Latest news with #TheTwister
Express Tribune
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Netflix's ‘The Twister: Caught in the Storm' explores trauma and survival after the deadly 2011 Joplin Tornado
Netflix's latest documentary, The Twister: Caught in the Storm, brings harrowing firsthand accounts of survival from the 2011 Joplin tornado, one of the deadliest and most destructive storms in U.S. history. Directed by Alexandra Lacey (The Tinder Swindler), the documentary follows young survivors whose lives were forever changed by the EF5 tornado that killed 158 people and injured over 1,000. Lacey takes a unique approach, focusing on the coming-of-age experiences of those caught in the storm. 'Anybody can relate to the importance of graduation,' she explains, highlighting how the tornado struck Joplin High School's senior class on their big day. From students to storm chasers and paramedics, the film tells deeply personal stories of trauma, resilience, and survival. Among the documentary's gripping narratives is that of Steven Weersing, a high school dropout who was sucked out of his car and later developed a rare flesh-eating infection. Another survivor, Cecil, shares his experience of being a gay teen in the deeply religious Bible Belt, believing the tornado was divine punishment. Lacey describes his interview as 'one of the most emotional' she's ever conducted. With over 6,000 archive clips, security footage, and high-speed cinematography, The Twister immerses viewers in the chaos of the storm. Lacey and her team also underwent PTSD training to ensure a sensitive approach when interviewing survivors. Beyond the destruction, the documentary sheds light on the lasting psychological impact of natural disasters. 'Every time the wind gets stronger or sirens go off, it's really hard,' Lacey says, emphasising how Joplin's residents continue to live with the trauma. Streaming now on Netflix, The Twister: Caught in the Storm promises to captivate audiences while shedding light on the human cost of extreme weather events.
Express Tribune
19-03-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Twister: Caught in the Storm brings Joplin tornado's devastation and survival stories to Netflix
Netflix's latest documentary, The Twister: Caught in the Storm, provides a harrowing look at the EF-5 tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011. Directed by Alexandra Lacey, known for acclaimed projects such as Tinder Swindler and Three Identical Strangers, the film offers a gripping recounting of the disaster that claimed 161 lives and left over 1,000 injured. The documentary follows a group of young survivors whose high school graduation day turned into a nightmare. With wind speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour, the tornado cut a destructive path through 13 miles of the city, leaving behind widespread devastation. The Twister features real-life footage captured by Joplin residents, immersing viewers in the storm's raw and terrifying power. According to the film's synopsis, 'This catastrophic event ravaged Joplin, yet its community overcame, rebuilt, and became an enduring symbol of hope.' The documentary highlights deeply personal accounts, including a high school football captain who aided in rescue efforts, a young employee who watched his workplace collapse, and storm chasers who barely escaped with their lives. The documentary's release coincides with recent deadly tornado outbreaks across the Midwest and South, adding to its timely significance. The Twister: Caught in the Storm will be available on Netflix starting March 19, 2025, at 2 a.m. CST. A Netflix subscription is required, with plans starting at $7.99 per month. Through firsthand testimonies and immersive footage, The Twister serves as both a chilling reminder of nature's power and a testament to human resilience in the face of disaster.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kingda Ka roller coaster imploded at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey
Once the tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka was reduced to a pile of mangled steel during a controlled implosion set off at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. The 456-foot-tall amusement park attraction was intentionally toppled in Jackson on Friday, effectively ending its reign as king of the coasters mere months before its 20th anniversary. Video of the demolition shared online sees the massive tower of metal start to falter, before it crumbles and disappears into a cloud of smoke and dust. Kingda Ka was suddenly shuttered at the end of the 2024 season, with Six Flags confirming in November it was one of several attractions scheduled to be destroyed this year. The park's president, Brian Bacica, called the decision an 'important part of our growth and dedication to delivering exceptional new experiences.' Bacica also teased a new 'multi-record-breaking launch coaster' set to open some time in 2026. He stopped short of providing further details, but said the new coaster would be 'a must-ride attraction sure to capture fans' imaginations.' Six Flags is also scheduled to debut its long-awaited The Flash: Vertical Velocity coaster later this year. It's been described as the first 'super boomerang coaster' in North America, and just the second in the world, propelling riders up to 60 miles per hour. 