Was at United 93 World Premier....Amazing!

4/27/06

[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

[finnman69]

I'll see this on the Upper west Side of Manhattan where the trailer was shown and some ninny yelled out too soon.

I will report back my feedback.

[iceskater]

Thanks for sharing your comments on this movie.

Peace to you and your family.
God bless your father.

[nfldgirl]

IMO,all Americans need to see this film for the same basic reason why they need to see things like Schindler's List.....it's sad,but it's *real*,and those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat it.

Ditto that for Black Hawk Down -- a MUST see for every high school/college kid in this country!

[jackv]

Thanks, Chris. I will go see it. I din't think I could but I will. I did watch the A&E movie about Flight 93. I thought that was pretty good and wonder how it is different.

[originalbuckeye]

Your father is a hero and one of our first responders in the War on Terror. I have always thought if the passengers on the other planes had any idea of their fate, they would also have risen up and fought the murderers who had total destruction as their goal. I remember the words of Barbara Olsen to her husband...'What do you want me to tell the pilot, he's back here (in the back of the plane that hit the Pentagon) with me'. Sadly, the other plane loads of people had no idea. We are so sad that the people on Flight 93 had insight into what would likely be their end. Knowing what would probably happen, they heroically fought back and changed the course of our history. I hope the Memorial that will be eventually built in Shanksville will be a fitting tribute to the Heroes of Flight 93. God Bless You and your family. In your loss, you must also be very proud of your father's selfless actions.

[EBH]

Try this link to find a theater : http://movies.yahoo.com/

As far as I know it is not a limited release weekend and a % or proceeds goes to the memorial.

My boyfriend & I will be catching the late version on Saturday.

I find it very interesting that some say it is too soon for the story to be told yet, Michael Moore's movie wasn't too soon. Perhaps it is because they can't deal with the real facts and would rather remain in a fictional world. Shame really.

[SoCalPol]

Thank you Chris for your comments. God Bless You
and the Memory of Your Father.
We Must Never Forget.

[Gay State Conservative]

I wonder just how conservative this Boston person really is.I would think as a radio host the person would want to have first hand knowledge of what many of his or her listeners were calling in about.

The talk host in question is Howie Carr.He's been a Boston columnist for years and started doing talk radio about 10 years ago.

He's a real conservative.As he was talking yesterday,he said that he's read the transcript of the Massaui (? spelling) trial word for word and understands what happened and believes it was filthy and despicable (my words).

I guess it's possible that if he's read the trial transcript,he really doesn't need to see the film.But how many besides Carr have done that?

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

JOHN PTAK, longtime Creative Artists Agency, Beverly Hills CA, Movie Star Agent.

JOHN PTAK, brought the financial backing together for "Flight 93" and the upcoming "World Trade Center" motion pictures.

Just for the LOVE of it.



Signed:.."ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer
JOHN PTAK's Class of 1960 Rancho Alamitos High School, Garden Grove CA, classmate
http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_collection.htm
http://www.WeWereSoldiers.com

.

[HarmlessLovableFuzzball]

Thanks for that info Chris. This will be my first movie at the theater in years. And belated condolences for your dad. This is a chapter in history America will not forget.

[dfwgator]

I think it's going to be this year's "Passion."

It was originally only going to be limited release, and many didn't want to see it. But eventually "word of mouth" will fuel demand to see it.

[kidd]

I checked out some of the comments to the movie on your link.

People either loved it or hated it. There were no mediocre ratings.

Those that hated it, seemed to repeat a version of the same line "go spend your money on a good movie" - which suggests that there is an organized effort to sink this movie. Others admit that they haven't seen the movie and claim that the whole thing was a big conspiracy ("cell phones don't work in an airplane", "there were no bodies found at the crash site").

[mystery-ak]

Hi chris....My hubby, son and I plan on seeing it this weekend....If you and the other families can do, so can I....prayers for you and your family always..

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

JOHN PTAK, Moneyman for "Flight 93"

JOHN PTAK, Class of 1960, Rancho Alamitos High School, Garden Grove CA

http://www.orgs.cc/RAHS60/

[Names Ash Housewares]

[catbertz]

As a sometimes tough guy, I have to admit that even the reviews of the film bring to tears with a certain anger.

My wife and I plan to see this film, and purchase the dvd in support of the passengers, and the actions taken following 9/11. May God Bless America.

[eureka!]

Thanks for the post. It must have been especially tough for you. Bless you and your family. I do hope that this movie pulls a Passion of the Christ on the left. Too many have forgotten...

[Let's Roll]

"...thwarting the terrorists with genuine force of will..."

This cannot be over-stated. I remember a very pacifist/liberal neighbor saying just a few days after 9/11 that "from now on" all the TSA inconvenience and hassle would not be as effective as "the pissed off passengers who will tear the arms off the terrorists and beat them to death with them".

God Bless the passengers on '93.

[YankeeGirl]

Guess it depends on your kid. My 17 year (daughter) old (was 13 on 9/11) couldn't watch or listen to anything then. Still can't now. Her sister, one year older (4th day of hs freshman year on 9/11), was mesmerized.

Different emotional make-ups, different way of internalizing the horror. Our next door neighbor was FDNY (with 2 brothers FDNY & NYPD). All safe, thank God, but it was hard watching him leaving in his dress uniform for all the funerals for MONTHS afterwards.

I probably would NOT take a kid. However, for them viewing the movie may not have the emotional impact it does for us, even knowing it was a true story. Five years for a 13 year old is like ancient history.

[P-40]

I should also mention that, although the 9/11 Commission Report doesn't come right out and say it, it makes it pretty clear that Flight 93 would have made it to whatever target the terrorists had in mind. Were it not for the passengers and crew of that flight there would have been a lot more dead and injured that day.