World Trade Center

[gatekeeper]

Saw this tonight. It was very good. It is a recount of 2 guys who were 2 of the 20 people pulled from Ground Zero. Great performances by the cast of almost all unknowns (except Nicholas Cage).

You don't see either plane hit or either building come down, which is cool. I thought they might use that footage but it's not really needed so was glad to see it done this way.

I saw the actors and the guys they portrayed on MTV hyping the movie and they had students from some college asking questions to the guys. They said they just wanted to tell the stories of some of the guys they knew who didn't make it out of there.

I highly recommend it. Bring some kleenex, it's a tearjerker (duh).

[stephenvegas]

I am thinking about seeing this sometime this weekend. I saw Miami Vice today and while I was at the theater I checked out the times for World Trade Center for tomorrow afternoon.

[Big Bri]

It's too soon. They should've waited until at least 2010.

[Darth Turkish]

I agree with BIg Bri... way too soon.

[gatekeeper]

bigbri said:

It's too soon. They should've waited until at least 2010.

I thought that too at first, but after watching the guys who lived it give the movie their full endorsement, I couldn't argue with that. If those guys are cool with it, I figured I should be too.

It's basically a tribute to all of the great people who did great things in the face of that horrible tragedy.

[Splattercat]

I used to think that it was too soon to release a(nother) movie based on 9/11, but then I realized just how short people's memories are...it's been 5 years, and in the 21st century that might as well be 20...

Earlier this year, a guy I went to high school with was killed in a car collision while with a friend who was driving drunk...The family have chosen not to press additional charges because he's a "friend and good community person" or some junk like that...They're saying that the fact that he killed his best friend will be punishment enough...I guarantee you, when he's allowed to, he'll be driving again, and within 5 years, he'll be drinking again...

Tell you what, if my brother gets killed in a car accident because his best friend was driving drunk, that best friend better hope he goes to jail for life, because if he's out in 25 years, I'm going to be there to finish what the collision should have done...

But that's me, and I've digressed...My point was, the fact that said person is going to live with what he did, doesn't mean he's going to suffer from it for the rest of his life...Moreover, people have probably already stopped reminding him of it, and it's probably one of those things you don't bring up around him...Memories short, Lessons forgotten....

I'm glad the movie is good at least, and I hear-tell a percentage of the profits from it are going to the families involved in the tragedy...At the very least, that will be a good reason for the movie to do well...

[swarm]

I think it's too soon...slightly offended they even released it...on top of that Nick Cage is a horrible actor...

won't see this movie. not in theaters, not on DVD. Lame.

[theace4ever]

swarm said:

I think it's too soon...slightly offended they even released it...on top of that Nick Cage is a horrible actor...

won't see this movie. not in theaters, not on DVD. Lame.

Totally agree here on this movie, why the hell would I want to see a movie about 9/11 when I saw the events as they took place on my television and then ad nauseum after that. I havent seen any of the 9/11 films nor do I have a desire to see them. I would hope they at least do something honorable and give the film's money to the families of those who lost loved ones in the tragedy.

[Knapik]

I agree with Swarm. They should give all of the money from this (after recouping expenses) to those affected most by the tragedy. Perhaps even to help fund the memorial. I'm a little sickened by the thought, even if it was endorsed by those who lived through it.

[cakejedi]

Personally, I do not want to see this movie. The events of that morning are still pretty vivid in my mind. But I do think that some people need a reminder of the tragedy of that day. It was nice to see, after 9/11, that we all became Americans. Everyone was flying the American flag and we were all kind to each other and helping each other out. At least in my neighborhood, that spirit has been lost. We are still at war with terrorist, we could still be hit with another attack any day, and we still need to be united as AMERICANS. So while not everyone may be ready for a movie like this, there are some who do need to be reminded of that terrible day.

[Splattercat]

yeah, I'm not seeing it either...I'm Canadian though so I guess my interest, or lack thereof, doesn't matter as much...

[GOODZILLA]

With a movie like this, it all depends on how they handled it.

I was initially disgusted when I heard that Nicolas Cage and Oliver Stone were making a movie about 9/11. I remember thinking how can these moviestars justify making MILLIONS of dollars off of the worst day in American history? A day where thousands of families were destroyed. Then I think I remember hearing that they were both going to donate a large percentage of their earnings to the families that lived through the tragedy. That somewhat justified it for me.

As for the movie itself, if it is was the type of movie with hundreds of millions of dollars spent on special effects to recreate that day, then I would be repulsed. But I get the feeling the focus isn't on the attacks or the collapse of the trade center (which I heard the collapse wasn't even shown in the movie) but rather on the rescue efforts and the dedication and desire of those people. That is the only way I would justify making this movie.

Edit: Also wanted to agree with cakejedi's point about how that day did unite all of us as Americans. I remember going to the first Michigan football game after the attacks, and getting chills as 110,000 people in the Big House began chanting "USA, USA, USA ...." as the flag was raised. We all sang along with the National Anthem as the F-14s flew over. At that moment it didn't matter if you were a Michigan fan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Nebraska, USC, anyone ... you were an American and thats what mattered most.

[gatekeeper]

bad2begood said:

I remember thinking how can these moviestars justify making MILLIONS of dollars off of the worst day in American history?

