World Trade Center

"The sky was falling and streaked with blood
I heard you calling me, then you disappeared into the dust
Up the stairs, into the fire
Up the stairs, into the fire
I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs, into the fire"


World Trade Center

I can honestly say that not one person I know has, or had, any interest in seeing Oliver Stone's World Trade Center. Some even went as far as spewing a string of profanity that Hollywood would be cashing in on such a horrible event. At first I thought there was no way in hell that I would even think of seeing the film, especially after passing on United 93 months ago. Then the first trailer appeared. I thought that it looked to be a story of heroes, not an indictment on the administration. Which was what I fully expected from Stone. Time came 'round for the flick to come out, and I caught the two port authority officers that the film was based on on the Today show. I listened to those two men speak of the bravery of those who saved them, and how the film was exactly how it was. Expect for in real life it was darker, smokier, and more cramped. But everything else was true. That sold it. At that point I was bound and determined to see the film. It was to be in honor of instead of cashing in on a tragedy.

Oliver Stone has never been one to cash in or sell out. I want anyone to point to one, just one of his films that was a "sell out" flick. When he makes a film it's because he feels passion for the subject. I caught him on Sunday Morning Shootout, and he spoke of the three years he spent researching and filming Alexander. Whether the movie is good or not doesn't matter, I respect the man. He doesn't make some hokey p.o.s. starring whomever is the "it" actor of the moment, he makes films that mean something. That said, I've not enjoyed all of his films, but nonetheless respect what the man stands for. Did anyone piss and moan about Bruce Springsteen cashing in on 9/11 a mere year after the incident? Nope. His album was seen as a homage. Why is the same not true for Stone?

This isn't the first 9/11 film I have seen. I watched The Guys a few years ago, and balled my eyes out. I thought I might make it though WTC without weeping, but it happened again. Towards the end the impact of the film hit me, and the river of tears flowed. I'm surprised I made it that far. Damn near every time I see any footage of the towers I start welling up, and my lip starts quivering. The thought of that atrocity sets my stomach on fire, and makes me want to hit something. Hard. The act was one of cowardice. Religious zealots used blind faith that had been ingrained in them instead of common sense. Living in an environment where you are taught to hate America because of the freedom we enjoy is something I will never be able to fully wrap my head around. That day I felt numb. We stopped working, and just sat around watching TV. None of us understood what was going on. The others started talking about the draft, I started thinking of joining the military. Started thinking about my little sister, and how I would do all that I could to make sure she grew up in the same free world that I did. Days past, and reality set in. Tears fell, and I realized that the administration would not retaliate those who stuck us. Time, reconnaissance, and red tape would reign supreme. It makes sense. Strike the wrong country, and WW3 could start. But I wasn't thinking about that then. All I saw was red. Pain. Anger. Rage. Fear. Sorrow. Confusion.

Now time has past, and 9/11 is only used when more personal freedoms need to be taken away. When reelections come 'round. How about we all rebel against that than piss and moan about a movie? I wish people in this country would wake up. This is going to be as ironic as hell, but I wish people would stop complaining on the internet and do something. I know this is posted on the internet, so it could be seen as me bitching about myself. That's not how it is. I'm involved in my community, and speak freely about this country. What we need. What we should stand up for. I don't brood in the corner, I stand up in the front. Something needs to be done, and we need more people to get involved. It's not George Bush's fault we're at where we're at. It ours, the public.

Enough political b.s.

Stone's World Trade Center is a phenomenal film. It needs to be seen my millions, if not every who calls themself an American. The days that followed 9/11 were days of sorrow, yet filled with hope. We stopped being concerned with ourselves, and tried helping others. We need to go back to that place. We are all one. Americans. We need to stop infighting, blaming everything on the opposing political parties. What's the point of hate? We all have to live on this ball of salt and sea called Earth, we might as well be kind to one another while we're here. Cause in the grand scheme of things, it's a very short time.

The story of those two men and their families was about more than that. It was about what I spoke if above. Kindness. Love. A want to help your fellow American. If the story had been cooked up in Hollywood, no one would have thought it realistic. Everyone would have said it was too melodramatic. But it's a true story. One filled with hope. Caring. Love. And especially, faith. The bulk of the film focuses on John McLoughlin [Nicolas Cage] and Will Jimeno [Michale Pena], and their struggle to keep each other alive under lord knows how many tons of rubble. A plethora of stories on the edges and intersections of those men's story floated throughout. The marine's tale showed more faith than many Christian films. He, like many others, were shown to be exactly what they were that fateful day, heroes. In fact, they were more than that. We're going to have to invent a new word to describe those men and women that went into the fire. Some of whom gave their life that day. Hero is just not a strong enough word.

Thoughts of that day will always hurt. Always. There will never be a day that goes by that I will be "over" 9/11. Some say this film is too soon. In fact, a lot say that any film about 9/11 will always be too soon. I says that's not true. If I asked any of those people how they felt about Pearl Harbor [the event, not the movie], my guess is that none would say anything other than it was a tragic occurrence. Mention 9/11 to the same person, and no words will follow to describe their feelings. It'll be written all over their face. I'm glad WTC was made, and especially the fact that Stone did it. With him at the helm, a true story was told. The Rock or Vin Diesel didn't show up to lift the rubble up all by themselves like if Michael Bay would have shot it. What we have is a testament to those men and women that went above and beyond what any human should ever have to. The film is something one day I hope to show my grand kids, and talk to them about that day. Talk to them about what true heroism is. Maybe by then we'll have a new word to describe those who gave their lives and of themselves that horrific day.

Until next time:
"The reason we were attacked, the reason these people are missing and dead, they weren't doing anything wrong. They were living their lives, they were going to work, they were traveling, they were doing what they normally do. As I understand it — and my understanding of this is vague at best — another group of people stole some airplanes and crashed them into buildings. We are told that they were zealots fueled by religious fervor. And if you live to be 1,000 years old, will that make any sense to you? Will that make any goddamn sense?" - David Letterman