Siskel Quotes & Sayings

There is a point when a personal opinion shades off into an error of fact. — Gene Siskel

John Goodman is more that just a big guy, he's a wonderful actor. — Gene Siskel

As a critic, I try very hard to say exactly what I think. And in a medium in which we are well-known for the binary thumbs up and thumbs down, I try to be able to give the mixed review. But most pictures fall into that middle ground, so I wrestle over which way my thumb is going to turn. It's not flip. — Gene Siskel

Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel first championed my film, 'Hoop Dreams,' which was essential to its success. Roger remained a great supporter of my work throughout my career, and I'll never forget him tweeting about 'The Interrupters' right before its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011. — Steve James

I'm not surprised that Spielberg was able to capture the heroism of Schindler; so many of his movies are about the better part of mankind. — Gene Siskel

In Dallas for the premier of '9 to 5', I had an uncanny experience, and on the plane home to Chicago I confessed it to Siskel: I had been granted a private half hour with Dolly Parton, and as we spoke I was filled with a strange ethereal grace. This was not spiritual, nor was it sexual. It was healing and comforting. Gene listened and said, "Roger, I felt the exact same thing during my interview with her." We looked at each other. What did this mean? Neither one of us ever felt that feeling again. From time to time we would refer to it in wonder. — Roger Ebert

That's probably when I get the most angry at American movies, when they just so cynically manipulate the audience without even trying to give a good story. — Gene Siskel

After 27 years, I walked out of my first one a few months ago. Black Sheep with Chris Farley. — Gene Siskel

My rule of thumb is, what Siskel and Ebert like, I don't, and vice versa. — David Lynch

The result is a picture that represents so much of what I want and rarely get from a movie - a couple of hours filled with characters who are as exciting as the people I know in real life. — Gene Siskel

I guess it really didn't even dawn on me that you could be a rock critic as a job until I was maybe almost out of college. I knew criticism existed. I read Rolling Stone and Spin. Siskel and Ebert were on television. But I had absolutely no idea how to get that kind of life. And moreover, it didn't interest me that much. I just sort of read normal books growing up. I wasn't that media-conscious. I felt like the one thing I was able to do was to listen to a record and decide whether I liked it. — Chuck Klosterman

We don't pretend to disagree. — Gene Siskel

I would rather turn my head and cough than see any part of 'Patch Adams' again. The title of this movie should have been 'Punch Adams!' — Gene Siskel

They know they got the TV ad, they know they got the name recognition, they know that they can do a tie in with McDonald's or some fast food outlet and the money is just gonna flow in. — Gene Siskel

I loved that these two guys argued with each other as if movies actually mattered. Nobody I knew talked about movies that way, but Siskel and Ebert took each movie as it came and talked about whether it was a success on its own terms. — Sarah Vowell

The only actor who I think probably might have possibly taken a swing at me if he could have would be Burt Reynolds. He used to call Roger and me the Bruise Brothers, out of Chicago. — Gene Siskel

Two things are not debatable: eroticism, and comedy. If you don't think it's sexy, or funny, there's no way I can change your mind. — Gene Siskel

Is this film more interesting than a documentary of the same actors having lunch? — Gene Siskel

In fact, Cannonball Run II. I used to pick that as the worst movie ever made. — Gene Siskel

Going to a movie is a two-hour experience; at $7.50 for a ticket, you are valuing your time at far less than the minimum wage. If you don't understand the film, don't leave. If you understand it all too well and hate it, get out of your seat and walk up the aisle. You will feel empowered. — Gene Siskel

A film that aims low should not be praised for hitting that target. — Gene Siskel

I already shot my wad on the Protestants! — Gene Siskel

But you know, really, if you think about it Roger and I and all critics really have one absolute essential part of our credentials and that is that you believe that that is actually what we think. — Gene Siskel

Gene Siskel used to describe old-age makeup as making young actors look like turtles. — Roger Ebert

We'd rather see a picture that we liked then dump on one we didn't. — Gene Siskel

You think you know it, but you always find out new stuff. — Gene Siskel

For my 50th birthday, I got ahold of a new print of 'Saturday Night Fever.' I see it much more as a tough coming-of-age movie than as a disco story. — Gene Siskel