Pop-culture addicts (myself included) will be awake, alert, and perhaps a little jittery tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. EDT — anticipating the announcement of this year’s Academy Awards nominees. But in all honesty, I’m feeling slightly ambivalent about the Best Picture race this year, and that’s because my favorite film of 2006 is looking as likely to score a nomination as Sharon Stone for Basic Instinct 2.
Yes, folks, yesterday afternoon, I decided to brave the bitter cold to catch a matinee of Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men — and I left the theater wondering how the heck the awards hopes of this harrowing, beautiful film have been drowned out by the buzz surrounding The Departed, Dreamgirls, and Little Miss Sunshine. No knock on those movies, but Cuarón’s vision of a bleak, Orwellian future — in which a wave of infertility has swept the human race, and where paranoia over illegal refugees and shocking blasts of violence are the norm — left me quaking in my stadium seating, a feeling I haven’t quite shaken almost a day later. Not only should the film be up for Oscar’s highest honor, but certainly Cuarón, cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, and stars Clive Owen, Claire-Hope Ashitey (pictured, with Owen), and Michael Caine (the latter two who manage to bring both humor and tenderness to an otherwise bleak experience) deserve to have their names called tomorrow morning.
Alas, though, whether it’s the unfortunate, abbreviated Oscar-season calendar (discussed at length in the spot-on inaugural edition of Mark Harris’ EW column The Final Cut) or perhaps a botched campaign by Universal, Children of Men doesn’t seem to be on any pundits’ predicted nominations list. But that’s not going to stop me from hoping (for the next 22 hours or so) that somehow, good sense and good taste will prevail, and Children of Men will get its due. Are you with me, PopWatchers? Or is Children of Men simply not worthy? And are there any other off-the-radar films (or performances) you’re hoping will sneak onto the list of nominees tomorrow morning?
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the movie was amazing and definitely deserves SOME recognition!!!
So much word. While I liked those other films, Children just struck me in so many ways, and is just so….beautiful in its hopelessness. If it doesn’t get nominated, then I don’t see the Academy keeping any credibilty. See also Labyrinth, Pan’s.
I’m kinda hoping that Dreamgirls will not get nominated. I heard the movie wasn’t even that great. How is it racking up all these awards? If Jennifer Hudson was so good, then nominate her and not the movie. I wish Pan’s Labyrinth will gets some lovin’ tomorrow. That movie is still stuck in my head.
In all the crazy buzz about Helen Mirren in “The Queen,” people seemed to forget about Michael Sheen’s amazing performance as Tony Blair. Mirren was great/subtle, but nowhere near as good as Sheen.
i agree. along with ”pan’s labyrinth”, this deserves recognition. superb direction and cinematography and a great performance from clive owen.
Children of Men is far and away the best movie of the year, so of course the Oscars will ignore it. Too busy blowing up Helen Mirren’s skirt to notice anything else.
Literally right before clicking on Popwatch, I sent an email with this line in it, re: Children of Men:
“I’m surprised it’s not getting more award-season love.”
It’s a mystery, and a shame.
Well, being a habitual EW and EW.com reader, I’ve read a lot about “Children of Men,” and it does sound good, but I haven’t seen it yet. I’m sure that’s the case for most other people, including Academy voters.
Children of Men and Pan’s Labyrinth should both be in one of those five Best Picture spots… unfortunately, the marketing machine that is at Oscar plays, has already made certain that the sub-par Dreamgirls is going to be a nominee. If there’s any justice for great movies, Dreamgirls will not be in the five nominated films, making way for one of these two.
I couldn’t agree more. Children of Men is by far my favorite film of 2006, and the fact that it’s getting almost no buzz is completely shocking to me. It’s amazing.
Slezak, word! I went into CHILDREN OF MEN thinking I would enjoy a cool, sci-fi, flick. I left truly blown away by one of the best (and most important) films of the last decade. Alfonso Cuaron has directed a truly unique movie that touches important global issues, while still being a thoroughly entertaining movie-going experience. Michael Caine is outstanding in a role that could have been a cartoon, but he makes it very touching. His last scene is so emotional and sad. And what about those awesome action sequences? THE MATRIX can’t touch CHILDREN OF MEN!! P.S. I’m still holding out hope that STRANGER THAN FICTION (my 2nd fave of 06 gets some Oscar love)!
I was actually afraid of this movie – it looked like such a downer. But on MLK Day, when I finally had time to see a matinee, nothing else I wanted to see (such as Pan’s Labyrinth or Miss Potter) had made it to my major market city, so I saw Children of Men sort of by default.
And loved it. I agree completely; this is far and away the most artful movie of the year, original and universal at the same time, warm and human and intelligent and scary. That it’s being ignored in favor of the new versions of the usual suspects (we got the musical, we got the crime drama, we got the quirky little dysfunctional family comedy, we got the astonishing Brits playing real people) is heartbreaking.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Yeah COM has gotten the shaft this season. It got a late release date and Universal wasn’t expecting to have a winner on their hands that they now do. They put all the eggs in “The Good Shepherd” basket and didn’t think COM would make much of an impact. It definitely has.
It still could get a Director nom, Screenplay nom and a few technical noms. It could be this year’s “City Of God”.
