Greenville's free alternative weekly

Too soon to review World Trade Center the movie?

8/17/06 issue

Deric Spoils The Movie

By Deric Kempsell

World Trade Center (2006) On September 11th 2001, terrorists crashed two commercial jets into the twin towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City. We all know the story. We recall where we were at the time, and what we were doing. World Trade Center chronicles the events surrounding the rescue of two Port Authority officers who were trapped when the buildings collapsed. Nicholas Cage and Michael Pena star as officers John McLoughlin and William J. Jimeno respectively, two of the last survivors pulled from the rubble. Taking place over the 11th and 12th of September 2001, the audience revisits the bodies falling from the sky, the collapse of the towers, the conversations of the men struggling to survive, the thousands of concrete tombs, the pain of the families and the search and rescue operations. Seemingly uncharacteristic as an Oliver Stone film, in many respects World Trade Center succeeds in capturing the initial disbelief the day of the event and showcasing the inherent good and remarkable spirit of people who unite in the face of adversity. Maggie Gyllenhaal (as Allison Jimeno) shines above the rest as she struggles to accept the fact that she may never see her husband again. In many respects, World Trade Center also fails. The character of Dave Karnes (the Marine who snuck onto the site to help with the rescue operation) comes across so creepy that test audiences thought his character was a Hollywood invention. Hallucinations of Jesus carrying a bottle of water translate so cheesy that they could theoretically pose problems for the lactose intolerant. And although Paramount has gone so far as to prescreen the movie to survivors and post disclaimers as to the content on its Web site, only 10 percent of the profits for the first five days of the release are being donated to September 11th related causes. The truly moving footage in the film is the live news feeds recorded by CNN and the like five years ago. Across the country, movie critics have shied away from deeply criticizing World Trade Center as a film— for how does one critique a story that for so many still holds so much pain and anguish; does not appreciating this movie equate to not appreciating 9/11? Should this movie even have been made in the first place? When posed the question “How do you tastefully bash a movie about 9/11?” there is but one appropriate answer: you don’t. The degrees of separation from this “defining event” of our generation are too close to everyone and the wounds for many are still too fresh. World Trade Center effectively tells but a few of the thousands of stories from September 11th, 2001, however, no amount of “tinkly” piano music and Hollywood talent can express the magnitude of what transpired that day. Visit Ground Zero. Watch the original footage. Remember September 11th. World Trade Center (2006) starring Nicholas Cage, Michael Pena, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Maria Bello, and Steven Dorff is directed by Oliver Stone and rated PG-13 for intense and emotional content, some disturbing images, and language. Also Playing This Week: Accepted √ Synopsis: University rejects decide to create their own school. Verdict: You’ve seen the commercial…~ “Ask me about my wiener!!!”~ Barnyard: The Original Party Animals √ Synopsis: Farm animals talk when people aren’t around! Verdict: Seriously, how many of these CGI films are we to be subjected to this summer??? Clerks II √ Synopsis: Ten years after the original… Verdict: Who does #2 work for? The answer is everyone, because this movie rocks. The Descent √ Synopsis: Six girlfriends meet up for their annual caving trip…and are decimated! Verdict: Ridiculous premise aside…this movie is no joke, see it. The Illusionist √ Synopsis: Not all is as it seems when an illusionist fights a prince for the love of a woman. Verdict: Norton and Giamatti should make a good team, but I’m waiting for The Prestige (2006). John Tucker Must Die X Synopsis: Three girls plot revenge on their cheating lover. Verdict: Why is this movie still in theaters or, for that matter—even in theaters??? Lady in the Water √ Synopsis: M. Night Shyamalan’s take on the classic fairy tale. Verdict: Agree to disagree Chicago Sun-Times, because I liked it. So there. Roeper sucks. Little Miss Sunshine √ Synopsis: An eclectic family heads on the road to a beauty pageant. Verdict: A little ray of sunshine in a saturated summer box-office. Material Girls X Synopsis: A riches-to-rags-to-riches story featuring the Duff sisters! Verdict: We live in a material world, and I am…not seeing this movie. Miami Vice √ Synopsis: Two undercover detectives blur the line between fabrication and real life. Verdict: There’s a case of the “Miami Flu” going around, and it’s not because of this movie! Monster House √ Synopsis: Three children join forces to stop a neighbor’s house once they realize it’s alive. Verdict: It’s good, but I think Cars is in the dollar theater now…. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest √ Synopsis: Captain Jack Sparrow discovers he owes a blood debt to the legendary Davey Jones. Verdict: Go see this movie now or surrender the booty ARGGGGGG. Pulse √ Synopsis: Ghouls from another dimension use modern wireless technology to kill. Verdict: Re-make of the Japanese classic: and you know they have some messed up movies… Scoop X Synopsis: A young medium investigating the “Tarot Card Killer” falls for her suspect! Verdict: Wow, this looks like fun! And if you believe that, there’s a bridge in Brooklyn you might be interested in… Snakes on a Plane √√√√√ Synopsis: It’s easy: “Snakes….on….a….Plane” Verdict: This movie was already a certified hit in pre-production. Step Up X Synopsis: A hard luck kid from Baltimore “steps up” his dance game to get the girl. Verdict: If you were one of the millions of people who saw this preposterous movie last week… shame on you! Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby √ Synopsis: Will Ferrell is a NASCAR racing sensation whose attitude makes him a national hero. Verdict: If you live in South Carolina, you are required by law to like this movie. Check it out—it’s in the constitution. Zoom X Synopsis: Think “X-Men”, but more lame. Verdict: Tim Allen, you are officially on Lame Movie Probation (LMP®)…it’s up to us America, to enforce it. Classic Movie Spoiler: American History X (1998): Synopsis: After committing two brutal murders, Neo-Nazi Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) is sent to prison where he reforms. After being released he heads home to help rebuild his family, and prevent his younger brother from making the same mistakes he did. Spoiler: Derek’s brother is killed - a product of the senseless violence he used to propagate.