I watched a movie last night that, in my opinion was so good, I wanted to replay it ... but it was getting late, so I didn't. I just might watch it again tonight. It's called "Passengers" and it stars the always-wonderful Anne Hathaway. It was released in the theatres last fall, and for some reason I had never heard of this movie. Have any of you heard of it ... or seen it? No, I hadn't either, until now. It also stars Andre Braugher, who is my favorite actor. And of course, it was filmed right here in Vancouver, so it's always fun to pick out Vancouver landmarks. "Oh, there's the BC Sugar Refinery; there's the Museum of Anthropology; there's the Skytrain..."For some awful reason, I have a bit of a morbid fascination with plane crashes. I often have recurring dreams that I am in one. When the Air France plane disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean a few days ago, I could not sleep that night, thinking about those 228 people on board, and the horrors they must have gone through in the last few minutes -- or the grief their loved ones must have felt. Oh, gosh...
"Passengers" is the story of Dr. Claire Summers (Hathaway), a grief counselor who counsels the handful of survivors of a major airline crash. One by one, the survivors begin to disappear, and Dr. Summers investigates their disappearances. The movie is good, and perhaps if it had had a director like Alfred Hitchcock, it could have been a classic. It very much had a Hitchcock feeling to it.
Flying is the only way to get from point A to point B in the 21st Century. Time is of the essence, and travel is not part of the journey anymore. Airplanes are sort of like elevators -- they go up, and they go back down again -- hopefully at their chosen destination. There is no feeling of packing for the journey.
"What clothing do you suppose I will need for the ship?" "Will it be warm on the train?"
Can you imagine how wonderful it must have been to travel like that? Now, people are jammed into flying aluminum toothpaste tubes, with the hopes that they and their luggage will arrive at the same place at the same time.
"I'm in London and my luggage is where? Hong Kong?"
I wish I enjoyed flying, but I just don't. I know statistically flying is very safe, but I prefer my feet to be on terra firma. Is it just me, or is anyone else nervous about flying?
"Well, everyone has a fear of at least one thing." ... Marge Simpson
21 comments:
thanks for this,, i shall grab a DVD soon. cheers
Hmm, considering I am flying to Oregon tomorrow, I don't have a fear of flying. however, I am briefly terrified at landing. I once rode on a train from Birmingham, AL to Charlotte, NC and absolutly loved it. I would travel by train all the time I think if it were a little faster. 10 days to get from AL to OR is cool if you are by yourself and don't have a 18mo son and have all the time in the world.
I love Anne Hathaway (Ella Enchanted is my son's favorite movie) and will have to check this one out, after I'm back from Oregon, safe and sound though.
I am terrified of flying. I would rent this movie because I love Anne Hathaway, but I can't seem to get through a movie that involves a plane crash. I lived in Maryland when the Potomac River crash happened. I used to have to fly back and forth between Maryland and California because my mother lived in California, and landing is DC is scary because you are right next to the Potomac. I have not heard of this movie either, and I'm guessing its is because people in the States have an aversion to watching plane crash movies since 9/11. I know folks don't fly as much as they used to. I have to fly into DC in August with my family and I'm not looking forward to it.
I'm not afraid of flying, but I get a little claustrophobic while we're waiting to take off - it's always so warm & there are all these people & I feel trapped (OK Dana - breathe!!!). Then we take off (I like that part) & then it's just boring & cold.
I like for the travel to be a journey too - much more entertaining! My husband & I always travel by car whenever possible.
I love your posts; they have quality.
Flying has never held any terrors for me; quite the reverse. I was lucky enough to be stationed at RAF Bruggen, Germany, in the mid-1950s and my boss, a wing commander ex-Battle of Britain pilot, used to take me for "flips" around the skies of Germany just to keep his "flying pay" hours intact!
I shall keep an eye out for "Passengers" on DVD or on TV.
Warmest regards, Phil.
I am not particularlly nervous about flying, but gernerally, I do perfer road trips to just flying to one destination. If only I had a month or two of vacation time a year instead of just 2 weeks.
Thanks for the movie tip. I missed this one when it came out. I too am a big Andre Braugher fan, from back when I used to watch him on Homicide: Life on the Streets. I will definitely put this on my movies to watch list.
As for flying, I am not really afraid of it, but find it to be very unpleasant. Besides all the hassles of getting to the airport and checking baggage and finding the right gate, my sinuses (which are a mess to begin with) almost always become really messed up by the whole flying thing. So, that I find my ears are clogged for about a day and half after flying anywhere. I actually enjoy getting in the car and driving somewhere and don't mind a long car drive. It's sort of an adventure.
Jo I am 100% with you on this one! I hate flying. Do not ask me why, I just do. I did once have a bad flying experience but it was not so bad that it should have left such a strong feeling with me. The only way I feel comfortable is if I land up next to someone else who are afraid or nervous. Then I focus on putting them at ease and reassuring them and that way I do the same for myself. Weird, or what?
I never had any trouble with my luggage flying but the bus company lost a suitcase when I went by bus.
I do understand; my husband is deathly afraid of flying. He uses every plane crash to point out why he refuses to fly.
I grew up flying on a regular basis and have simply grown tired of the hassle of airports. Particularly in the last few years. As my father says, "When you've got time to spare, travel by air."
I Jo. I think it's the sad history with your Love that makes you afraid of flying. I don't blame you. One should not have to suffer such loss in one's life. I'm sending good thought and happy wishes your way right this very minute :)
On a happier note,
I love when you do movie reviews...you have such a flare for it...LOL!
Have a Beautiful Day, Jo!
I Love Anne Hathaway, I have never heard of this one, I will definately have to check it out!
Jo, this sounds like an interesting movie (especially with the Vancouver setting!).
I take long-haul flights fairly regularly from Australia and recently wrote a post about my 'Top Ten In-flight Insights'. Air travel definitely isn't the romantic journey of old...
The post is here in case it might be of interest - cheers.
http://mysydneyparislife.wordpress.com/2009/03/18/a-passion-for-travel-part-8-top-ten-in-flight-insights/
I'm with you on this one, Jo. I was once on a small plane during a thunderstorm and it was terrifying. I still prefer to drive, but sometimes the only practical choice is flying. Looks like a great movie.
With my work I get to fly every month or so, sometimes more often. And although I am used to flying now I am still a very nervous flyer.
Since travel was a part of my job until last October, I tried not to think about it. More than anything,, I just hate the hassle of it all. Even the shortest of flights is at least half a day wasted between ground transportation, security, and the inevitable delays. I'd rather stay home.
O! Jo, think of me each time I come to America it is a sit in a plane for over 16 hours........You just have to switch off....then again there is that movie were the snakes get loose.....O! Gosh!!
Love visiting you and hello! from a very winter day here our first snow tonight I believe.....Mmmm! Lee-ann
I used to practically live on airplanes and loved everything about flying, but not anymore - so much has changed and the joy of flight (for me) was taken away on 9/11.
in India, trains are very frequently used.. i have traveled once in flight and i didn't fear much!
i watched that movie and it was good!!
I'm not scared of flying but I do prefer to travel by boat or train when I can. It's so much more friendly and relaxed. Living in the UK, I can travel to a lot of countries that way. Last year I went to France by boat and Italy by train (the sleeper from Paris to Florence was a lot of fun). So far this year I have been to France and Belgium by train.
The real difficulty is that most people can't arrange/afford the time off work that you'd need to travel far without a plane. My boyfriend and I would love to go to Japan by boat and train and it's completely possible but would take about 3 weeks each way. It would be such a great adventure. One day!
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