"Children of Men" *** (out of four): Relentlessly bleak parable from Alfonso Cuarón about a future that finds an infertile human race on the brink of extinction.

It used to be that a low budget would bring out the best in science fiction (the original “Star Trek” soars shakily to mind). Without the flash of expensive special effects, sci-fi filmmakers needed to rely on character and story to get their point across. The best sci-fi, after all, reflects our present world back at us. As computer generated effects got cheaper and cheaper, the human element was sacrificed in the name of sweeping space operas and intricate planetscapes (cue the latest “Star Wars” entries). Occasionally, however, you can still find good sci-fi out there, regardless of budget. Andrew Niccol’s wonderful 1997 “Gattaca” immediately comes to mind, as does “Minority Report”. With “Children of Men”, the exceedingly talented director Alfonso Cuarón turns in a bleak, unexpectedly gritty parable about a near future in which the human race is infertile and on the brink of extinction. But while his handling of the material is masterful, ultimately there’s not enough story to back it up.

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"Dreamgirls" ***1/2 (out of four): Nearly classic adaptation of the hit Broadway show, featuring explosive performances from Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy.

Bill Condon is no stranger to musicals (he adapted “Chicago”) or sex (he directed “Kinsey”) and he puts that experience to work in his slick, vibrant, star-studded adaptation of “Dreamgirls”. Those of you familiar with the original Broadway musical already know that “Dreamgirls” is the story of Deena (not Diana) Jones (not Ross) who rockets to stardom with her backup singers, The Dreams (not the Supremes) under the guidance of a car salesman-turned-manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (not Berry Gordy Jr.). Come to think of it, even if you don’t know the musical you might know the story. Mr. Condon and his crew aren’t shy about tapping into the musical’s influences, creating a bouncing, joyous film that positively pulsates with rhythm (as well as the occasional blues).

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