S

The Siege (1998)

Rated R

116 Minutes

Directed by Edward Zwick (Glory, Legends of The Fall, The Last Samurai)

Budget $70,000,000

Box Office $116,612,972

Reasons that it's a Frank Movie:

1.  Cultural Relevance:  Not enough people have seen it still.  The WTC in '93, The Shoe Bomber, The Underwear Bomber, The Times Square Bomber, The Boston Marathon Bombers.  This is the story of our time.  The Clash of Civilizations.  We have to look at the whens, the whys, the wheres, and the hows.  Films reflect culture, and this is the reflection of our current culture.

2.  Denzel's Speech.  This speech may reflect my whole feelings on "The War on Terror."  Very Frank philosophical:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMCKe_EpJJk

along with Bruce Willis' speech:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1h-nzhdey8

3.  Great early scene.  Again, all too familiar to Americans now, but so foretelling in 1998.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzTX0wbH6vc

Roger Ebert gave a great, and academic, review of the film:

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-siege-1998



Runner-up: Switchback (1997)

Directed by Jeb Stuart (Nothing else)

Budget $38,000,000

Box office less than $7,000,000

Everyone hates this film.  No one saw this film.  I watch it every time that it airs.  Here's why:

1.  The setting:  The Southern Front Range is a beautiful and breathtaking place.  I've spent almost no time there, but it fascinates me.  The chase on the train is fantastic filmmaking.

2.  R. Lee Ermey.

He is, of course, iconic in his role as a drill instructor in fellow Frank Movie, Full Metal Jacket.  But, he was a real-life drill instructor.  In this, he's so good as Sheriff Buck Olmstead, I'm naming it his best role ever.  Ever.

Honorable Mentions:  Shattered (1991), Sneakers (1992), Sin City (2005).