“United 93″
How many of you are planning to see “United 93″? I don’t think I will pay to see it in the theaters as I watched “Flight 93″ on A&E back in January. I didn’t have a problem watching it as I felt that it did justice to those that died. It reminded me of what I felt on September 11, 2001, which is never a bad thing. I can say this as I watched it unfold from my home in Michigan. I can see where family and friends of those that died, as well as people that witnessed the events of the day, might be hesitant to watch either version of the movie. That is their right.
Here is a WaPo review that is not to kind to the movie.
But the movie, which opens nationwide today, is a dramatic re-creation that includes scenes and images that go far beyond what is known about the attacks.
The film asserts that the hijackers’ intended target was the Capitol. In one scene, Ziad Jarrah, the Lebanese terrorist who piloted the plane, props a picture of the building on the cockpit’s console, imposing a cinematic answer to a question that the 9/11 Commission could not resolve: whether the terrorists were trying to hit the Capitol or the White House. Investigators said that point was a source of contention among the 9/11 plotters, with Osama bin Laden favoring a strike on the White House and others, including Mohamed Atta, favoring the Capitol.
“United 93″ also suggests that the terrorists killed the pilot and co-pilot, for example, but what occurred is unclear. A United 93 flight recorder picked up the terrorists ordering someone repeatedly to “sit down” and discussing whether to “bring the pilot back” late in the hijacking.
“United 93″ also shows the passengers breaching the cockpit with a beverage cart and wrestling the terrorists for control as the plane plummets. Although the 9/11 report states that the passengers fought back in the flight’s final moments, the commission had no indication that the passengers entered the cockpit. The report suggests the opposite: “The hijackers remained at the controls but must have judged that the passengers were only seconds from overcoming them.”
I guess we should remember that we will never have the answers to these questions, and as far as I am concerned, the passengers were heroes.
April 28, 2006 - 05:09 PM on April 28th, 2006
Is it true what I heard that one of the Arab actors who portrayed a hijacker in the film was recently denied entry into the US?
I’ll probably rent it this one…
April 28, 2006 - 05:18 PM on April 28th, 2006
I’m going to see the movie tonight. I didn’t catch the A&E one, and it’s movie night. I’m eager to see how they did with it, and I’ll post my reaction on my blog later on tonight.
April 28, 2006 - 05:27 PM on April 28th, 2006
I will not see the movie. I saw an interview with the actors and director, and they said there was no script for the scenes inside the plane. It was ad-libbed, and they just said whatever came to mind.
There have been documentaries made, but I think it’s sad that someone made an ad-libbed movie, and tries to make millions from doing so.
April 28, 2006 - 05:58 PM on April 28th, 2006
1- Not sure about that SF
2- I would like to here what you say about it!
3- You know, based on interviews I have seen with the director, I think you could be right! I don’t think it would be too much to ask them to at least write a script! Good heavens!
April 29, 2006 - 10:09 PM on April 29th, 2006
The one and best reason to see the movie this weekend is that 10 % of the movie’s take for the opening weekend will be going to help fund a memorial in the field in PA. I’ve been told that the movie is VERY powerful.
April 29, 2006 - 10:21 PM on April 29th, 2006
Only 10%?! And only on the opening weekend? I’m even more disgusted now.
April 29, 2006 - 10:22 PM on April 29th, 2006
I wonder if anti-war, hate-Bush types will go see this movie. After all, it just might make some people angry at the hijackers, angry with our enemies, and rekindle the feeling we all (almost all) had after 9/11. And the anti-war, hate-Bush types probably couldn’t handle the discomfort of that.
April 30, 2006 - 06:26 AM on April 30th, 2006
SF- I did find an article and forgot to save it, but the actor was denied because he was a member of the Iraqi Army fighting our soldiers. That could cause some problemswhen he tries to come to the US. I will try to find the link!
April 30, 2006 - 06:34 AM on April 30th, 2006
10% of opening weekend sounds like nothing but it just might turn out to be a nice gift. I think it would have been a nicer gift had they done 10% of box office profits. After all, there would have been no movie without the memory of those that died on the actual airplane!
April 30, 2006 - 09:36 AM on April 30th, 2006
I saw the movie yesterday. I also saw the one on A&E. It was chilling but was very clear in portraying what we are fighting. It was also very clear that the people onboard were heros to the end. Period. And it was not done in any political light that I could tell.
I had read several reviews before going to see it. Reading David Beamer’s (father of Todd) review on WSJ I made up my mind to go. When the screen went black, the music stopped and there was absolute silence in the theatre. I myself took a deep breath and wiped my eyes. It was really very moving.
I’m sure the liberals will have a problem watching it. They don’t think terrorism is anything more than an annoyance. I just hope for the sake of the civilized world that we can bring this menace to an end once and for all.
