posts: 11,108
|
Post by xkamelx on Mar 24, 2007 1:34:36 GMT -5
Actually, thinking about it, the title at the end of the film also reminds me of something. But I can't figure out what it is either. I know this is going to bug me for ages, until I get it. lol, it's bugging me now too. It's extremely familiar, I'm sure I've seen it someplace else, like in another intense movie that ends abruptly kind of like Children of Men does, but I just cannot figure out what.
|
|
Bones
Administrator
The Last Cylon
Posts: 610
|
Post by Bones on Apr 7, 2007 15:51:27 GMT -5
As I said in the "last movie you watched" thread, - as a Brit, this vision of a future Britian where the protection against terrorism and inflood of immigrants has become very extreme and militaristic is both fascinating and terrifying. Also that's a really powerful scneraio that women can't have babies anymore, so much so there's a "big thing" about the world's youngest person. I was very surprised the woman got shot, the whole scene was very high action and quite shocking I loved Michael Caine in this, when he put on his Zen music and was imitating the guitar - brilliant. The backdrop - an opressive society against immigrants was so bleak and grim at times it also really made the film, i couldn't keep my eyes of the screen. As i said, I do think it's the best british film in ages, 10 minutes into it i loved it, half-way through i wanted to own the DVD.
|
|
|
Post by Dillson on Apr 7, 2007 15:58:16 GMT -5
I loved Michael Caine in this, when he put on his Zen music and was imitating the guitar - brilliant. The backdrop - an opressive society against immigrants was so bleak and grim at times it also really made the film, i couldn't keep my eyes of the screen. As i said, I do think it's the best british film in ages, 10 minutes into it i loved it, half-way through i wanted to own the DVD. Y'know, I thought exactly the same thing. As the movie went on, I thought to myself, 'I can't wait to get my own copy of this on DVD'. I limited myself to watching it just once before I got the DVD so that I can enjoy it fully once I finally got it. And Caine and the scene with his Zen music was fantastic. I love that man, I do. The best scene ever is... When the attackers reach his house and just before they shoot him dead he says, "Pull my finger." Just sums up his character perfectly; still in high spirits no matter how bleak the world/the situation is/was.
|
|
Bones
Administrator
The Last Cylon
Posts: 610
|
Post by Bones on Apr 7, 2007 16:32:09 GMT -5
The best scene ever is... When the attackers reach his house and just before they shoot him dead he says, "Pull my finger." Just sums up his character perfectly; still in high spirits no matter how bleak the world/the situation is/was. I was actually quite gutted that happened, but Caine pulled this role of so well it just made me love his character even more. Clive Owen has always been uber cool as well and was very good.
|
|
xkamelx
Global Moderator
Check Those Corners
Posts: 11,108
|
Post by xkamelx on Apr 9, 2007 3:24:48 GMT -5
Michael Cain's character rocked in this movie. Children of Men is the type of movie you either love or hate. It's bashed terribly on the IMDb message boards, but I absolutely love it. I mean as far as science fiction goes, it's nice to have our Independence Days, our I, Robots, etc. but we also need our Children of Mens, our Equilibriums to balance it out. From the very beginning with the news cast about the worlds youngest person, an 18 year old dying, I was instantly intrigued. Then the bomb exploded and that surprised the hell out of me. With that said, this movie was intriguing in as many ways as I can think of, just when you start to feel safe, the rebels run down from the hills, Clive Owen overhears a conversation he wasn't meant to hear... The war basically comes to a halt with a cease fire on both sides at the sight of a baby Brilliant.
|
|
|
Post by Dillson on Apr 9, 2007 4:36:52 GMT -5
Both Children of Men and Equilibrium are the kind of films that I love. I'm not really a fan of the likes of Independence Day (although I enjoyed them when I was younger). I prefer films that are a bit grittier and darker (but hopeful), rather than what has sadly become the average Hollywood action film template.
|
|
xkamelx
Global Moderator
Check Those Corners
Posts: 11,108
|
Post by xkamelx on Apr 9, 2007 4:43:45 GMT -5
Both Children of Men and Equilibrium are the kind of films that I love. I'm not really a fan of the likes of Independence Day (although I enjoyed them when I was younger). I prefer films that are a bit grittier and darker (but hopeful), rather than what has sadly become the average Hollywood action film template. Agreed one hundred percent. ID4 is okay, but it is what it is, a summer action movie designed to make huge amounts of money. Children of Men, Equilibrium, etc. are works of art, and are meant to be works of art as opposed to blockbusters. You mentioned gritter and darker themes, those are what I love. The New Battlestar Galactica is like a Greek tragedy, it doesn't get much darker then that series. And Deep Space 9 gets pretty dark and gritty, that's why it's such a stand alone show from all of the other Treks. I don't mean to go off-topic here, but when we watch DS9, just because someone is a main character does not mean they are immune from being killed, that's how dark it gets. But yeah, dark science fiction is my favorite kind.
|
|
|
Post by Dillson on Apr 9, 2007 4:49:34 GMT -5
It sounds like your taste in science fiction is very similar to mine. (I agree with what you said and it applies to me as well. As I say, I am very much looking forward to DS9.)
|
|