Darkness Over Aurora

I remember asking my high school history teacher about his views over the release of United 93, and if it were "too soon" for audiences to digest the horrific acts of violence witnessed by the world on September 11th. He responded by saying that film-goers don't like to be challenged by reliving events of such tragedy; if anything, films are an escape from the harsh glimpses of reality. Reality and tragedy combined this past Friday when James Holmes, a 24-year-old University of Colorado graduate student, threw smoke grenades into an Aurora, CO movie theater and fired an automatic weapon killing 12 people and wounding several others during the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises.
      
As theories and speculations have erupted, and continue to be spouted, by pundits and specialists in the last 48 hours over the safety of going to the movies, it is necessary to remember the lives of those lost, as well as those who were physically and mentally wounded by the senseless acts of violence. Then again, all acts of violence are senseless. Despite what happened in Aurora, no one should have to fear for their life when all one wants to do is bask in the comforting glow of the movie screen and enjoy their favorite films either by themselves, their family and friends.