I am vacationing on the Richelieu River at my hubby's Aunt's place which is always nice to be. Of course, this means I am writing this ahead of schedule. I had a tough time writing about this theme this week. I could have gone all war films since it is one siege after another but I decided on some other flicks. Head over to Wandering Through The Shelves to see what the others have chosen. Here are my 3...
1. THE ALAMO-1960
This is an epic Ode To Joy for John Wayne who sank almost all his money into this mega production which got away from him despite the lengthy time of this film. John Wayne had big ideas for this movie and wanted to produce and direct it but not star in it until the backers wouldn't back it unless he starred in the picture so he became Fess Parker..um..I mean Davy Crockett. The film is quite lengthy and does lag a bit on occasion but I still enjoy it. Duke had the music he loved in the film, the love of his country and giving a break to young singers, in this case, Frankie Avalon. We all know the saga about Boone, Bowie and William Travis (played by Lawrence, I wanna punch his face, Harvey) who, with a handful of men try to defend this small mission to buy Houston time and end up dying for the state of Texas. It is well acted and I do love the music but some of the truths were changed a bit...Davy did not die that evening...
2. THE ALAMO-2004
Yup this is a remake but, sorry Duke, a better film in my humble opinion and it pains me because I love John Wayne. This time the film stars Billy Bob Thornton as Davy Crockett and it seems it is more on point with the facts but don't quote me. It is also long but I felt it "traveled" better and kept the pace up. Dennis Quaid plays Houston who needs the time to group his own men to keep Texas out of the hands of Mexico. I really enjoyed Billy Bob in this film.
3. THE SIEGE-1998
I could have gone with Under Siege with Steven Seagal but I can't stand him even though I saw this movie so I went with The Siege starring Hubba Hubba Denzel Washington as an FBI agent who teams with a CIA operative to find out the who has been terrorizing the city via bombings and other horrible acts. Martial law is declared and in steps a guy who just loves a little torture by making everyone watch Kelly Ripa....no sorry, I couldn't help myself. Poor Bruce Willis was up for a Razzie Award for his performance but I didn't mind it. It is not the greatest of flicks but I did find it fun if you dig terrorists, martial law and torture but hey, it has Denzel!
What would be your 3?
I don't like him either but that was a great movie.
ReplyDeleteI'll go with Assault on Precinct 13. Old school - the John Carpenter original.
It was better than I thought it would be. I only saw parts of Assault on Presinct 13 but would love to see it
DeleteHi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteI have not seen either of those Alamo films because Westerns are not one of my favorite genres. I agree that Laurence Harvey usually played an unsavory, self-serving character, one that you love to hate. I remember him in the role of a condescending chess champion who met his match in lieutenant Columbo in the 1973 episode The Most Dangerous Match. I love Billy Bob Thornton. He was sensational in Fargo and Mrs. Shady and I are currently enjoying more of his acting brilliance in the TV lawyer series Goliath. I wouldn't mind seeing Billy Bob in the 2004 Alamo remake.
Mrs. Shady and I enjoy Denzel Washington movies. She has watched Philadelphia 100X, but neither of us has seen The Siege.
The siege movies I like best depict a siege of flesh eating ghouls, the zombie apocalypse, and I highly recommend the George A. Romero trilogy Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead.
Thank you, dear friend BB. Enjoy the rest of your week and weekend!
Good old Harvey was not well liked overall. I love Billy Bob as well but I haven’t seen the Tv series Fargo which I wouldn’t mind seeing. I had a feeling you would pick those films..zombies always like to siege
DeleteI seem to recall watching part of the Alamo remake but otherwise I haven't seen any of your picks this week. It was kind of hard. I went with all the obvious blockbusters lol
ReplyDeleteYeah, this was a tough week and unsure which way to go
DeleteI've been to the Alamo, but haven't seen either picture. I grew up being told we were 'defending the Alamo', when in truth, we took it from the Mexicans who owned this territory before we seized the entire West.
ReplyDeleteI heard it is quite small and a cat defends it:) I am not surprised by the reality because , in 1812, they invaded us..manifest Destiny and all, we pushed them back and burned the White House down. They did not get any of our land but cla8med they won because they pushed us back to our original spot. You lost!
DeleteHi Birgit - I haven't seen these films, and as for siege films I'd struggle too. Enjoy the rest of your break down at your aunt's place - I expect it's lovely - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThis was tough and I am enjoying myself
DeleteOh very interesting movies
ReplyDeletexx
Thanks!
DeleteI vaguely remember The Siege. I wasn't watching it, but someone else was, and I was in the room. I can't remember what I was doing. I've meant to sit down and watch it since, as the person watching it seemed to enjoy it. Maybe not. And, well, it's been 20 years. Maybe I can let it go...
ReplyDeleteMaybe one day you will see it:)
DeleteBIRGIT ~
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of War movies. Hell, that's probably because I'm not a fan of war, period. 'WAR IS A RACKET' wrote Brigadier General Smedley D. Butler, and indeed it is. And I would recommend Butler's little antiwar pamphlet to ANYONE.
