I finally saw it, late last night. I felt a knot in my gut get tighter and tighter as the scenes passed and the drama of desperation accumulated. But other than that, the movie did not cause any intense or unusual emotional disturbance in me. I thought it was exceptionally, commendably well done. DW even went with me, and for once, we both came through about identically, emotionally. DW was offended because it seemed to her like the military characters were singled out for put-downs. It looked to her like there was an imbalance of portrayal of the military folks, compared to the other responders, as the least intelligent, most disorganized and otherwise most inept. I didn't take it that way, although I understand why she would. But really, the attacks were not something anyone was well-rehearsed in responding to. (Who's all set to execute plans to respond to an earthquake in Chicago? Or a bee swarm in a shopping mall, for that matter?) There probably would have been unnecessary shootdowns if the President's orders had been passed. That's the kind of thing that happens simply because of the "fog of war," absent any blood lust, overreaction, or insubordination. I thought the commanders' declining to pass the shootdown orders was as brave and admirable an action as the passengers' revolt. I guess I brought that up because I'm familiar with air-to-air scenarios. For irony in personal experience, just this past week I watched The Godfather Part III on DVD. Weird movie, but I suppose it was a way to bring some kind of closure to the first two parts. Anyway, one very good line in it was: "Don't hate your enemies; it clouds your judgment." I think United 93's most clever quality was its portrayal in a way that did not strive to focus viewers' empathy toward either hijackers, or passengers, or other responders, or other less involved characters. Portrayal with any hint of "partisanship" would have disserved the public and cheapened the movie. The media are already far too full of historical portrayals that stoke already existing hatreds (and create new ones), such that too many people are fighting the war we are in with clouded judgment. It's one thing for combatants to adopt, or reject, one another's strategies, tactics, methods, ideas or styles. But it's self-defeating to the warrior who lets propaganda affect how he "feels about" his enemy. I ached after the movie, not because of it, but because there aren't more like it, especially covering the current war.

Yes, we saw it. I thought it was very well done and agree with your comments. The acting was superb. I thought the the costuming was very nicely done too. Their clothes were perfect. The apartment was wonderful and the kitchen struck me as well. It reminded me of my grandparents place in their final years. Then I remembered that old charming buildings just don't always have old charming kitchens. Two DSs live in NYC in pre-war apts in great old buildings with kitchens that don't have the charm and character of the rest of the space. Seems the bathroom was kind of like that in the movie as well, though old bathrooms sometimes have old charming tile even if the tub is shot and lighting terrible. Though hardly an uplifting film, I was glad to have seen it and felt it compelling. I didn't tear up watching it, but was "spent" at the end. We all have our time and the road out of here may not be exactly what we or our loved ones would choose. Amour has the oldest actress nominated. Did you see the film with the youngest? Beasts of the Southern Wild. Any thoughts on that one? I have seen it as well. Have you seen The Master? I need to get to Life of Pi and Django.......

As some of you have noted, "memorable" doesn't always mean "best." I usually avoid movies that are scary or depressing (life is hard enough!), but one of my most memorable was very depressing: The Pledge, with Jack Nicholson. It was very well done, but I wish I didn't remember so much about that movie! On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, I will always remember the blues club scene from Adventures in Babysitting. Elisabeth Shue and crew can't leave the place until they sing the blues. So funny! Million Dollar Baby stayed with me for a long time. And I will never forget any part of the original An Affair to Remember. Ah, Cary Grant!

Still with furs. I lived for a year in Canada (Ottawa) a cold country and very chilly city and someone gave me their very old fur coat. It was extremely heavy and rather moth eaten, probably less mouton and more dead cat. One day I walked into the city library and, though it was snowing as I left home, it was raining by the time I got there . . . and my goodness did that soggy coat pong. All eyes and noses followed me round the shelves until, in sheer embarrassment, I had to take it off and hide it behind a distant radiator where it steamed-off noxious vapours. When I returned to the UK the coat stayed behind. BTW Queen Elizabeth, was never Princess of Wales, just Duchess of York, as George VI went straight from D of Y to King. When Diana became Princess of Wales it was noted that the title hadn't been used since the time of the marriage of George V in 1890 something to Mary of Teck, always know as Old Queen Mary when I was a child. Also a fact I only became aware of recently, the title of Queen Mother was specially created for Queen Elizabeth on the death of George VI . . . probably much more than you (true US republicans all) needed to know. ;-)