Is it too soon?
Moms View Message Board: The Kitchen Table (Debating Board): Is it too soon?
That was the question posed in Sunday's paper about the two films being released this summer.
United 93
World Trade Center
I didn't know anyone personally who died and I still find it depressing to think about. I don't think I want to relive it at the movies.
20 years wouldn't be enough time... It's just sad that film makers need to do this.
If my husband hadn't missed his train because he couldn't find our cat, he would have been in the Borders when it happened...
I support the film makers' rights, but rights have nothing to do with sensitivity or taste.
What I don't agree with is screening the trailers to unsuspecting people. They should screen the trailers at the end of the feature they are seeing so that people who want to see it can stay and those who don't can leave.
Ame
Much too soon. The 9-11 events affected all of us, and more so people in NYC. It is much, much too soon. I'd encourage a boycott of those films.
I'm disgusted by these films, and fully intend on boycotting them. I don't completely believe the government's story about flight 93, but that is beside the point, I think it is tasteless and disrespectful to those who lost loved ones.
I feel that tragedies like this will forever be imprinted in our minds, we don't need a movie to remind us too. I don't think anyone has the right to profit from it & I would also encourage a boycott.
too soon. I can't believe someone made a movie about this.
Ditto everyone.
I won't be seeing the movies. Adding these to my boycotted movie list..these will now lead Tom Cruise films!
Cystal, what don't you agree with about 93? There are transcripts from the flight recorder plus cell phone calls. Just curious.
Annie, I'd get into it, but I'd sounds way too conspiracy theory. I will say that a lot of the "evidence" from 9/11 doesn't add up, from the damage to the Pentagon, to the "cell phone calls", and the plane's serial numbers (the one from flight 93's plane is still flying...). Call me crazy, but I have a hard time believing everything we're told, when there is some pretty convincing evidence to the contrary. Do a little Googling on Flight 93 and the Pentagon attack, you might be surprised.
Well we knew it was coming, they will make a movie out of anything. But....I think people need to see and remember every day what happened on Sept. 11th. If it takes a movie to do that, then so be it.
I won't be seeing the movies, either.
Oh, I didn't realize Cruise is in one of those films - another reason to not see them. ("silent birth" indeed!!). Not that I particularly cared for him as an actor anyhow, but sheesh, what an idiot!
Ditto that, Ginny!
Wasn't there already a movie on TV about United 93??
Ther was a lifetime movie done but it was only based on t he 1 flight that didn't make it to its destination. It never mentioned anything else about the 911 issues.
There is never going to be a right time for any movie the tragic things that happened on 911 will for always and forever be in our everyday lives. It is something that will never be forgotten as far as the movies I don't think I will see them but I do hope that they portray the people who lost there lives in the 911 bombings as hero as for most of them were. The men and women of our fire,police and ambulance who lost there lives were heros. I personely just don't want them to hurt the familes that lost a loved one or tarnish there heroic efforts that they tried to take over the plane and save there lives and the many that were on the ground. and the many men and women in the towers that helped many into saftey and out of the building. all in all I just hope that the families will not be ashamed of the films or hurt in anyway. because if we don't like them or not they will be put out. We just can choose not to watch them
It would be nice if no one profited from this movie and the money went to the families of victims.
The movie makers have a right to make whatever movie they want, I guess.
But I have the right to choose not to see it. I don't need to watch their movie. I watched it over and over again on tv. I've seen people's families interviewed on tv. I saw the fliers posted all over the place asking if anybody had seen a loved one. I cried over my baby that night and many more nights when I'd think about how many moms and dads didn't go home that night and how many other babies would grow up without their parent. I don't need to watch Hollywood's version of what happened.
And yes I think it is too soon.
Good idea Colette.
Oh, boy. I had to check in here and see this... 
I am going to be the odd one out here, so here it goes.
I do not think that the people who made these movies were merely trying to make money at the box office at the expense of those who were lost. I believe that they did it to honor those who so courageously gave their lives so that others might not die. And from what I understand the families of the passengers on Flight 93 were on board with the project (no pun intended.)
I do not mean to be offensive here, but I am passionate about my beliefs. I believe that we as a nation have become weak. When you think of all of the death and destruction and havoc that the terrorists have wreaked on the United States, as well as Egypt, London, and Russia (just to name a few) I think we should be damm p'd off at them, enough so that movies like this only remind us of what they did to us and that they need to pay! Where is the cry for justice? What did everyone say when they murdered innocents in cold blood by chopping their heads off? What did everyone think when they bombed the London subways?
