Tag: 9/11

The world’s tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong, which they call “The Pearl”.

SKYSCRAPER

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

Given a choice between seeing “Skyscraper” or “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” again, I would most definitely choose “Skyscraper.”

First of all, the Rock (Dwayne Johnson) still keeps himself in shape for his movies.

The Rock is the king of disaster movies. “Skyscraper” deals with the theme of urban fire, which is a timely topic in the current news.

True, it does mimic “The Towering Inferno,” but that is not the Rock’s fault. That is like saying that the events of 9/11 copied “The Towering Inferno.”

In this film, Will Sawyer (Dwayne Johnson) is a sympathetic former veteran, who has lost part of one leg, but still manages to create a beautiful family and a meaningful life, in spite of his situation.

Part of what makes me like this film so much is the idea of putting an entire city in one building, called the Pearl. This idea offers a solution to the problem of using up all of the environment for humans. By going up, humans can leave the environment alone.

Will’s marriage is another aspect of this story that is a winner for me. His wife, Sarah (Neve Campbell) is an equal partner. She is the surgeon, who helped him recover.

Their marriage is based on respect and trust. Both partners fight to keep their relationship intact and safe. Both partners have strong abilities that complement each other, and their love is tender, ongoing and vibrant.

Will, Sarah and their two children watch each other’s back. And, they are all allowed to be strong in their own right.

Will Sawyer does not spiral into self-pity when he loses part of his leg. Rather, he realizes that his new leg is now made of steel.

The action sequences are thrilling and the family relationship was even more thrilling for me.

I am encouraging everyone to see this movie.

The Rock in “Skyscraper”.

Director/writer/producer Rawson Marshall Thurber:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rawson_Marshall_Thurber

Actor Dwayne Johnson:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwayne_Johnson

Actress Neve Campbell:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neve_Campbell

1974 The Towering Inferno:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Towering_Inferno

Sarah (Neve Campbell) and Will Sawyer (Dwayne Johnson).

7/30/2018 # Skyscraper

(l to r) Wood Harris, Olga Fonda, Charlie Sheen, Luis Guzmán and Jacqueline Bisset, moments before the disaster.

9/11

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

I feel the pressure to review “9/11” quick, before it disappears from the theaters. The anniversary of this infamous event is over, but with all the current disasters in the news, this story is still relevant and timely, and worth seeing.

Some people are not seeing it because Charlie Sheen fell off their pedestal. I am here to tell you that in this film, I can verify that he has kicked the coke, prostitute and “winning” reputation.

Charlie Sheen is believable as a billionaire stock trader, who effectively defends his right to be.

Based on the stage play, “Elevator” by Patrick Carson, it covers every angle of human behavior in a disaster.

Whoopi Goldberg is solid as the faithful elevator surveillance operator, who will not budge from her position, because she knows that people are depending on her help in the crisis.

Luis Guzmán plays Eddie, the custodial engineer, who becomes indispensable to the survival of the five individuals trapped in the elevator together.

Jacqueline Bisset is Diane, the billionaire’s estranged wife, who is reminded of all his good qualities during the disaster. One minute, she wants him to sign the divorce papers, and in a twinkling of an eye, she is defending him to his critics with vivid examples.

But, the billionaire (Charlie Sheen) earns his right to live. An avid reader, he cites examples of how they can survive a disaster in an elevator.

He points out that he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he sacrificed his own health, his own marriage and his own family, for his success.

Wood Harris is Michael, a Black courier, who reveals his own prejudices and Olga Fonda plays Tina, a Russian mistress, who has reached her limit in such a relationship.

All of these people ultimately realize that if they are going to survive, they need to drop the assumptions about each other and work together.

I appreciated the poetic touches in this film, such as the elevator worker passing the desperate wife without recognition of each other as ashes fall all around them.

The ending is abrupt, but it allows each filmgoer to decide for themselves, who deserves to live or die.

I highly recommend “9/11,” and I am planning to pick up a DVD copy of it for my collection.

Above and beyond worker, Whoopi Goldberg as Metzie.

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9/19/2017 # 9/11