A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-11-06...."JohnHuang's ~ My Two Cents

JohnHuang2;dutchess | JohnHuang2

[dutchess]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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United 93 -- the movie
by JohnHuang2

Is it too early -- too soon -- for a review criticizing this movie? Some are calling the 2006 docudrama, United 93, 'too early and too soon,' given the events depicted happened only almost 5 years ago. This is the same unhypocritical crowd that shouted 'NOT SOON ENOUGH!' to the grand masterpiece of fiction, Fahrenheit 9/11, by Michael Moore. Reviews of United 93 have been generally positive.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Bob Longino wrote that United 93, "the first big screen feature film to focus exclusively on the events" of 9/11, is "consistently emotionally gripping, and most certainly startlingly honest. It easily ranks as the best movie so far this year."

"It's a harrowing, honorable, even necessary memorial . . ." noted Ty Burr of the Boston Globe.

"This is a masterful and heartbreaking film, and it does honor to the memory of the victims," observed Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times, while Michael Phillips, writing in the Chicago Tribune, noted that the "film is lean, harsh and remarkably free of cant. It doesn't waste a single minute of its harrowing 111 minutes."

Entertainment Weekly's Lisa Schwarzbaum said the "movie is tightly built, but [writer-director Paul] Greengrass ["The Bourne Supremacy," "Bloody Sunday"] is patient, letting events unfold at the pace of reality."

The Hollywood Reporter said the film's "unflinching account of the terror aboard the fourth hijacked plane" on 9/11 "provokes deep, disturbing emotions," while Manohla Dargis of the New York Times called the film "good, in a temple-pounding, sensory-overloading way that can provoke tears and a headache."

Was "United 93" a "powerful and thoughtful," "non-exploitive piece of historical filmmaking," and therefore a "monumental achievement"? Yes, say the San Francisco Chronicle, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Rolling Stone magazine, respectively.

These are just some of the reviews of the film as posted under "Critics Review" at Yahoo.com, which links to each full article. They're representative of the enthusiastic praise the film has garnered. So, is it too early -- too soon to criticize the movie?

Amid all the horror of that terrible day, the one thing we did come away with is pride -- we were proud of the heroism displayed by the passengers of that fourth hijacked plane, United Airlines Flight 93. Soon after their jet was hijacked, they learned of the World Trade Center attacks, so they knew this wasn't the typical hijacking. They realized their plane would be used as a guided missile to kill thousands more. These heroes gave their lives to save the lives of countless fellow Americans. Greengrass uses artistic license to give the impression the passengers were motivated more by self-preservation.

The film is too impersonal. None of the passengers are identified by name, even though Todd Beamer ("Let's roll!") was instantly a household name.

Too much of this movie dwells on the government's 'confused' reaction to the attacks that morning. Sure, there was confusion. But to dwell on it as much as this flick does is to distort the big picture.

Lisa Schwarzbaum, of Entertainment Weekly, wrote that United 93 pulls the "bandage of sentiment cleanly away from oozing concepts like 'heroism' and 'our nation's war on terror' in the aftermath of recent wounds . . . and grants the dignity of autonomy to every soul involved. In this telling . . . each hijacker is a man with a temperament and a religious conviction, not a cartoon monster." "Dignity" to terrorists. Lovely.

Incidentally, Universal Pictures pledged 90 percent of the revenue from the film's opening weekend goes to . . . Universal Pictures. A massive 10 percent goes to the Flight 93 National Memorial.

Yes, it's a good thing that movies about 9/11 are finally trickling out of Hollywood.

But! By far the best -- and most accurate -- docudrama on Flight 93 hasn't come from the Big Screen. It came from the Discovery Channel: The Flight That Fought Back.

Anyway, that's...

My two cents

03-28-06 ~ Hall of Fame #15

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 05-08-06 Military Monday 05-09-06 Teddy Bears on Parade 05-10-06 Warm Fuzzy Wednesday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[dutchess]

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All.

[dutchess]

HE'S BACK!!!!! A John tell it like it is PING!!!!

[noncommie]

By far the best -- and most accurate -- docudrama on Flight 93 hasn't come from the Big Screen. It came from the Discovery Channel: The Flight That Fought Back.

Thanks for the tip. I'll set my TIVO for this.

But I think I'll pass on the "terrorist dignifying" version.

[MHGinTN]

As I've come to expect of your writing, JH2, you are right on with the better of the two tellings. The Discovery telling was a tribute to heroes. I've yet to see the released movie but from descriptions and reviews I don't think I want to see that version. The terrorists were/are monsters ... murderous religious zealots of the murderous religion now emerging that is Islam, and not worthy of even faintest praise.

[The Mayor]

May 11, 2006

Your Biography

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: Real | MP3 | WMA

READ: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. —2 Timothy 4:7

When D. L. Moody was moving into old age, he was asked to grant permission for his biography. Moody refused, saying, “A man’s life should never be written while he is living. What is important is how a man ends, not how he begins.”

For better or worse, I have failed to follow that dictum. My biography has been published. Yet I agree with Moody that the way our lives end is the crucial test of authentic discipleship. Only if we remain in a steadfast relationship with the Savior can we be confident not merely of entering heaven, but of obtaining the victor’s crown (1 Corinthians 9:25).

Paul was concerned about the possibility of being disapproved by his Lord (v.27). He was a redeemed believer who was serving the Lord, yet he feared that his service might prove to be wood, hay, and straw rather than gold, silver, and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3:12-13).