April 30, 2006 - 09:47 AM on April 30th, 2006
Bon Bon- Thanks for the update. Will I be missing anything it I wait for it to come out on DVD? I saw the TV version already, so in your opinion, does it vary much?
April 30, 2006 - 10:06 AM on April 30th, 2006
10: It’s pretty annoying when anyone on here, right or left, bags on others with blanket statements. Many of my friends are liberals; I don’t feel the need to only surround myself with like-minded people. And you know what, only one of my liberal friends isn’t going to see it, and that’s because, like me, she’s saddened by the profits people are trying to make off this movie.
I believe that everyone, regardless of political beliefs, finds terrorism as more than an “annoyance.” I don’t know what liberals you’re talking about…
April 30, 2006 - 10:20 AM on April 30th, 2006
12- I won’t defend anyone else’s statements, but in the last 5 years, many on the left (blogs and elected officials) seem to forget that these people came to this country in 93′ and 01′ to do harm to all citizens. The actions of 9/11/01 brought us to our knees, but didn’t knock us out. These actions were planned far in advance of the election of 2000. I read Bon Bon’s message to read that this could be a reminder to them of the events that led us to today’s situation, and they may not want to face that reality. I do agree with you that not all liberals are like that. My b.i.l is a stauch liberal, but we do see eye to eye on this point! They picked the fight and we are going to finish it off!:wink:
April 30, 2006 - 10:39 AM on April 30th, 2006
B.I.L- Brother in law?
I can sort of see where you’re coming from when you say people have forgotten that they came here to do harm, but I don’t think the nails head has been hit quite yet.
I don’t think that seeing this movie “could be a reminder to them of the events that led us to today’s situation.” (I assume you mean the war?) The reason I don’t think anyone would make that connection is because many (most?) believe that Saddam did not have ties to 9/11.
Is Saddam a horrible tyrant? Yes. Is he responsible for the deaths of countless innocent people? Yes. Was he involved in 9/11? ……….Insert own answer here………..
April 30, 2006 - 01:25 PM on April 30th, 2006
Alyssa- Saddam is but 1 piece of the war. Actually, I wasn’t referring to him though.
Yes you are correct about bil.
April 30, 2006 - 06:07 PM on April 30th, 2006
6- it looks like it will be in the ballpark of $1,160,000
May 1, 2006 - 07:41 AM on May 1st, 2006
Peejz….it differed from the A&E version in mostly subtle ways but the A&E version had actors portraying the family of the people onboard. This movie focused more on the traffic controllers, norad, and the people onboard the plane itself.
As for the other comments, I work around liberals and believe me from my point of view from all I hear them say, they don’t believe terrorism is a problem. They revere the Micheal Moores and Al Frankens and think more movies should be made like his Farenheit as opposed to United 93. When you are bombarded with thoughts like that then it’s sort of a self defiant stance to say what I said. Believe me its annoying to constantly hear it was all Bush’s fault.
As for understanding liberals on a personal level I married one. He’s a great guy except for his somewhat odd take on things.
May 1, 2006 - 07:44 AM on May 1st, 2006
17- I think I will ask my Dad(he is a private pilot for fun and can explain much of it to me) to the movie based on that summary BonBon! Thanks!:smile:
May 1, 2006 - 07:48 AM on May 1st, 2006
My girlfriend is one too…. she’s pro gay marriage, VERY pro abortion, anti-war, etc… I don’t mind, I just tell her she dosen’t know what they hell she’s talking about and proceed to the next private lingerie show!
who cares about someone’s political persuasion if they are up for the deuce hole (if you know what I”m sayin’)
May 1, 2006 - 07:49 AM on May 1st, 2006
Sorry Peejz…I forgot to add. Seeing it on the big screen would give you more of a sense of being there I think than renting it on DVD. Either way, it’s worth a watch. And make sure you have some tissues. Take care
May 1, 2006 - 07:52 AM on May 1st, 2006
Mike….if your relationship is anything like mine I’ll bet you have some interesting discussions (debates, arguments??)
I don’t mind either. Sometimes opposites do attract.
May 1, 2006 - 07:58 AM on May 1st, 2006
21. not really….. though she is liberal, she really dosen’t engage in debates…
there are 2 really touchy subjects
She is Japanese, so, she’s a little “sensitive” about the american military..you know, nuking people and shit..lol.
and her father, brother, uncle are all OB/Gyn’s who perform abortions……
we just “don’t go there”
May 1, 2006 - 08:19 AM on May 1st, 2006
That’s interesting. Taking an american history class I can certainly understand her being a little sensitive about our military. My husband doesn’t like to talk politics but always politely listens to me and often sees alot of things the way I do. He is embarrassed by some of the current leadership but that’s another story.
May 1, 2006 - 08:28 AM on May 1st, 2006
well, there are 2 sides to everything…she dosen’t have a real understanding of a lot of the issues….