Posted on 04/27/2006 6:44:38 AM PDT by chris_in_nj
Fellow FReepers,
As the son of Joe Driscoll, passenger on Flight 93, I was invited to opening of the Tribeca Film Festival to view United 93.
Unless you are 110% sure you can't take watching this movie - you have got to see this film. Universal Studios and Paul Greengrass absolutely nailed it.
Even though the ending is no surprise this movie is gripping and powerful. There is no political statement - and by no means is this a politically correct tribute. It is rough, true and stark.
Almost no one in the film is mentioned by name and nor are there any A-list stars, just average Americans...it truly represents "THE 40" that come together as one to say "we will not let this happen".
The military air space commanders, air traffic controllers, etc...many of whom played themselves in the film add a tremendous amount of reality. It was absolutely fascinating to see the inner workings of those command centers on that day. And to try and figure out which handful of planes, out of 4,200 in the sky at the time, were hijacked...you will walk away with a whole new appreciation for the monumental task that these men and women had on the ground to control the skies.
And for the monumental task that THE 40 had in the plane - it was superb. The cinematography and score was magnificent.
The film left me emotionally exhausted. At times I wanted to cheer my father and his fellow passengers on and at the end it I sat in stunned silence. The chaotic and noisy climax comes to an abrupt end and you are left sitting in a silent and dark theater. At that time there were family members all around me who simply lost it - with cries and tears piercing the dark room as the credits began to roll across a black screen.
Beaming with pride but wrought with heartache I walked out of the theater with my brother onto the streets of Manhattan, trying seemingly in vain to digest what I just witnessed. It was a fruitless effort as I think it will simply take time, a long time.
This film is not here "too soon", that is a ridiculous notion. Now, I totally respect an individual not wanting to see this film - that is understandable. But many in this country are ready. We need to be ready. We need a fresh reminder of that day as it is painfully obvious that many - even here in NYC - have lost their raw emotion and anger from that day....and that is a tragedy in itself.
I hope you all try and see this movie. The good folks here at this site understand the nature and insatiable evil of our enemy. This film captures that in no uncertain terms.
Again, kudos to Paul Greengrass and Universal Studios.
Chris
One of the parents of the victims described this movie as "Victorious".
You are apparently unfamiliar with what inhabits DU.
I was recently at dinner with the pastor of my church and a politically mixed married couple. The liberal wife and pastor were talking about politics (around the time of the ports deal) and got on to the war on terror.
I tried to restrain myself, but may said something about feeling personally attacked on 9/11. The pastor started to say something to the effect of "maybe its time to forget about how we felt on that day."
I was stunned and asked, "why would anyone EVER want to forget what happened that day?" I was shocked at that attitude. So was the husband of the couple. I think I said something about carpet bombing any country that harbored AlQaeda terrorists before he stopped me.
We stopped talking politics then. I am still stunned at that attitude. We were sitting just 40 or 50 blocks from "ground zero". WE MUST NEVER FORGET.
I will never forget. I will see the movie.
(From what I've been reading about other happenings in the United Methodist church, as well as his political views expressed in the sermons, I've been thinking about ending my affiliation with that church and denomination.)
..You wrote this with passion and an urgency that many of us here recognize.
We must not forget....and I think your words will go a long way to many people wondering if they should go see this.
Thank-you!!!!
Ping!
Thanks.
God bless you and your family Chris, and may you heroic father rest in peace. I pray his spirit will help the rest of us defeat this ferocious enemy.
My husband and I will see this movie, and we will never forget what these people did for all Americans.
Hopefully, it will tank like the rest of the left's idiotic boycotts. Although frankly, I really would not want to be sitting in earshot of one of those smug, loud leftists when I go see this movie.
Thank you Chris. Always welcome your commentary on things related to 9/11.
Guennie, thank you for the ping.
I was amazed that one of the movie houses here picked up United 93, but one did so I will be seeing it this week end.
Chris, thank you for your review and your insight. Bless your hero father and all those brave men and women on United 93.
bttt
Chris, God Bless you and your family.
Item of possible interest:
Rush interviews the United 93 director, Paul Greengrass. http://www.rushlimbaugh.com
Thank you for the info, Chris. Your approval on this means a lot and I definitely plan to see it this weekend and am encouraging everyone else I know to see it as well. God Bless you and your family.
United 93 has gotten RAVE reviews from the vast majority of reviewers, including Harry Knowles of Ain't It Cool News website fame (Knowles is a die-hard liberal but very knowledgeable on good filmmaking). This is the type of film that will serve to remind us the very threat of militant Islam, especially now with Iran threatening to build nuclear weapons soon put on missiles that could destroy cities as far as 4,000 km (nearly 2,500 miles) from that country! 
Your father is in heaven and will be remembered as a hero. Thank you for the writeup - it couldn't have been very easy to do this after the emotional upheaval of watching this movie.
That bears repeating...
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