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shawa
CNO
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 2004
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 Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 11:23 pm Post subject: Todd Beamer's Father Reviews "FLIGHT 93" |
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VERY INSPIRING!!
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110008294
| Quote: | United 93
The filmmakers got it right.
BY DAVID BEAMER
Thursday, April 27, 2006 12:01 a.m.
The calendar says it's April 25, 2006. At noon, my wife, Peggy, and I are walking around Battery Park--near the Tribeca area--in New York. It is our first time. The flowers are blooming; kids are fishing; people boarding the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Kids are laughing and noisy. The sun is shining. The vendors are hawking T-shirts, pretzels and some "designer" wares. And just up the street there is a hole in the skyline and in the ground.
In the park, there is a memorial with walls standing tall. Walls filled with so many names of those who gave their all in the Atlantic in World War II. How fitting that the names are here to honor those who gave their lives to enable this fun, this laughter--on this sunny day. The sights and sounds of freedom continue.
Fast forward--it is 10:30 p.m., April 25. We have just seen a movie premiere at the fifth annual Tribeca Film Festival. A film festival that has done so much to energize and revitalize the city, its people and especially the area that has that hole in the skyline and in the ground. This year the movie that had its worldwide premiere at the festival is titled "United 93." It is about the day when the hole in the skyline of New York was made--the day when a hole was made in the side of the Pentagon near Washington, D.C.--the day when a hole was made in a quiet mountain meadow in Pennsylvania. The day that our nation was attacked; the day when the war came home--Sept. 11, 2001. The day our son Todd boarded United 93.
Paul Greengrass and Universal set out to tell the story of United Flight 93 on that terrible day in our nation's history. They set about the task of telling this story with a genuine intent to get it right--the actions of those on board and honor their memory. Their extensive research included reaching out to all the families who had lost loved ones on United Flight 93 as the first casualties of this war. And Paul and his team got it right.
There are those who question the timing of this project and the painful memories it evokes. Clearly, the film portrays the reality of the attack on our homeland and its terrible consequences. Often we attend movies to escape reality and fantasize a bit. In this case and at this time, it is appropriate to get a dose of reality about this war and the real enemy we face. It is not too soon for this story to be told, seen and heard. But it is too soon for us to become complacent. It is too soon for us to think of this war in only national terms. We need to be mindful that this enemy, who made those holes in our landscape and caused the deaths of some 3,000 of our fellow free people, has a vision to personally kill or convert each and every one of us. This film reminds us that this war is personal. This enemy is on a fanatical mission to take away our lives and liberty--the liberty that has been secured for us by those whose names are on those walls in Battery Park and so many other walls and stones throughout this nation. This enemy seeks to take away the free will that our Creator has endowed in us. Patrick Henry got it right some 231 years ago. Living without liberty is not living at all.
The passengers and crew of United 93 had the blessed opportunity to understand the nature of the attack and to launch a counterattack against the enemy. This was our first successful counterattack in our homeland in this new global war--World War III.
This film further reminds us of the nature of the enemy we face. An enemy who will stop at nothing to achieve world domination and force a life devoid of freedom upon all. Their methods are inhumane and their targets are the innocent and unsuspecting. We call this conflict the "War on Terror." This film is a wake-up call. And although we abhor terrorism as a tactic, we are at war with a real enemy and it is personal.
There are those who would hope to escape the pain of war. Can't we just live and let live and pretend every thing is OK? Let's discuss, negotiate, reason together. The film accurately shows an enemy who will stop at nothing in a quest for control. This enemy does not seek our resources, our land or our materials, but rather to alter our very way of life.
I encourage my fellow Americans and free people everywhere to see "United 93."
Be reminded of our very real enemy. Be inspired by a true story of heroic actions taken by ordinary people with victorious consequences. Be thankful for each precious day of life with a loved one and make the most of it. Resolve to take the right action in the situations of life, whatever they may be. Resolve to give thanks and support to those men, women, leaders and commanders who to this day (1,687 days since Sept. 11, 2001) continue the counterattacks on our enemy and in so doing keep us safe and our freedoms intact.
May the taste of freedom for people of the Middle East hasten victory. The enemy we face does not have the word "surrender" in their dictionary. We must not have the word "retreat" in ours. We surely want our troops home as soon as possible. That said, they cannot come home in retreat. They must come home victoriously. Pray for them.
Mr. Beamer is the father of Todd Beamer, a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93. |
_________________
“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” (Thomas Paine, 1776) |
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kate
Admin
Joined: 14 May 2004
Posts: 1891
Location: Upstate, New York
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| Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 7:02 am Post subject: |
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and from another family member - Chris Driscoll's review of the movie (son of Joe Driscoll)
link
| Quote: | Was at United 93 World Premier....Amazing!
04/27/2006 6:44:38 by chris_in_nj
Fellow FReepers,
As the son of Joe Driscoll, passenger on Flight 93, I was invited to opening of the Tribeca Film Festival to view United 93.
Unless you are 110% sure you can't take watching this movie - you have got to see this film. Universal Studios and Paul Greengrass absolutely nailed it.
Even though the ending is no surprise this movie is gripping and powerful. There is no political statement - and by no means is this a politically correct tribute. It is rough, true and stark.
