LA Confidential is one of the greatest film noirs ever. I know it’s an homage. don’t care. It did everything right and this is what they would’ve been if not for the Hays Code (which I understand now).
@@natecw4164 well when compared with the classics (that, Double Indemnity, etc) of course it’s gonna pale. What I’m saying is it was allowed to be as violent and sexually charged as the genre would normally restrain itself.
@@littlekingtrashmouth9219 Yeah for sure man, I was just making sure you didn't miss out, seems like that one gets missed a lot, I didn't see it until a few years back and was blown away.
@Little King Trashmouth For a racoon, you've got great taste! (Other than taste in dumpster cuisine, that is!) Good luck in your alley turf battle with El Diablo. 😜 Edit: Also, I don't know if it qualifies as film noir, but "The Third Man" is one to check out if you've never seen it, one of my most favorite movies ever.
I agree with Gene regarding The Game. The movie has a good setup, but there’s really no tension or drama because we know it’s all a ‘game’ and there’s going to be some twist or reveal at the end.
They were so good together! Fun to watch. They weren't afraid to say what they thought to each other. I think I watched probably 80 or 90% of their shows, starting on PBS.
That was weird to hear Russell Crowe referred to as a bright new face. But he had to be brand-spankin new at some point in the movies. I’d also forgotten that Guy Pearce was a newbie at the time, too.
1997 is one of the greatest years in the history of film if you ask me Both LA Confidential and The Game are great classic. Obviously The Game - like Falling Down is more underrated. But they are both worth watching. And in hindsight, I hate to admit when Kevin Spacey is great but he is great in LA Confidential. But almost everyone is great in LA Confidential.
Roger wins this round The Game is very entertaining. I had the pleasure of watching it the other day with someone who hadn’t seen it, and I felt like a kid on Christmas, excited to see their reactions throughout the picture. Of course it’s improbable, but it’s edge-of-your-seat Fincher 👌🏼 I’ve literally never heard of the end of violence, or heard it referenced by anyone ever 🤷🏻♂️
Strange. I'm almost certain they brought up LA Confidential again in a later show because I remember Gene saying a few more things about the story, action, and the romance working better than you'd be led to believe from the trailers.
In a TV Guide article before the 1998 Oscars, Gene gave his picks for who would win and who should win in all the major categories. He said "L.A. Confidential" should win Best Picture.
Disagree totally with what Siskel said here about The Game. I loved it and remember seeing it when it came out. It’s one of those movies you can only watch once as the viewer goes along for the ride that Douglas went on and it just wouldn’t be the same watching it again. The ending of it completely blew me away and I remember the ride home from the theater with my wife being one of those, “what the hell did we just see there” conversations. Oh yeah, LA Confidential wasn’t too shabby of a movie either.
i was young when i watched s&e on tv. i've only realized recently how much they had to cut down their reviews to fit the format of the show. they always had more to say, but i'm sure the station told them they had to move on to the next movie. it's a contrast to some (youtube) critics now who have so much more time to articulate themselves because they're not trying to fit within a network's timeframe.
I really hate modern day TH-cam film critics that only review superhero films and blockbuster flicks. Siskel & Ebert reviewed EVERYTHING and were teachers of film.
That's what I like about the earliest episodes on PBS. No commercials so they had lots of time to debate the movies and they also showed much longer clips (although that, I guess, could be good or bad).
The Game is amazing wtf Siskel trippin bro breathe and realize Ebert was on point but Siskel was better reviewer torward his death smh RIP to both GOATS
This episode feels thrown together at the last minute. The reviews are unfocused and unprepared. Anyway, LAC is awesome. Engrossing story, excellent casting and satisfying character arcs.
LA Confidential is one of the best crafted movies ever made .. It's just perfection
I could not agree more.
As is the game...great movies covered in this episode
Perfection? That's reaching. But it's great
LA Confidential and The Game, absolute classics that have stood the test of time. What an episode.
If you're reading this and haven't figured it out yet from the other comments, go watch L.A. Confidential.
I remember this episode, good stuff.
L.A. Confidential is a great movie. Sure, it's messy but it is so much FUN and brilliantly made and acted! Just superb! (:
more great films for adults coming out in a weekend in 1997 than in entire summers these days....
LA Confidential is one of the greatest film noirs ever. I know it’s an homage. don’t care. It did everything right and this is what they would’ve been if not for the Hays Code (which I understand now).
Definitely make sure you see Maltese Falcon if you haven't already. It's the best noir imo.
@@natecw4164 well when compared with the classics (that, Double Indemnity, etc) of course it’s gonna pale. What I’m saying is it was allowed to be as violent and sexually charged as the genre would normally restrain itself.
@@littlekingtrashmouth9219 Yeah for sure man, I was just making sure you didn't miss out, seems like that one gets missed a lot, I didn't see it until a few years back and was blown away.
