"People are always asking me how is it that firefighters run into a burning building when everyone else is running out. Courage is the answer."

i went to see ladder 49 with my dad yesterday. WOW! excellent movie! i think that i was so caught up in the actual storyline that i really didn't pay much attention to the qualities that would or wouldn't make this a "great movie" according to critics. after the movie was over, i just sat there. like i really had to pull myself out of the screen...i couldn't move. such a weird almost out of body experience or something. a great movie, full of heart and feeling.

so i was thinking "jerry bruckheimer...hmmm" wasn't so sure how i felt about this for that mere fact. i thought it was going to be good, but it far outweighed any expectations i had.

i love john travolta! i'm a huge fan, even though he doesn't have the best track record for great movies as of recent years. and as far as joaquin phoenix goes, i haven't been too impressed with any of his profomances. but this movie allows both actors to shine!

this movie was scored amazingly. i haven't done the research to find out what's on the actual soundtrack, but all the songs for this movie fit so great. the robbie robertson song, shine your light, the ending song for this movie...perfect. no other words to describe it really, perfect. so touching!

i think ladder 49 contained a piece of something that we all long for. we all want to make a difference in the lives of others. we all want to love what we do for a living. we all want to have a heart as big as joaquin's character, jack.

it seriously makes you think. it would take such a selfless person to be able to do this job. someone who has the courage to put themselves in danger over and over again. someone with immeasurable courage. someone who puts others above themselves every second of the day. someone willing to have every aspect of their life changed in the matter of a few seconds. the risks...the sacrifices. wow. it really makes you think. what an honorable, respectable, and rewarding profession.

if nothing else, it's a movie that will definitely make you think. and hopefully it will give us all a sense of appreciation for the people who lay down their lives everyday for the sake of others.