United 93--the movie :(

[LucyStorm]

"But film critics have generally given positive reviews"
That's probably it then. I never have liked any movie that the film critics did.

I didn't expect to like this movie. I did expect to come out of it feeling very proud about the heroes of that day. For me, the movie was not effective in "generating hate" against the hijackers. It just left me feeling sick.

I didn't see the movie for entertainment, I knew going in that it would be hard to watch. But as someone else said, going to see it to me was almost akin to reverencing what the passengers and crew of flight 93 did that day.

Again Lora, I am glad that the families of the victims are good with the movie. I just don't see it that way. The emphasis of the movie was far too much on the hijackers and the air traffic controllers, FAA, and the military and far too little on the passengers and crew in my opinion.

 

[DawnCt1]

I have NO, NONE, NADA curiosity about the hijackers personal life before they killed all those innocent people. I just want to be sure they can't do something like that again.

I think we all want to be sure that they can't do something like that again. I do think it is worthwhile to examine their behavior however to see if there were clues about the level of their fanaticism before they boarded the plane that day. They lived among us and yet no one was suspicious enough to notify the authorities or blow the whistle. No one noticed enough to do so. Not their neighbors, co workers, etc. As long as they are portrayed as the evil men they were, I have no problem having them portrayed.

 

[Planogirl]

As far as I'm concerned, if the families of those who died are OK with the movie then that's all I need. Their opinion is really the most important IMO.

I don't think it's too early for a movie like this either except for maybe those who were way too close to what happened but of course others may disagree. It's good for me personally to remember those who died and how brave they were.

 

[LucyStorm]

why did they shave off all their body hair & why did they keep tying red bandanas around their stupid pointy heads??

I really have no clue. The movie just showed it, but no explanation of any sort.

 

[poohandwendy]

I have NO, NONE, NADA curiosity about the hijackers personal life before they killed all those innocent people. I just want to be sure they can't do something like that again.

I feel the same way, I have no interest in the hijackers. They are pond scum in my mind and do not deserve to be personalized.

OTOH, I do have interest in the victims. I would watch, with interest, a movie made protraying some of the 9-11 victims and their families, before that horrible day. I know many different shows since 9-11 have done something like this, I would like to see an actual film portraying that sort of thing, if anything.

We know they died, we know they had to be terrified. We were terrified for them. I would like to know about them...the person behind the role of 9-11 victim/hero.

 

[LucyStorm]

We know they died, we know they had to be terrified. We were terrified for them. I would like to know about them...the person behind the role of 9-11 victim/hero.

EXACTLY!!! You said it so much better and with so fewer words. Thank you.

 

[kaygela]

I really don't need to watch the terror that they went through, but I understand that the families were ok with the representation and I respect that. I had heard that they wanted the characters to be anonymous so I quess that's why they didn't use their names in the film. I agree with the poster who said that the only opinion that really matters is that of the families. The rest of us can make our own choices whether to see it or not.

 

[marybet]

I haven't seen the film and probably won't, but I did read Roger Eberts review. His perspective was that it told the story as it was happening, that we know no more about the passengers than if we had been on Flight 93. That seems like a good way to tell the story, because there was not enough time for these people to share their life stories. I think by keeping the passengers anonymous the film honors all the heros that died that day.

 

[SueM in MN]

I think by keeping the passengers anonymous the film honors all the heros that died that day.

I had heard an interview with one of the family members who basically said just that. Since there is no way to know exactly what happened on the plane, the family members felt keeping things anonymous honored all who were on the plane that day.
I have not seen and I don't know if I can. Maybe when it comes on HBO or something and I can turn it off if I need to. The people I have heard talking about it who have seen it basically have said it is a very raw, emotional movie, but well done.

Also, I read that the producers and directors of the film set up a private website for the families to be able to communicate with the film makers and each other during and after the filming. There has been a lot of press in the Minneapolis media about the movie. One of the things they said was that each family got a copy of the DVD to keep and watch in private if/when they want.

The people who played the air traffic controllers and some of those parts are not actors playing parts - they are the actual people who lived thru those events. As hard as it would be to watch it, I can't imagine going thru it for filming after having lived it.