Then what did everyone say when a few of the terrorists were ridiculed and embarassed at abu garab?
Who is the enemy here, anyway?
Sorry, I will quit again for now. It's a weekend, and hubby will want the computer.
Cocoabutter, you are not the only odd one out. I also don't think it is to soon for this movie and I also heard the same thing about the families of those on that flight. I also thought I heard that alot of the profits were being donated to various organizations from 911, but I could be wrong on that one. I am not sure if I will go see it in the theater only because I know what my reaction will be and it would be kind of embarrasing. LOL But I will definately purchase the move and watch it at home.
I was watching a news program the other night. There were some family members who were asked to collaborate in the filming and knew what was going on and were in agreement with its production. Then there was another lady (I don't remember who her family member was--dh, ds or what) that had known nothing about it, went to a theater to see a movie and there was the previews for it. She said it tore her all to pieces and she thought it was way too soon and will probably always be TOO SOON.
There are always at least 2 sides to every subject. So there you go.
I personally believe that that is why so many of us are taking anti-depressants, etc. Call me crazy, but I go to the movies to be entertained. I like comedies.
I won't see this movie (I don't even listen to the news anymore). We all know what happened, although all we have is the voice recorder. No one survived to tell us. I also don't believe that they should release the 911 calls from the Twin Towers. Much too hard to listen to, especially for the families.
There is also a made-for-tv movie coming out, projecting what will happen if and when the Bird Flu gets to the US and starts affecting humans. Why so much gloom and doom?
In my opinion, movies should be escape from the harsh realities of life for a couple of hours. We should come away feeling GOOD.
They say movie attendance is way down. Maybe that's why. Profitting from, and exploiting the grief and pain of others is deplorable. I also heard that there will be a movie about the Sago mine disaster.
I remember my in-laws telling me about Orson Wells' radio broadcast of "War of the Worlds" on Halloween night in 1937. They were newlyweds. Supposedly, "Martians" had landed in New Jersy. Their landlady had adult children living in NJ, and she was hysterical. Turned out it was a Halloween prank. However, there were reports of suicides because people believed what they were hearing. If we start scaring people (like the Bird Flu), there are people that are unbalanced that will do something drastic.
Each passenger undoubtedly had many family members, many of whom may not have been in the loop regarding this movie project, for whatever reason. That lady was probably one of those family members who happened to be out of the loop. I wouldn't expect that each and every family member of each passenger was consulted throughout the duration of the project.
For many people, especially family members, it will always be "too soon." It will always be difficult to watch, even to think about. It will never be easy. No one expects it to be.
However, reality still must be faced. That it is difficult doesn't make it okay not to. As I said, I believe that our nation has become weak. We cannot face the reality that this was a brutal attack made by evil enemies that need to be brought to justice. We cannot face the reality that the passengers on flight 93 were heroes who died with a purpose. Is it sad? Absolutely. Is it hard to deal with? Definitely. Should we bury our heads in the sand and ignore that it happened?
Furthermore, this is not a movie that I would expect anyone to be entertained by. You go into the movie knowing full well that you are going to be impacted emotionally. If one is emotionally fragile, it is that person's responsibility to recognize that it is unwise to subject him/herself to this type of film. Those who are not in that category that are willing to face the reality (more or less) of what happened that day have the right to watch it.
Lastly, on the Tribecca Film Festival's Website, the entry for United 93 clearly states, "United 93 intends to dignify the memory of those on that flight, the men and women whose sacrifice remains one of the most heroic legacies of the incomprehensible tragedies that unfolded on that autumn morning.'
Lisa,
"Face the reality"? I don't need to watch this to face the reality... I saw it live on TV when it happened. It's not been 5 years yet, I think I can safely say most of us VIVIDLY remember those moments. Katie Couric screaming when the 2nd plane hit, the reports of 93 downed, NYers trapped in a city covered in a cloud of smoke, Father Mike being pulled from the rubble, etc. I've watched the documentary made by film makers who were following a fire crew that day, and had no problem with it, although it was difficult to relive. However, this is a different type of movie, where creative license can be taken, and I think it's inappropriate.
