Movie #126 - Under Siege

"It's not a job...It's an Adventure!"

Somewhat of an odd tagline considering this movie has a number of other themes to play on. Steven Seagal was at the top of his game in this movie and unfortunately for his career, was the beginning of the end. Also cast in this film was Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Busey, who in the early 90's were the best villains money could buy.

For Jones, Under Siege was a string of films in which Jones was grossly over exposed. From 1989-1994, Jones completed 13 films. All of which are overshadowed by his solid performance in The Fugitive. However, his maniacal role in this film suited Jones' ability to act serious. Providing support on the evil side is Gary Busey, who was coming off of his success on Lethal Weapon and Predator 2. Unfortunately, Busey's career as a villain didn't really take off as most would've expected - probably a product of poor career management and role selection.

The concept of this movie is good. Capturing the retired battleship with nuclear warheads within the arsenal. Pitting a number of rogue special operations soldiers against a cook in Seagal's character. Although we later find out that Seagal is actually a former Navy Seal, its funny to see the reactions everyone has to his "cook" moniker.

I remember watching this film when it first came out on VHS at a birthday party. My friends and I were 12 years old and Baywatch was definitely a popular television show of that era. Erika Eleniak was a nice bonus to this film, full of action, violence, and suspense.

Unfortunately, for Seagal's career, Under Siege represented the high point of his accomplishments. His Casey Ryback character was one of his best and his role on this film was well cast and suited for his persona. He quickly made other films to follow that were poorly done, including a sequel that was ill-advised.

Seagal is hoping to rejuvenate his career on television for A&E (Steven Seagal: Lawman). He is portraying himself as a fully-commissioned deputy in Louisiana. Early reviews are mixed, but seeing Seagal in a similar light to Dog the Bounty Hunter might just work in the end.

Movie #30 - Little Miss Sunshine

"Where's Olive?"

Simple tag-line for a witty film. To be honest, I actually didn't enjoy this movie in its entirety. This may come as a surprise, but like other Hollywood band-wagon films such as Brokeback Mountain or Philadelphia, I just didn't get on the wagon.

I liked many scenes of this movie and the casting of Steve Carell as a suicidal brother-in-law / slash crazy uncle alongside Greg Kinnear and Alan Arkin was great. However, unlike most Hollywood critics and pundits alike, I actually did not care much for the acting achieved by little Abigail Breslin.

This comes back to an old theory of mine about child actors. There is a point for a child actor where a bridge is crossed between cuteness to annoyance. Let's just say, throughout this film, Breslin not only crosses that bridge, she helps build it. I do not find her role very appealing and find her acting quite annoying... tough to put that wrap on a young actress, but give me a young Sarah Polley, Drew Barrymore, Dakota Fanning, or even Lindsey Lohan and you got a more appealing young actress to cast in a role like this.

Beyond that, I enjoyed many aspects of this film. The character of Richard Hoover (Greg Kinnear) is desperate, something that Kinnear captures well. As an audience, you truly believe that Carell is suicidal, however, you see a little bit of Michael Scott (television - The Office) in every word of this character... maybe its just his poignant, dead-pan delivery of all lines that gets the comparison.

Either way, the premise of this movie is enjoyable - having to get to a beauty pageant across country and dealing with the various ups and downs associated with this trip. I loved the concept because it reminds movie goers about their dreaded family road-trips and how dis-functional they can be... however, in this case, this trip would win out in every retrospective comparison.

If you like Carell despite his recent case of over-exposure (or how I'd like to call it the Tommy Lee Jones syndrome) or if you dig witty Kinnear roles or if you are an avid fan of the side roles of Alan Arkin, then I suggest watching this movie. If you bought into the Hollywood propaganda of the wonderful acting of Ms. Abigail Breslin, then I hope you aren't too disappointed by the end of the movie.

In the end, enjoy the dis-functionality, its what makes movies fun to watch!

Reference: I originally published this article on Helium.com.