Movie/DVD Review: United 93

Film: United 93
Studio: Universal Pictures
Originally Released: April 28, 2006
Watched: September 11, 2008 via Netflix
Ebert Rating: 4 Stars
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 91%
My Netflix Rating: **** (Really Liked It)
Wikipedia Entry

Prelude

In commemoration of the 7th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks this weekend and to honor the memory of those who died that horrible day, I’ll be reviewing two films that came out in subsequent years regarding the horrific events of that faithful day which changed our world: “World Trade Center” and “United 93.” God Bless the souls of the men and women lost that day 7 years ago today… If you’re interested in first hand accounts of that day feel free to peruse “Partygirl’s Archives” as she documented the events in NYC on 9/11 and the subsequent months first-hand.

Synopsis

This film follows in real-time format the events of 9/11 from the perspective of the air traffic controllers who monitored the four hijacked flights that crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania that day. From there it follows the possible events that may have occurred aboard Flight 93 as the passengers aboard the flight fought back against the terrorist hijackers and prevented them from reaching their intended target.

Thoughts

With 9/11 still fresh in most minds that lived through it 7 years after the fact, seeing the footage of the planes crashing into the Towers and the Pentagon was not easy to do sit through. The pace of the movie itself was a bit agonizing as we literally followed the air traffic controllers for about 2/3 of the movie as they attempted to figure out which planes had been hijacked. The actual action between the hijackers and the passengers really consisted of only a third of the movie or so. So in a sense, it conveyed the drama and agony of the day very well but I personally would have wished to have seen more of the passengers as opposed to air traffic control. A made-for-tv film of the days events was also made around the same time, “Flight 93” and for my money that was the better film. Overall though, the film did portray the heroics of the passengers quite well and the perspective of what went on in air traffic control was a fresh view from what was shown in the media at the time.

DVD Features

In true “tribute” fashion the DVD features consisted of the following:

1. Commentary track by Director Paul Greengrass
2. Documentary: “United 93: The Families and the Film.” This is a one hour documentary where the families of the passengers and crew were interviewed and spoke of their lives post 9/11 and their views on the making of the film. It is heart-wrenching.
3. Biographical tributes to all deceased crew and passengers aboard United 93
4. Trailer for the short documentary, “Twin Towers.”

The documentary about the deceased passengers and their families was very touching and moving and the biographical shorts on each passenger and crew was very classily done. In short, it’s a very well-done and fitting tribute to the lives of the heroic passengers who were on Flight 93 that day.

The Verdict

This film and the DVD set as a whole is a great tribute to the brave men and women of United flight 93 who fought back against the Terrorist hijackers that day. It is a great historical documentary that is definitely a great tribute to the heroics that came out in the face of pure evil that day. Let us never forget them.

Highly Recommended

Movie/DVD Review: Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

Film: Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (Unrated Version)
Starring: John Cho and Kal Penn
Studio: New Line Cinema
Originally Released: April 25, 2008
Watched: September 7, 2008 via Netflix
Ebert Rating: N/A
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 54%
My Netflix Rating: *** (Liked It)
Wikipedia Entry

Synopsis

Picking up where the first film left off, Asian stoners Harold and Kumar hop a flight to Amsterdam in pursuit of Harold’s dream gal Maria. Being the moronic stoners they are, they run afoul of TSA and Homeland Security as they light up their bong in flight with the passengers and air marshals mistaking it for a “bomb.” Xenophopic ethnic profiling makes our boys Public Enemy #1 as they spend the rest of film running from the G-men. In midst of avoiding a second stint in Guantanamo Bay they run through the Deep South encountering in-bred rednecks, the K.K.K., more hot chicks, Southern brothels, Doogie Howser (???) and G.W. himself (???). In the secondary plot which compliments the first film, Kumar laments his long-lost love.

Thoughts

Ooookay. Well, one great thing about Netflix and the quick turnaround between first-run, second-run and DVD releases is that you can definitely catch films cheaper through DVD as opposed to paying (the ever ridiculously rising) full prices at the mega-plex.

