World Trade Center - The Movie

[andyzee]

Put this poll on KZone and figured I'd like to see what people here think as well. The movie just came out, it's almost 5 years since 9/11.

 

[JimG.]

I'll never see it...why should I? I lived through that day, not that I was near the towers when it happened. The images from that day (the 2nd airplane going totally into the tower before exploding, people leaping to their deaths, etc.) are enough. I'll never forget them, or the look on my kids faces as they watched. They still don't comprehend why anyone would do that.

I flew home from a business trip on the night of 9/10. Maybe the odds were long, but I still consider myself lucky my flight wasn't delayed till the next day. Who knows, I could have been on a death flight.

I don't punish myself reliving the worst moments of my life.

 

[andyzee]

I didn't go through the experience like many others did, but it did hit close to home. I live approximately 5 miles from the WTC, used to be able to see the towers from my kitchen window. That year, I had just finished implementing a Network Operations Center at my company and within it we had 35" TVs. We watched the whole thing as it happened. First one plane hit, I thought it was a small plane and called my wife to tell her to turn on the TV. Then I saw the second plane hit and realized it was no accident, then the Pentagon got hit. At that point I left work to get my wife. Along the way I heard on the radio that one of the towers collapsed and then the other. On the way home I could see the sky filling with smoke. I got home, my wife was suprised to see me, I told her to get dressed and we drove out to PA. I had no idea of what was going to happen next and didn't want to stick around to find out.

I will see the movie when it comes to TV, don't go to the movies. But at the same time, I still think it's too early.

 

[ctenidae]

If I had any confidence that Hollywood could make this into a movie that doesn't totally suck, then I might have a concern as to the timing. As it is, I have no such faith, and won't go see it, anyway.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

From what I have read about the movie I think I will go see it but wait a few weeks when the crowds die down.

 

[zook]

I think it is too early. I wonder though if I think that way because I live in NY and remember everything that was going on around here. Would I feel the same way about a movie about an earthquake in LA, or London attack? Maybe, maybe not.

Once you're directly affected by something of this magnitude I don't think you can easily watch the "big screen" version of it. I think I would feel a bit differently about a documentary, since it would show more of the real story rather than "based on the" version that we mostly get these days.

I have very mixed feelings about this movie - timing, subject, motives, being true to the story, etc. So many movies now are only about making the $$$ and "who get's the story first". But then again - maybe someone did care enough to do it right...

I don't think I'm going to see it just yet.

 

[ChileMass]

I hate to say it, but I don't see how anyone who makes a movie about 9/11 is not cashing in on it. I know that sounds horribly cynical, but it's too important an issue to have a mere movie made about it, no matter how sensitive they try to be. In my opnion there's no level of objectivity or artistic-attempt-at-honesty that can avoid cheapening the impact that day had on all those families and on all of us as a nation. Especially since it's an Oliver Stone movie. I'll never see it, either.

 

[JimG.]

I know that sounds horribly cynical

No, it sounds totally realistic.

Hollywood didn't make this movie as a public service.

 

[riverc0il]

it will never be late enough. we can now honestly say that someone has profitted from this disaster. disgusting. SICK. who could actually work on such a project and be able to live with themselves? i am sure mr. oliver stone thinks he has really high moral and ethical values and is doing a good thing bringing this type of motion picture to the theatres. but most humans naturally believe their personal ethics and motives are above reproach.

i was not personally effected by the attacks in any way. i WAS effected by the media and it was around that time that i began heavily critisizing the media and studying it. it was at that time i swore off TV, even news coverage.... especially news coverage. at least when i listen to NPR, i don't have to watch thousands of people die every five minutes on slow mo repeat.

/rant

 

[Grassi21]

it will never be late enough. we can now honestly say that someone has profitted from this disaster. disgusting. SICK. who could actually work on such a project and be able to live with themselves? i am sure mr. oliver stone thinks he has really high moral and ethical values and is doing a good thing bringing this type of motion picture to the theatres. but most humans naturally believe their personal ethics and motives are above reproach.

i was not personally effected by the attacks in any way. i WAS effected by the media and it was around that time that i began heavily critisizing the media and studying it. it was at that time i swore off TV, even news coverage.... especially news coverage. at least when i listen to NPR, i don't have to watch thousands of people die every five minutes on slow mo repeat.