You are correct, Crystal, in that you do not need to see this movie to face reality. I was not suggesting that anyone had to see the movie to face reality. I was suggesting that the excuse that "It's too soon" or "It's too hard" is not an adequate excuse not to see the movie. It's never too soon to face reality, and it's always going to be hard, but that is no excuse to remain in denial or to bury one's head in the sand and live in oblivion.
People who experienced WWII and the attack on Pearl Harbor remember it as vividly as if it were yesterday. People who remember when JFK was shot can tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing at the time they heard the news. Yet countless movies have been made regarding those events. How many years should one say it would take to forget? How many years should go by before it is considered appropriate to remind people about the horror of such an event?
I agree, some creative license had to be taken, but it wasn't without the approval of the families of the passengers. The voice recorder was never released until after the movie was filmed.
I watched it happen all that day. I still have vivid pictures in my head of all the different parts of the day. I won't forget about it anytime soon. I don't need to see the movie to remind me. I read the book that Lisa Beamer wrote, after her husband was killed. Let's Roll, I think. That was enough. It wasn't even that depressing of a book. I'm not sure I want movie images in my head.
I LIVED it that day - waiting breathlessly for a phone call to know that my husband was okay. Taking 8 hours (at 7 months pregnant) to get home - normally and hour drive - and feeling grateful because I WAS coming home.
Seeing the cloud of smoke every day from across the river ...
Getting Anthrax tainted mail ...
For those who saw it on TV, I think it has less reality than for those who lived it. Most of the country saw it on TV - so I guess the filmakers feel it's just more on film.
I never looked at the NY skyline with anything less than awe and now there will always be a big gap - no matter what goes up in their place. My father was the roofing forman on the towers. It was always a source of pride for him. Something that should have remained for eternity.
Now, all we have is film.
Ame
One thing I am glad about is that these films are being released during Massoui's trial, one of the terrorist masterminds of the attack. Some might call it prejudicial, but if people's minds need to be jogged to bring in a guilty verdict, then its a good thing.
Ame,
While it doesn't even compare to what you witnessed and experienced, I think it really is as much reality to those of us who saw it on TV, just in a different way. My wedding to my ex was 3 days after 9/11, all of the guys involved in the wedding were National Guardsmen, and were immediately activated, fearing a secondary attack. My best man's wife was a nurse at the hospital where the first anthrax case was, so I remember being terrified of anthrax everywhere we went. Even though we were in Palm Beach, we were living it up close and personal as well, not to mention all of my family is in NJ, and we were worried sick about them. DH was in the field in Fort Hood, TX when it happened, and they actually told the guys to start digging foxholes, only officers and team leaders were permitted to have radio contact, no one knew what was going on, only that we were being attacked. He only found out why they were being told to prepare for attack because his (ex)wife called him freaking out. One of his soldier's mom worked in the WTC, and thankfully she was late that day, but his experience from that day is chilling. I think everyone has some direct effects from 9/11, but none more so that those of you who were in NYC and Washington, DC... I can't imagine watching that unfold in front of you.
I live 150 miles from New York City, right accross Long Island Sound. For a week after the attacks, there was a very strong odor of burning rubber and oil coming in on the wind from the south. All that jet fuel, not to mention insulation from the buildings, etc.. People in this area that had chronic lung problems, like asthma, were greatly affected with shortness of breath. From 150 miles away! No one that was alive that day will ever forget the events, and the news coverage that followed for weeks.
Just a note- United 93 finished the weekend out at #2 in the box office behind RV. As of Sunday morning it has grossed approx. $11.6 million.
http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/boxoffice/weekend/
At least $1 million will be donated to a memorial fund in Pennsylvania.
I guess that means that it wasn't too soon?
(I planned to go, but came down with a cold  )
I have no intention of seeing it. It brings back too many memories. Watching the towers get struck and the chaos working in the ER. I agree with Ame "twenty years would not be enough".
Wow, and if I am reading that chart right, it played in less than half of the theaters as RV did. I guess allot of people did want to go see it! I still think I will wait for it to come out on video. I don't want another repeat of my performance that I had at Passion of the Christ. I was so emotional it was embarrassing! I am sure I will be at this too.
I took a look at the daily box office totals, and on Monday May 1, United 93 hit the top spot. It isn't there now, but it made it for one day.
http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/boxoffice/daily/2006/05/01/
I want to go, but like Vicki said, I might embarrass myself. So I might get it on video, at least that way, I can stop the video and take a break.
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