I agree with you on that but it was also because of Jerry Goldsmith’s stellar and phenomenal score (his second best after The Omen) plus the tension, claustrophobia, and atmosphere that was displayed throughout the entire movie or at least most of it thanks to the brilliant direction of the incredible Ridley Scott who would later direct Blade Runner in 1982 and Gladiator in 2000.
They really were picky.! They gave "Lost Boys" which is now an epic classic both thumbs down. Weren't right about everything, but still interesting to listen to.
The Brood as dog of the week. WTF. Crazy they couldn't recognize the talent of David Cronenberg in his early work. Clearly his movies were operating on a way higher level than typical exploitation fare.
yeah, but . . . okay, if the woman in _The Promise_ had a totally new FACE the boyfriend didn't recognize, _certainly_ he'd be familiar with her VOICE, right??? right????? her demeanor? the way she walks? everything?? also, that is one DAMN fine cosmetic surgery procedure. one wonders why they don't offer the same spectacular persona-changing options to, say, spies or something.
I'm consistently amazed how many times Siskel had it dead wrong. So many classics that he literally states, "A classic this is not 🚫". So IS there no accounting for taste?
Gene categorically hated all violent or horror films. Siskel would have probably complained there was too much needless gore in an instructional video of a childbirth.
@@freemangriffin4953 i had an inside source in the late 80's and she told me that Siskel gave Ebert a Chicago Trumbone (of the rusty reach around variety) at least once a month
They are kind of wrong about "Battlestar Galactica". This theatrical version played in theaters in Canada and Europe before the series launched. It wasn't exactly "made for TV", but it played theaters after the series launched in the US.
I remember the hype for Battlestar Galactica before it came on TV, and I was really let down by the pilot. Then when the movie came out, I was let down again watching the pilot on the big screen. I liked the Eastern Alliance and Jehovah episodes. East Germans in space ... Awesome.
Kathleen Quinlan was always an under-utilized actress in film. Only in the Right Stuff, was she able to "Bring it on". It's irritating beyond comprehension.
The Promise made no sense. She’s angry at him because he didn’t recognize her. Shouldn’t he be angry at her for accepting free reconstructive surgery from his evil mother in return for her silence? She gave up her fiancée instead and walked away from the relationship without trusting that he would still love her despite her injuries.
Loved her in Hanky Panky, Twilight Zone: The Movie and in an HBO suspense thriller from the '80s called Blackout, with Keith Carradine and Richard Widmark. You can find that movie here on UA-cam, I highly recommend it.
Siskel is right. Alien is basically a haunted house movie. But it’s so effective and well made that you overlook the lack of originality. The same is true of Star Wars. Strip away the sci-fi clothing and it’s basically a medieval story. Farm boy, wizard, pirate and two servants must rescue princess trapped in castle being held captive by black knight.
Alien is sort of a remake of the director's earlier comedy Dark Star, about a crew of wasted astronauts who go around blowing up planets. Suddenly they're attacked by a giant beach ball and taken out one by one. I can't remember how it ends, but the special effects rank right up there with a '30s movie serial like Flash Gordon.
In Alien: the kids turned off by the blood? No way. I think some males were turned off by the hero being a tough woman. One was behind me in a theater so of course I had to tell him off in front of his friends, haha!
I can't believe you loved Siskel and Ebert so much that you've been taping their shows since the "Sneak Previews" on PBS days! WOW! Thank you!
Alien was one of the scariest movies ever back in the day.
Sigourney Weaver was one of the main reasons Alien worked so well.
And in Aliens too
I agree with you on that but it was also because of Jerry Goldsmith’s stellar and phenomenal score (his second best after The Omen) plus the tension, claustrophobia, and atmosphere that was displayed throughout the entire movie or at least most of it thanks to the brilliant direction of the incredible Ridley Scott who would later direct Blade Runner in 1982 and Gladiator in 2000.
Ian Holm was fantastic in Alien. Watch the eyes. Lifeless.
Joke's on Roger, The Brood is in The Criterion Collection.
Spot the Wonder Dog has a profound way of melting my ❤️
This was awesome and hilarious! Alien was just OK??! The Brood is a classic! These guys were just too fussy back in the day!
They really were picky.! They gave "Lost Boys" which is now an epic classic both thumbs down. Weren't right about everything, but still interesting to listen to.
Alien is awful really
Ebert later gave Alien a 4-star review in his Great Movies section.
I remember as a 14 yo sneaking into the movies with my friend to see Alien when it was released. That movie scared the crap out of me.
No credit to Roger Corman for producing and distributing "Saint Jack"
The Brood as dog of the week. WTF. Crazy they couldn't recognize the talent of David Cronenberg in his early work. Clearly his movies were operating on a way higher level than typical exploitation fare.
