Reliving 9/11 through the movies

People are munching popcorn and watching recreated scenes of Sept. 11, 2001.

When people went to the movies this summer, did they expect to see previews for films such as “United 93” or “World Trade Center”?

The positive is emphasized in both of these movies, but they are still hard to watch.

What goes through people’s minds as they watch the computer-generated rubble falling around Nicholas Cage? It’s been five years since 9/11—Is it too soon for movies? In some ways, now is the best time for films. Sept. 11 is still in people’s minds. Waiting for the 10-year anniversary might be too long.

Right now people are still grieving. How must they feel, seeing commercials advertising the films on TV? It’s hard to move on. Will movies make it harder?

For some people, it could be a way to heal. For others, being reminded (yet again) of 9/11 could be hard to swallow. The best possible outcome would be for people to be inspired by what they see. Movies aren’t unexpected; It’s just strange to think five years have passed.