“Escape from Guantanamo Bay,” imho, is a step down from the first film. The situations and gags are on par with the first film and others of the genre like “Dude Where’s My Car” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.” You still have those LMAO momets. The problem with the film though is that some parts of the story do come across as a tad bit insulting and disturbing. A large portion of the film lampoons the ridiculous turn America’s taken since 9/11 with the Patriot Act and xenophobia against Middle-Easterners, Indians who LOOK LIKE Middle-Easterners, Mexicans and Koreans, etc, etc. While running from Homeland Security and facing off against the KKK the film not so subtlely transcends from “Stoner Comedy” to “Social Statement” which probably isn’t what most people are checking this film out for as these films typically serve as an “Escape” from the ridiculousness of the world we live in as opposed to a stark reminder of just how screwed up things really are. Probably the strongest statements regarding how bad we’ve gotten are the zealousness of the Homeland Security agent who relentlessly pursues Harold and Kumar. That probably leaves the worst taste in my mouth from the film as it wasn’t funny at all and it probably hits a bit too close to home for some who’ve probably experienced things first hand.

On the plus side, we still have hot chicks who flash and the gags are on par with the first film. Nothing new to the genre but still good for a laugh.

DVD Features

Being rented from Netflix I only rented Disc One which basically just had the feature itself. I didn’t bother renting the second disc with the special features and thus can’t comment but I suspect it’s chalked full of everything you’d expect and is worth a watch if you’re a total film or Harold and Kumar freak.

The Verdict

Is this film worth a watch? Sure. Is the DVD worth purchasing? That’s up to you to decide. My inclination would say probably not as the film offers nothing new or fresh. If you’re a big fan of Harold and Kumar maybe it may be worth your time and dollar to purchase. For the rest of us the Netflix rental will probably suffice.

Verdict: Flip a coin. Not must see material but not a total waste of time either.

Movie/DVD Review: Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle

Quote: “I’ve been trimming my ass hairs with that for the past 6 months.”

Film: Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle”
Starring: John Cho and Kal Penn
Studio: New Line Cinema
Originally Released: July 30, 2004
Watched: September 7, 2008 via Netflix
Ebert Rating: ***
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 73%
My Netflix Rating: **** (Really Liked It)
Wikipedia Entry

Synopsis

Asian stoners Harold (a workaholic Junior Analyst) and Kumar (a non-motivated prospective Medical student) head out for a crazy night of hijinx after getting major munchies for White Castle burgers. The boys spend the entire night looking for the nearest White Castle in the next town and encounter detour after detour including run-ins with a gang of punks, crazed law enforcement officers, various hot chicks, a Bible thumping, freaky tow truck driver, Doogie Howser (???) and a cheetah (???).

Thoughts

If you’re looking for a great laugh this film definitely delivers in spades. Cut from the same mold as other great stoner comedies like “Dude Where’s My Car,” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” this film is just what the doctor orders if you need a good, mindless laugh. Is the film stupid? Of course it is. Does it leave you in stitches? Totally. There was quite a bit of LMAO moments in here that made the film totally worthwhile. For the guys, the gratuitous amount of hot chicks flashing doesn’t hurt much either

DVD Features

The DVD has the standard set of features you’d come to expect, all very well done.

• John Cho and Kal Penn: The Back Seat Interview (12 mins)
• Audio Commentaries
• Cast and Crew: Drive-Thru Bite. Quick sound bites on the film with Director David Lainer, Brooke D’Orsay (Clarissa), Kate Kelton (Chrissy), Steve Braun (Cole), Eddie Kaye Thomas (Rosenberg), David Krumholtz Goldstein), Jon Hurwitz (Writer), Hayden Schlossberg (Writer), Paula Garces (Maria), Fred Willard (Dr. Willoughby), Neil Patrick Harris
• Featurette: “The Art of the Fart” (10 mins). Behind the scenes about the hilarious “Battle Shit” scene and it’s sound design production. This is probably more than you’d care to know but it’s hilarious.
• Featurette: “A Trip to the Land of Burgers” (10 mins). Quick talk about the issues behind the filming of the “Land of Burgers” scene
• New Line Movie Previews
• Two Theatrical Trailers
• Music Video

The Verdict

Is this film worth a watch? Totally. Is the DVD worth purchasing? That’s up to you to decide. The features are well done so if you did find this film totally awesome where you need the DVD by all means buy it. For the rest of us a simple watch via your rental service of choice will suffice.

Highly Recommended