Almost no one in the film is mentioned by name and nor are there any A-list stars, just average Americans...it truly represents "THE 40" that come together as one to say "we will not let this happen".
The military air space commanders, air traffic controllers, etc...many of whom played themselves in the film add a tremendous amount of reality. It was absolutely fascinating to see the inner workings of those command centers on that day. And to try and figure out which handful of planes, out of 4,200 in the sky at the time, were hijacked...you will walk away with a whole new appreciation for the monumental task that these men and women had on the ground to control the skies.
And for the monumental task that THE 40 had in the plane - it was superb. The cinematography and score was magnificent.
The film left me emotionally exhausted. At times I wanted to cheer my father and his fellow passengers on and at the end it I sat in stunned silence. The chaotic and noisy climax comes to an abrupt end and you are left sitting in a silent and dark theater. At that time there were family members all around me who simply lost it - with cries and tears piercing the dark room as the credits began to roll across a black screen.
Beaming with pride but wrought with heartache I walked out of the theater with my brother onto the streets of Manhattan, trying seemingly in vain to digest what I just witnessed. It was a fruitless effort as I think it will simply take time, a long time.
This film is not here "too soon", that is a ridiculous notion. Now, I totally respect an individual not wanting to see this film - that is understandable. But many in this country are ready. We need to be ready. We need a fresh reminder of that day as it is painfully obvious that many - even here in NYC - have lost their raw emotion and anger from that day....and that is a tragedy in itself.
I hope you all try and see this movie. The good folks here at this site understand the nature and insatiable evil of our enemy. This film captures that in no uncertain terms.
Again, kudos to Paul Greengrass and Universal Studios.
Chris
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Universal’s site for United 93 has trailor & clips
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one of..... We The People |
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MrJapan
PO1
Joined: 27 Sep 2004
Posts: 465
Location: Chiba, Japan
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| Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | This film is not here "too soon", that is a ridiculous notion. Now, I totally respect an individual not wanting to see this film - that is understandable. But many in this country are ready. We need to be ready. We need a fresh reminder of that day as it is painfully obvious that many - even here in NYC - have lost their raw emotion and anger from that day....and that is a tragedy in itself. |
Silence for a moment...
This was a heartwrenching statement, as was the origional post here...
I have seen the film, and it's a 'great movie', in the sense that it was fiction... But, it's not... the story might not be 100% actual fact, but it tells the story of what happened on that dreadful day in the world's history... The only time in history where 99% of the world stood as 1 entity..
Too early? IMHO, it's too late.. I think this film should be shown (showed) at LEAST once a year to remind those sympathizers what really happened. What we are actually fighting against...
I don't know WHAT it will take to get those unrealistic moonbats to see what could be the possible future of the world if they don't at least get on the same page for a bit.
Something else I realized... not that I'm a Nostradamas fan... but from the (rough) translations of what he said, this is falling into place >.< ; causing the 3rd world war... and the possible destruction of life as we know it.. :/ |
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Me#1You#10
Site Admin
Joined: 06 May 2004
Posts: 6503
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| Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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| MrJapan wrote: | | I don't know WHAT it will take to get those unrealistic moonbats to see what could be the possible future of the world if they don't at least get on the same page for a bit. |
And you assume that their perception of the "possible future of the world" is less desirable to moonbats than maintaining the current socio/economic status quo because? |
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shawa
CNO
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 2004
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| Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 3:32 am Post subject: Vanderleun - Of a Fire in a Field |
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A must read! So many who want to forget and put it all behind us.
But we will never forget the horror and the heroes.
Gerard Vanderleun has become my favorite writer.
Reading his essays becomes such a deep experience.
He so powerfully conveys what I feel but can't put the words together to express those feelings.
I will pass this one on to everyone I know.
A VERY EMOTIONAL READ:
Of a Fire in a Field at American Digest
_________________
“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” (Thomas Paine, 1776) |
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Me#1You#10
Site Admin
Joined: 06 May 2004
Posts: 6503
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| Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 3:44 am Post subject: Re: Vanderleun - Of a Fire in a Field |
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| shawa wrote: | Gerard Vanderleun has become my favorite writer.
Reading his essays becomes such a deep experience.
He so powerfully conveys what I feel but can't put the words together to express those feelings. |
Well, that's quite a coinkydink...I just happened upon Vanderleun t'other day when he posted a linked-note on Malkin's new website. I was impressed as well...and this particular offering is a stunner...2 of numerous notables...
| Quote: | I'm not sure anymore about the final count, but I am pretty sure that most families, in the end, got nothing. Their loved ones had all gone into the smoke and the dust that covered the end of the island and blew, mostly, across the river into Brooklyn where I lived. What happened to most of the three thousand killed by the animals on that day? It is simple and ghastly. We breathed them until the rains came and washed clean what would never be clean again.
To this day, those men who went up those stairs exist in my mind as starlight, beyond my capacity to comprehend -- only to honor. |
Thanks for the heads-up. |
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Fort Campbell
Vice Admiral
Joined: 31 Aug 2004
Posts: 896
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| Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 1:04 am Post subject: Re: Vanderleun - Of a Fire in a Field |
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From the above article:
On one of our days to come, there will be another test. You'd best have an answer prepared.
Pass this article on to everyone that you know. |
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