The 'Verses Collide . . .

. . . and shiny happy fireworks ensue.

Not only is Tim Minear--longtime writer on "Angel," co-exec-producer of "Firefly," and writer of 2 of the most brilliant episodes of said shows ("Lullaby" and "Out of Gas")--

Not only is Tim Minear creating a new TV show, "Drive," which will air in March--

Not only has he cast Nathan Fillion, my favorite sci-fi captain *ever,* in the lead role--

Not only has he cast Amy Acker--

But he has cast Amy Acker as Nathan Fillion's wife.

Yep, that's right. Fred married Mal.

I am ridiculously pleased.

If I was the Oscars . . . .

. . . . I'd ask my sister-in-law to design my dress.

Then I'd give Best Picture to Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.

I watched it Saturday, and ever since I've been trying, and failing, to describe it adequately. I could tell you that it begins as a bleak dystopia, a story about a man without hope in a world gone mad with despair.

I could tell you that it's the most genuinely suspenseful action movie I've seen all year (complete with a "car chase" unlike any other I've seen, and action grounded in the weaknesses and limitations of ordinary characters).

I could tell you that it captures, with heartbreaking clarity, the paradoxical closeness of life and death, hope and despair--that it gives you a new and vivid awareness of the sacredness of human life.

But I still don't feel like I've told you much about it. The movie is, quite simply, perfect. And perfect is not a word I use lightly.) Every detail is right; everything--from the score to the cinematography to the graffiti on the city walls--is there for a purpose, adding s to the reality of the movie's imaginary world, and perfectly serving the story's needs.

The story is--well, I don't want to overuse the word "perfect," but given the chance, I wouldn't change a thing. If I'm the Oscars, a Best Adapted Screenplay award is also in order . . . and maybe a couple of acting awards, too.

In the most recent issue of Image, Alice McDermott says: "Great literature allows you to forget your own mind and enter into the life of another human being, to recognize our common humanity and hear their inner voice, to glimpse their soul." Great acting does much the same thing: when I read that sentence earlier, the first thing that came to mind was Clive Owen in Children of Men. He doesn't simply pretend to be Theo; he allows us to enter into Theo's life, to recognize the humanity we share with him--and to glimpse his soul.

The other actors are outstanding as well--Chiwetel Eijofor and Michael Caine have memorable supporting roles (Caine is simply marvelous), while Julianne Moore and Claire-Hope Ashitey portray women who are both heroic and vulnerable, and deeply individual. In fact, early every character in the movie (even the very minor characters) is a fully realized person--evidence of exceptional writing.

It is a dark movie, in many ways, and certainly not for everyone. But there are moments of laughter, even joy, which are as jolting and unexpected as the tragedies. And nothing, neither laughter nor tears, is cheap or manipulative: this is honest storytelling, willing to explore the depths of both joy and suffering, willing to look steadily at life in all its horror without losing sight of its unbearable beauty.

Of course, I'm not the Oscars, and my sister-in-law doesn't have time to make me dresses. So I'll console myself by wearing my very spiffy Firefly-dragon-necklace, and throwing popcorn at the TV screen when the Academy displays its inevitable prejudice against sci-fi, and gives top honors to the usual suspects.

In the meantime, anyone* who hasn't seen Children of Men should make every effort, reasonable or un, to go see it.



*This recommendation does not apply to Black Dragons, or to any creature profoundly disturbed by blood, explosions, childbirth, and/or words-beginning-with-F.

i. don't. like. spiders.

Especially when they're taking up an entire movie screen. *shudder* Yes, we went to see "Charlotte's Web" last week for Anna's birthday. Anna took her stuffed spider, Miss Striped Tigerita. They both loved the movie. I, contrarywise, pulled a Tiffany and spent at least half the movie hiding behind my purse.

The rest of the birthday, however, was loads of fun. There were castles . . . .




. . . . and crazy people . . .





. . . . not to mention the cake.

In other news, I feel compelled to follow the examples of movie crticis everywhere and list my favorite movies of 2006. This compulsion stems, in large part, from the movie I saw today--which is probably one of the best movies I've seen. Ever.

In fact, it's so good that it deserves a blog post all to itself. So I'm going to forego the list for now, and try to figure out how to describe it without saying too much. Because those of you who would like it need to go see it--now--and I don't want to say anything that would detract from your experience.

So, yeah . . . more soon. :-)