If you didn’t listen to the Mr. Ripley podcast, the boys mentioned at the end they will be covering Children of Men next week! This is my favorite movie of all time and I’m so pumped up. Good time for a rewatch if you are excited as well!
Hell yes! Love this movie. Probably one of the first that I watched where I really started becoming interested in the process of making films. Alfonso Cuaron is a genius and I love everything he has done so far.
The opening scene, that middle scene chase on the road and the end where they go through the fighting are three of the best one shot sequences ever. (Although they do a little movie magic here and there to make it look that way)
oh hell yeah Children of Men! i remember the fall of 2006 like it was yesterday as it was so awesome to see 3 Mexican directors put out solid ass films with Cuarón (Children of Men), Iñárritu (Babel) and de Toro (Pan's Labyrinth). heck, 2006 in general was a solid year for movies i gotta say.
Hell yes! Love this movie. Probably one of the first that I watched where I really started becoming interested in the process of making films. Alfonso Cuaron is a genius and I love everything he has done so far.
I credit this movie for kicking off my love of film as well. I was so excited leaving the theater and I’ll never forget that experience. The long shots, the use of utter silence toward the end, the world building and atmosphere (serious Half Life vibes); I gained an entirely new appreciation for the art of movies.
A small and unimportant shot that stuck out to me was a moment following Theo in the woods, when we hear the trees blowing and the camera pans up to look at them; when we pan back down Theo has already walked away and we have to catch up with him. It gives you such a sense that you’re just an observer along for the ride witnessing something real.
Pretty sure Children of Men is the best dystopian movie of all time. Can't wait for this one. I hope they discuss the world in depth; it's up there with likes of Blade Runner, Escape from New York, and Soylent Green in terms of really making you want to know more about it.
Thanks for covering this guys! It was very satisfying to hear that you both loved it. This film is truly a cinematic spectacle; I always thought it felt like a video game, and would make an incredible Naughty Dog style game.
I think the Brazilian connection is the Brazilian movie/series City of God/City of Men. I know I conflated the two for a while and didn't realize until relatively recently this great apocalyptic drama was even a thing.
Listening to the podcast, they're discussing symbolism/theme. They mention how the cow's rudders are cut off, and how this isn't true. So it's been forever since I've seen this movie, but given the subject matter I'd guess that's almost certainly thematic about motherhood or children. And the oral fixation of the main character, possibly as well (nursing). <-- also the title of the movie
I haven't had the chance to listen to the podcast yet, but I love the movie. I knew nothing about it when I watched, loved it while I was watching it and then it kept kicking around in my head the week or so after I watched and I realized that I liked it even more than I originally thought!
I heard great things about the movie but never got around to watching. When I heard the guys were podcasting about it I knew it was time. I loved the movie and the podcast. Michael Caine was both intriguing and entertaining. His final “pull my finger” bit was beyond sad. I can’t imagine this filmed any other way than documentary style. And like @Jim I’m glad they didn’t tell me how this happened. But I have one nagging question. Why Children of Men? Hope lies solely on this woman and her daughter. Or is the title implying that it was the men who became sterile. I know I can google it but afraid of the rabbit hole I’ll find.
I agree, I don't think Jasper is his Dad. Julian mentions she is sorry about his Mom, but I took that for sorry for your Mom passing away.
Also, I think the oral thing is more of a tactic of his than anything else. He mentions how the guy's breath stinks and it immediately stops him from talking about how they're going to kill him. He uses it again to deflect attention when the guy tells him it's a non-smoking facility. As soon as he mentions the guy has something in his teeth he forgets all about the cigarettes that Theo puts through the machine. Can you think of a better way to deflect attention than to tell someone they have something stuck in their teeth? It's actually brilliant. I think this is more a way to show you that he is 'suave'. Like how Julian mentioned the time he invited a bunch of Police up to negotiate. He seems to be able to talk and figure his way out of tough situations and I think those two small scenes are good at showing how well he can deflect attention away.
Alfonso Cuaron is really on the next level in his film making. I really appreciate the techniques he uses. We just got done watching Gravity for the first time, and while I don't think it's nearly as good as Children of Men, it is a visual masterpiece. I really appreciate the film even more now after diving into it again for a second watch (many years later).
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I agree, I don't think Jasper is his Dad. Julian mentions she is sorry about his Mom, but I took that for sorry for your Mom passing away.
Also, I think the oral thing is more of a tactic of his than anything else. He mentions how the guy's breath stinks and it immediately stops him from talking about how they're going to kill him. He uses it again to deflect attention when the guy tells him it's a non-smoking facility. As soon as he mentions the guy has something in his teeth he forgets all about the cigarettes that Theo puts through the machine. Can you think of a better way to deflect attention than to tell someone they have something stuck in their teeth? It's actually brilliant. I think this is more a way to show you that he is 'suave'. Like how Julian mentioned the time he invited a bunch of Police up to negotiate. He seems to be able to talk and figure his way out of tough situations and I think those two small scenes are good at showing how well he can deflect attention away.
Also, this video is pretty good about explaining some of the stuff in the background. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-woNlmVcdjc&t=9s
Alfonso Cuaron is really on the next level in his film making. I really appreciate the techniques he uses. We just got done watching Gravity for the first time, and while I don't think it's nearly as good as Children of Men, it is a visual masterpiece. I really appreciate the film even more now after diving into it again for a second watch (many years later).