tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post931942590751393837..comments2024-03-28T14:49:36.133-04:00Comments on John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Cult Movies and Classic TV: At the Movies Ends this WeekendJohn Kenneth Muirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-87475636386992703662010-08-17T15:54:44.475-04:002010-08-17T15:54:44.475-04:00Never was a huge fan of Siskel or Ebert but I simp...Never was a huge fan of Siskel or Ebert but I simply loved, loved, loved the fact that they fought so hard for Hoop Dreams, one of the greatest docs of our time.<br /><br />On the Criterion DVD of Hoop Dreams they have the complete At the Movies segments whenever Hoop Dreams was mentioned (they named it best film of 1994 and Ebert named it best film of the 1990s). I believe, according to myriad sources, that At the Movies relentless criticism of the Academy Awards treatment of Hoop Dreams (the film was nominated for editing but not best documentary due to an archaic judging process) led to changes in how they 'judged' best documentary features.<br /><br />Like them or not, in big ways or small, they influenced the industry.Willhttp://secureimmaturity.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-69067678460719888752010-08-16T14:26:53.292-04:002010-08-16T14:26:53.292-04:00SteveW:
I too was heavily influenced by Pauline ...SteveW: <br /><br />I too was heavily influenced by Pauline Kael. I always loved her review of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, which she said was the best American film of 1978. <br /><br />At college, my film instructor sort of looked down at Siskel and Ebert because of their binary (thumbs up/thumbs down) approach to movies. <br /><br />But I was hooked on At the Movies anyway, and felt that Siskel and Ebert actually devoted more time to film than any other TV show/TV reviewers in history. I remember how irritating nightly news critics (like Dennis Cunningham on CBS) were, and how they seemed to dislike or like movies on a whim. Siskel and Ebert kept each other honest. No whims allowed, or they'd face the wrath of their partner. They had to present cogent arguments for their choices...and I appreciated that.<br /><br />I still find their At The Movies back-and-forths informative and fun, and still occasionally miss them, though these days I prefer written, long-form movie journalism too.<br /><br />thanks for the comment!<br />JohnJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-60865764251151882702010-08-16T14:04:45.592-04:002010-08-16T14:04:45.592-04:00I'm old enough to remember Siskel and Ebert...I'm old enough to remember Siskel and Ebert's "Sneak Previews" show from the late 1970s. Their conversations were always engaging and lively, and I liked the fact that you could tell they didn't really get along very well. (I think they grew to like each other more over time.) I was much more into Pauline Kael at the time and kind of looked down on them for the shallowness of their analysis, but thinking back they did pack in a lot of juicy discussion given the limitations of the format.SteveWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-82431105924637213822010-08-16T11:50:46.763-04:002010-08-16T11:50:46.763-04:00Hi everyone!
Trick-or-Treat Pete: I was always ve...Hi everyone!<br /><br />Trick-or-Treat Pete: I was always very fond of Gene Siskel. Didn't always agree with his conclusions, but that's okay. He had a razor-sharp wit and could argue his case so convincingly. I miss his voice in our culture today.<br /><br />Linda: I would love to see that Wrath of Khan review. I remember their review for Search for Spock, but i'm not sure I was yet watching as of Wrath. I bet it's a hoot.<br /><br />J.D. I'm glad you mentioned your own past here; I think that many of us (and I mean MANY) were really inspired by Siskel & Ebert to take our love of movies into our adult lives and into our professions and careers. It was amazing to watch two smart, well-spoken movie critics debate the merits of a film. It is still is.<br /><br />Le0pard13: I guess if I had begun At the Movies with Roeper, I might feel more affection for him. To me, he's just Siskel's replacement. Adequate, but not particularly memorable. <br /><br />thanks for the comments! Best to all!<br /><br />JohnJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-12396508260244615012010-08-16T10:25:07.471-04:002010-08-16T10:25:07.471-04:00A great look back at this show and that extraordin...A great look back at this show and that extraordinary pair of film critics, John. You absolutely nailed it when you stated <br /><br />"<i>... I was very upset to learn that Gene Siskel had passed away in 1999, and tuned back in a few times to watch the new sparring partner, Richard Roeper. I had no problems with Roeper as a film critic or on-screen personality, but felt that the magic was gone; that nobody really challenged Ebert the way Siskel did. Siskel made Ebert better; and Ebert made Siskel better. Perhaps it was the spirit of competition, perhaps it was friendship, perhaps it was just chemistry...but their partnership worked.</i>"<br /><br />Yes, indeed. To me Roeper always seemed to be trying to make a name for himself, to be a bona fide, big time <i>film critic</i>. That always rubbed me wrong given that the chair he inherited belonged to someone who didn't fit that mold, nor tried to. But when Siskel and Ebert were together, it was magic. Thanks very much for this, John.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-39234798849879728372010-08-16T09:56:08.469-04:002010-08-16T09:56:08.469-04:00What a lovely tribute. I have fond memories of bei...What a lovely tribute. I have fond memories of being a small lad and my folks letting me stay up to watch Siskel and Ebert during their PBS Sneak Previews era and I continued to follow them when they hit the big time and I think that watching their show over the years definitely contributed to cultivating the cineaste in me.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-54935463342489948742010-08-16T08:46:44.987-04:002010-08-16T08:46:44.987-04:00Well remember AT THE MOVIES. I still have the STAR...Well remember AT THE MOVIES. I still have the STAR WARS episode you mention, their review of WRATH OF KHAN, and an incredibly silly sequence of them on Letterman's show (the old NBC version) shooting baskets to determine the year's best film.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00684124498981972463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-85791550916264464962010-08-16T04:10:24.345-04:002010-08-16T04:10:24.345-04:00I remember the year the Gene Siskel passed away, a...I remember the year the Gene Siskel passed away, and the Academy Awards failed to include him in their "In Memoriam" and Whoopi Goldberg, who was hosting, took the time to bring up his passing and give him a thumbs up. Very touching. I loved watching At The Movies, I'll miss it. <br />Dreaded Dreams<br />Petunia ScareumAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com