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I HATE
myself. Not because of how I look or what I make or the
things I can’t buy, but because I missed the theatrical
run of Children of Men. Children of what!?!
Released two years ago, Children of Men is a
movie directed by Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien,
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban). It is a
sci-fi thriller set in the near future in England, and
it remains as totally relevant now as when it was first
released.
In the
movie, the crown, like the rest of the world, is gripped
with a mysterious fertility problem, as the last child
was born 18 years ago leaving the world with the
possibility that there might be no future. England has
become the richest country, and people from other lands
are trying to get in but are stopped by the Department
of Homeland Security. There are groups fighting the
system but many of these radicals have given up, like
Theo Fearon (Clive Owen), now a lowly government worker.
Anyway,
Theo is suddenly contacted by his former love Julian
Taylor (Julianne Moore), who urges him to use his
connections to get in transit documents for a
young-black woman named Kee (the mesmerizing Claire
Hope-Ashitey), who turns out to be the first woman to
become pregnant in over 18 years. Much of the film
chronicles the journey of Theo and Kee as they set for
the Promised Land, a utopian ship that operates
mysteriously as the Human Project. The ship, which is
not part of any country, is seen as the only sane
sanctuary left in the world.
The
movie is based on a PD James novel. I watched it over
the recent long weekend on DVD and by the first quarter
of the film, and after the jaw-dropping scene of a
car-jack in the middle of the forest, I wanted to kick
myself for not seeing this inside a theater to fully
enjoy the brilliance of this movie. There are more
magnificent scenes that magnificently increased my
feelings of self-loathing for not catching the movie
during its theatrical run.
Children
of Men
makes a statement on the evils of terrorism and how
negativity has overtaken many people who believe that
the future is bleak for their children. It is a very
smart film and you will just feel dumb, as I did, for
missing such a great movie.
Why it
wasn’t nominated for Best Picture in the 2007 Oscars
says something about how the American film academy has
become outdated....
****
TOP
bands Itchyworms, Callalily and 6Cyclemind are set to
pop in and spread fun at the Pringles Upop concert
scheduled on April 22, 5 pm, at the TriNoma Activity
Center.
This is
the culminating event of the Pringles UPop video-making
contest where artists and bands submitted music video
entries showing them using Pringles cans as musical
instruments.
Hundreds
of entries were received but only five bands were chosen
as finalists: Overdose with “‘Wag Mong Pigilan,” Mosh
with “Bulong,” Rubberband with “Ligaya,” Bluewish with
“Balang Araw” and Dreadspot with “Mood 4 Lovin.’” Their
videos were showcased in the music channel MYX, where
fans could vote for their favourite entry.
Prizes
galore will be given to the winners as well as lucky MYX
viewers. All the finalists automatically receive
P10,000, while second runner-up gets P75,000. The first
runner-up gets P150,000 while for the grand prize of
P250,000 is what the winning band receives. A special
award called Webby Favorite will also be given and the
winning band gets P15,000.
Meanwhile, MYX viewers who voted for their favourite
band also have a chance to win iPod gadgets.
The
Pringles Upop concert will also feature performances of
the finalist bands singing their entries for the music
video-making contest.
Besides
topnotch band performances, the Pringles Upop concert
will also feature fun games and appearances of top MYX
VJs Sanya and Drei. The concert will also be aired on
MYX.
The
concert is free and open to the public. |
