While Jim Carrey got top billing in Cable Guy, he was not playing the main character. The main character was the one played by Matthew Broderick, and he was definitely someone we feel sorry for and empathize for.
Thank you for continuing to upload these great reviews! I really enjoy watching them. I was watching Siskel & Ebert way back when they started on public television, and I still love hearing them talk about film.
Being a kid when ID4 came out and now being an adult who loves film analysis/criticism, I can say that S&E truly don’t appreciate how younger audiences view films. And they’re not alone-I know I don’t understand how today’s youth views films and I’m sure most adults can’t either. All I know is ID4 absolutely blew my freaking brains out when I saw it in middle school. Loved loved loved that movie. I would be curious to rewatch it as an adult lol.
It's interesting: I acknowledge that my nostalgia carries my rewatches, but I never really thought about how exposition-heavy it really is until now. I think the characters help move the scenes along. And the first and last half-hour is still pretty interesting/triumphant. I think it's *just* stylish enough to entertain, but yeah, it's not really a rock-solid movie in retrospect.
They were big advocates of the original Star Wars trilogy even talked about some of their comments during their reviews...but I can`t believe Siskel liked "Mars Attacks" better...
I saw ID4 in theaters when I was 10, and saw it two additional times after the first watch. It was basically my “Star Wars”. I loved this movie as a kid. I still watch it every year, and I can totally understand a lot of the misgivings people have about plot, some of the characters, cheesy dialogue, etc. But, the movie still puts a smile on my face. Can’t help it. I guess this is what Star Wars Prequel fans feel like? I hate the prequels, but I think a ton of kids saw them in theaters and were blown away.
Independence Day still one of my favorite all-time summer films. with a paper thin plot. It was the biggest popcorn 🍿 blockbuster of 1996. Both Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, & Will Smith sold me. It was also a banner year for TNG Alumini Brent Spiner. I still watch it every 4th of July. Phenomenon is one of my favorite John Travolta & also one of my Robert Duvall films. The Clarivoyancy and borderline hyperthymesia was incredible. Great acting all around. Special Effects I have not seen but I am interested in watching this.
I think critics made a big seal about THE CABLE GUY because Jim Carrey was paid $7 million for it. I liked it and felt sorry for the sad lonely cable guy.
Ebert was an infinitely more interesting critic when he was straightforwardly analyzing the quality of a film than when he was playing the role of consumer reporter, standing in the role of the filmgoer and acting as their overly-paternal proxy.
Gene and Ebert were off on Independence Day and I think the movie's legacy and rewatchability proves that. But hey you take that many shots youre gonna miss a few.
@@Shaner373 Of course it's cheesy. I love people like you who don't get it was intentional and are the real fools. It's a cheesy 90s action flick. Siskel and Ebert were off the mark on this one.
@@davidporter671 how do you know they wanted to make it cheesy? They were trying to make an epic Alien movie with comedic moments, ya gearbox. They wouldn't have hired A list actors if they wanted to make a cheesy movie. Imagine calling someone a fool for not liking Independence day lol go back and pave your cave ya Neanderthal
I agree with both of them on "Independence Day." I thought it was a boring movie. The script was sub-par with the acting being the same way. The dialogue was dry and uninteresting. The effects were good, but good effects does not make for a good movie. Just like the movie "Twister" had good effects, but it was not a good movie.
Independence Day isn't perfect, but it is good fun. Enough laughs from Will Smith and Randy Quaid, and Bill Pullman's speech is all time great. Thumbs up for me, 3 stars.
I have to fully agree with Siskel about 'The Rock'. I walked out of the cinema about half way through, because I just couldn't take the hyper-kinetic camerawork & frantic disjointed editing. It ruined the set-pieces and was an 'easy' default way to avoid actual skillful film making by careful construction of scenes. I also found it difficult to stomach Michael Biehn's team being gunned down. Later I did watch the 2nd half on TV and I thought it was a big improvement.
I don't want to know how special effects work. I don't want to see the real faces of voice characters. I don't want to see the guy in the monster suit. It ruins the fantasy. Sometimes they rub it in your face before you can look away. I hate it when they do that. It was so disappointing to see the guy who played the original Alien. Now the movie's ruined.
Christ sake, how were these guys ever popular? Their lack of understanding behind these films is staggering. Gene once reviewed Terminator and confused the terminator as being from outer space.
Growing up I thought the same thing. Where did these old people find the two biggest squares in the movie industry. Now I watch and am fully entertained, still don't agree with em.
I frankly was absolutely unimpressed with Independence Day. The minute Area 51 showed up (with Brent Spiner as Dr Sivana with too much hair), I lost all respect for it. I thought it was simply ridiculous, and I *REALLY* hoped there would not be a sequel. Of course, there was, and it was WORSE!
