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Not too long ago, "United 93" tested the waters of 9/11 on the big screen. The terrorist attacks were five years ago -- some would stress only five years ago -- and while there have been 9/11 books and countless 9/11 tributes and references on television, motion pictures about that terrible day were long something people dreaded.
For the most part, though, "Flight 93" was well received, and the filmmakers seemed to go to great lengths to do right by the people affected, and by the viewing public. Rather than attempt to say something grand about 9/11 and all that followed, the movie limited itself to the experiences of the people aboard that flight, largely oblivious of all that would happen after their deaths.
Well, in August, "World Trade Center" is coming out, a movie by Oliver Stone that focuses specifically on the New York attack. While the story focuses on the experiences of two firefighters, it's obvious that Stone will not steer clear of the big picture. And the movie trailer for "World Trade Center" has now come out... once again sparking conversation and controversy.
I have to admit, while I was curious about "Flight 93," I'm much more hesitant to consider "World Trade Center." The trailer alone was very, very difficult to watch. Largely because of its depiction of the events in New York -- standing in a crowded Apple Store, I had to duck out before losing it -- but also because its style and tone is so quintessentially Hollywood, from the "in a world" mood music to hokey dialogue and one liners. The shadow of a plane. A grief-striken woman doing her laundry. Nick Cage striding confidently.
To be sure, though, movie trailers are often so apart from the movies they sell that they're practically irrelevant. And while Hollywood is every bit the exploitive, shallow, money-hungry monster people know it to be, movies in general are also an important part of documenting or even shaping a culture. A 9/11 movie was inevitable, and there will be more. "World Trade Center" the movie, and how the movie is received, will not be insignificant points in our history.
Is it too soon? For a lot of people. But obviously not for everyone.
I know Oliver Stone will be provocative, and that will work both for and against this movie. I'd personally prefer a more subtle touch with the first few big-screen 9/11 stories... but I guess I should at least be happy it's him (Born on the Fourth of July, The People vs. Larry Flynt, Nixon, JFK) and not someone like Michael Bay (Pearl Harbor, Armageddon).
For the most part, though, "Flight 93" was well received, and the filmmakers seemed to go to great lengths to do right by the people affected, and by the viewing public. Rather than attempt to say something grand about 9/11 and all that followed, the movie limited itself to the experiences of the people aboard that flight, largely oblivious of all that would happen after their deaths.
Well, in August, "World Trade Center" is coming out, a movie by Oliver Stone that focuses specifically on the New York attack. While the story focuses on the experiences of two firefighters, it's obvious that Stone will not steer clear of the big picture. And the movie trailer for "World Trade Center" has now come out... once again sparking conversation and controversy.
I have to admit, while I was curious about "Flight 93," I'm much more hesitant to consider "World Trade Center." The trailer alone was very, very difficult to watch. Largely because of its depiction of the events in New York -- standing in a crowded Apple Store, I had to duck out before losing it -- but also because its style and tone is so quintessentially Hollywood, from the "in a world" mood music to hokey dialogue and one liners. The shadow of a plane. A grief-striken woman doing her laundry. Nick Cage striding confidently.
To be sure, though, movie trailers are often so apart from the movies they sell that they're practically irrelevant. And while Hollywood is every bit the exploitive, shallow, money-hungry monster people know it to be, movies in general are also an important part of documenting or even shaping a culture. A 9/11 movie was inevitable, and there will be more. "World Trade Center" the movie, and how the movie is received, will not be insignificant points in our history.
Is it too soon? For a lot of people. But obviously not for everyone.
I know Oliver Stone will be provocative, and that will work both for and against this movie. I'd personally prefer a more subtle touch with the first few big-screen 9/11 stories... but I guess I should at least be happy it's him (Born on the Fourth of July, The People vs. Larry Flynt, Nixon, JFK) and not someone like Michael Bay (Pearl Harbor, Armageddon).
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