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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
A compulsively readable and well-paced history of TV's most famous film critics and the changing media landscape over the years.
informative
reflective
I love Matt Singer's work and dearly miss his & Alison Willmore's podcast Filmspotting:SVU (SUCH a great show! With two wonderful movie critics who would sometimes bicker... much like those in the book!). And I grew up in Chicagoland in the 80s & 90s, so there was plenty of Siskel & Ebert in the air - I have very fond memories of seeing their show in various iterations.
I think this book does what it set out to do. It introduces Siskel & Ebert, documents the development of their show, and discusses its impact.
Since I am NOT a professional critic, I feel almost ok moving past the question of "does this do what it set out to do" (yes) and onto the question of, "is this the book I wanted about this topic" (unfortunately no). I was reminded of this book because of an interview Singer did on the Flophouse podcast, where he mentioned he watched every episode available, and he highlighted some of his favorite moments, as well as movies the critics were split on. THAT was what I wanted to read about - highlights of the show (I can understand if that might not work great in a book as opposed to watching clips of the show), movies either critic realized he had gotten wrong, the evolution of their taste, and really, more on their taste itself (the parts that did focus on this were probably my favorite of the book). My other favorite part of the book was the appendix, where Singer expanded on the most well-known small movies Siskel & Ebert championed (like Hoop Dreams) - that was great! More of that! More of the movies! I also wished there had been more in the book about Chaz Ebert.
I think this book does what it set out to do. It introduces Siskel & Ebert, documents the development of their show, and discusses its impact.
Since I am NOT a professional critic, I feel almost ok moving past the question of "does this do what it set out to do" (yes) and onto the question of, "is this the book I wanted about this topic" (unfortunately no). I was reminded of this book because of an interview Singer did on the Flophouse podcast, where he mentioned he watched every episode available, and he highlighted some of his favorite moments, as well as movies the critics were split on. THAT was what I wanted to read about - highlights of the show (I can understand if that might not work great in a book as opposed to watching clips of the show), movies either critic realized he had gotten wrong, the evolution of their taste, and really, more on their taste itself (the parts that did focus on this were probably my favorite of the book). My other favorite part of the book was the appendix, where Singer expanded on the most well-known small movies Siskel & Ebert championed (like Hoop Dreams) - that was great! More of that! More of the movies! I also wished there had been more in the book about Chaz Ebert.
informative
fast-paced
I really enjoyed this history and snapshot of the decades of film Gene and Roger reviewed. I forgot all about them being regulars on Letterman! A great history and a wonderful way to remember these two great critics
Excellent history of these two men, their show, and their relationship - full of entertaining anecdotes. Roger Ebert's online work in the final years of his life lined up with me beginning to become more seriously interested in movies - he was my introduction to film criticism and film culture like he was for so many others. Gene Siskel died before I went to a movie theater for the first time (by about 3 months - my life was changed for good by seeing The Phantom Menace that very year) so this book was a great primer on his life and work which I'd mostly picked up fragments of second hand.
funny
informative
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Slightly repetitive at points but truly not important - a well-written and informative book from Matt Singer. A catnip book for bozos like me.
I started reading this on the way to my grandfather's funeral. He was born in Chicago and showed me IMDB way back in the day - two Ebert favs. Love you Papa!
I started reading this on the way to my grandfather's funeral. He was born in Chicago and showed me IMDB way back in the day - two Ebert favs. Love you Papa!
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
Good book! Surprisingly good book!
I’ve been reading Matt Singer on and off since I was in college and he was at the AV Club and then The Dissolve. I like the guy. He seems nice and enthusiastic. I, however, an not nice and I’m a bit of a misanthrope, so our world views feel a little different and it’s for that reason that I don’t always jive with his film criticism. So I had decent expectations for Opposable Thumbs – a book written by a guy I like about TWO guys I like. That’s just great business.
The book doesn’t overstay its welcome, and I could have done with a little more “notable reviews” and skirmishes from Siskel & Ebert’s partnership – I think I’m just a sucker for that stuff? They were a little before my time, so I don’t have any first-hand memories of them really. I’ve always felt like I “missed out” on that era of pop culture. Singer puts on just the right tint of rose-colored glasses when looking back at their lives. He occasionally points out perhaps their success was a product of shifting times, the spearhead of a trend that turned out to be pretty bad overall for film. And he occasionally casts doubt on some of their tall tales, so it’s not like Opposable Thumbs is a hagiography. Just the right balance IMO.
Fun comfort read that got me in the heart when it came for these two men’s early demises.
I’ve been reading Matt Singer on and off since I was in college and he was at the AV Club and then The Dissolve. I like the guy. He seems nice and enthusiastic. I, however, an not nice and I’m a bit of a misanthrope, so our world views feel a little different and it’s for that reason that I don’t always jive with his film criticism. So I had decent expectations for Opposable Thumbs – a book written by a guy I like about TWO guys I like. That’s just great business.
The book doesn’t overstay its welcome, and I could have done with a little more “notable reviews” and skirmishes from Siskel & Ebert’s partnership – I think I’m just a sucker for that stuff? They were a little before my time, so I don’t have any first-hand memories of them really. I’ve always felt like I “missed out” on that era of pop culture. Singer puts on just the right tint of rose-colored glasses when looking back at their lives. He occasionally points out perhaps their success was a product of shifting times, the spearhead of a trend that turned out to be pretty bad overall for film. And he occasionally casts doubt on some of their tall tales, so it’s not like Opposable Thumbs is a hagiography. Just the right balance IMO.
Fun comfort read that got me in the heart when it came for these two men’s early demises.