World Trade Center

f8nacn · #1 08-09-2006, 12:14 PM

A Review of WTC...

The Presence of God in World Trade Center

by Marc T. Newman, Ph.D.
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When Steven Spielberg remade War of the Worlds, my biggest complaint was that, amid all of this mayhem, the audience never once sees Ray Ferrier, the frantic father, pray. Unlike the 1953 original, in which everyone across the country was huddled in churches petitioning God for deliverance from the Martian spacecrafts, by 2005, I guess, no one had an inclination to call out to the Almighty as heat rays were vaporizing everything in sight. I just didn't buy it. But where family-friendly Spielberg, who made The Prince of Egypt, could not find a place for God in his remake, in steps Oliver Stone – an equally accomplished, if often subversive, filmmaker -- and surprises everyone. His God-infused World Trade Center is the most spiritually honest film of the year. Stone uncovers every Christian aspect of this true story and gives it full voice. The results linger long after the lights come up.

World Trade Center tells the real-life story of Sergeant John McLoughlin and Officer Will Jimeno, both from the Port Authority Police Department in New York City. Answering the call on September 11, 2001, men from the Port Authority rushed to the scene. But nothing could have prepared them for this nightmare scenario in broad daylight. The twin towers of the World Trade Center were blazing, people threw themselves to their deaths from the upper floors to escape immolation, and more were trapped inside trying to find a way out. Five brave volunteers from the Port Authority stepped forward to do what they vowed – to protect and serve. They entered the tower to get others out and found themselves in the middle of the most horrific building collapse in history. After helping others to freedom, three of the five died, and McLoughlin and Jimeno were trapped. And deep in the twisted rubble they did what most people would do: they talked, they pored over their lives, and they prayed. From prayer comes comfort, and, out in the world, sacrificial action; action that moves from death to life.

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FirstAndFinest · #2 08-09-2006, 07:41 PM

Keeping this short - you can reread my posts in United 93.

I watched the towers fall from across the river. I didn't see United 93, I won't see WTC. I can't even see the commercials/trailers. I got choked up reading Russ' post. I am one of those for whom never would be too soon.

f8nacn · #3 08-12-2006, 10:31 PM

I saw this movie yesterday and while it isn't a 5-star or 2 thumbs up type of movie, it was very well put together. Nicolas Cage didn't have an outstanding performance, but really put the emotion and pain in it. It was actually very touching to see how two men encouraged each other, remained strong for one another, and the impact of their families during this time. I strongly recommend this movie...it is not your typical "hollywood" movie! The trailers and commercials do not give this movie justice. It wasn't romanticized or overly graphic. Overall, it's a good movie telling the events through the eyes of two men trapped in a building that were rescued - #18 and #19.

mu_agd · #4 08-13-2006, 01:30 AM

I just found out my old neighbor wrote the screenplay.

ASUADPi · #5 08-15-2006, 08:44 AM

I saw the movie on Thursday.

I thought the actors did an incredible job. I got chocked up right from the beginning of the movie. Thankfully, Oliver Stone didn't attempt to recreate the plans crashing in or the towers falling. He relied strictly on CNN clippings (which would have been all the wives and family would have seen).

It is amazing that those men survived not only the first tower going down but then the second and WTC 7.

My only issue, which wasn't with the movie, it was with someone in the audience, they brought their like 7 year old to the theater. Of course this kid had really no idea what the hell was going on. The kid kept asking questions (quite loudly). I just thought (and still do think) that WTC is a completely INAPPROPRIATE move to take a 7 year old to. The kid was only like 2 when it happened, so he/she had no idea the hell people went through. For me it was laziness on the parents part. They wanted to see the movie, didn't want to find a babysitter and took the kid to a movie they shouldn't have been seeing. God, if I had seen this movie at 7 years old, I probably would have had nightmares. End my rant.

RACooper · #6 08-15-2006, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

I saw the movie on Thursday.

I thought the actors did an incredible job. I got chocked up right from the beginning of the movie. Thankfully, Oliver Stone didn't attempt to recreate the plans crashing in or the towers falling. He relied strictly on CNN clippings (which would have been all the wives and family would have seen).

It is amazing that those men survived not only the first tower going down but then the second and WTC 7.

My only issue, which wasn't with the movie, it was with someone in the audience, they brought their like 7 year old to the theater. Of course this kid had really no idea what the hell was going on. The kid kept asking questions (quite loudly). I just thought (and still do think) that WTC is a completely INAPPROPRIATE move to take a 7 year old to. The kid was only like 2 when it happened, so he/she had no idea the hell people went through. For me it was laziness on the parents part. They wanted to see the movie, didn't want to find a babysitter and took the kid to a movie they shouldn't have been seeing. God, if I had seen this movie at 7 years old, I probably would have had nightmares. End my rant.

Tried to see it last night and had a similar experience... I ended up having to walk out and ask for my money back because of some audience members.

I wanted to see the movie, to see how they captured the events of that day, and to see the story of the two men told. I did not go to the theatre to have Billy Bob Bible-Thumper and his congregation preach, pray, or shout out their world views in the theatre... Unfortunately the town nearest my cottage is currently being infested with a travelling tent-revival preacher and congregation that travels up from Ohio to "bring the word" to us godless Canadians - they've been doing it every year since they came to protest the Pope when he visited Martyr's Shrine in Midland.

They should been gone around Labour Day... maybe then I'll go in and see the movie, to appreciate it for what it is.

OrchidAlum · #7 08-23-2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstAndFinest

Keeping this short - you can reread my posts in United 93.

I watched the towers fall from across the river. I didn't see United 93, I won't see WTC. I can't even see the commercials/trailers. I got choked up reading Russ' post. I am one of those for whom never would be too soon.

Ditto, FirstAndFinest. I tear up whenever I see the trailers for WTC, and usually have to change the channel.

As a native New Yorker (who was in college in Western PA on 9/11 and has now moved to the DC area), part of me really wants to see the movie. From everything I've heard, it's a respectful and powerful film, and I'm glad that the focus is on two real people. But, for now...for me... the emotions are still too raw.