 

[Nancy]

The people who played the air traffic controllers and some of those parts are not actors playing parts - they are the actual people who lived thru those events. As hard as it would be to watch it, I can't imagine going thru it for filming after having lived it.

I read that too and my first hought was that it might be theray for them; reliving the day again and realizing that there was nothing they could have humanly done to prevent it might bring closure to them. It must have been horrible for the ATC folks.

I am not sure if I will see this or not, most likely yes, but not until I can watch it at home by myself. I don't think I could handle seeing it on the big screen. At home if it bothers me I can turn it off.

 

[CPM]

This is a movie I will likely rent and view at home.
I did watch Larry King tonight, he had on many family members. They all seemed very positive about the movie. All he interviewd said it was well done.

 

[JennaTX]

I have not yet seen the film and I probably will not until it comes out on video.

One thing that I have seen on numerous news reports today about the movie, including the Larry King show (which I think had 4 or 5 of the passenger's families, and the actor who portrayed them in the movie) was the fact that there were no names in the movie between the passengers. The reason for this is because at that moment they were all strangers. Yes we now know of them, but they did not know each other on the flight.

IMHO the best way we could respect the people on the flight who fought the terrorists and died to save many people, would be to respect the wishes of their families and the fact that many of the families want this story to be told.

And while I respect the OP and their opinion about the movie, I will continue to support and believe the relatives of people who were on this plane.

 

[DISUNC]

This is a tough one. I will see it when it comes out on DVD. No rush for me to see this movie. But yes I do want to see it. Seeing it played out with people may help to enlighten me what actually transpired. In this case I need to see mood, nuances, feelings, emotions etc., physically played out. Movies are probably the only medium that could do this horrible event any real justice. That whole day is a story that needs to be 'fleshed" out. I am sure of what I think I know, is only a small percentage of what I really do know. Part of the uncertainty & fear is the not knowing all the aspects of this hideous day. The enormity of it all is still too much to bear for most of us. There are still so many wounds to heal.

I am relieved that the families and friends of the heroes on Fl 93 where not only involved in the process of the making of this film, but are accepting of ithe final product. These people have been through more than enough heartbreak.

This is a "important" movie, as opposed to a "entertainment" movie. Sort of the way I feel about "Schindlers List". Which was probably the most powerful movie I ever saw. It was done to perfection. However, I could never bear to watch it more than once.

 

[Buckalew11]

No movie for me. I just think it is wrong. But whatever...we can all choose whether to see it or not.

 

[Brianne]

I have no plans to see it. Good reviews, family backing, whatever--I can't help but see it as exploitation & nothing else. I can't pretend to be in their shoes, but I couldn't see myself helping with any of these films if I had been one of the families affected by this.

What I want to know is, where's the money going from ticket sales, etc? I haven't read any articles about the movie (it's too soon for me & too hard personally). Are they donating proceeds to charity? The families? If the studio does nothing but line its own pockets, I'd be rather upset.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Me and hubby are going to go see it today. I will post a review later.

 

[LucyStorm]

I suppose that if the families were okay with this film, than that is good enough. For me, if we were honoring the heroes, I want to know more about them. I understand the reason for the anonymity, but I don't think that it had its intended effect.

I read that the profits of the first 3 days of the showing were going to a United 93 memorial fund. Only the first 3 days. I guess that if I had to see it, I am glad that I went in the first 3 days. Too bad that all of the profits from the film aren't being used in some honorific way.

I don't think that any memorial could be built that honors these folks more than the one that the American people have placed on the hillside in Shanksville. There is fencing there, and rocks. People have left items on that hillside and messages for the heroes of flight 93. People have left pieces of themselves on that hillside to show the families how very much we care. I don't know how they could be honored more....

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i will see this movie

 

[Kitty 34]

Bonnie, thank you for your review. I wonder how I will feel if I see it.

 

[helenabear]

Bonnie, I appreciate your review very much so! We were sickened last night when we heard that the victims' families were getting a whopping 10% of the proceeds from opening weekend only
That alone really made me never want to see the movie. We can't this weekend and if the families suffering are getting only that from the first weekend, I can't help but wonder what the producers were thinking. Your review helped confirm that one for me!

And just because, I wanted to say Hope all is well!