"Got a HOT subject for a flick? TURN TO STONE!"
"Timing is Everything" ...or so they say! This isn't the first, and it sure won't be the last film about September 11th. Surely you'd have to be hiding under a rock if you haven't seen the previews for the upcoming release of World Trade Center. They started giving us a glimpse of the Oliver Stone movieduring the Super Bowl (Also was the case with Superman which has already zipped through cinemas faster than a speeding bullet!). The pavement on the former site of the WTC still warm a few years later, and Oliver Stone is taking a swipe at the way everything happened that day from his point of view. Although this movie is sure to fit into several different genres depending on who sees it, Stone had better become invisible for a few months. I wonder who's idea it was for a mid August release? Gee whiz, why not just wait for September 11th, roll the dice, release it on that day and run for the hills? The timing of this movie adds insult to injury for those still shaken up by that day. On 9/11 Oliver Stone will be at home smoking a big cigar, sipping cognac, and counting all the box office receipts so far. So now, I'll break down the whole kit and kaboodle into three parts BEFORE I even get to see the movie when it makes it to DVD. Even 9/11 isn't a good enough reason to part ways with $9.11 on a theater ticket.- THE GOOD. Call WTC a "tribute" to all the people that lost their lives on that horrific day and are now known as "Heroes". The movie isn't just an account of the events of that day rather, this supposedly is the true story of the Nicholas Cage character who was there and is still alive to talk about it. This is the type of stuff that pulls women into a moviehouse to see something that is more of a "Lifetime" made for tv movie than just a "History Channel" documentary. In addition, casting Nick Cage as the central figure is also another way to have the women stand in line at the ticket booth. Most importantly, for at least a few folks still shaken and stirred a few years later, maybe this puts a "period" at the end of the chapter.
- THE BAD. Another Oliver Stone film, another bunch of conspiracy theories. Interesting to see what little things Stone slips into this film. There's a lot of ways to go with this one...the photo of Satan in the giant cloud of rising smoke which means that the WTC was the gateway to Hell. In addition to that, "money is the root of all evil" only makes sense becausethe WTC is at the center of where money is. Another theory suggests that the whole thing was staged by the U.S. as an excuse to put the surplus of unused weapons and troops to use again. How else could you explain the fact that thousands of Jews called in sick that day to their jobs at WTC to avoid being involved in a mess that didn't even happen for another few hours? These are only two of many theories we've heard. I wouldn't be surprised if any of these somehow wiggle their way into the film considering Oliver Stone's track record.
THE UGLY. As mentioned earlier, is this really a good time to make money on an event where the dust hasn't even settled yet? Will there ever be a good time? Oliver Stone worked with hundreds of people in constructing the set of the ruins down to every detail using video and photos. So realistic in fact that, people that provided him with the photos and videos walked into the movie set when it was finished and literally dropped and got sick. I don't know if I want to see the movie at all, but I think once is enough. I'd be worried at those people who feel the need to see this more than once. I'd worry more about the people who purchase this on DVD to watch over and over again because they enjoy it.
SITTING ON THE FENCE when it comes to The World Trade Center film, how long before we're going to see Leslie Nielson in a "Naked Gun/Airplane" type spoof on 9/11? They'd better start making it now...Leslie Nielson isn't getting any younger. Besides, he needs the work anyway. Best bet: Party with a pig and all the rest and go see Barnyard. At least this movie won't make you depressed, angry, confused or sick.
posted by Dave Sypniewski at
Thursday, August 03, 2006
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