Book

Singer, Matt, author.

Opposable thumbs : how Siskel & Ebert changed movies forever / Matt Singer.

New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons, [2023]

©2023

viii, 342 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 24 cm

illustration

plate

"Once upon a time, if you wanted to know if a movie was worth seeing, you didn't check out Rotten Tomatoes or IMDB. You asked whether Siskel & Ebert had given it 'two thumbs up'"-- Provided by publisher.

When Gene Siskel, a film critic for the Chicago Tribune, and Roger Ebert, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for his work at the Chicago Sun-Times, reluctantly agreed to collaborate on a new movie review show with PBS, there was at least as much sparring off-camera as on. Their antagonistic partnership made for great television, and their signature "Two thumbs up!" would become the most trusted critical brand in Hollywood. Singer details their rise from the local Chicago PBS station to multimillion-dollar contracts for a syndicated series. Ford shows how they influenced the way we talk about (and think about) movies to this day. -- adapted from jacket

Introduction: Coming attractions -- Ebert before Siskel -- Siskel before Ebert -- Opening soon at a theater near you -- The first-take show -- Rompin' stompin' film criticism -- Two thumbs up -- Across the aisle -- Hooray for Hollywood -- Get to the crosstalk -- The future of the movies -- The balcony is closed -- Ebert & Roeper & Lyons & Mankiewicz & Phillips & Scott & Lemire & Vishnevetsky -- Epilogue: Until next time, we'll see you at the movies -- Appendix: Buried treasures that Siskel and Ebert loved.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 301-329) and index.

Ebert, Roger.

Siskel, Gene.

At the movies (Television program : 1986-2010)

Film critics -- United States -- Biography.

Motion pictures -- Reviews.

Reviews.

2023027428

9780593540152

0593540158

* 9780593540169

9780593540152 (HRD)

0593540158 (HRD) * 9780593540169

9780593540152

1354648110

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