United 93...

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 1:34pm

...is getting an insane amount of publicity and controversy.

http://www.cinemablend.com/reviews/United-93-1535.html
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/united_93/

I know that Cheyenne Jackson has a lot of fans on this board, and it will be very interesting to see him doing something so drastically different from his last project.

[timote316]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 1:39pm

This film is going to be like The Passion of the Christ. The controversy will help the movie be VERY successful.

Posted: 4/22/06 at 1:43pm

There was another interview with him on Entertainment Tonight a few days ago, which was substantially longer then the earlier one. I thought he came across wonderfully - very poised and he looked fantastic.

This movie is going to be so tough to watch - but I'm still going to see it.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:05pm

I used to take that flight twice a month but that is not the only reason I wouldn't go see this film or any other about 9/11. I think it is way too soon for this to be presented as "entertainment". There story was already presented as a TV movie. Wasn't that enough?

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:13pm

Also, United 93 is getting a lot of attnetion from BWWers

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=892459&boardname=off&dt=66

[Just_John]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:16pm

I went to a movie yesterday and during the previews there was a preview for this and it said the families of the people who were on the flight wanted a film made now.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:19pm

Well then, how fabulously altruistic.

[Eileen2]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:26pm

The film and the tv movie went into production around the same time, it's just that tv movies are typically faster to get to market. I have no need to see this movie, I just don't see the point, except for the obvious reason of exploiting tragedy to make money. I hate even seeing the commercials for this film.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:28pm

my post from the other thread:

While it's easy to stereotype Hollywood as only trying to make a buck off of the latest movie of the week, I look at this as artists doing what artists do best. Just look at the discussions being had in this thread just in response to the trailer or the idea of the film!

I think it's important for the people who are ready to engage in this film and discuss it. I think it's important for our youth and the future generations to see these kinds of films to be able to understand that day---just as we were shown films like The Diary of Anne Frank in school so that we could begin to comprehend the Holocaust.

The roots of Drama began as Greek Tragedy--giving the audience great catharsis so that they could purge great emotions. We've become a society that for the most part only wants to be entertained by art. We don't want to face great tragedy and attempt to purge it. We'd rather make it go away as easily as possible. And that's each person's choice. But, I am ready to go to this film and face the emotions that may come. And, I celebrate art that attempts to actually say something or deal with contemporary issues.

And, I'll add the sentiment that has been expressed to me: "The greatest art comes out of conservative times". There is so much passion in our lives right now, and I am glad to see artists confronting that.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:31pm

A very thoughtful post, indeed JRB. You are right but I guess I am not ready for it so I will skip it. Perhaps a few years from now I will change my mind and see it but now is too soon for me.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:37pm

And that is absolutely fair--deciding whether or not one wants to see it now or ever. But, to denounce the film without having seen it or to pretend to know the artists' motivations is unfair and just as foolish as when conservatives do the same thing to films about Jesus or gays or any other sensitive issue.

I think it IS noteworthy that the families of those in this story have given their blessing and that the families of those depicted in Oliver Stone's film are rather upset as they haven't been given any say in the matter. Granted, if Oliver Stone had chosen to cover fictional representations (ala Titanic), he wouldn't need to get anyone's blessing. But he is apparently using real people's stories without any consent. However, faux pas aside, his intentions may also be genuine and political dramas/historical events, etc. have been a common theme in his work--it makes sense that he would make a film about this. I hope it is a good film as I understand Flight 93 is.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:06pm

I'd rather have major dental surgery.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:07pm

That can be arranged!

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 5:01pm

I still feel the same way about the movie and the supposed emotional catharsis it will present, and am still probably going to skip it. I had a dream about 9-11 the other day that was probably as vivid as the movie is going to be anyway.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 5:13pm

"Well then, how fabulously altruistic. "

I thought the same thing, especially after a tv movie JUST was on.

[Katecab99]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 5:32pm

i've had this discussion with so many people over the last few days, and i really don't know if i can bring myself to see it. i think i'll just have to see what happens after it opens. if i go and can't handle it, i guess i can always walk out.


Updated On: 4/22/06 at 05:32 PM

[Chloe]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 7:15pm

I did a few days of post-production work on this film, and for what it's worth and what I could tell from my limited point of view, every effort was being made to get as close to reality as possible. Many of the air traffic controllers involved played themselves, the pilots were played by pilots, and relatives of the passengers were asked what kinds of things the passengers might have talked about. Much of the dialog was ad libbed based on this information, or taken from air traffic transcripts. There didn't seem to be any "main" characters either.

Interestingly, the "real" people seemed to have gotten past the event, or cordoned it off emotionally, while the actors playing the passengers often got extremely upset while recreating the awful moments of panic and chaos.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 7:18pm

I just don't know why this film is needed. What is it going to change or accomplish? It seems to me, a sad attempt to make money off of something tragic. Are they donating large proceeds to 911 relief and repair? It's a buzz movie that I will gladly avoid.

[dirty rotten guy]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 7:19pm

This is exactly like Passion of the Christ for me. I dont get the point of paying 10 bucks and going to sit in a theater full of people with a big bucket of popcorn and soda to see people's ture life suffering. I just feel it is wait too soon, and to be frank, pointless.

[Anakela]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 7:53pm

Are they donating large proceeds to 911 relief and repair?

fyi- Universal is donating 10% of the opening weekend's grosses to the Flight 93 National Memorial fund.

I haven't decided yet if I am going to see this or not- probably not. But I just put that info out there in case anyone else was wondering about Universal's donations.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 7:54pm

10 percent of the opening weekend? If this movie does well, that will be a sad sum of money compared to what they stand to profit from this tragedy.

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 8:01pm

Isn't this off topic?

[jimnysf]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 9:39pm

Just saw "Ebert and Roper" review it. Two Thumbs Up. "Tough to watch but inspirational."

I still think it looks tough to sit through.

Updated On: 4/22/06 at 09:39 PM

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 10:17pm

Isn't this off topic?




Not really, I started this because Cheyenne is all over the place lately because of it...

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 10:20pm

Still, it is about a movie, not Broadway related at all...

Oh well.