9/11 IN THE MEDIA

Tuesday, September 11^th, 2001, was what I thought would have been just another repetitive, boring elementary school day. That all changed at 8:46 am that very same day, when terror had reared its ugly head. I was front row, second from the left when the announcement came on the P.A for all students to meet in the gymnasium. Students took it as a free waste of time, I hate to admit it but, so did I. As students crowded into the gymnasium, trying to find a spot to sit with their friends, the teachers seemed a little uncomfortable about something, which made me a little worried. As soon as everyone was seated, the principal, Mrs. Banks, stood in front of all of us and said, “The World Trade Centers have been attacked by terrorists!” The students, as well as some of the teacher’s reactions were somewhat priceless; I think I was the only student in the whole gym that realized what she had just said. It was an early dismissal that day. I guess we were sent home to mourn or something, I don’t know, I never really asked. All I know is t hat many people died that day, many people lost their loved ones, and many people seen real fear for the first time at 8:46 am on September 11^th, 2001.

There is a song called “Where were you” by Alan Jackson, which asks the question, “Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day (a direct quote from his song)?” Well Alan, I’m sure we weren’t listening to your song as the smoke and debris of falling buildings were smothering the citizens with New York City. Most of us were watching whatever news station we could find on television, most likely CNN, which Alan also criticizes in his song.

“I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran”

Alan, if it wasn’t for CNN, most people wouldn’t even know what Iraq or Iran were, so no need to criticize. Alan does get some credit for writing what he feels, but did he have to put that song out literally 2 months after such a tragedy, telling people where they were and what they were doing? More like a cry for attention Alan, you’re already rich enough; no need for a few extra bucks promoting a song 2 months after over a thousand people lost their lives. Of course he will make money off a song like that at such a time period. People needed something to give them some form of comfort, and Alan’s song did that, even though the connotation of the song brought no realistic comfort to anybody at all.

“But I know Jesus and I talk to God”

Well, that’s great Alan, but that still isn’t going to change what happened, so why don’t you stick to your hillbilly ways and sing about your ranch with the twelve cattle.

There were two films that were made in "honor" of the horrific acts that took place on September 11th, World Trade Center, and United 93. The productions of these films both have their positive and negative aspects. United 93 tells the story of passengers aboard flight United 93 standing up and fighting against terrorist hijackers that took over the planes cockpit on September 11^th 2001. The passengers fought off the hijackers and brought the plane to the ground killing the hijackers and themselves in the process, but possibly saving hundreds of other lives. Sources say the plane was headed towards the Whitehouse or the Capitol building.

The film didn’t use any big Hollywood actors either, which gave it more of a realistic taste, more than the “Brad Pitt saves the day yet again” mouthful. The movie actually did pretty good in the box office too, and didn’t get much criticism, unlike another movie about 9/11 appropriately titled “World Trade Center”.

This movie tells the story of two firemen who had been trapped under the rubble of one of the collapsed towers. The film stars Nicholas Cage (oh come on, that’s the best they could do?) Playing the lead fire fighter who gets called in a 747 hits the first tower.

Co star Michael Pena, accompanies him for the most part as he helps (sort of) Cage’s character get people out of the burning building. This movie received way more criticism than United 93, especially from the viewers, more so the ones that were actually present during the attacks. People were saying that this movie was made for Cage’s gain, and why would someone make a blockbuster out of such a tragedy, not to long after the tragedy had happened. I would say that those statements are very agreeable.

Both United 93 and World Trade Center gave people a little, little tiny wee taste of what it was like to be there, not necessarily be there but, be in that situation, right? But you should never try to reenact a tragedy, such as that of September 11^th, put it on the silver screen and expect people to come together, as Americans (in this case) and say things like “wow, that movie really put you in their shoes.” Or, “I really liked the part when…” That is just plain ridiculous. The sad thing is, both of those movies were top at the box office at one point or another, World Trade Center doing $18,730,762, on its opening weekend, $162,970,240 world wide, while United 93, didn’t doing as well as World Trade Center, but still making $11,478,360 in its opening week, and $76,238,038 world wide. Both of these movies both achieved the same goal which was bringing in loads of undeserving cash that came out of the viewers pockets.

People paid to see Nicholas Cage run into a burning CGI’d building, which was supposed to represent real fire fighters running into the real building of the real (once upon a time) World Trade Centers. There is no real comparison, and there was really no need for an attempt to be.

United 93, can be taken off of the hook a little bit for not using any Hollywood actors to make the movie, which maybe gave it somewhat of a greater chance to not win any awards, even though it did, many. Regardless, United 93 had absolutely no reason to be made.

Speaking of awards and movies of absolute tragedies being made for commercial wealth, World Trade Center was nominated for 8 awards winning two of them, one of those wins being “Hollywood Movie of the Year” at the Hollywood Film Festival (go figure). Go Cage Go, you did it once again buddy. What, “Wind Talkers” in Vietnam wasn’t enough gunho, for you so you had to turn to another American tragedy? Give me a break.

United 93 was even more shocking. This film was nominated for 2 Oscars, accompanied by another 23 wins and 17 nominations. All of these awards that were won by people who probably thanked their ma’ pa’, and uncle Christoff when they received it, only received it thanks to one of Americas largest most devastating tragedies to date. How could you say thanks for that at an award show? “uhh, Id like to thank the terrorists who hijacked the planes, and uh, Osama, and uh, those 400 people who jumped out of the window, and uh, rest in peace, but thank you for this award.” The only awards that these two evens deserve are our condolences for the bravery shown by the real firefighters and the REAL common folk who took those hijackers on to save hundreds of other lives. These real people did real things, and they should be the people who are commemorated for such a catastrophic day.

Box Office Mojo. United 93 Box Office. 13 Jan. 2008. .

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=united93.htm

Box Office Mojo. World Trade Center Box Office. 13 Jan. 2008. . http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=wtc.htm

Heal911. Twin Towers. 13 Jan. 2008. . http://www.heal911.com/aaHeal9-11Self_files/towers.jpg

Celluloid Film Review. World Trade Center Movie. 13 Jan. 2008. . http://www.celluloidfilmreview.com/images/World-Trade-Center.jpg

Imageshack. United 93 Movie. 13 Jan. 2008. . http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/3452/b000gh3cr001lzzzzzzzyw2.jpg