But I get the feeling the focus isn't on the attacks or the collapse of the trade center (which I heard the collapse wasn't even shown in the movie) but rather on the rescue efforts and the dedication and desire of those people. That is the only way I would justify making this movie.

Well, 9/11 was not the worst day in U.S. history. Worst day in our lifetimes, sure. Without a doubt but I think the battle of Antietam during the Civil War which was the biggest single day of lives lost in our country's history would have to rank as worse, plus a few others but point taken, it was a horrific day.

As to your second point, yes the focus is not on exploiting/sensationalizing the attacks, but it IS focusing on the rescue efforts and how 9/11 showed how awful humans could be, it also showed how great they could be through the NYPD, NYFD, paramedics, etc.

I'm not a fan of Nick Cage either, actually I think he sucks. But I guess from a moviemakers standpoint, getting a known star helps sell tickets.

I personally think 5 years is enough time to make this movie. Actually, it seems as Americans we're going back to sleep as reports on several websites and newspapers that the same amount of weapons get through airport security as pre-9/11. Maybe we need to be reminded.

[GOODZILLA]

The difference for me is that The Battle of Antietam was obviously fought during a war. In a war, you know there are going to be casualties. It is a given. You fight the war knowing that you will have to bury some of your soldiers. Having a brother in the Marines who just got home from Iraq, I am painfully familiar with the risks and realities of war. I am not trying to minimize the horrible impact that these wars have had on many American families who have lost loved ones.

But the reason that 9/11 seemed so much more devastating is because it was a massive loss of life that did NOT occur on a battlefield. You can't call them casualties of war because they were not soldiers and there was no war. They were average American citizens going to work like they did any other day .... like all of us do everyday. And they died for it. Died because they were Americans.

Have there been bloodier days in American history? Yes. Has there been a more shocking, devastating, horrifying day? Thats the debate.

[gatekeeper]

bad2begood said:

The difference for me is that The Battle of Antietam was obviously fought during a war. In a war, you know there are going to be casualties. It is a given. You fight the war knowing that you will have to bury some of your soldiers. Having a brother in the Marines who just got home from Iraq, I am painfully familiar with the risks and realities of war. I am not trying to minimize the horrible impact that these wars have had on many American families who have lost loved ones.

But the reason that 9/11 seemed so much more devastating is because it was a massive loss of life that did NOT occur on a battlefield. You can't call them casualties of war because they were not soldiers and there was no war. They were average American citizens going to work like they did any other day .... like all of us do everyday. And they died for it. Died because they were Americans.

Have there been bloodier days in American history? Yes. Has there been a more shocking, devastating, horrifying day? Thats the debate.

Very good post. But don't forget, it wasn't just Americans that died that day, there were people from 87 countries that died in the 9/11 attacks.

And to the hijackers, many of them viewed our countries of being at war already for US government's actions and support of countries that the Al-Queda are against. Not saying they are right, but that's part of why 9/11 happened.

[josharpie99]

I agree with Swarm. My question is why would I shell out over $10 to go be depressed? I don't know....just not my thing. 9/11 was a horrible day in history and I don't want to relive Oliver Stone's version of it. Stick to Natural Born Killers...

[gatekeeper]

josharpie99 said:

I agree with Swarm. My question is why would I shell out over $10 to go be depressed? I don't know....just not my thing. 9/11 was a horrible day in history and I don't want to relive Oliver Stone's version of it. Stick to Natural Born Killers...

It's not as depressing as you'd think. It's not Oliver Stone's version of the day. It's the story of 2 of the survivors from THEIR recounts of the day and the incredible rescue efforts in the face of a horrible event. It shows America's resiliency and what great things people did on that day despite the world around them going into chaos.. I don't see how that's bad.

And what's wrong with making a movie about actual events? Don't become flowers everyone.

[Splattercat]

What's wrong with cashing in on a Tragedy..? I dunno....

[Shon Maxx]

I'm glad they're donating some of the money to the victims' families. Personally, I don't plan to see it. I saw enough those 7 or 8 hours watching the TV that day.

It didn't help that on Sept 11, at around 8 A.M., I was writing a story about an attack that dropped several buildings, killing thousands of people...and I wasn't even watching TV until I heard about it all around 9 on the radio! It was Star Wars, but it was close enough for me to delete the story and feel very weirded out.



Take care,

Jay

[swarm]

gatekeeper said:

josharpie99 said:

I agree with Swarm. My question is why would I shell out over $10 to go be depressed? I don't know....just not my thing. 9/11 was a horrible day in history and I don't want to relive Oliver Stone's version of it. Stick to Natural Born Killers...

It shows America's resiliency and what great things people did on that day despite the world around them going into chaos.. I don't see how that's bad.

And what's wrong with making a movie about actual events? Don't become flowers everyone.

It's not about being a flower, it's about having no desire, or need to see a film about 911. I have more memories of that day in my mind than I'll ever need to, and I don't need a bad Nick Cage movie to help show me "America's resiliency and what great things people did on that day despite the world around them going into chaos..."

It was on TV, it was in the news, it was in the newspapers, it has been everywhere for the past 5 years.

Now they want to make money by pulling at the hearts of America. No thanks. This movie's intentions may be worse than The Passion, and that was probably the worst attempt to make money off of fools than any movie ever.

Not for me.