I also hope Matt Damon gets a nom (I do not understand how he’s gotten ignored this season) and Sandra Bullock for “Infamous”.
while reading the post about Little Miss Sunshine — which was cute and entertaining, but that’s it — i was thinking the same thing as you: where is the love for Children of Men? it was without a doubt the best movie i’ve seen this year. i saw it two weeks ago, and i still feel its gloom around me.
Children of Men and Pan’s Labyrinth were the best movies I saw this past year, is a shame that Alfonso Cuaron and Guillermo del Toro, neither themovies, will get the recognition they deserve.
I have to agree. Definitely my favorite movie of the last year. Its so sad that this movie might not get the love it deserves a la Oscar. How pathetic a world we live in that the marketing machine has once again come into play for an artistic award. Please Academy dont make another mistake and not nominate Children of Men. After last year’s Crash win, I really am starting to see an Academy Award means absolutely nothing these days…..
In a perfect world, Best Picture noms would be:
The Departed
Children of Men
Pan’s Layrinth
Letters From Iwo Jima
& Little Miss Sunshine.
I would love to see Children of Men, but it isn’t even here. We would have to drive 1 1/2 hours to see it. My husband and I are just annoyed.
I don’t normally watch this kind of movie (I don’t like to pay to be depressed) but this movie shook me to my core. It is the most realistic look at a bleak future I have EVER seen. I have never understood what the big deal with Clive Owen was, but man did he deliver. It was certainly the surprise of the year for me and he certainly deserves an Oscar® way more than an American Idol castoff.
I can’t say it was the best thing i’ve seen this year, but it surely deserves recognition at the Oscars. But then again is there anybody left that thinks academy awards are credible?
AGREED! CoM, “Pan’s Labyrinth,” and “the Departed” were the best pix this year. I think even mentioning Little Miss Sunshine in the same sentence is a joke. Plus, where is the supporting actor love for Bill Nighy in “Notes on a Scandal” and Danny Glover for “Dreamgirls?” This was definitely a really good year for movies – unfortunately, the awards season doesn’t seem to be reflecting this year’s great scope…
This was the most eye opening movie I have seen in a long time. Much better than the too perfect Babel. I will not be surprised if it doesn’t get nominated for an Oscar. The Academny Awards are something we should not base the quality of movies or performances on. Reese won last year…she beat out Felicity Huffman. Remember that. We shouldn’t be too quick to forget Oscars passed. Just becase you win, doesn’t mean you deserve it.
I was going to ask the NY Times about this, but why is there no feature article/ piece on the increasing presence and incredible talents of the Mexican directors, Cuaron, del Toro, and Gonzalez Inarritu? (excuse the non-puncuations).
EW get on this, STAT. Or do I need to send an email as in the Grey’s Anatomy fiasco- don’t be late this time!
“Children of Men” was my favorite movie of 2006. It’s been weeks since I saw it, and I’m still talking about it with friends, debating issues and trying to recruit more people to go out and support it. I haven’t seen “Dreamgirls” yet, and while I’m sure it’s an entertaining and well-made musical, I’d put all my money on it not being half as beautiful, important and complex as “Men.” I have my fingers crossed, too, but the Academy gave “Titanic” best picture over “L.A. Confidential,” “Good Will Hunting” and “As Good As it Gets,” and gave “Return of the King” best picture over “Mystic River.” Sad. They don’t always know what’s best…
I agree I watched Children of Men and was haunted by it for days afterwards. This was depressing but eye opening at the same time. Along with Pans Labryinth I would say those 2 movies should easily be up for Best Picture noms and Clive Owen should get a nom as well. I hope Dreamgirls does not get nominated that movie was ok not Oscar material.
if/when CHILDREN OF MEN isn’t nominated like crazy, it will only highlight the general pointlessness of the Oscars. In any sane world, it’s a hands -down best picture nominee, if not winner.
Children of Men was the best movie to come out in 2006. Period. But I can see why it’s not an award show darling, unfortunately. It’s the kind of movie the establishment will realize is truly great in 5 years or so. That said, if I could vote for it, I certainly would.
Children of Men was possibly one of the most thrilling film experiences I have ever had. This is risky filmmaking at its best and when you really break it down, Alfonso Cuaron provided the kind of direction even the great Marty Scorcese couldn’t match. How about some love for that seven minute long take during the ambush scene? Or even better, that final war sequence with the blood spattered camera lens? CoM is not only the best picture, it’s also the best director and cinematographer. Along with its stars and production designs, all I can do is hope, and hope hard that the Academy sees what I see. Remember though, the golden globes and others have often chosen different titles than the oscars; remember when Sixth Sense and Green Mile got nominations out of nowhere. We’ll just have to see. Thank you Slezak for putting the buzz out there and truly representing.
the best movie i saw all year…though i was quite partial to the Illusionist
To Vicky: Re. Dreamgirls, “I heard that movie wasn’t that great” – omg, somebody is passing judgement on a movie they haven’t seen. I haven’t seen COM and I would not dare comment on it. Having said that, it’s too bad the academy can’t step out of it’s comfort zone and include categories like ‘breakthrough child star’ or even add a 6th movie to the roster. I disagree about Pan’s, my favorite foreign movie was “Water” and if you see it, it will break your heart, but it’s also very hopeful and uplifting.