'Launching both forward and backward, you'll ascend a towering 172 feet before speeding off into micro gravity as you're turned upside down, nearly 100 feet off the ground,' Six Flags says on its website. Some of the other rides set for demolition this year include the Green Lantern roller coaster, The Twister, Parachutes and the Sky Way. Since its debut in 2005, Kingda Ka has carried millions of riders up its nearly 40 stories before sending them down a 418-foot drop through a 270-degree spiral. In its absence, the tallest roller coaster in the world is now Falcon Flight at Six Flags Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
World's tallest, second fastest roller coaster slated for demolition
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. – The world's tallest and second-fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, has reached its final days, as demolition crews prepare to implode the iconic ride that has towered over Six Flags Great Adventure for nearly 20 years. The eyes of the roller-coaster loving world are on the New Jersey theme park, which originally targeted mid-February for the implosion, according to a permit filed by the park. That has been pushed back for a variety of reasons including weather, but demolition is well underway. For days, gawkers have parked along Route 537 hoping to get a glimpse at the famous highlighter green, 456-foot looping arch of Kingda Ka as it comes down. They've left disappointed thus far – or, perhaps, momentarily relieved. Matt Kaiser, New Jersey regional representative for American Coaster Enthusiasts, wasn't surprised by the outpouring of onlookers for Kingda Ka's scheduled demise. Six Flags didn't announce that the ride was sunsetting until after the park had already closed for this past season. Before that, rumors had persisted for months among theme park news websites and roller coaster aficionado social media groups. While some die-hards may have traveled across the country to get one last ride in, countless more were left in the dark. Getting the chance to watch Kingda Ka come down is the closest thing they might get to closure. "A lot of people are still emotionally attached to Kingda Ka," Kaiser said. "It's a really big deal for it to come down. It's one of the first things you see when you drive in, before you even get to the park. It's just been so iconic." These twins have ridden 1,000+ coasters: They aren't slowing down Kingda Ka opened in 2005 to massive fanfare. Its 456-foot drop and top speed of 128 miles per hour immediately made it the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, according to Guinness World Records. Its speed record held until 2010. But Kinda Ka also faced its fair share of problems. It closed for months almost immediately after its opening due to needed repairs. Months-long closures became a regular occurrence, including a 2009 closure after it was struck by lightning. Most recently, the state ordered Kingda Ka shuttered in 2023 after its launch cable snapped. Riders visited Six Flags Great Adventure not knowing whether Kingda Ka would be open. And it wasn't uncommon for the ride to start the day off fully operational, only to be shut down after a guest waited two hours. Along with Kingda Ka, The Twister and Parachutes have also closed to make way for a new signature launch coaster, which is expected to break multiple records when it opens in 2026. "This major investment is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the guest experience and offering the next generation of thrilling attractions," Six Flags Great Adventure spokesman Ryan Eldredge said in a statement. Details are expected later this summer. In the meantime, guests can look forward to the opening of the THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity, this spring. The park says it will be the first super boomerang coaster in North America, launching guests both forward and backward with speeds up to 59 mph. Kaiser said the park has a big hole to fill. Kingda Ka formed a formidable trio of top roller coasters — with Nitro and El Toro — that was hard to beat on the East Coast, if not the entire country. "It was one of the greatest combos of coasters at any park," Kaiser said. "It doesn't necessarily need to have the height or the speed, but they need something that can live up to Kingda Ka." The world's fastest coaster, according to Guinness World Records, is Formula Rossa at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. It hits just over 149 mph. Cedar Point's Top Thrill 2 is next in line for world's tallest coaster, by Guinness' account, but it won't be for long. Falcons Flight is expected to become the tallest, fastest and longest coaster in the world when it opens "soon" at Six Flags Qiddiya City. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Six Flags is taking down the world's tallest coaster, Kingda Ka
