Reviews (79)

A poignant epic to be remembered for it's honesty
Although I haven't seen the film yet, as it is not due to be released in the United Kingdom until Friday, the 3rd of September, I have seen the trailers and have read the screenplay and the novel based on it. I also have the original soundtrack cd, as well. I am quite taken with "Deguello de Crockett" from the soundtrack. I found the story, although told many times before, to be refreshingly compelling in it's honesty and down-to-earth approach. Even though, as an American originally from Georgia, I knew the story well, I found myself hoping for a better outcome to the familiar battle as I read the story. Unlike all the other previous tellings, it presents the men in the Alamo, most significantly, Crockett, Bowie and Travis, as flawed and human, rather than just as caricatures of themselves. It makes them just like everyone else involved. They feel and explore emotions such as dread, fear, apprehension and are racked with doubts and regrets about just what they have gotten themselves and those who followed them into. Billy Bob Thornton probably brings more depth, reality and humanity to Crockett than any other actor who has ever played the role. His attempts to try to "escape" from the image of coonskin cap wearing "Davy" that most everyone has of him and be just the simple and ordinary man, "David" that he really is are the best parts of the story. The filmmakers deserve credit for their attempt to bring a more realistic story to the screen. It's just a pity that they were not able to get a longer running time. Judging from the screenplay and the novel, I fear that much of the surprisingly involved story was shortened, sacrificed for the finished product which eventually made it to the screen. Personally, as much as I liked and admired John Wayne, his Crockett was badly miscast (John Wayne wearing a coonskin cap??) and like his lavish and patriotic version of this story, stirring, but quite unrealistic and farcial. All-in-all this new film would seem to come closer to the truth, despite shattering myths about things we would rather believe really happened at The Alamo. It is quite obviously a flawed and far from a perfect film, but it probably was not ever intended to be all things to all people. Some people will probably get more from it than others. I personally found the unfolding and somewhat sprawling story to be moving and memorable. It changed the way I viewed the story and those involved. I will definitely see the film as soon as I get the chance and will eventually add it to my DVD library, as well.

"REMEMBER THE ALAMO!"
While I'm not 100% sure about the idea of Billy Bob Thornton playing the iconic legend Davy Crockett (John Wayne gave the best performance in "The Alamo" [1960]), the rest of the cast (including Dennis Quaid as Sam Houston) and exciting battle sequences (including San Jacinto as well as the battle for the Alamo) should make this an impressive movie-going experience! Prepare for another great historical epic! But check out John Wayne's classic 1960 film as well as the latest Civil War epic from Ronald F. Maxwell ("Gettysburg"), "Gods and Generals!"

amazed
this movie is very good. critics hated it, alot of people hated it too. i loved it. how you could hate this movie is impossible for me to understand. this is one movie that did everything perfectly. it gave great action, a great story, and wasnt burdened by trying to make a love scene/story. unlike alot of people i thought denis quaid was wonderful. after the battle of the alamo i was really hoping theyd continue with that last charge and they did. dennis quaids speech was awesome. also this is one of the first movies to get the sound of gunfire right. i am very impressed

Best re telling of the Alamo story to date
Here is a movie that was done with forethought and care. Billy Bob's Crockett is memorable on all levels. Michael Corenblith's set should be perserved like the Wayne set in Brackettville. It's more a film about people than a battle. The history is almost the backdrop for the transitions of the characters. For the first time there is a real feeling of siege. Only Disney's Davy Crockett came any where close to that feeling of "waiting".
This film will grow in prestige and will be regarded as a truly classic film as the years go by.

The Alamo
I don't care what you all say, this is the best Alamo movie I have seen!! They do not have Travis look like a whimp, they have him look like he was. No one knows how Davy Crockett died, so they put a twist to it. I thought the movie was very historically accurate, and I should know, I am a historian, and the Alamo is my area of expertice. So if you say it was bad, that's just good for you, but it was very accurate, and entertaining!!! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Don't Wait Until it is Too Late
"The Only Thrill" tells the story of two people (Diane Keaton and Sam Shepard) who are destined to be together, but because of certain insecurities, never do connect. Now their kids, her daughter and his son are falling in love and are about to make the same mistake their parents did.

This was a wonderful story that brought tears to my eyes (not many movies do that to me) in certain parts as well as laughter. One of the things that I loved was how they showed the characters through the course of about 30 years. It was such a bittersweet and wonderful movie to watch.

There is Still a Chance for Love
Sam Shepard and Diane Keaton light up the screen as two people who are meant to be together, but are kept apart by fear. What I really loved about this movie was how it started in the 1960s and eventually ended up in the present day. Diane Lane and Robert Patrick were wonderful as the daughter and son of Carol (Keaton) and Reece (Shepard), respectively. And they are headed down the same path as Carol and Reece were, until something changes their minds. If you like romance movies, this is a wonderful one to rent or buy. The performances by all four leads are excellent. The drama is what pulled me in and the light-hearted moments were wonderful as well.

