He is the only film critic with a star on hollywood walk of fame and was named honorary life member of the directors guild of america. Watch roger ebert and gene siskel explain how critics go. Chicago critics gene siskel and roger ebert rate new movies with a thumbs up, or a thumbs down. Siskel and ebert hadnt begun their tv show yet, and writing for competing papers, they each selected the films together as a major benchmark of the year. Im not sure why wgntv was included, but it was as this was cable television in the late 80s through the 90s. These ten best lists for movie critics gene siskel and roger ebert have been collected from various postings in the usenet newsgroup rec.
Siskel was born in chicago, illinois, and was the son of ida nee kalis and nathan william siskel. It was the main logo of the longrunning tv shows ebert cohosted, first with siskel of the rival chicago tribune and after siskels death in 1999 with suntimes colleague richard roeper. The documentary life itself, a poignant tribute that celebrates pulitzer prizewinning film critic roger ebert, was released in theaters this weekend. Ebert and siskel interview each other chicago tribune. Cnn funeral plans announced for film critic gene siskel. Eugene kal siskel january 26, 1946 february 20, 1999 was an american film critic and journalist for the chicago tribune.
Roughly four or five films were critiqued per episode. It was those influenced by siskel and ebert who stepped up and became the modern day film critics. The hunted a positive thumbs up because the family friendly dog film was being rated by ebert against its own standards. Along with gene shalit, joel siegel, and of course gene siskel, roger put television criticism on the map. These two movie critics who worked for rival newspapers in chicago siskel worked at the tribune, and ebert work for the suntimes were put together to see if they could work together. In this excerpt from the archive of american televisions interview with roger ebert, the film critic discusses his philosophy, his working. Ebert had been the film critic for the chicago suntimes since april 3, 1967. He was a film critic for the chicago suntimes from 1967 until his death in 20.
With roger ebert, gene siskel, richard roeper, michael phillips. He won the lifetime achievement award of the screenwriters guild, and honorary degrees from the american film institute and the university of. In 1979, on a special episode of the show, siskel mentioned the films as among the best of the decade. The lists through 1978 come from the chicago tribune for siskel, and the chicago suntimes for ebert.
By being so passionate about their love of movies, siskel and ebert ended up being. What was your favorite disagreement between siskel and ebert. After that most of the lists come from their best of the year tv show. I didnt so much watch the show back then, but listened to it as i listened to a lot of other tv when i was young.
Siskel and ebert really hated iconic 80s horror movies. Roger ebert, gene siskel, rex reed, bill harris, and dixie whatley. This syndicated program features two movie critics discussing, arguing, and critiquing. Siskel and eberts thumbs up and thumbs down ratings, he adds, did more than give. Growing up, i would watch siskel and ebert every sunday at around 11pm. Filmmakers and film critics on roger ebert roger ebert. Roger ebert was a national treasure, and his death in 20 left a smoking crater in the world of film criticism. Natpe approximately 500 television production people are due in town for the first production conference of the. A wouldbe folksinger had completed his last number. Roger ebert talk show host, film critic, journalist. Roger eberts most brutal movie takedowns of all time. Their words didnt echo through the halls of ivory towers. Watch roger ebert and gene siskel explain how critics go to the movies.
The ones who launched websites, or in the early days took to bbs boards. In 1975, ebert became the first film critic to win the pulitzer prize for criticism ebert was known for his intimate, midwestern writing voice and critical views. The loss of gene siskel put to end one of greatest tv relationships. Roger ebert genuinely loved movies, and seemed to take bad filmmaking as a personal affront. Siskel held every film to the same levels, i think, or tried to do so more often.
First off id like to qualify my answer by adding some context. Spaceship earth this account of a humanmade, selfsustaining ecosystem is a model of documentary craft. Legendary film critic roger ebert, who this week said he was facing a recurrence of cancer, has died at 70. Siskel and ebert are perhaps the most recognizable movie critics in the nation. At the movies with gene siskel and roger ebert tv show. Long before the internet prompted millions of amateur critics to endlessly discuss films, there was siskel and ebert. I grew up listening to siskel and ebert each sunday afternoon.
Gene siskel and roger ebert began using the system as part of their popular tv partnership that began in 1975 on a local chicago station and. Siskel gave him flack for that, but really lit into ebert when ebert gave benji. He wrote with passion through a real knowledge of film and film history, and in doing so, helped many movies find their audiences. Synopsis roger ebert was an american film critic born on june 18, 1942. Gene siskel and roger ebert were two movie critics. Ten greatest films of all time roger ebert roger ebert. They were the pioneers of film criticism, two guys from chicago, gene siskel. But siskel and ebert needed to be more than skilled critics in order to win the hearts of the american public. Roger joseph ebert was an american film critic, historian, journalist, screenwriter, and author. Siskel and ebert really hated some iconic 80s horror movies. On the other side of the spectrum, critics like roger ebert and gene siskel spoke to the common man. Roger ebert was an american film critic best known as one half of the popular siskel and ebert film critic television show. But they reached a massive readership and tv viewership, and their two thumbs could make or break a movies chances at the box office.
June 18, 1942 april 4, 20 was an american film critic, historian, journalist, screenwriter, and author. Advice to the wouldbe film critic from siskel and ebert. Who was the better critic, gene siskel or roger ebert. Roger ebert became film critic of the chicago suntimes in 1967. Gene siskel and roger ebert due in town for national association of television program executives international.
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