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Shock and Awe (2018) - ★★★☆☆

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

No, I'm not talking about the day Princess Diana died, which incidentally was 23 years ago TODAY.

No, I'm talking about 9/11, and Alan Jackson's beautiful song about it, "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning). Jackson asks an important question here, and supplies many possible answers—were you watching I Love Lucy reruns? Were you teaching a class full of innocent children (as opposed to a class full of guilty children)? Jackson also, of course, supplies us with what I believe to be one of the most important verses in all the history of songwriting:

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you

The diff'rence in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us

And the greatest is love 

Now, I think Alan is being modest—this is in no way a "simple song."  In fact, it's so complexly beautiful that I can hardly read it, let alone listen to it, without my heart going all aflutter. There's SO much to say about this song. The choice to elide the first 'e' in difference? Thrilling! Saying the difference 'in'? Weird, but exciting! Openly admitting, in a song about 9/11, that you don't really know the difference between two countries which notably played no role in the attacks on the World Trade Center or the Pentagon? Stunningly brave! Making a swift and artful pivot to Jesus and God? Claiming you actually talk to God? Just incredible! 

Of course, it does seem like Alan is misunderstanding a few things about 9/11. Alan, if you're reading this, I can't recommend watching Rob Reiner's Shock and Awe enough! The years following 2001 were certainly a confusing time for many Americans, but this movie clears it right up! There's some really handy exposition (I'm not kidding it was helpful and I really appreciated it) and some nice actual footage from the era—probably some of the stuff you remember from CNN, back in the day! It also has Woody Harrelson in it, Alan, and if you're anything like me, I know you'll be simply delighted about that!

In fact, for anyone who needs a little refresher course on George Bush's dealings with 9/11, this is a great place to start. It may not be easy to watch—some of your faves may be implicated, especially when it comes to Congress voting in favor of the war in Iraq. But I really did learn a lot—somehow we didn't really learn about the early 2000s very much in high school, besides when my principle read a rhyming poem thanking the firefighters over the intercom each year. There's important stuff in here, and it's pretty palatable, too! And of course, it also has Woody Harrelson in it. 

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