Siskel and Ebert were Absolutely 110% wrong about Independence Day. It’s not an intellectually stimulating film. It’s not trying to be Hamlet. It’s a simple story but a remarkably effective one
@@johnnyb980 it’s a movie about aliens invading earth and blowing things up. It’s not trying to be Shakespeare or Proust. It’s just trying to a fun summer blockbuster. In that regards, it succeeded
@@crakatoot5480 There are a million ways to tell a story of aliens invading earth and blowing things up. Independence Day is just a bad movie. It has some pretty decent effects (and also some corny and bad ones), if you're easily entertained, and easily impressed (seeing it as a child, for example), you would probably like it. In the sense of providing entertainment to that audience, it succeeded. But S&L don't belong to that audience, their assessment is honestly their own, and they were 100% correct. I'd go so far to say that mainstream audience can appreciate a much smarter film too (as proven by Nolan's films), and the fact that they were entertained by a film doesn't mean the film is remarkable.
@@zxbc1 it had a good set up. Fun characters and a hell of a pay off. Yes it went more for spectacle than nuance but again this film was not trying to be Citizen Kane. I know ‘smart’ people can’t like films like this but for real movie fans looking for something on a more visceral level, this film def pull of something amazing.
The fact that they didn't like Independence Day is further proof that these guys really didn't know what the hell they were talking about half the time.
No, the movie just plain sucks. It always has. Its the worst kind of junkfood blockbuster that paved the way for overblown, braindead garbage like the Transformers movies.
Really miss these two--Thanks as always for posting
While Jim Carrey got top billing in Cable Guy, he was not playing the main character. The main character was the one played by Matthew Broderick, and he was definitely someone we feel sorry for and empathize for.
Thank you for continuing to upload these great reviews! I really enjoy watching them. I was watching Siskel & Ebert way back when they started on public television, and I still love hearing them talk about film.
I love this channel. Watched Siskel and Ebert since I was 10 years old back in the Sneak Previews days. Keep up the great work 👍
Thanks for all the uploads. Adam
I’ve been looking for their original review of Independence Day for a long time. Thanks for posting this!
Being a kid when ID4 came out and now being an adult who loves film analysis/criticism, I can say that S&E truly don’t appreciate how younger audiences view films. And they’re not alone-I know I don’t understand how today’s youth views films and I’m sure most adults can’t either. All I know is ID4 absolutely blew my freaking brains out when I saw it in middle school. Loved loved loved that movie. I would be curious to rewatch it as an adult lol.
I loved id4 as a kid but I know think it's a dud.
It's interesting: I acknowledge that my nostalgia carries my rewatches, but I never really thought about how exposition-heavy it really is until now. I think the characters help move the scenes along. And the first and last half-hour is still pretty interesting/triumphant.
I think it's *just* stylish enough to entertain, but yeah, it's not really a rock-solid movie in retrospect.
They were big advocates of the original Star Wars trilogy even talked about some of their comments during their reviews...but I can`t believe Siskel liked "Mars Attacks" better...
I saw ID4 in theaters when I was 10, and saw it two additional times after the first watch. It was basically my “Star Wars”. I loved this movie as a kid. I still watch it every year, and I can totally understand a lot of the misgivings people have about plot, some of the characters, cheesy dialogue, etc. But, the movie still puts a smile on my face. Can’t help it.
I guess this is what Star Wars Prequel fans feel like? I hate the prequels, but I think a ton of kids saw them in theaters and were blown away.
As an adult it’s pretty dang cringy.
Out of all the Roland Emmerich films, I’d say “ Independence Day “ is his best one . Which is like saying that shit I took last year was wonderful .
The sequel was absolutely horrible.....his worst film
@@iluvmylovebirdandmybudgiet7729 I didn’t even bother with the sequel . They should of struck while the iron was still hot .
The Patriot was better. Less obnoxious characters.
"blacks Jews Gays and Drunks" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Independence Day still one of my favorite all-time summer films. with a paper thin plot. It was the biggest popcorn 🍿 blockbuster of 1996. Both Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, & Will Smith sold me. It was also a banner year for TNG Alumini Brent Spiner. I still watch it every 4th of July. Phenomenon is one of my favorite John Travolta & also one of my Robert Duvall films. The Clarivoyancy and borderline hyperthymesia was incredible. Great acting all around. Special Effects I have not seen but I am interested in watching this.
Phenomenon it's amazing and has a very sad ending. Independence Day it's cool and we get to know the villain.
I think critics made a big seal about THE CABLE GUY because Jim Carrey was paid $7 million for it. I liked it and felt sorry for the sad lonely cable guy.
Actually he got 20 million it was the first time an actor got a paycheck that large.
John Travolta was an inspiring choice for a simpleton.
