Uncomfortably Numb, Re-Awakened Anew

April 28th, 2006 at 11:34 by MsUnderestimated

I’ve been sitting here for the past hour and a half wondering what to write, if I could write, or if I should write. I know that the topic du jour is illegal immigration, and in some ways, what I feel right now makes that issue even more important and relevant.

United93Poster.jpg

I went tonight to the 7PM showing of “United 93″ at a local theater. I wanted my friend and I to beat the evening after-dinner crowd, because I knew I would need a while to decompress afterwards, even before I saw the film.

On the way up the steps to our seats in the back of the theater, my stupid sandals caught on one of the steps, and I fell. My left elbow broke my fall, popcorn & Diet Coke everywhere, but luckily there were only 3 other couples in the theater that early. All asked if I was okay, and I said “yes, except my pride.” Little did I know how stupid that would later sound to me.

I got to my seat and realized that the left sleeve of my white blouse was soaked with blood. I didn’t even know I had injured myself that bad. I went to the restroom to clean up, and a very nice lady came in behind me to check on me. She took some Band-Aids the manager brought me, and without a thought, helped me clean my wound and bandage it. She was very concerned, and I told her that I was very thankful for her help, but that I was okay - I’d been through worse. We went back out of the restroom, separated, and back into the darkness of the theater.

Seven o’clock came, the lights went down, and the trailers of upcoming movies started to play. The theater was about half full by this time, and there was a bit of nervous restlessness in the air. It was almost uncomfortable laughter at stupid previews of stupid comedies that soon will be at a theater near you. But we all knew what we were there for - to remember the horror that happened to us, and to pay homage to the brave heroes of that flight.

Then - the feature film. Lights went even lower, and a dead silence fell upon the audience. The anticipation was almost palpable because we all knew what was going to happen, but it’s like going on that roller coaster ride you’ve been on before that absolutely terrified you, yet you knew you had to ride it again to face your fears. So you hang on tight, hold your breath, and wait for the inevitable.

During the entire nearly 100 or so minutes that the movie played, nobody said a word. Rapt attention was the feeling I got from everyone in attendance. The film starts out in a hotel room where four Islamofascist thugs are praying, one shaving, but all preparing to go to Allah and their 72 virgins once their “mission” is complete.

The movie is shot sort of cinema verite-style; sometimes jerky, jumping from scene to scene, and not always in the best lighting. But that’s the way it really happened. So that’s the way it should have been filmed. And so it was.

As the story weaves its way through the inner workings of NORAD, the FAA, ATCs, and Airline officials, it also begins to tell the personal stories of the soon-to-be heroes of Flight 93 through their personal conversations with family members, co-workers, etc., via cell phone or just to each other before they boarded United 93. Once in the air after their delay on the tarmac, all hell breaks loose as the first plane to be hijacked, American Airlines flight 11, disappears from radar and radio contact, and it becomes apparent the plane was not “lost” at all. The plane, carrying 81 passengers, nine flight attendants and two pilots, crashed into a tower of New York’s World Trade Center about 8:45 a.m. As this horror is unfolding, the innocent passengers and crew of Flight 93 have no idea yet what’s going on around them.

Once the terrorists begin to take action on the plane, a gutteral hatred for all they believe began to take hold of me. I won’t give away what happens in the details, but suffice it to say there are moments that I admittedly felt utter joy and glee when the heroes of the flight took decisive action. I’m very thankful to the producers and the writers of this film that they showed these people fighting back as fiercely as they did. Embellished or not, I don’t give a damn - it felt good to see them striking back and beating one of the hijackers to his bloody death.

Yes, the movie is graphic, but so were the events of that day. There are still more stories yet to tell, but this was a good start for the consciousness of America. This is the kind of reminder we all need to understand why we’re where we are today in this global war on terror.

The exact ending has been much discussed on the web and TV, so I’m not giving anything away here. The movie ends much like the lives of all those on board United 93. They are ferociously trying to wrestle the plane’s control from the terrorist, and the green fields of Pennsylvania are approaching in view as the plane barrels down faster and faster. Then blackness. No crash, no bang; just darkness and silence.

The entire theatre sat there motionless staring at the black screen. Nobody moved, no sounds of motion, only the sound of several people trying to stifle and choke back tears. Then the dedications roll…. and the credits begin. And the audience still sits there. Numb. Silent.

