Debating whether to see “United 93”
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Debating whether to see “United 93”
There has been much discussion (everywhere) about whether we should see this movie. I agree with this columnist (Ralph Bristow) who contends we should force ourselves to see it, even if we don't want to.
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Debating whether to see “United 93”
I haven’t decided yet whether I’m going to see the movie, “United 93,” about the plane that crashed in a field in Pennsylvania instead of into the U.S. Capital or the White House because of the brave men and women who overpowered the terrorists who took over the plan, and died in the process.
If you are ambivalent about the war on terrorism, you should see “United 93,” but I’m not. I understand and fully support the war. I have no misgivings about our effort to defeat al Qaeda and its supporters, no matter how long it takes.
“United 93” is described as a “painful tribute” to the passengers on the flight. AP reports: Rarely has a film, however critically praised, promised so much agony for viewers. "United 93" is 106 minutes of unrelenting pain with few precedents in cinematic history.
I suspect I would find “United 93” to be a very interesting, but depressing, movie. I generally don’t want movies to depress me. I also don’t believe I need to witness the horror to understand and appreciate it.
But, there is a part of me that says I should go see the movie to help honor those who were the first to fight back. The people on United Flight 93 weren’t just people who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and made a difference by fighting back, preventing an even bigger disaster, dying in the process, and inspiring others. They are more than victims. They are real heroes.
Their story should be told, and it has been – in a gut-wrenching movie that pulls no punches. Perhaps we should force ourselves to see it, even if we don’t want to.
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Debating whether to see “United 93”
I haven’t decided yet whether I’m going to see the movie, “United 93,” about the plane that crashed in a field in Pennsylvania instead of into the U.S. Capital or the White House because of the brave men and women who overpowered the terrorists who took over the plan, and died in the process.
If you are ambivalent about the war on terrorism, you should see “United 93,” but I’m not. I understand and fully support the war. I have no misgivings about our effort to defeat al Qaeda and its supporters, no matter how long it takes.
“United 93” is described as a “painful tribute” to the passengers on the flight. AP reports: Rarely has a film, however critically praised, promised so much agony for viewers. "United 93" is 106 minutes of unrelenting pain with few precedents in cinematic history.
I suspect I would find “United 93” to be a very interesting, but depressing, movie. I generally don’t want movies to depress me. I also don’t believe I need to witness the horror to understand and appreciate it.
But, there is a part of me that says I should go see the movie to help honor those who were the first to fight back. The people on United Flight 93 weren’t just people who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and made a difference by fighting back, preventing an even bigger disaster, dying in the process, and inspiring others. They are more than victims. They are real heroes.
Their story should be told, and it has been – in a gut-wrenching movie that pulls no punches. Perhaps we should force ourselves to see it, even if we don’t want to.
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- streetsoldier
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- SouthFloridawx
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If you are ambivalent about the war on terrorism, you should see “United 93,” but I’m not. I understand and fully support the war. I have no misgivings about our effort to defeat al Qaeda and its supporters, no matter how long it takes.
I suppose I really ought to leave well enough alone, but ... I can's say I know of anyone who is ambivalent about defeating al Qaeda and its supporters. So this comment is mysterious to me.
P.S. I'm definitely intending to see the movie.
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- angelwing
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I will see it as soon as possible. I don't think my hubby will though, he lost 7 friends in the WTC and he's still hurting real bad from that and anything remotely connected gets him highly upset and with his health right now, it's best for him to wait, I just won't tell him that I went to see it when I do
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angelwing - I'm so very sorry for your husband's loss and the families who lost loved ones he knew in the WTC (and everyone). Saddest day in this country's history, IMHO. I can understand how some might not want to see this film.
At first I wasn't sure if the time was right but now I think it was. I will see it, as soon as I have the time.
Mary
At first I wasn't sure if the time was right but now I think it was. I will see it, as soon as I have the time.
Mary
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I'll see it.
I'm afraid of this becoming a nationalistic myth and things of this sort, because I believe sometimes they are used to mobilize people for things that 'do not follow'. With that said and gotten out of the way, what those brave individuals did that day though was truly heroic and worthy of respect and admiration. In a sense it is the Thermopylae of this war.
I'm afraid of this becoming a nationalistic myth and things of this sort, because I believe sometimes they are used to mobilize people for things that 'do not follow'. With that said and gotten out of the way, what those brave individuals did that day though was truly heroic and worthy of respect and admiration. In a sense it is the Thermopylae of this war.
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Just got home from the theater.
One of the people behind the ticket counter said she'd only seen half of it, but planned to see the rest when she wasn't working. She said a few people have commented that they thought it was wrong for filmmakers to capitalize on the disaster. My opinion - no one is making anyone pay to see this movie (or any other, as far as I know) and those who do pay to see it have chosen to do so.
Definitely a few differences in how this one was told as opposed to the other two movies I have seen on TV. Of course, it was in real time, so that made it feel a bit different. And they took creative license in adding a few details about what may or may not have happened on the plane during the passengers' battle against the hijackers. There's no one alive who can fill in the gaps about what occurred in between and after the phone calls to loved ones.
But we DO know they fought back.
So, I'll take any filmmaker's creative and imaginative interpretation of how the events unfolded in the air because one, two, or even twelve of them may be right. What it all boils down to in the end is that they were heroes.
Also of note - the passengers were not referred to by their names, leaving open any interpretation regarding who was who. And Ben Sliney, the FAA guy there on 9/11, actually plays himself...well. It's not one or two lines either. His role is a large contribution to the movie. If I didn't know already, I would have thought he was an actor.
One of the people behind the ticket counter said she'd only seen half of it, but planned to see the rest when she wasn't working. She said a few people have commented that they thought it was wrong for filmmakers to capitalize on the disaster. My opinion - no one is making anyone pay to see this movie (or any other, as far as I know) and those who do pay to see it have chosen to do so.
Definitely a few differences in how this one was told as opposed to the other two movies I have seen on TV. Of course, it was in real time, so that made it feel a bit different. And they took creative license in adding a few details about what may or may not have happened on the plane during the passengers' battle against the hijackers. There's no one alive who can fill in the gaps about what occurred in between and after the phone calls to loved ones.
But we DO know they fought back.
So, I'll take any filmmaker's creative and imaginative interpretation of how the events unfolded in the air because one, two, or even twelve of them may be right. What it all boils down to in the end is that they were heroes.
Also of note - the passengers were not referred to by their names, leaving open any interpretation regarding who was who. And Ben Sliney, the FAA guy there on 9/11, actually plays himself...well. It's not one or two lines either. His role is a large contribution to the movie. If I didn't know already, I would have thought he was an actor.
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I have a hard time seeing a movie showing a great deal of suffering. I will not see Passion of the Christ (I hope I am naming it right) either because I heard it shows Jesus really suffering. I just cannot stand to see torture and pain. The families went through so much from those plane crashes, it would be just too much for me to see.
But on the other hand, Jason and Freddie chopping people up doesn't bother me
I love scary movies. The real life movies I cannot watch.
But on the other hand, Jason and Freddie chopping people up doesn't bother me

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- southerngale
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I don't know if I'll see it in the theater or after it comes out on DVD, but I will definitely see it. I don't like movies that depress me either, but I feel like I should see it, to honor their heroic actions. I can't possibly feel the pain they went through, nor what their friends and families went through, but I guess through the movie, it's the closest I can get to feeling what they went through. I hope that makes sense...
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