One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.
As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.
Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.
I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”
When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.
See you at the movies!
***Spoilers Ahead!!!***
99. United 93 (2006) Directed by Paul Greengrass
The Movie: It’s the morning of September 11, 2001. In a Newark, New Jersey hotel, four members of the terrorist group al-Qaeda Ziad Jarrah (Khalid Abdulla) Saeed Al Ghamdi (Lewis Alsamari) Ahmed Al Haznawi (Omar Berdouni) and Ahmed Al Nami (Jamie Harding) are on their way to Newark International Airport. They are boarding United Airlines Flight 93 with a final destination of San Francisco. It will never make it to its destination.
On board the flight is Captain Jason Dahl (J.J. Johnson) and First Officer LeRoy Homer (Gary Commock). Mark Bingham (Cheyenne Jackson) barely makes the flight. The doors close and the flight is delayed as it sits on the tarmac.
Air traffic controllers, attempting to contact American Airlines Flight 11. The last they know is it is being diverted to New York City. Air Traffic Controllers, realize that the flight has been hijacked after they hear suspicious transmissions from the flight deck.
Ben Sliney (Himself) is on his first day as the Federal Aviation Administration’s National Operations Manager. Sliney learns that not only has American 11 been hijacked but ATC has also lost contact with United Flight 175. Sliney is shocked when American 11 crashes into the World Trade Center’s North Tower. Sliney learns that United 175 is also headed to New York City. As ATC looks on in terror as United 175 crashes into the World Trade Center’s South Tower. Sliney learns that American Airlines Flight 77 has also been hijacked and is headed for Washington D.C.
United 93 is starting its climb to cruising altitude and reaches it. The flight attendants start to serve breakfast when an ACARS message warns Captain Dahl that the World Trade Center has been attacked and beware of cockpit intrusions.
Haznawi decides that it is time to hijack United 93 and goes into the bathroom to make a “bomb”. Ghamdi grabs flight attendant Deborah Welsh (Polly Adams) and threatens her with a knife. Passenger Mark Rothenberg (Chip Zein) attempts to intervene and is stabbed by Haznawi and dies. Haznawi and Nami force all the passengers to the back of the plane and Ghamdi enters the flight deck and kills both pilots. The pilots however send out a mayday call before they are killed and Jarrah takes over controls of the flight. His target is the United States Capital building.
American Airlines Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon and Sliney orders all flights in the air in the United States or coming to the United States to be grounded.
On United 93, the passengers learn of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. They learn that the hijackers are lying and they have no intention in landing the plane. Passengers rally behind Bingham, Jeremy Glick (Peter Hermann) and Todd Beamer (David Alan Basche) and decide to take back the plane by force and attack the hijackers with make shift weapons and utensils from the fight crew.
The passengers storm the hijackers. Haznawi is killed by Bingham. The passengers learn that the bomb is a fake and are more determined than ever to take back the plane. Hearing the commotion outside, Jarrah attempts to stop the passengers by rocking the plane back and forth. Nami is the next to fall as his eyes are gouged out by Glick. The passengers start ramming the cockpit door with a serving cart. Jarrah realizing that he will not complete his mission pitches the plane into a steep dive as the passengers break the door down.
Although the plane never recovers from its dive, the men and women on board are heroes as United 93 crashes into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing everyone on board, but saving thousands of lives in the process.
Why I Love United 93 (2006): The events of 9/11 are some of the most tragic in history. Certainly in American History. The events that unfolded on that day will live with me for the rest of my life. And while the events are heartbreaking and tragic, I believe the men and women on United 93 perfectly encapsulates the American Spirit.
The United States will only be pushed around so long before we fight back, and that is exactly what happened on United 93. When the bad guys thought they had the United States on the ropes, brave men and women stood up and fought back. The story of United 93 is a tragic one, but also a story that needs to be told for the brave Americans who said “that’s enough.”
Paul Greengrass brings his signature documentary style to the film which makes it that much more powerful. The way he moves the camera and tells the story on board United 93 makes it feel like you are there.
The heartbreak we felt that day is perfectly captured in the performance of Ben Sliney, who plays himself in the film. Hats off to Sliney who is not an actor but is fantastic in the film giving it even more authenticity.
United 93 is a tough watch. But it is a film that everyone should see.