Wars are fought by the little guys for the profit of the wealthy. But someday those wealthy warmongers of both political parties will have to answer to their Creator and they are in for a world of hurt... and heat!
I remember when I was young, the Vietnam "Police Action" was ongoing. (They called it a "Police Action" because it was not a war according to the U.S. Constitution. In fact, the last "legal" war the U.S. fought was World War II. Every war or "Police Action" we've been involved with since then has literally been illegal according to our own Supreme Law Of The Land!)
I am no coward, but I remember my early teen years included a constant worry that I would be drafted into the Vietnam Police Action. Knowing what I know now, I only WISH I were younger and wish Uncle Scam would try drafting me into one of its illegal so-called "wars". They'd get me to fight alright, but it wouldn't be Uncle Scam's chosen opponent I'd be personally going to war against, but Uncle Scam itself.
Whoah! Way off topic! Rant over.
Without any question whatsoever, my very favorite "Siege" movie -- and also one of only a few War movies I really dig -- is 'THE DIRTY DOZEN'. That movie was so great on every single level, beginning with the cast. (Clint Walker as Posey was always my favorite, but I liked EVERYONE in it, INCLUDING Donald Sutherland, whom I normally find hard to watch.)
'THE DIRTY DOZEN' -- That's it! That's my rulin'. (As my Brother Al Bondigas would say.)
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents 'Battle Of The Bands'
I remember my dad saying that if a war broke out he would send my brother way up north to some cabin so he could not go to war. My dad fought in WW2 and he told me a couple of stories and ended with, “these memories stay with you.” My mom told me many stories of her struggles in the war when she was a teen and I think she suffered from PTSD but she never got help for it which was typical for the times. Anyhoo, I love The Dirty Dozen!! Lee Marvin was perfect and I also loved Clint Walker who just recently passed away. Telly Savalas was great as Maggot..what a name!
DeleteI haven't seen ANY of these films, but what else is new, right? Of course, I did see Under Siege with Segal, of whom I am also NOT a fan. I would love to see The Alamo after reading your review, though.
ReplyDeleteYeah Seagal is not my fav by a long shot. Both Alamo’s are good
DeleteHm. This is a rare occurrence. I haven't seen any of these films, even (believe it or not) the original Alamo.
ReplyDeleteWow! I thought, for sure, you would have seen one of them
DeleteThe Alamo remake wasn't bad indeed. Seen the first a long while ago. The Siege was a fine one. Under Siege was good, even though Segal is one of the biggest idiots ever. Can't stand him either. Assault on Precinct 13 came to mind.
ReplyDeleteGlad you saw all of these! Seagal is truly an idiot. I have to see Assault on Precinct 13.
DeleteThat's a tough theme. Dog Day Afternoon comes to mind, but I don't think that counts as a siege. Oh well. Cheers to you on the Richelieu Rivera. (My eyes first read Rivera rather than River.) :-)
ReplyDeleteOne can interpret this theme in various ways so I think Dog Day fits. I would love to say I am on the F4ench Riviera....let’s dream.
DeleteI haven't seen any of these! That's unusual. I guess the Die Hard series could be thought of as siege movies.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Yes they can for sure!
DeleteI haven't seen any of these
ReplyDeleteMaybe one day...
DeleteI loved both versions of The Alamo but like you liked the second version the best.
ReplyDeleteI've always admired those folks. They knew they were going to die but stayed anyway. It seems so much harder to find heroes today than it did in the past. And then I look at teachers who lay down their lives to save their students and remind myself: There are our heroes.
You are so right! There are the teachers who protect, the men who went after the bastards on that plane during 9/11. The 3 men on the train who took down the terrorist...these are true heroes...not football players or basketball players..toooey!
DeleteThe Siege is such an underrated movie. Great pick!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like that one
DeleteI haven't seen any of these! Always love hearing your thoughts and comments. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
Glad you enjoy reading my blog:)
DeleteBirgit,
ReplyDeleteWe saw "The Alamo" with John Wayne years ago. That's such a good film with such a sad ending. I heard the newer one that you featured was good but haven't seen it yet. "The Siege" I know we started watching once but I can't remember if we finished it now. I like Denzel Washington. Unfortunately, he's not always paired with the right movie script. "Under Siege" is a good movie. I liked Segal's earlier films but he's not done anything since this film or the sequel that I'm crazy about. Good movie set!
The Alamo is a good John Wayne film. Yes, The Siege has many faults and you are right about the scripts and Denzel. Under Siege is over the top but fun to watch despite the A-hole Seagull
DeleteI thought the first Alamo was better but the problem with both was that they needed an extensive trim. A tighter cut of both by about 45 minutes to an hour would have benefited them enormously.
ReplyDeleteWe match and I'm surprised by what we paired on. I chose The Siege because of its title but it's really a mediocre effort.
