September 11th, 2001, was not only the day 3000 innocent Americans lost their lives; it was the day the entertainment business saw an opportunity to make money. Other movies have commercialized tragedies before, but director Oliver Stone really outdid himself with his movie, “World Trade Center.”

I understand that the movie was supposed to be a human interest piece, but the fact remains the movie was centered around a tragic event that dramatically changed the course of international affairs. Keeping in mind that people’s artistic expression often reflects societal affairs, creating a movie for entertainment that visually represents the confusion and hurt surrounding that day is disrespectful if not insulting to the families of the victims.

Of course there were beautiful stories. Of course there were instances that day where people feel closer to God just listening to them. But does the entertainment industry really have to package it together, throw in a few A-list celebrities, and release it in the same theatres showing movies like “John Tucker Must Die” to remind the American people to have faith?

September 11th affected everyone. Not only the victims of the families and not only Americans. To some it was the saddest day in human history. And now, with thanks to American movie companies, movie patrons can sit in their comfortable chairs enjoying their unhealthy refreshments and conveniently watch the horror unfold.

The fact that this movie was made for entertainment reasons is not the only reason why this movie was so degrading. It’s the fact that people and companies made money off the murder of thousands of innocent Americans that ticks me off.

According to various sources, four charities received 10 percent of the box office receipts for the first five days. The question I have is why not give over 50 percent of the revenues to charities for the whole time it plays? After production costs, paying the actors and other various expenses, where is the rest of this blood money going?

Every once and a while a movie comes along that turns your world upside down. “World Trade Center” was not one of those movies. It started out as an attempt to inspire Americans, but ended up as just another pathetic commercialization of human tragedy.