Shattering!

Rating: 10/10 (29 April 2006)

Now there are 4 slots available for the Best Picture Oscar of 2006. Paul Greengrass and his crew have crafted the most nerve tingling (mangling?) thriller since THE CHINA SYNDROME. This retelling of the 9/11/01 and the imagined telling of the final minutes of the the real doomed flight United 93 is one of the most harrowing thrillers of all-time. It almost feels obscene saying that (it is an awesome thriller) because it also an incredible paean to actual real-life heroism (albeit doomed). This may be a perfect movie (as the necessary vodka shot and ale chaser flow through my system). There is not a single false move in this film. The casting is no stars perfect. The cinematography and editing are in perfect sync sometimes to my frustration. I can't believe the restraint Greengrass put on the emotions and the violence. This is very straight forward storytelling. I'm sure the kneejerk suckups at FOXNEWS and the oxycotin addled Limbaugh idiots will find fault with Greengrass's time spent on the terrorists motivations, but I think it added further power to the actions by those against them. THIS IS A GREAT FILM.