As a critic, I try very hard to say exactly what I think. And in a medium in which we are well-known for the binary thumbs up and thumbs down, I try to be able to give the mixed review. But most pictures fall into that middle ground, so I wrestle over which way my thumb is going to turn. It's not flip.

Gene Siskel

Categorized in : Thinking Fall Thumbs Down

That's probably when I get the most angry at American movies, when they just so cynically manipulate the audience without even trying to give a good story.

movie trying giving

Is this film more interesting than a documentary of the same acto... by Gene Siskel

Is this film more interesting than a documentary of the same actors having lunch?

lunch actors interesting

There is a point when a personal opinion shades off into an error... by Gene Siskel

There is a point when a personal opinion shades off into an error of fact.

shade errors personal-opinions

Two things are not debatable: eroticism, and comedy. If you don't think it's sexy, or funny, there's no way I can change your mind.

sexy two thinking

The result is a picture that represents so much of what I want and rarely get from a movie - a couple of hours filled with characters who are as exciting as the people I know in real life.

couple real character

I would rather turn my head and cough than see any part of 'Patch... by Gene Siskel

I would rather turn my head and cough than see any part of 'Patch Adams' again.

patches turns

I'm not surprised that Spielberg was able to capture the heroism of Schindler; so many of his movies are about the better part of mankind.

heroism movie able

John Goodman is more that just a big guy, he's a wonderful actor. by Gene Siskel

John Goodman is more that just a big guy, he's a wonderful actor.

guy actors wonderful

The only actor who I think probably might have possibly taken a swing at me if he could have would be Burt Reynolds. He used to call Roger and me the Bruise Brothers, out of Chicago.

taken brother thinking

But you know, really, if you think about it Roger and I and all critics really have one absolute essential part of our credentials and that is that you believe that that is actually what we think.

essentials believe thinking

A film that aims low should not be praised for hitting that targe... by Gene Siskel

A film that aims low should not be praised for hitting that target.

hitting target film

They know they got the TV ad, they know they got the name recognition, they know that they can do a tie in with McDonald's or some fast food outlet and the money is just gonna flow in.

mcdonalds ties names

We don't pretend to disagree. by Gene Siskel

We don't pretend to disagree.

disagree

I already shot my wad on the Protestants! by Gene Siskel

I already shot my wad on the Protestants!

protestants shots

In fact, Cannonball Run II. I used to pick that as the worst movi... by Gene Siskel

In fact, Cannonball Run II. I used to pick that as the worst movie ever made.

used running facts

After 27 years, I walked out of my first one a few months ago. Bl... by Gene Siskel

After 27 years, I walked out of my first one a few months ago. Black Sheep with Chris Farley.

first black sheep years

We'd rather see a picture that we liked then dump on one we didn'... by Gene Siskel

We'd rather see a picture that we liked then dump on one we didn't.

then picture rather see

I would rather turn my head and cough than see any part of 'Patch Adams' again. The title of this movie should have been 'Punch Adams!'

punch head turn see

Going to a movie is a two-hour experience; at $7.50 for a ticket, you are valuing your time at far less than the minimum wage. If you don't understand the film, don't leave. If you understand it all too well and hate it, get out of your seat and walk up the aisle. You will feel empowered.

walk you experience time

For my 50th birthday, I got ahold of a new print of 'Saturday Night Fever.' I see it much more as a tough coming-of-age movie than as a disco story.

new tough birthday night