Children of Men

Seemingly timed for the darkest month of the year, this is a dystopic vision of a world in which the women suddenly become infertile, forcing society to examine—in short order—just what it means to be alive. The youngest human on earth, all of eighteen, is killed, and society’s falling apart at the seams. But when a woman is discovered to be great with child, the forces of good and evil work to deliver or destroy her baby … and hope for mankind. Children of Men is a celebration of gray and brown tones, exploring terrorism and environmental destruction and featuring Clive Owen doing his downbeat existentialist shtick. Along for the ride are Julianne Moore and a long-haired Michael Caine to add some heart to an otherwise morose story. With Children, the newly released Fountain, and the forthcoming Pan’s Labyrinth, this is looking to be one of Hollywood’s most ambitious sci-fi seasons ever.