@Little King Trashmouth For a racoon, you've got great taste! (Other than taste in dumpster cuisine, that is!) Good luck in your alley turf battle with El Diablo. 😜
Edit: Also, I don't know if it qualifies as film noir, but "The Third Man" is one to check out if you've never seen it, one of my most favorite movies ever.
@@geoffelder2236 glad you get the reference. Third Man also a solid classic
I agree with Gene regarding The Game. The movie has a good setup, but there’s really no tension or drama because we know it’s all a ‘game’ and there’s going to be some twist or reveal at the end.
"Do you remember a guy that looks like me that said..." That's such a great clap back! I'm going to use it.
They were so good together! Fun to watch. They weren't afraid to say what they thought to each other. I think I watched probably 80 or 90% of their shows, starting on PBS.
Michael Douglas is taught a lesson at the end of The Game, but I still found the setup extremely hard to believe it's contrived
That was weird to hear Russell Crowe referred to as a bright new face. But he had to be brand-spankin new at some point in the movies. I’d also forgotten that Guy Pearce was a newbie at the time, too.
Guy Peirce, Simon Baker and Russell Crow - LA Confidential is an Aussie tour de force.
1997 is one of the greatest years in the history of film if you ask me
Both LA Confidential and The Game are great classic. Obviously The Game - like Falling Down is more underrated. But they are both worth watching. And in hindsight, I hate to admit when Kevin Spacey is great but he is great in LA Confidential. But almost everyone is great in LA Confidential.
Obviously Roger Ebert was privileged enough to get to see the real entire version of "Once Upon A Time in America"!!!!
Roger wins this round
The Game is very entertaining. I had the pleasure of watching it the other day with someone who hadn’t seen it, and I felt like a kid on Christmas, excited to see their reactions throughout the picture. Of course it’s improbable, but it’s edge-of-your-seat Fincher 👌🏼
I’ve literally never heard of the end of violence, or heard it referenced by anyone ever 🤷🏻♂️
Strange. I'm almost certain they brought up LA Confidential again in a later show because I remember Gene saying a few more things about the story, action, and the romance working better than you'd be led to believe from the trailers.
Probably top 10 end of year list
In a TV Guide article before the 1998 Oscars, Gene gave his picks for who would win and who should win in all the major categories. He said "L.A. Confidential" should win Best Picture.
Disagree totally with what Siskel said here about The Game. I loved it and remember seeing it when it came out. It’s one of those movies you can only watch once as the viewer goes along for the ride that Douglas went on and it just wouldn’t be the same watching it again. The ending of it completely blew me away and I remember the ride home from the theater with my wife being one of those, “what the hell did we just see there” conversations. Oh yeah, LA Confidential wasn’t too shabby of a movie either.
It's funny how they both seem to scoff at the idea of a surveillance state. Now look at us.
A bright new face, Russell Crowe.
Rolo Tomasi...YEAH!!
Have to agree with Gene on The Game. Fun ride, limp ending.
I'm surprised Ebert enjoyed The Game.
Roger talking about cameras everywhere didn't age well.
i notice from watching these old reviews that they often give away WAY too much information. They essentially spoiled a major plot thread in The Game.
I found The Game a little too contrived for my liking.
All the Oscars gave to Titanic should have gone to LA Confidential
THE GAME IS A HORRIFYING AND INVESTING INTRIGUING MASTERPIECE IN SCREWBALL WHO DUN IT MYSTERY THRILLER!
Gene is right about The Game.
I typically agreed with Ebert on the reviews. Siskel would have odd reasons why he like or didn't like a movie
Wow I really love La confidential, this should be goodz
Michael learned a lot by the end Gene
i was young when i watched s&e on tv. i've only realized recently how much they had to cut down their reviews to fit the format of the show. they always had more to say, but i'm sure the station told them they had to move on to the next movie.
it's a contrast to some (youtube) critics now who have so much more time to articulate themselves because they're not trying to fit within a network's timeframe.
I really hate modern day TH-cam film critics that only review superhero films and blockbuster flicks. Siskel & Ebert reviewed EVERYTHING and were teachers of film.
That's what I like about the earliest episodes on PBS. No commercials so they had lots of time to debate the movies and they also showed much longer clips (although that, I guess, could be good or bad).
Roger spoils The Game
Nobody in these comments should quit their day jobs and become a film critic.
Yeah the game was not great i mean it kept me guessing for the first 45 mins then after that it was just predictable and kinda goofy
The Game was simply Total Recall de-sci-fi’d
The game doesn't go anywhere surprising?! Come on gene
Siskel is a 10000% right about the Game. A very underwhelming film.
Instead of just enjoying the movie Gene tried to be smart and pick apart the Game.
Siskel, man, he had a too subjective opinion, even for a critic, when reviewing films. Ebert was much more on point usually.
The Game is amazing wtf Siskel trippin bro breathe and realize Ebert was on point but Siskel was better reviewer torward his death smh RIP to both GOATS
This episode feels thrown together at the last minute. The reviews are unfocused and unprepared. Anyway, LAC is awesome. Engrossing story, excellent casting and satisfying character arcs.