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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
funny
informative
fast-paced
Decided to pick up the audio after I realized the author read it - I first encountered Matt Singer when he co-hosted the Filmspotting: SVU podcast with Alison Willmore, so I knew he'd be a good narrator.
This is a fun overview of the history of the collaboration between Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert and their working relationship that developed despite huge professional (and ego) rivalries. I remember watching the final iteration of Siskel & Ebert (not often, because if I remember correctly it was on opposite ST:TNG in my area) so the little trip down memory lane was nice.
I wish there was a way to rewatch the show from the beginning. You can kind of tell that a lack of cohesive archive/access does limit Matt a bit in this retelling. There are pieces of the show that wind up on YouTube from time to time, but there is no archive of the show since it moved from PBS to a Turner syndicated studio to a Disney syndicated studio, so it wasn't like Matt was able to sit down and watch 30 years of the show to analyze how it changed. But he did his best with what was out there.
What's probably most interesting is how Siskel & Ebert changed film criticism, how we talk about films across all genres and formats, and paved the way for things like film podcasts (Filmspotting, the Dissolve, This Had Oscar Buzz, Next Picture Show) and sites like Letterboxd.
This is a fun overview of the history of the collaboration between Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert and their working relationship that developed despite huge professional (and ego) rivalries. I remember watching the final iteration of Siskel & Ebert (not often, because if I remember correctly it was on opposite ST:TNG in my area) so the little trip down memory lane was nice.
I wish there was a way to rewatch the show from the beginning. You can kind of tell that a lack of cohesive archive/access does limit Matt a bit in this retelling. There are pieces of the show that wind up on YouTube from time to time, but there is no archive of the show since it moved from PBS to a Turner syndicated studio to a Disney syndicated studio, so it wasn't like Matt was able to sit down and watch 30 years of the show to analyze how it changed. But he did his best with what was out there.
What's probably most interesting is how Siskel & Ebert changed film criticism, how we talk about films across all genres and formats, and paved the way for things like film podcasts (Filmspotting, the Dissolve, This Had Oscar Buzz, Next Picture Show) and sites like Letterboxd.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
informative
slow-paced
I’m surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Of course I watched their show when I was a kid but I never thought much about them as people or about the craft of reviewing movies.
funny
reflective
fast-paced
I love movies and I'm a big fan of film criticism, I listen weekly to several film podcasts that owe a lot to Siskel & Ebert. In fact, I read this book in no smart part to the fact that it's author has fisted and guested on several of my favourite podcasts.
And the book is great! The history of the two is interesting, including their respective careers before pairing up, how their show started, and what made it work that made them famous. There are also lots of examples of how competitive and petty they were with eachother over the years that are hilarious.
Glad I read this, now I'll have to go look up some old clips of their arguments.
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
A good look at the history and impact of the famous critic duo. There are some points that I would like more depth on, but it's a good overview and celebration of the two
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced