United 93

I think that United 93 is a very intense movie. From start to finish I was glued to my seat, and the last 30 minutes had my heart beating rapidly. I really liked how they filmed the movie - I knew what was going to happen, as did most of the people that watched the film, but you never knew when it was going to happen. I thought that the hijackers were portrayed very well, I was surprised to see that they acted with a nervousness and fear that seemed unprecedented to terrorists. I didn't think they got nervous and scared just like the passengers did. The movie made me feel kind of insecure. To think that this could happen to any passenger jet is terrifying, I fly all the time. It also gave me a deep pride in our country when I saw the passengers unite and reclaim the plane, even though it crashed. It gave me a new perspective on terrorism and flying, I've never seen anything from that point of view. I would say the film fills me with dispair. Overall, the fact that this could happen to a country as great as the US is shocking to me. We like to think our country is so safe, so secure and so powerful. More generally, it fills me with dispair more in terms of the human race. The fact that humans could do this to other humans, to an entire nation, is terrible. We're supposed to love, not go to war with each other. I think that we should never forget the reaction our country had. We all came together for New York and the victims of 9/11. The post - 9/11 efforts to bring our nation together were great. We truly were United States, and we should attempt to keep that unity.

Apollo 13

I thought Apollo 13 was a good movie. From start to finish I was very interested, although towards the end I felt it began to drag out. I liked how Tom Hanks played the very experienced, responsible astronaut. I always trusted his character. I also liked the way "Houston" tried so hard to bring the Astronauts back, once they were in a crisis. It gave me feelings of great pride in this country. I also thought it was interesting to see how Nasa works, as well as how the government works with it. I don't like that Nasa funding has been cut, so it's pretty disappointing to see that film and realize how much potential we are wasting. I think Space is awesome. I've always said I want to go to outer space at some point, and extra terrestrial life fascinates me, so watching this movie was pretty cool. If I could attach a theme to this film, I would say it would be to never give up. If the Astronauts had given up, they surely wouldn't have been able to survive, and if the people working at Nasa had given up, there is no way they would've been able to get back to Earth.

Parkland

I thought that Parkland was okay. The story of JFK's assassination has actually always been very interesting to me, I've always wanted to learn more about it and I've been to the museum in Dallas. I really thought I was going to love the movie, but I didn't. The movie made me feel kind of eerie... The thought of someone actually killing the President of the United States, arguably the most important man in the world, is absolutely horrifying. I liked the character of the guy who recorded the event. I thought the actor did a very good job and that the character had good morals. It is obviously applicable today as it is an unforgettable day in American history, so it is relevant to pretty much everyone.

INTERVIEW WITH GRANDMA
"I was at home. My mother called me into the TV room to look at the TV.
Being scared. When we found out he died, my parents were crying and I felt unsafe in America.
My family was obviously very sad. We supported JFK and seeing that happen was immense. My friends were also sad.
I don't know, I suppose it could be.
He was such a young, charismatic guy. You loved to watch him on TV. He was smart and very moral. He was a great president."

Kill the Irishman

Although I missed part of the movie as I was at the dentist on Brainard... Kill the Irishman was a pretty awesome movie, undoubtably one of the better movies you've shown us. It was pretty sweet to see Cleveland portrayed the way it was in the film, as most people just think of Cleveland as boring and a terrible place to live. I learned so much, I never knew the mob had such a presence right in my backyard. I also loved Danny Greene. His no BS attitude was pretty much what I expected, and after seeing the film I think he was a total badass. The movie made me feel lucky, I'm happy that organized crime in Cleveland has been done away with. I would describe Danny Greene as a leader. He was a visionary who wanted things done his way, and was very loyal and protective of his home. He says so many times throughout the film, "Cleveland is all I know". He has my utmost respect.

42

I felt that 42 was a very good movie. I really liked it from start to finish. I really liked the actor who portrayed Jackie Robinson. I liked that he wasn't one to put up with bull - he was a fighter, especially in a time of so much racial prejudice. The movie made me feel really inspired, watching someone stand up for what they believe in, in the face of so much fear, to play the game he loved. The movie is very historic, as the event acts as a major catalyst for all future African Americans who want to play ball. Jackie Robinson absolutely helped this country. What he did allowed so many other African Americans to be a part of the beautiful game. So many greats, like Hank Aaron, owe their entire careers to people like Jackie. I agree with Jackie's quote. It is our duty as civilians living in the greatest country on Earth to hold true to our original founding beliefs, which, ultimately, were to be a country where freedom was #1. How can we say that if people like Jackie Robinson wouldn't be allowed to play sports because of the color of their skin? Jackie's values are all extremely prevalent to me, and I have used all of them at one time or another to overcome my own barriers. They are all important, from courage through to excellence.

The Godfather

The Godfather is great. It tells the story of the Corleone family, one of five major mob families in New York. I really liked how the story was told from the perspective of the Corleone's, not from the outside. It gave a very interesting perspective on the mafia. The movie made me feel somewhat lucky, I'm glad organized crime isn't as prevalent today as it once was. I've already seen the Godfather, but I still think that it is phenomenal. I really liked Vito Corleone. I feel that he epitomizes the 'mob boss' connotation, and acts as the guardian for the family. It isn't as applicable today, but it still acts as a historic film. Vito Corleone is the moral center of the film, as he is the one that everyone looks up to. He has built up such a reputation, and everyone respects him. Whatever he says goes, and whatever he says is usually very wise. When he died, I felt that a giant passed. He was my favorite character in the movie, and did act as a moral center. It was hard to watch. I absolutely think the film is a classic. No other film can come close to achieving what the Godfather did, through the perspective it was shown in, the great story, the wonderful acting and the reputation it has built up.

War Horse

I thought War Horse was a touching movie, although I didn't love it. I thought it was a little too "hollywood" to empathize with. I liked the story, about how Joey is so strong and constantly defies the odds. I like that his owner loves him so much and will do anything to bring him back. However, I felt that it was unrealistic. The horse and its owner were in immediate danger and near death situations so frequently, the fact that they both survived and met up again later is so unbelievable to me. The movie did make me feel really happy at the end, but there were times throughout the film where I couldn't look. I will remember it as a story about a heroic animal. One thing I did like was the horses first owner, after the one who Joey is taken from initially. He is a very nice man and he truly feels for both Joey and his initial owner, and even draws pictures to send home. I guess, in todays society, one could say that when there's a will, there's a way.