good for a rainy night
This movie is good for a rainy night, when you're feeling bored and not in the mood for an overly-drenched romance. This movie balances romance and drama well. The point of this movie is to tell your significant other only three words: "i love you", but to the two couples in this movie, it's taking them a lifetime to say it. I thought the plot was sweet,also the actors, but you find yourself thinking "come on! just hurry up and say 'i love you!'".. though i like this movie, i have a few thoughts based on the plot. The plot seems too general- like every part seems superficial. I wanted to see the actors show a bit of emotion. Instead, they're holding in their feelings for each other. the story should have been focused on the older couple, Keaton and Shepard. Patrick's friend, Donovan, just seems out of place- it makes the movie seem awkward sometimes. Of course, I'm tossing out random thoughts on the movie, but I just think that the script should have called for deep analysis of each couple's feelings, as well as how the decades influenced them. Basically, there was no emotion. Impassivity, that's it. Sure, there were anger and all, but I wanted to see tears and sweet nothings whispered in ears. I wanted to see vulnerability. The plot is so intent on concealing the actors' true feelings that it just drowns out the tender feelings shared between them. I know even if it was difficult for them to express their feelings, they could have expressed their feelings in a different way. I overall like this movie, but it doesn't rate as one of my favorites. I enjoyed seeing Keaton in this movie, though. She's one of my favorite actresses.

A must see for any one who cares for someone
A must see movie for any one who cares for someone because you may not know how much you love him/her and how much he/she loves you before its too late to express.

Anyway its a movie with a strong message that those who say "Its never too late" are not always correct.

Soul mates kept apart by the fear of saying I love you
Diane Keaton and Sam Sheppard play long time friends who deeply belong together. Everyone knows it including them, but the comfortable life of their friendship and their inconceivable ability to express their feelings for one another leaves them alone. Unfortunately in the end it is too late for them, but their life serves as a what not to do guide for their children. ... Read more

Description

Two escapees from an 1830s penal colony try to make it to a friendchr(39)s encampment. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

One for the Lone Star State.
This film stars Kris Kristofferson and Scott Bairstow as two fugitives from Louisiana. They go on the run after killing one of the two sadistic bosses (who also happen to be brothers) of the prison camp. The other boss begins a Captain Ahab-type of pursuit after the two escapees. Kristofferson's character knows about the war for independence occuring in Texas and figures the best chance they have of escape is to join Sam Houston's army. Along the way, an Indian slave joins the duo and Barstow's character and her fall in love. However, the two must separate when they make a dash for Houston's camp.

Kirstofferson is perfect in roles like this one and Bairstow doesn't do too bad of a job either, though the change in his character was a bit difficult to believe initially. Also, Tom Skerrit makes a great supporting performance as Gen. Sam Houston.

The movie starts off on a quick and upbeat pace, but slows down not long after the two convicts escape. From there the tempo of the movie becomes rather unsteady until the lead characters meet up with Houston. Then on out the movie remains at an upbeat pace that's quite enjoyable to watch.

There are a few historical inaccuracies, but in some places the film is more accurate than some big budget films about Texan independence.

Overall, a simple little Western about Texas' fight for independence that is rather enjoyable to watch.

Flavorful Account of Birth of Texas!
The Turner cable-TV movie, 'Two for Texas' will undoubtedly be compared with 'James Michener's Texas', another made-for-TV production that covers much the same ground. But while 'Michener's Texas' suffers from attempting to tell too much, becoming bogged down in melodramatic elements, 'Two for Texas' is a lean, rugged adventure that uses famous characters (Sam Houston, Jim Bowie) in support of the story, instead of as its focus, making this a FAR more enjoyable film!

The story begins with a chain gang in Louisiana, in early 1836. When one of the sadistic 'bosses' is accidentally murdered, two convicts escape, and head for Texas, hoping to start a new life, serving under General Sam Houston. The older of the pair, Hugh Allison (Kris Kristofferson), in prison for killing a card shark, takes events as they come, with the easy grace of a 'survivor'; Son Holland (Scott Bairstow), the younger man, left Tennessee for adventure, only to be sentenced for ten years after being falsely accused of stealing a woman's purse. Hot-headed and naive, Holland is dependent on Allison's wisdom to survive.

The journey to Texas is reminiscent of Howard Hawk's 'The Big Sky', as the two frontiersmen share a series of adventures, culminating in 'ownership' of a young Indian girl (Irene Bedard), who has a brief affair with Holland before being sent back to her tribe.

The brother of the murdered boss relentlessly trails the pair, until they are 'rescued' by Houston's men. In the 'Texican' camp, they meet General Houston, portrayed with quiet authority by Tom Skerritt, and Jim Bowie (a miscast but likable Peter Coyote). Bowie and Allison are old hell-raising friends, and, in one of the film's more light-hearted scenes, recount a few of the more famous tales of the inventor of the famous knife! Bowie is leaving for the Alamo, but asks the pair to remain with Houston, as the Texas army trains for battle.

With the fall of the Alamo eminent, Allison and Holland decide to join their friend Bowie, but arrive too late; the mission is a scene of carnage, with hundreds of bodies scattered among the ruins. Watching Texans' bodies being unceremoniously burned, they encounter Susannah Dickinson (Karey Green), a survivor, and wife of one of the defenders, In semi-shock, she tells of the final assault, and the deaths of her husband, and Davy Crockett; her monologue is the film's highpoint. Carrying a letter for Sam Houston from General Santa Anna, she takes the men to the body of Jim Bowie (a sadly moving scene, as Allison retrieves Bowie's knife). The trio then return to Houston's forces, vowing revenge!

The story is not without historical flaws, particularly in its presentation of the historical Mrs. Dickinson, but the film never loses momentum, and benefits from Kristofferson's craggy charm, as the plain-spoken Allison. This is the kind of role he does best, and he plays it to the hilt!

'Two for Texas' is a welcome addition to the select group of films about the Alamo, and Texas' struggle for independence! ... Read more