USA Today
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
World's tallest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, is coming down at Six Flags Great Adventure
World's tallest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, is coming down at Six Flags Great Adventure Show Caption Hide Caption Experience Great Adventure's 'Kingda Ka' Take a ride on Six Flags Great Adventure's 'Kingda Ka' coaster along with Asbury Park Press features writers Alex Biese and Liz Dennerlein. Thomas P. Costello, Asbury Park Press JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. – The world's tallest and second-fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, has reached its final days, as demolition crews prepare to implode the iconic ride that has towered over Six Flags Great Adventure for nearly 20 years. The eyes of the roller-coaster loving world are on the New Jersey theme park, which originally targeted mid-February for the implosion, according to a permit filed by the park. That has been pushed back for a variety of reasons including weather, but demolition is well underway. For days, gawkers have parked along Route 537 hoping to get a glimpse at the famous highlighter green, 456-foot looping arch of Kingda Ka as it comes down. They've left disappointed thus far – or, perhaps, momentarily relieved. A fan-favorite coaster Matt Kaiser, New Jersey regional representative for American Coaster Enthusiasts, wasn't surprised by the outpouring of onlookers for Kingda Ka's scheduled demise. Six Flags didn't announce that the ride was sunsetting until after the park had already closed for this past season. Before that, rumors had persisted for months among theme park news websites and roller coaster aficionado social media groups. While some die-hards may have traveled across the country to get one last ride in, countless more were left in the dark. Getting the chance to watch Kingda Ka come down is the closest thing they might get to closure. "A lot of people are still emotionally attached to Kingda Ka," Kaiser said. "It's a really big deal for it to come down. It's one of the first things you see when you drive in, before you even get to the park. It's just been so iconic." These twins have ridden 1,000+ coasters: They aren't slowing down A bumpy history Kingda Ka opened in 2005 to massive fanfare. Its 456-foot drop and top speed of 128 miles per hour immediately made it the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, according to Guinness World Records. Its speed record held until 2010. But Kinda Ka also faced its fair share of problems. It closed for months almost immediately after its opening due to needed repairs. Months-long closures became a regular occurrence, including a 2009 closure after it was struck by lightning. Most recently, the state ordered Kingda Ka shuttered in 2023 after its launch cable snapped. Riders visited Six Flags Great Adventure not knowing whether Kingda Ka would be open. And it wasn't uncommon for the ride to start the day off fully operational, only to be shut down after a guest waited two hours. What's next for Six Flags Great Adventure Along with Kingda Ka, The Twister and Parachutes have also closed to make way for a new signature launch coaster, which is expected to break multiple records when it opens in 2026. "This major investment is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the guest experience and offering the next generation of thrilling attractions," Six Flags Great Adventure spokesman Ryan Eldredge said in a statement. Details are expected later this summer. In the meantime, guests can look forward to the opening of the THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity, this spring. The park says it will be the first super boomerang coaster in North America, launching guests both forward and backward with speeds up to 59 mph. Kaiser said the park has a big hole to fill. Kingda Ka formed a formidable trio of top roller coasters — with Nitro and El Toro — that was hard to beat on the East Coast, if not the entire country. "It was one of the greatest combos of coasters at any park," Kaiser said. "It doesn't necessarily need to have the height or the speed, but they need something that can live up to Kingda Ka." What's the tallest, fastest coaster now? The world's fastest coaster, according to Guinness World Records, is Formula Rossa at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. It hits just over 149 mph. Cedar Point's Top Thrill 2 is next in line for world's tallest coaster, by Guinness' account, but it won't be for long. Falcons Flight is expected to become the tallest, fastest and longest coaster in the world when it opens "soon" at Six Flags Qiddiya City.