Filing out of the theater, it was like single-file zombies on parade. I could see many faces and cheeks outside the doors who bore the streak-marks of tears as did mine. Couples were clutching each other tighter it seemed, nobody spoke to patrons who were entering, it was just a silent long walk back to current life as it is today, yet remembering the past. I only hope that the rest of the theater came away with the resolve that I did. In fact, I’m certain they did.

The very sweet woman who came to help doctor my wound in the restroom found me in the hallway, and she said “I hope you’ll be okay.” I hugged her, teared up as I cocked my head back to the theater, and said “all things considered, there’s not a damn thing wrong with me.”

When I got home, I immediately put in a DVD called “What We Saw: The events of September 11, 2001, in Words, Pictures and Video.” I have to see this - I need to see this - again.

America, it’s time we heed the call once again in our determination to be strong as an UNDIVIDED country, and fight back the Islamofascists who want to destroy our very way of life, and who despise us for the freedoms that we have and hold dear.

There is a visceral yet necessary component or reaction to this movie. Please, I urge each and every one of you - go see this movie. If for no other reason than to honor those brave men & women of EVERY flight that was hijacked on that day, as well as the thousands that were killed in the WTC towers, the Pentagon, and yes, in that field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

I just pray that no other American has to watch as that green, grassy field approaches before everything goes dark. This is not just a reminder, folks….it’s a warning. It’s not a matter of “if” anymore…. but of “when.”

ToddBeamer.jpg It may be over-used, but tonight I appreciate and am motivated once again by Todd Beamer’s words from that day and portrayed in the movie: “Let’s Roll.”

Seen at Jo’s Cafe, My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy, Stop the ACLU, Cao’s Blog, Gribbit’s Word, Ace of Spade HQ, PoliPundit, Sister Toldjah, Gay Patriot, Right Wing Nation, and BlackFive.

Annika’s Journal has a teriffic review on this movie as well! Rhiel World View doesn’t review the movie, but has a very compelling video posted at his site, and Expose the Left has a brief review on Sunday. Austin Bay has a great write up on it, too.

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Posted in Islamofascists, September 11, 2001, Telling It Like it Is | | TrackBack | Email This Post Email This Post | Print This Post Print This Post | View blog reactions

Viewing 10 Comments

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    I watched this movie on Saturday. As per any American who remembered the events of 9/11, I wept openly. I was horrified and felt powerless. I watched with pride at the heroism of the passengers. I was digusted by the foul-ups of the beauracracy and with admiration at the folks on the ground, especially Sliney, doing their best in an unthinkable situation.

    But throughout the emotions, there was one scene that resonated more than anything in my mind. Just before the passengers rushed the terrorists, they prayed, juxtaposed with the terrorists praying in Islam. And that's when it all became crystal clear.

    I'm not a Christian. I have very little use for organized religions. But in this little scene, the core ideals of Americans and Islamofacism came to the forefront.

    The Americans were praying for strength to save lives and the terrorists were praying for the strength to murder lives.

    The methods we use to prosecute this war on terror maybe up for debate. The reasons are not. That reminder is the true legacy of "United 93."
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    I went to see this movie yesterday--first matinee showing. About three dozen of us were in the theater.

    My reaction to the film was almost identical to yours. The following was also true yesterday, in my own experience:

    The entire theatre sat there motionless staring at the black screen. Nobody moved, no sounds of motion, only the sound of several people trying to stifle and choke back tears. Then the dedications roll.... and the credits begin. And the audience still sits there. Numb. Silent.

    Except for the Middle Eastern fellow sitting in front of me. He had yawned and smiled throughout the movie, and got up as soon as the screen was finished. Obviously, the movie didn't disturb him.

    Afterwards, a total stranger and I hugged each other. She got directions to Shanksville from me. I visited Shanksville a few years ago. It's a sacred site, IMO. And that plane came down in a perfect spot--nobody on the ground was hurt. A few more seconds in the air and Somerville, PA, would've been taken out, and that town is FULL of gas stations.

    All of us sat for a while n our cars before we drove home.

    Seeing this film was how I chose to begin the weekend, which has been consumed with the America's Truth Forum; speakers included Robert Spencer, Brigitte Gabriel, and David Horowitz.

    Every American should visit Shanksville and see this movie!
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    We don't forget, the MSM tries to make us forget, but only the weak of spirit put any value in their propaganda. the vast majority of freedom loving AMERICANS,don't buy it,God willing.
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    Unfortunately, my daughter is ALL too acquainted with that type of language from school. I think I will take her, then. You have the same head on your shoulders that I do; I think she needs to see it, since shes' shown the desire to, for moral and historical reasons. WE MUST NEVER FORGET, for her sake, and for her daughter's sake.

