At The Movies, Part 1

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When I was a kid, I loved whenever I would happen across Siskel and Ebert’s TV show. I think it was shown at 7pm on Saturdays in my area, but I don’t remember ever setting out intentionally to watch it — I’d just happen to catch it. I always enjoyed getting to watch clips from the new movies they’d be reviewing, and hearing them give their thoughts — and often debate — about the films.

It was one of two movie review shows I was aware of, the other being Sneak Previews (which I learned only relatively recently had originally been their show). But I preferred Siskel and Ebert’s At The Movies (and later Siskel and Ebert and The Movies). It wasn’t just the format of the show, but its hosts. And thanks to YouTube, I’ve been able to revisit a lot of their reviews, including a lot I’d never seen before. I’ve had a blast watching these clips and checking out their reviews of movies I like. We didn’t always agree, but I always enjoyed hearing their thoughts. Sometimes, they would skewer a movie I love (for example, The Cannonball Run — a guilty pleasures of mine), and then again, sometimes they’d surprise me (for example, they both spoke very highly Wayne’s World).

As a kid, I thought that being a professional movie critic would be a great job. Near the end of his life, Siskel spoke about loving his job. Sadly, both men are no longer with us: Siskel passed away in 1999, Ebert in 2013. Despite their occasionally combative nature, when Siskel passed away Ebert gave kind, and respectful, thoughts of his co-host in an appearance on Larry King Live and in a special tribute episode of Siskel and Ebert’s and The Movies; 10 years later, he wrote a moving tribute on his website (you can read it here).

I miss these guys. They both had a love and appreciation for cinema that could be infectious.


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