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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
DNF around 30%
I've had it with these jokers. 2 adult prize winning professional men fighting about who gets the window seat or who Sat by Letterman last?
GTFO assholes
I've had it with these jokers. 2 adult prize winning professional men fighting about who gets the window seat or who Sat by Letterman last?
GTFO assholes
Perfect. No notes.
To have Matt Singer, former host of one of my favorite podcasts (Filmspotting: SVU) as the mind to express the history of Siskel & Ebert as individuals and collaborators helps make this an even more engaging journey through the years. I read parts of this, but more often than not, I listened to Singer narrate his own audiobook. It helped transport me back to my own experience with Siskel and Ebert a little better, listening and absorbing and giving myself some time to truly appreciate what they were talking about. It’s no surprise that Siskel and Ebert are two of the most important figures in my deep love of movies. They helped me find movies I otherwise may have missed, championed things I adored, criticized things I despised, and taught me that an occasional disagreement is just that way it goes. Singer does an excellent job of playing the hits, but also tapping into what made the two men so popular and why, even years after their deaths, they remain the beacon of film criticism for so many. Singer is also able to weave an emotional tapestry as the book nears its end; I cried, but maybe that’s just me. Another really great book about the world of movies and those who love it.
To have Matt Singer, former host of one of my favorite podcasts (Filmspotting: SVU) as the mind to express the history of Siskel & Ebert as individuals and collaborators helps make this an even more engaging journey through the years. I read parts of this, but more often than not, I listened to Singer narrate his own audiobook. It helped transport me back to my own experience with Siskel and Ebert a little better, listening and absorbing and giving myself some time to truly appreciate what they were talking about. It’s no surprise that Siskel and Ebert are two of the most important figures in my deep love of movies. They helped me find movies I otherwise may have missed, championed things I adored, criticized things I despised, and taught me that an occasional disagreement is just that way it goes. Singer does an excellent job of playing the hits, but also tapping into what made the two men so popular and why, even years after their deaths, they remain the beacon of film criticism for so many. Singer is also able to weave an emotional tapestry as the book nears its end; I cried, but maybe that’s just me. Another really great book about the world of movies and those who love it.
funny
informative
medium-paced
I can't overstate just how important Siskel & Ebert were to me growing up. I was a movie fanatic and i don't know how i first discovered S&E, but i know that everytime i found it on the channels, i watched it. It taught me so much about film, and introduced me to so many great, underrated flicks.
But reading this wonderful book, i came to realize just how much of a profound influence they eventually became to my own writing. So much of my voice comes from Ebert. I idolized him and still do.
This book made me cry way more than i thought possible. I couldn't put it down. My only complaints is that I could have easily devoured another 300 or so pages of stories about the show.
Thank you Matt! It turns out, i already follow you on Letterboxd. You're one of my favorite writers on there. What a treat when i realized i was already a fan of your work. This was fantastic and can't wait to see what you do next.
But reading this wonderful book, i came to realize just how much of a profound influence they eventually became to my own writing. So much of my voice comes from Ebert. I idolized him and still do.
This book made me cry way more than i thought possible. I couldn't put it down. My only complaints is that I could have easily devoured another 300 or so pages of stories about the show.
Thank you Matt! It turns out, i already follow you on Letterboxd. You're one of my favorite writers on there. What a treat when i realized i was already a fan of your work. This was fantastic and can't wait to see what you do next.
Two thumbs up! Siskel & Ebert were behemoths of film criticism, but Singer’s writing breaks that down to show their love for the the craft and general humanity—but this isn’t just a biography; his analysis of their legacy’s affect on today’s critical discourse is superb.
Being a movie buff I could not resist the audiobook Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert
Changed Movies Forever by Matt Singer. Because Siskel & Ebert had been competing journalists for their respective newspapers, the animosity frequently seen on their TV show was very real. But that did not get in the way of their producing well thought out critiques of the movies they watched weekly. What started in the 1970s remained for decades and became the authority on what moviegoers should or should not see. If Siskel & Ebert both gave a thumbs up for a movie, you should probably go see it. But more often than not the duo did not agree about many movies. But their program educated the audience about everything there was to know about any given film. If they had not become ill too soon, we might still be watching Siskel & Ebert instead of checking out IMDB. Opposable Thumbs is informative and entertaining. Highly recommended.
Changed Movies Forever by Matt Singer. Because Siskel & Ebert had been competing journalists for their respective newspapers, the animosity frequently seen on their TV show was very real. But that did not get in the way of their producing well thought out critiques of the movies they watched weekly. What started in the 1970s remained for decades and became the authority on what moviegoers should or should not see. If Siskel & Ebert both gave a thumbs up for a movie, you should probably go see it. But more often than not the duo did not agree about many movies. But their program educated the audience about everything there was to know about any given film. If they had not become ill too soon, we might still be watching Siskel & Ebert instead of checking out IMDB. Opposable Thumbs is informative and entertaining. Highly recommended.
Siskel and Ebert are still the standard of film criticism, despite there not being a joint review from them in nearly three decades. So much of what we now consider normal in a panel show, especially agitated and well informed cross-talk, come from them. We would not have an utterance of "It Stinks!" without them. Matt Singer covers more than you ever needed to know about the duo.
The always awesome Matt Singer’s latest details the critical duo Siskel and Ebert and their contentious and begrudging partnership that eventually redefined movies, movie reviews and even pop culture. Breezy, well written and touching. A great American story about two titans in the art forms of journalism, criticism, tv and cinema. I loved every minute. Plus Matt is a great reader on the audio book.
Well written and researched, but even though I loved these men and their show, this book should've been a magazine article. There just isn't enough to talk about.