I’m a big movie fan–of just about any genre (though I tend to favor dramas). Up until now, I’ve only posted about one movie on this blog (United 93).

In the last two days, I’ve watched two very good films that could be summed up as “being about the human spirit”. One is out on DVD and one is still in theaters. Both are based on true stories, which for me seems to make a movie more compelling, even though you know how it’s going to end.

We watched World Trade Center yesterday. It’s a powerful film based on the story of two Port Authority policemen who were trapped in the rubble of the World Trade Center. The movie cuts back and forth between the trapped cops and their families. This can get a bit annoying at times, but it is effective in letting us see the actions and reactions of all involved in this tiny portion of what happened that awful day. Much like United 93, watching this movie brings back memories of the chaos of September 11. As I watched it, I wondered how many were trapped like these cops were, but didn’t make it out. I was also stunned at the bravery that abounded on that, and following days. If you read the reviews of World Trade Center on IMDB, you’ll see polarized opinions. But it’s polarizing subject matter. World Trade Center isn’t nearly as painful to watch as United 93, but it’s no walk in the park either. Get past the pain though, and you have a film about survival, human will, and some very brave people that should be watched by all.

For lack of better words, I’ll just go cliché and call The Pursuit of Happyness an “inspiring story of human achievement”. What Chris Gordon (superbly played by Will Smith) goes through to raise his son and start a career would, in all honesty, make a lot of people just give up and take a header off the nearest bridge. This film should make you think, and make you hope. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry. If this film doesn’t inspire you, I fear you have no pulse.

Greg and Drew both wrote about The Pursuit of Happyness as well.

See either film. Better yet, see them both. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

[tags]World Trade Center, Pursuit of Happyness[/tags]