    Thanks for the review and taking time to answer this question. I'm going to post it on my site as well, and am doing a trackback to here as we speak.
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    Thank you to everyone for your supportive words. It took me a while to write the post above, because I, too, was crying yet again.

    Jainphx, I hope you're right - and I think you are right if the rest of the world re-awakens like I did to realize exactly what our world is like today.

    Amy, to answer your questions, yes the film is violent and bloody in parts, but it's not that long nor that often. But it was necessary for at least my psyche.

    A lot of the violence was the sheer terror instilled in the passengers by the Islamothugs, which you very much feel right along with them; just as you do their resolve once they realize what they have to do. I saw a few families there with children about the same age as your daughter, and they were all hugging as they left, so I'd say "yes, take her." She, like you, needs to see this if for nothing else than historical content, because it is her generation that is growing up with this and will have to deal with it in the future.

    As you can imagine, the foul language was in NORAD and the other military sites, as it was very chaotic. People in the traffic control towers do watch across the harbor and see the 2nd plane hit the 2nd building. At the same time, in the military locations and NORAD, they're watching it unfold on TV. In the control towers, they were just silent in disbelief - with the military personnel & the higher-ups in the FAA, however, their silence was followed by a few "fu**s," and "shits," but I'm certain that's what they really said that day.

    I highly recommend you take your daughter to it. Weird how you should mention "The Passion of the Christ." Two friends of mine who saw that movie told me they had the same response after seeing that, that I felt and observed after United 93.

    This is very much worth it. I was hoping there would be a place I could donate (in addition to the 10% of ticket sales for this weekend) to the memorial fund for United 93. My friend and I both left the theater and got in our cars and left. About 15 minutes away from the theater, my friend called me on my cell and said "we need to see that again." I was no longer choking back tears, now in the solitude of my vehicle driving alone - I was sobbing. I told him "yes, we should...soon."

    Bill, thank you for your kind words. I hope others are inspired to see the movie not just because of my review, but because they want to.

    God bless all of you, and God bless America!

    Ms. U
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    You brought tears to my eyes with this post, admittedly easier latley. haven't seen the picture,but your discription made an old man think that maybe we're not done as a nation just yet. God Bless.
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    Ms.Underestimated,

    This was the most riveting review I have ever read. THANK YOU for posting it. I felt like I was with you the whole night and I still have tears in my eyes. Even your pre-screening accident was poignant, although I'm very sorry that happened to you.

    You said, "I won't give away what happens in the details, but suffice it to say there are moments that I admittedly felt utter joy and glee when the heroes of the flight took decisive action." Are you referring to the manner in which the hijackers were subdued? I ask because if you ever read my blog, you know I have a very politicall, socially and religiously astute almost 13 year old daughter. She goes counter protesting with me, watches the news and keeps up with current events. She's very patriotic. She wanted to go with me to the illegal aliens march we had downtown a few weeks ago but I refused to take her, not knowing what we'd find there.

    My question: is the violence in this movie inappropriate for a mature 13 year old? She's very upset that I won't let her see it. I have to screen it first. We have watched the Passion of the Christ, which is rated R, but the point of the voilence was something we as a family needed to see. Since we're an Army family and very outspoken in support of the war on terror, I think this is a movie that she also needs to see, just as you described you *needed* to see it. I know I certainly feel that about myself.

    I'm wondering if you can shed some light on the language and violence. If it would give too much away to describe it here, perhaps you could e-mail me?

    I have always said that there should be national re-airings of the actual events of 9/11 every month. Americans have gotten too far away from the reality of 9/11 and what it means to us. Once our emotions move on, so does the horror and reality of the death and destruction of our enemies. This is the very reason why we movies like Syriana can win an Academy Award in 2006... we're numbed to the reality of 9/11 because we don't remind ourselves of who was harmed and why.

    I'd be interested to know this: after seeing this movie, what is your gut reaction to the rhetoric of Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and others who relentlessly criticize the President, the surveillence program, Gitmo, the troops and the war in Iraq?

    Again, wonderful recounting of this movie. I can't wait to see it.
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    I pulled this up to my weekend specials list :)
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    Ms. U, theaters around the country are indebted to you for drawing crowds to their showing of this dynamic movie. Keep up your fine work.
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    You're braver than I am -- I still tear up when hearing Alan Jackson's song Where Were You ... I didn't forget. I wonder how many libs will go see it to be reminded ?

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