My first choice suffers from the same issue as the Alamo films, over length and the other two just fell into place because of their titles.
55 Days at Peking (1963)-In 1900 during China’s Boxer Rebellion Dowager Empress Tzu-Hsi (Flora Robson) orders The Boxers, a group of Chinese secret societies to massacre foreigners within China. In the diplomatic compound a group of ambassadors, their families and staff hole up to resist the siege. Marine Corps Major Matt Lewis (Charlton Heston) aided by British Consul Sir Arthur Robertson (David Niven), devise a strategy to keep the rebels at bay until an international military relief force arrives while Lewis romances Russian baroness Natalie Ivanoff (Ava Gardner). A bit inflated but told on an epic scale.
Under Siege (1992)-Stop me if you’ve heard this before. A man of action (Steven Seagal) finds himself trapped in an enclosed space-in this case a nuclear battleship-when terrorists (Tommy Lee Jones & Gary Busey) take the vessel hostage and it’s up to him and an innocent bystander (Erika Eleniak) to save the day! That’s right it’s Die Hard on the open seas!! The thing that separates this from the dozens and dozens of rip-offs that followed the release of the first classic is that it’s genuinely entertaining because director Andrew Davis knows how to shoot action and make it compelling for the audience.
The Siege (1998)-After the US military abduction of an Islamic religious leader New York City becomes the target of escalating terrorist attacks. The FBI's Counter-Terrorism Task Force chief Anthony Hubbard (Denzel Washington) teams up with CIA operative Elise Kraft (Annette Bening) to hunt down the terrorist cells responsible for the attacks. As the bombings continue the government declares martial law sending troops, led by Gen. Devereaux (a deeply nuts Bruce Willis), into the streets of New York City where he starts rounding up Arab-Americans into detention centers. Appalled Hubbard & Kraft race the clock to defuse the situation as it escalates to a fever pitch.
I love to see the first film. It just shows how many older films I have not seen. Under Siegeis a fun flick despite Seagull..yes I spell it that way..quack, quack. The Siege is not that great to say t(e least and your synopsis is great but shows what a convoluted mess it is. I commend you for being able to concise it so.
DeleteThe never-appreciated-enough Jason Patric's Jim Bowie dies the way he ought to, on his sickbed. Yeah, the 2004 version is more faithful. Director John Lee Hancock (I can still remember when the movie was in production that it was originally going to be Ron Howard, with Russell Crowe starring) has stated that there was enough footage shot that he could put an entirely new film together with entirely different material than appeared in the released film.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t know that about Ron Howard and Russell Crowe....that sounds interesting.
DeleteHave a safe trip home:)
ReplyDeleteI loved the Alamo, what a shame the site is a supermarket car park. Lawrence Harvey, was a much troubled man and eventually took his own life. He's still considered a a great British actor. Don't know the other film at all. Where can I find where you blog your cards? Thanks for your blog visits, Kate x
ReplyDeleteI don't know any of these. Can't really think of others, though neither Westerns nor War flicks are my genre of choice so, not surprising I guess.
ReplyDeleteWesterns and war films are my least favourite genres of film. I agree with you about Steven Seagal having read a few disturbing stories about him.
ReplyDeleteThat's Purrfect
Around My Kitchen Table
Ha, great picks.
ReplyDeleteHope your vacation was wonderful!
I don't think I saw The Siege but I do like Denzel.
ReplyDeleteIf you had gone with Under Siege, I could've said I've seen it. lol
ReplyDeleteI can go with terrorists and marital arts, but torture creeps me out.
ReplyDeleteThe Duke had friends far and wide, Why he even joked with Star Trek actors. "I remember you, you had your ears fixed." Deforest Kelly was a big name in westerns and later became the dr in Star Trek. The Alamo 14 years in the making, now I bet this is one movie worth watching. I haven't seen it but big John's turn of phrase alone are enough to make anyone watch this epic.
ReplyDeleteHubba hubba Denzel is right! Oh man, I love him! He just takes my breath away, not only in looks and in stature but his acting is just incredible! I just watched him in The Equalizer last night. I saw the movie before but it was a long while ago and I thought I'd get caught up in prepping for the Equalizer 2 to come out. Can't wait to see it!
ReplyDeleteThe Seige sounds good. Hopefully I can find it on Netflix or Hulu or something...
I haven't seen either of the Alamo films. I do love me some John Wayne though. Although Dennis Quaid and Billy Bob T are top-notch too. I just watched Dennis Quaid (again) in "A Dog's Purpose".
I recently saw "Isle of Dogs" -- have you seen that one? Soooo good! So good I want to go back to see it again in the theater (it's now playing at the "cheap" theaters with $2 matinee and $3 evening prices. It's also available via amazon. I liked it enough to want to own it so I think I'm gonna shell out the $9.99 to buy it. It's amazing stop-action animation -- so well done -- and the theme is so relevant with what's happening today. Would love to get your take on it.
Enjoy the rest of your week,
Michele at Angels Bark