/rant

Just like any other programming on TV, its about ratings. 9/11, Katrina, whatever, each news program is trying to outdo the others. Its sad, but today its near impossible to find a news outlet that isn't trying to sensationalize a story or put their political spin/commentary on the story. IMHO

PS - The only time I sit through a news broadcast is when my wife makes me.

 

[Marc]

Have no interest in seeing it. Bad move, Nick Cage, bad move.

 

[Marc]

And to answer the poll question, as Steve said, it will never be late enough.

 

[riverc0il]

the interesting thing i heard today was an interview on NPR with the folks that actually were there and the movie is based on. NPR mentioned that they couldn't talk to these two guys without a representative from paramount (or what ever studio it was) sitting in on the interview!!!!!! what type of crap is that? any ways, one of the guys said it was "95% realistic," but can you trust that crap with a movie studio rep sitting right there and ready to can the interview if the guy says something they don't like? ummmm, hello?!!? "yea, that is exactly how it happened. can i have my million dollars now?"

the more i think about it, the more it turns my stomach. i don't care how realistic it is. on second thought, ESPECIALLY if it is that realistic!

 

[BeanoNYC]

I was working in Times Square at the time, I wasn't a teacher yet. I lost a good friend that day. I refuse to watch it, much less give money to the profiteers that produced it. They are no better than the idiots who sell World Trade Center Souvenirs down at Ground Zero.

 

[Marc]

Indeed.

This reminds me of a while back, there was a production studio trying to make a movie about the 1999 Worcester Cold Storage fire that claimed 6 Worcester firefighters. The families successfully prevented it from being produced, thankfully.

 

[riverc0il]

on a more positive note of what would be a better alternative, i documentary donating all proceeds after production costs to charity or a good cause would be a better alternative. i am sure the movie production outfit, the director, or some of the people involved with make a token donation or what ever, but the lion's share of the proceeds is likely to be profit. i don't begrudge profit, but this would be more tasteful as a non-profit venture.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

it will never be late enough. we can now honestly say that someone has profitted from this disaster.
/rant

I think we can honestly say that many people have profitted from this tragedy way before this movie came along. Remember the movie a couple of months ago, Flight 93, it tanked at the box office. I am more interested in the quality of the film not the judging of the political and social ramifications of making it.

The movie cost 60 million to make, it hasn't made a profit yet.

 

[riverc0il]

I think we can honestly say that many people have profitted from this tragedy way before this movie came along. Remember the movie a couple of months ago, Flight 93, it tanked at the box office. I am more interested in the quality of the film not the judging of the political and social ramifications of making it.

The movie cost 60 million to make, it hasn't made a profit yet.

you are right about other people profitting from the tragedy before now, perhaps that wasn't the right wording. i felt the same way about flight 93, and wasn't surprised to see that movie tank. but i will be surprised to see this one tank. you are right that it hasn't made a profit yet, but if i know my fellow country men well enough, i am sure it will be a financial success. the majority of americans have morbid curiosity about these things and love sensationalism. i don't really think there are any political or social ramifications of making it, i think it is more philosophically oriented dealing with what should or shouldn't be done and why.

 

[JimG.]

AZ members never cease to amaze me...I thought I was the only person who was dead set against seeing movies of this type. I'm pleased to see I am very wrong. These things help restore my basic faith in humanity.

I should have added that I too do not watch news and rarely read newspapers. I listen to NPR and take alot of that with a grain of salt. Too much negativity and sensationalism. Various media present the news in a light that's about as objective as reality shows are to reality itself.

 

[noski]

I am sure Win Smith remembers 9/11/01 vividly- it was the day after they signed papers to buy Sugarbush Resort. Tough first day at work....Do you suppose they had second thoughts?
(edit- and I have no doubt he lost several business associates and friends that day. Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing that day when they first heard the horrible and frightening news reports- what a horrible and emotional day that was.)