Movie of the Week...No...Year: Children of Men

If this isn't the best movie of the year, than tell me what is?

Part science fiction, part war movie, I don't even know if I saw a movie last year that was better than this.

This is why I go to the movies almost every week, for the hope that I will see something like this.

I don't even know where to begin...or end for that matter.

I appreciate cinematography but never really "notice" it but there are two amazing long takes, one involving an ambush and another a full out battle that it up there with Saving Private Ryan.

The world that director Alfonso Cuarón and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki create is incredibly detailed. What happened in the future isn't directly told to us in some long drawn out speech. It's all in the background, on the news reports, newspaper clippings, graffiti, etc. It kind of reminds me of Brian Wood's Vertigo comic, DMZ, in that way. You see how civilization fell apart. The muted tones make bleak London look utterly hopeless. They create a future that seems a little too plausible. I can't imagine that they won't both be nominated for Oscars.

The acting is top-notch. Clive Owen's (Theo) transformation from a man who has nothing to live for to a man willing to sacrifice everything for the future confirms he's one of the best actors out (and I'm willing to forgive him for King Arthur but I guess everyone's got to pay the bills). Michael Caine adds levity and perspective as Theo's old friend and confidant, Jasper. I can't imagine that they won't both be nominated for Oscars.

I can talk about this movie all day.

The point is SEE THIS MOVIE. As angry as I was when Brokeback Mountain didn't win Best Picture last year, I will be devastated if Children of Men doesn't. Sorry, Marty. But I can live without you winning an Oscar another year for a masterpiece such as this.

***SPOILER***

There is a scene towards the end during the battle between the army, the immigrants, and FISH, when the baby starts crying and everything stops, the fighting, the screaming. Theo and Kee (Claire-Hope Ashitey) slowly make their way through the building and down the stairs and everyone has their own unique reactions - to cry, to try and touch Kee and the baby - and then the soldiers see the baby and they freeze and two of them kneel to pray and as they walk, no one moves. Whatever they were killing each other over, the safety of that child becomes everyone's priority. They just watch them walk away and you think that, "Wow, this baby may actually create some sense of peace and stability." and then the rocket fires from the building and the fighting starts up again.

That's when the seriousness of their world hits you.

Movie of the Week Part III: Dreamgirls

Good but not great.

Yes, Jennifer Hudson as Effie was amazing. I'll get that out of the way. When she sings "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," it's over.

Also, it was great to see Eddie Murphy with the energy he had in the 80's. However, some songs I felt like I was watching a Saturday Night Live sketch. Sometimes it's hard to take him seriously but that's more my problem than his.

Beyoncé wasn't bad but she gave the role what it asked for so I'm not complaining about it. There's something about her voice. I think because she's so soft spoken that she has to dub over most of her takes because her voice always sounds like it's on a different audio channel (or whatever the proper term is) than everyone else's. That said, she can sing and damn, she's fine. I hate you, Shawn Carter.

Jamie Foxx was great too but his singing wasn't very good except for "When I First Saw You". Also, Keith Robinson's (Effie's brother, C.C.) signing also bugged me.

The movie felt longer than it needed. After Jennifer Hudson's solo, the movie definately dragged it's feet to the end with one too many songs but it was still enjoyable.

And everyone who didn't vote for Jennifer Hudson on American Idol, well, don't you feel stupid?

Movie of the Week Part II: Pan's Labyrinth

What an amazing, beautiful, sad movie.

I can't wait to see it again.

There are not enough adjectives to describe how great this movie was.

Everyone was great especially Ariadna Gil (Carmen), Maribel Verdú (Mercedes) and Sergi López (Capitán Vidal).

I don't know what Guillermo del Toro obsession with creating these stories centering around children with the Spanish civil war (The Devil's Backbone) as the backdrop, but I hope it never ends.

I knew this wasn't a children's flick per se but I was surprised at how graphic some of the violence was. Seriously, if someone took their kids to this film (like under 13) at best they'd have nightmares for weeks, at worst, therapy. It doesn't matter because the tale of a child escaping real life through imagination and fantasy never gets old at any age.

Movie of the Week: Notes on a Scandal

Doesn't it feel like every year Judi Dench is up for an Oscar nomination?

Well, guess what? She'll probably be getting another one.

Hopefully, Cate Blanchett, who only continues to strengthen my attraction to her, will get one too.

They were both great in this British/lesbian/May-December Fatal Attraction.

It was clearly melodramatic but I loved every second of it.

Why has Judi Dench only won a single Oscar and only for Best Supporting Actress (Shakespeare in Love)? She should have so many that she uses them for doorstops and paperweights.

Not to be forgotten is Bill Nighy as the betrayed husband who somehow made every line he said hilarious no matter how much sadness or anger was behind it.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer Teaser Trailer

I didn't care much for the first movie but this looks great...