What will be the Lord’s appraisal of our lives? Will someone evaluating us be able to say honestly that we continued to bear fruit in old age? (Psalm 92:14). Whatever vocation we pursue, with the help of the Holy Spirit we may be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). —Vernon C Grounds

Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful,
May the fire of our devotion light their way;
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe,
And the lives we live inspire them to obey.  —Mohr
© 1987 by Jonathan Mark Music and Birdwing Music (ASCAP)

For the ignorant, old age is as winter; for the learned, it is a harvest.  —Jewish proverb

[MEG33]

Much to ponder! I feel I have a lot of straw,wood and hay! Thank you, Mayor..

[The Mayor]

Me too Meg.

[MEG33]

Excellent..I have seen the Discovery Channel presentation and watched it again recently.

Thank you for a great presentation,Dutchess and review,John..I don't care to see those Islamofacist monsters "humanized" or dignified. I will wait for the rental to decide about the movie .

May the heroes of Flight 93 rest in God's arms.

[DollyCali]

The movie was WONDERFUL...

as is your essay today John.

Thanks to you & to Miss Dutchess for the great presentation.

will try to make arrangements to see the other via tape.

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Good morning, dutchess!

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Awww, you brought your warm fuzzies with you this morning!

Thank you, Mayor.

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, dutchess! Thank you, John!

Once again, Bravo!

[MEG33]

Good Morning To The Finest
Have a wonderful day!

[Majie Purple]

[Majie Purple]

[Majie Purple]

"Good Morning To The Finest
Have a wonderful day!"

Thank you so much Meg...
Means much & you have a wonderful day also!
:)'s & Hugs!!

[visualops]

Lisa Schwarzbaum, of Entertainment Weekly, wrote that United 93 pulls the "bandage of sentiment cleanly away from oozing concepts like 'heroism' and 'our nation's war on terror' in the aftermath of recent wounds . . . and grants the dignity of autonomy to every soul involved. In this telling . . . each hijacker is a man with a temperament and a religious conviction, not a cartoon monster."

Well, that just ruined it for me, I won't be seeing that crap.

[snugs]

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld lays a wreath at the crash site of United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pa., on March 27, 2006. A memorial is being built to commemorate the victims that lost their lives overtaking a terrorist hijacked airplane and saving the plane from continuing its mission on Sept. 11, 2001. Rumsfeld was in Shanksville to visit the Flight 93 National Memorial and then continue on to the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy.

[Billie]

Lisa Schwarzbaum, of Entertainment Weekly, wrote that United 93 pulls the "bandage of sentiment cleanly away from oozing concepts like 'heroism' and 'our nation's war on terror' in the aftermath of recent wounds . . . and grants the dignity of autonomy to every soul involved. In this telling . . . each hijacker is a man with a temperament and a religious conviction, not a cartoon monster." "Dignity" to terrorists. Lovely.

Yeah sure. "Lovely, Lisa Schwarzbaum" - let's be gentle with the terrorists and give them some credit for "dignity" instead of portraying them for the monsters they are. Sorry but this makes me sick to my stomach.

Thank you, John and dutchess, for the way you have presented today's two cents. I have mixed feelings about seeing the movie - know I will want to, know it will tear me up inside. :(

[dutchess]

God Bless Our Military
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Dutchess, The Mayor, DollyCali or GodBlessUSA and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey............................cousin mystery-ak.............son, husband Gogrammy...................grandson Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews sneakers..............................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew Dubya............................nephew ValerieUSA....................2 sons Lakeside........................2 sons LakeLady......................nephew Spruce.........................daughter Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece TheMayor...............friends'son mhking.........................cousin eaglesiniowa.....................son visualops..........................cousin auboy.............................cousin Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend Katydidnt.............................son MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother Colorado Slim................nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews Kramster.....................stepson Alouette................................son Q6-God...................twin brother jkphoto........................nephew Socratic......................nephew LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law JesseJane...............cousin Previously A-Lurker.....brother MississippyMuddy........sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews tiggywinkle...............cousin CyberAnt..................nephew JFC........................nephew Earthdweller...........nephew Anthem..............2 cousins Pragmatic Warrior..2 nephews WakeUpandVote............brother MEG33....................grandson Q6-God.....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut....................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish.........................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty Notwithstanding.......active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty Old Sarge.................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque..............active duty JRios1968..............active duty NoLongerFreeState..active duty CMS.......................active duty

scubachick.....................husband OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son cookcounty.............................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin Doug from Upland............soninlaw Himyar....................................son boxerblues........................2 sons the piper....................................son sheeza................................husband kemathen7.........................husband Tiffee4Bob..........................boyfriend deadhead.............................cousin JimRobinson...............2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Consort........................2 daughters Consort.......................son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons homeschoolmama...............nephew kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband Leofl...........................................son chena............................................son campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son painter...................................nephew ProudAFDad...................................son Misty4jc................................husband Bykrbayb........................................son Hope and Glory.........................son ak_daddoo..............................nephew SilentServiceCPOWife........husband Walkenfree................2 grandsons Walkenfree.................. 3 nephews Walkenfree..................granddaughter ariamne.........................2 cousins Zechariah_8_13.......brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.......................cousin Chairman_Dec_19th_Society...BIL DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law nelibeli..............................nephew Skimask.....................................son El Gato...............................nephew thehumanlynx..........brother-in-law Palladin...............................grandson freema......................son, nephew meanie monster.......family friend Jen'smom.........................daughter Rose0508.............................son Jemian...................................son rahbert.................................son Azvbushgal.............................son kimmykay...............................son NavySEAL F-16.......................son ike......................................son wolfcreek..........................daughter repubmom..............................son SoldiersPrayingMom...............son Skyraider..............................son Jen'sMom.......................daughter US Army EOD...................daughter weldgophardline................son