I wonder if this really was the first time in four years that they agreed on every single film?
yeah, but . . . okay, if the woman in _The Promise_ had a totally new FACE the boyfriend didn't recognize, _certainly_ he'd be familiar with her VOICE, right???
right????? her demeanor? the way she walks? everything??
also, that is one DAMN fine cosmetic surgery procedure. one wonders why they don't offer the same spectacular persona-changing options to, say, spies or something.
In the words of my boy Kramer: Demeanor!?....lmbo
I'm consistently amazed how many times Siskel had it dead wrong. So many classics that he literally states, "A classic this is not 🚫". So IS there no accounting for taste?
Gene categorically hated all violent or horror films.
Siskel would have probably complained there was too much needless gore in an instructional video of a childbirth.
@@jimjam51075 🎯💜
How on earth did he keep his job as a film critic? (;
@@freemangriffin4953 i had an inside source in the late 80's and she told me that Siskel gave Ebert a Chicago Trumbone (of the rusty reach around variety) at least once a month
@@jimjam51075 you are extremely incorrect with that comment
I thought for sure they were going to spoil "Alien" in that first clip.
I'm here for Saint Jack. Great movie indeed.
“Alien” (1979)
Review: 16:26
Recap: 27:18
The background design reminds me of a cross between The Partridge Family and The Shining Carpeting.
Three or four bucks?!?! Inflation bites!
A movie in 1979 was about $3.50 local neighborhood / $4.00 in a large city.
$4 doesn't buy candy theses days.
16:24 Alien
They are kind of wrong about "Battlestar Galactica". This theatrical version played in theaters in Canada and Europe before the series launched. It wasn't exactly "made for TV", but it played theaters after the series launched in the US.
I remember the hype for Battlestar Galactica before it came on TV, and I was really let down by the pilot. Then when the movie came out, I was let down again watching the pilot on the big screen. I liked the Eastern Alliance and Jehovah episodes. East Germans in space ... Awesome.
Wow. Pretty "tepid" on Alien, kind of shocked how relatively unimpressed they were considering that it's considered a classic.
26:19 "Rock climbing, guys. Rock climbing. Rock. Climbing."
I wasted an evening watching Saint Jack because of their review. Here's my review. Nothing happens.
That puppy!
I liked the original Battlestar Galactica.
They really wanted to down play ALIEN ! WTF ??
They didn`t even mention Sigourney Weaver.
The Brood dog of the week? Don´t think so. It´s a classic.
OMG YESSSSSSS😂😅😊
Kathleen Quinlan was always an under-utilized actress in film. Only in the Right Stuff, was she able to "Bring it on". It's irritating beyond comprehension.
She was interesting in "The Doors".
Also good in Apollo 13
The Promise made no sense. She’s angry at him because he didn’t recognize her. Shouldn’t he be angry at her for accepting free reconstructive surgery from his evil mother in return for her silence? She gave up her fiancée instead and walked away from the relationship without trusting that he would still love her despite her injuries.
She was in Apollo 13, not Right Stuff.
Loved her in Hanky Panky, Twilight Zone: The Movie and in an HBO suspense thriller from the '80s called Blackout, with Keith Carradine and Richard Widmark. You can find that movie here on UA-cam, I highly recommend it.
Siskel is right. Alien is basically a haunted house movie. But it’s so effective and well made that you overlook the lack of originality. The same is true of Star Wars. Strip away the sci-fi clothing and it’s basically a medieval story. Farm boy, wizard, pirate and two servants must rescue princess trapped in castle being held captive by black knight.
How is Alien a haunted house movie? The ship is not haunted.
Alien is sort of a remake of the director's earlier comedy Dark Star, about a crew of wasted astronauts who go around blowing up planets. Suddenly they're attacked by a giant beach ball and taken out one by one. I can't remember how it ends, but the special effects rank right up there with a '30s movie serial like Flash Gordon.
@@philster1883-- Not the director. The writer.
You're right. I sit corrected.
It is great a woman is the hero Ripley kicks ass Sigourney Weaver is great
The great Denholm Elliott
He was good in EVERYTHING!! He is missed.
Denholm Elliot "Jacuzzi sir?"
Eddie Murphy "You ain't jacuzzi-ing nobody!"
@@widowrumstrypze9705 I thought he was a master of just doing nothing. Just a small look told everything. That's acting.
@@mooseyman74 ahhh yes
He was a great actor. Truly missed.
Siskel was such a wuss. 🤣 I saw Alien at age 9 and became one of my favorite movies - and it still is!
I love how scared they were by Alien. It’s kind of endearing. ☺️
In Alien: the kids turned off by the blood? No way. I think some males were turned off by the hero being a tough woman. One was behind me in a theater so of course I had to tell him off in front of his friends, haha!
One of my favorite movies of all time.
extremely unwelcome guest. LOL Roger always nails it