Chicagoist: Extra, Extra

Mucky Fingers

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:23:50 -0600

Bad night, Nicholas? It's not like the internet was created yesterday and none of us know what a troll is. The article was printed on Roger's blog, not published in an actual copy of the Sun-Times website. No one's asking you to pay for it. Roger wrote something to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Siskel's death because - um, I don't know - that was his closest colleague for upwards of 25 years.

Nicholas

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:00:19 -0600

OK, good points. But, I never did care for the guy.

Stealth

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:40:21 -0600

Well, along with Ebert, they almost singlehandedly elevated movie critics to pop culture icons. There were no movie reviewers being invited to the Tonight Show or Letterman. How many times have you seen Pauline Kael on television chatting with some late night host. Hell, other than movie buffs and afficionados, most people probably didn't read movie reviews. Quick: Name the Sun-Times and Tribune movie critics BEFORE Ebert and Siskel? I think that alone is sort of significant. The fact that both are from Chicago makes it locally relevant. It has nothing to do with "beloved", in fact, from everthing I read about him, Siskel wanted to be anything BUT "beloved". He was a sarcastic son of a bitch. Funny as hell sometimes, but still sarcastic and flinty.

Nicholas

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:51:34 -0600

There is also a bit on page 2 of the Trib on the last "top 10 list" done by Siskel (1998). And this is meaningful why? Why are we paying such attention and tribute to a dead movie reviewer? I don't see a lot of "so-and-so has been dead 10 years now" stories in the newspapers, so why him? I don't think he is as beloved as some may think.

BlueFairlane

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:41:12 -0600

Why should I care what you think about Gene Siskel? You're a dick. You can write what you want, but frankly, I don't see why I should read it. (But then, you can pretty much say the same thing about anything ever written by anybody, so why bother? Brilliant insight here, Nick.)

Nicholas

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:30:47 -0600

Why should I care the Gene Siskel has been dead 10 years now. He was a dick. Roger can write what he wants, but frankly, I don't see why I should read it.

oz115

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:25:55 -0600

You know, Kyle Orton is more skilled than 99.9% of all the football players in the whole world, and you think he's giving Kutcher bad coaching? ... Oh forget it, this movie is gonna suck.