Ebert was an infinitely more interesting critic when he was straightforwardly analyzing the quality of a film than when he was playing the role of consumer reporter, standing in the role of the filmgoer and acting as their overly-paternal proxy.
“Independence Day” (1996)
Review: 1:10
Recap: 19:46
I Do appreciate getting at least the release yr
Gene and Ebert were off on Independence Day and I think the movie's legacy and rewatchability proves that. But hey you take that many shots youre gonna miss a few.
I agree with them lol, it's cheesy too
@@Shaner373 Of course it's cheesy. I love people like you who don't get it was intentional and are the real fools. It's a cheesy 90s action flick. Siskel and Ebert were off the mark on this one.
@@davidporter671 how do you know they wanted to make it cheesy? They were trying to make an epic Alien movie with comedic moments, ya gearbox. They wouldn't have hired A list actors if they wanted to make a cheesy movie. Imagine calling someone a fool for not liking Independence day lol go back and pave your cave ya Neanderthal
"would be colorful supportive characters.. black ,jews,gays a drunk" lmao Siskel was out of pocket with that one
all the characters in Independence Day were stereotypes, except for Will Smith's character
I saw it when I was 6, it was fuckin cool
boy were they wrong about indepedence day
I agree with both of them on "Independence Day." I thought it was a boring movie. The script was sub-par with the acting being the same way. The dialogue was dry and uninteresting. The effects were good, but good effects does not make for a good movie. Just like the movie "Twister" had good effects, but it was not a good movie.
Independence Day isn't perfect, but it is good fun. Enough laughs from Will Smith and Randy Quaid, and Bill Pullman's speech is all time great. Thumbs up for me, 3 stars.
I have to fully agree with Siskel about 'The Rock'. I walked out of the cinema about half way through, because I just couldn't take the hyper-kinetic camerawork & frantic disjointed editing. It ruined the set-pieces and was an 'easy' default way to avoid actual skillful film making by careful construction of scenes. I also found it difficult to stomach Michael Biehn's team being gunned down. Later I did watch the 2nd half on TV and I thought it was a big improvement.
I don't want to know how special effects work. I don't want to see the real faces of voice characters. I don't want to see the guy in the monster suit. It ruins the fantasy. Sometimes they rub it in your face before you can look away. I hate it when they do that. It was so disappointing to see the guy who played the original Alien. Now the movie's ruined.
I still adore July 4th movie. Btw: most of u haven’t seen Nixon; too bad: a true masterpiece
Christ sake, how were these guys ever popular? Their lack of understanding behind these films is staggering. Gene once reviewed Terminator and confused the terminator as being from outer space.
If they didn’t like ID4 they really wouldn’t have liked the sequel.
Growing up I thought the same thing. Where did these old people find the two biggest squares in the movie industry. Now I watch and am fully entertained, still don't agree with em.
I frankly was absolutely unimpressed with Independence Day. The minute Area 51 showed up (with Brent Spiner as Dr Sivana with too much hair), I lost all respect for it. I thought it was simply ridiculous, and I *REALLY* hoped there would not be a sequel.
Of course, there was, and it was WORSE!
Siskel and Ebert were Absolutely 110% wrong about Independence Day. It’s not an intellectually stimulating film. It’s not trying to be Hamlet. It’s a simple story but a remarkably effective one
It’s a terrible film. Bad writing, awful script, laughable acting, predictable plot, etc
@@johnnyb980 it’s a movie about aliens invading earth and blowing things up. It’s not trying to be Shakespeare or Proust. It’s just trying to a fun summer blockbuster. In that regards, it succeeded
@@crakatoot5480 There are a million ways to tell a story of aliens invading earth and blowing things up. Independence Day is just a bad movie. It has some pretty decent effects (and also some corny and bad ones), if you're easily entertained, and easily impressed (seeing it as a child, for example), you would probably like it. In the sense of providing entertainment to that audience, it succeeded. But S&L don't belong to that audience, their assessment is honestly their own, and they were 100% correct. I'd go so far to say that mainstream audience can appreciate a much smarter film too (as proven by Nolan's films), and the fact that they were entertained by a film doesn't mean the film is remarkable.
@@zxbc1 it had a good set up. Fun characters and a hell of a pay off. Yes it went more for spectacle than nuance but again this film was not trying to be Citizen Kane. I know ‘smart’ people can’t like films like this but for real movie fans looking for something on a more visceral level, this film def pull of something amazing.
Totally agree. The people going to see these kinds of movies expecting Shawshank are the real fools.
phenomenon is a nice movie. the rest were garbage.
The fact that they didn't like Independence Day is further proof that these guys really didn't know what the hell they were talking about half the time.
No, the movie just plain sucks. It always has. Its the worst kind of junkfood blockbuster that paved the way for overblown, braindead garbage like the Transformers movies.