Holiday Baby Boom

"Children of Men," which comes out Christmas Day, is a somber film portraying a world of violence and hatred, a world in which the suicide kit Quietus sits on everyone's shelf. But the overriding emotion coming out of the film's bleakness is joy: the joy of a baby. I strongly recommend this film for anyone wishing to bring in a new life into the world in 2007. At the Cinema Society's screening Monday night, the film's star, Clive Owen, and Josh Hartnett gave me their takes on fatherhood, which you can read in today's column, where you'll also find pictures of the lucky New York children who attended the premiere of another holiday film, "Night At the Museum." Blog-bonus sightings at the "Children of Men" screening: Michael Stipe congratulating Julianne Moore; Heather Graham, who loved the film's feminist message; Jill and Harry Kargman excited about their ski vacation "away from all the 212s"; Cynthia Rowlely and Bill Powers finding the coziest corner in the SoHo Grand's penthouse to eat dinner (mac & cheese and seared tuna); Julia Stiles chatting with Moby and Eric Falkenstein who kindly held onto her coat check ticket, and the director of the film, Alfonso Cuaron, telling friends "I need a drink" after spending the first hour of the party doing nothing but accepting congratulations.