Comments on: A Downer Film That Was Going To Lose Money

By: Joe Valdez

Joe Valdez — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:02:59 +0000

Mrs. Thuro's Mom: Thanks for reminding me about the scene in the abandoned school. What sticks in my mind are the scenes with the death squad shooting people at will. In America we have to go see a movie for a scene like that, whereas Cuaron was obviously influenced by the huntas that operate in places like Africa or Central America with impunity. Daniel: Thanks for commenting. I like to think of This Distracted Globe as an Introduction to Contemporary Film class, so I don't get into visual composition or Director As God all that much. I am always happy to suggest a great movie to add to your queue though and would enjoy reading about it on Getafilm. Kelsy: I don't know whether I can say this movie is hopeful. I think it shows mankind devolving to our lowest levels maybe too effectively, but think do think it's a great film for that reason. Thanks for commenting! Chuck: Thanks for that terrific compliment and reminding me that not everyone who visits this site is looking for pics of Phoebe Cates. As for Children of Men, I could almost agree with your assessment, but I do think the film moves so fast and strikes with such guerilla stealth that it never feels like the filmmakers are stopping to make a big message. I haven't felt compelled to watch this movie ten times, but I think that's because it's so draining as opposed to coming across as profound.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:48:19 +0000

“I like to think of This Distracted Globe as an Introduction to Contemporary Film class, so I don’t get into visual composition or Director As God all that much. ”

That m.o. shows, and that’s why your site is a sweet relief from most ego-rampant movie sites.
I don’t share the majority opinion of “Children of Men”, I think its a moderately involving chase movie with all the other stuff as window dressing. (Genre speaks deeper when it isn’t so obviously huffing and puffing for profundity.) But I agree that this might be the new sci-fi apocalypse template, no easy feat.

By: kelsy

kelsy — Sat, 23 May 2009 04:42:16 +0000

I think this movie is just great. I’ve seen it twice, but seeing it in the theatre the first time was a very visceral experience for me. The combination of long takes and relatable sets, like Mrs. Thuro’s Mom said, gives it sense of reality that most futuristic movies don’t go for. This is also one of the few films I’ve seen that has made me cry in the theatre. For me, it’s a very moving and very hopeful film.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:32:01 +0000

What a brilliant recollection of this movie – one that I haven’t seen since the theater. I had hoped you might make mention of the cinematic techniques they used, but the backstory of the production is really fascinating. I’d like to see this again soon, especially in light of the influence you astutely predict it will have.

By: Mrs. Thuro's Mom

Mrs. Thuro's Mom — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:31:13 +0000

This is one movie that really assaulted my senses on many levels. I’m so glad that they didn’t go with a more science fiction look. I felt that the look of the film made it seem much more real & plausible. The scene at the abandoned school between the nursemaid and Theo was both chilling and heart-wrenching. This film especially hit home for us because my only child (my daughter), had had chemo a few years before and the doctors told her it would probably destroy her ovaries. Fortunately, they were wrong and she is now expecting my first grandchild. Sadly, I know too many young women who have multiple miscarriages, who have hysterectomies early in life, or who find out they are infertile when they are young, so I can’t help but believe that this scenario may well be possible. But like the director said, “It pretty much depends on your own sense of hope.” I really want to hold onto that hope.