Simply A Masterpiece

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

It might not qualify as a masterpiece, but this film is so criminally underrated I just had to write this short review. The Siege is a dark, sadly prophetic, gripping thriller with an amazing cast. For reasons I will never understand this film was accused of having a racist message (probably by people who hadn't even seen it) although its intention very clearly is to convey anything but. But check it out for yourself; Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis are so good in this that their performances alone already make the film worthwhile. 8 stars out of 10.In case you're interested in more underrated gems, here's some of my favorites:imdb.com/list/ls070242495

The Siege (1998): Dir: Edward Zwick / Cast: Denzel Washington, Annette Bening, Bruce Willis, Tony Shalhoub, Aasif Mandvi: Action film not so much about the tragedy at hand but about the siege of the victims. After a series of terrorist bombings in New York, an F.B.I. Agent, played by Denzel Washington investigates. He arrests a mysterious agent played by Annette Bening who may or may not be helping the guilty. Soon a General moves his troops in and orders that all Arab Americans be fenced in and individually tortured for information. This angers Washington's partner played by Tony Shalhoub whose own son is mistreated. Interesting setup deteriorates into a series of recycled scenes that seem to have materialized from other films. Directed by Edward Zwick who previously worked with Washington in Courage Under Fire, where he delivers another great performance. Zwick is effective at presenting action but his cast are mostly at odds with the material. Washington holds his own but Bening steals the film in her rebellion. The big disappointment is Bruce Willis as the General who is hardly convincing. He barks orders and looks intimidating while reminding viewers that he was even worse in Armageddon the same year. Shalhoub fares well as Washington's partner. The big payoff will seize mainly action lovers. Score: 5 ½ / 10

This movie follows a thrilling series of escalating terrorist incidents set in New York city.The feel is of a police/action movie. Denzel Washington is a squeaky clean police chief who is the reliable hero of the hour. He can turn his hand to negotiating, gun-toting and plain old hard-talking. As the terrorist incidents escalate, the tensions in how to respond to the threat escalate to fever-pitch.Washington's character is accompanied by Bruce Willis, who plays a general that prefers a direct approach to fighting the terrorism, and Annette Bening as a CIA spook. I didn't think either of these two put in convincing performances - this is Washington's movie really.It's a pre-9/11 movie and for those of us used to modern shows like Homeland, The Siege's depiction of the CIA, torture, and the terrorists themselves can seem unsophisticated and sensationalist. But accepting its limitations, it actually puts quite a strong ethical foot forward. The debates on implementing martial law, the CIA's fraternising with the enemy, and the racial profiling of suspects - are all tackled reasonably well.The Siege is not a perfect film but it is exciting, thought-provoking and very watchable.

Just what we all feared comes very true in this film. A series of terrorist attacks in New York leads to martial law being declared, Arab families divided as their men are placed in a stadium. Anyone remember the Japanese internment camps.Even more frightening if possible is the mistrust that exists between the army, CIA and FBI in this film.Denzel Washington is perfect as the super patriotic FBI man who seems to get his objectives, only for another incident to take place. Annette Bening is also quite good as a CIA operative who is duped by Palestinians she has tried to aid and Bruce Willis goes all out as the army general to show what martial law can really be like when it's put into practice.