I talked my dad into taking me to see _On the Right Track_ when I was 8 years old. I haven't thought about this movie in forty years and am stunned that not only did Siskel & Ebert like it, but Kevin Thomas of the _L.A. Times_ did as well. Thomas was tasked with reviewing the sorts of films that Sheila Benson wouldn't dignify with a response and he was Quentin Tarantino's favorite local critic. It just goes to show that a genre film doesn't have to be a bad film.
Sneak Previews is still my favorite era if the Siskel and Ebert duo. The intro is clever and even better decades later, perfectly capturing the flavor of going to the movies at that time, when the snacks were terrible, the seata cramped, and the floors sticky.
In those days I enjoyed taking my shirt off to roll around on those sticky floors, allowing the nutritious buttery juices and sugary corn syrup emulsion to coat my entire torso. It always seemed to give my body a beautiful glistening sheen and my loved would always remark that I was a sight to behold when the lights came on. These were truly the times of our lives ... Tender and memorable Taster's Choice Moments to be sure.
Gates of Heaven has stayed with me ever since my first viewing 20 years ago. There's magic in this movie that brings me to a place of peace. The interview with the older mother sitting on her stoop is maybe the greatest 7 minutes captured on film. I have always thought this and still do.
18:02 - Surprised that Ebert didn't mention that Kurt Russell provided the voice of the adult 'Copper' in The Fox and the Hound, the Disney movie they just reviewed prior to this one.
I thought the same. Ebert also doubted Russell was doing a deliberate Clint Eastwood impersonation. However, Kurt Russell himself confirmed that he was indeed doing exactly that as an homage to the spaghetti westerns of both Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef.
@@plissken2156 My god you're right. I can't believe I missed it all the times I've watched it, but yes, the stretched out words and delivery, especially in the solo trucking scenes where he's talking outloud over the CB airwaves. 'Have you paid your dues? Yeah I paid my dues. The cheque is in the mail.' The best.
@@skylinerunner1695 I like how he stuffs that sandwich in his mouth after he says that. Dude was a goofy badass in that movie. It's Carpenter's best movie.
I'm usually with Rogers's opinions, but this time I am with Gene the whole way. He must have been in a good mood that week and could take films in good fun. I'm laughing at Rogers's seriousness about Escape from New York: He took it so seriously that he missed the point. Gene is absolutely right that Carpenter meant it as a "cartoon". I didn't get that either when I saw it-- but I was just eleven! And I thought it was the coolest movie I'd ever seen. (And I felt so cool seeing one of my first R movies.)
Gladiator is supreme schlock, bad special effects bad camera work bad action scenes and overall bad direction from Ridley Scott, that happens to have some over the top brilliant acting. It's one of those movies that cater to the lowest denominator audiences and lots of critics disliked it, not just Roger. I personally think Ridley Scott is overrated, he can direct well only if he's given a superb script and has some talented writer work with him. His more recent filmography is ample evidence.
@@MediaBuster Gladiator had some good acting and great stunts and it was good to see Roman gladiators on the screen but the plot was cliched and IMO they could have given us a lot more history, in a good way.
I always enjoyed Ebert's reviews because I like his sharp observations and humorous writing style, but there's no denying how often he was off the mark on great movies. Gene nailed it in his review of Escape From New York (his gratuitous smear of Adrienne Barbeau notwithstanding) but Roger's expectations for it ridiculous. He complained about the chase scenes in a movie about escape in a race against time.
I saw "Escape from New York" about 2 weeks ago at an art cinema in Japan....it was 4K I guess transferred.... I saw it at the driive-in when I was young but it was so dark it was hard to see anything.. I thnk the set up was better than the actual movie..some fight scenes look really cheesy..like all Carpenter films .it had a great score
I saw that theaters were having the John Carpenter Retrospective. Thought about going to see it or "They Live" but there have been a lot of Japanese movies I've been interested in seeing lately so didn't make it.
I was never a fan of "They Live" but did see it in a theater..it was worth seeing "Escape" and "The Fog" just for the music/ sucked at the drive-in... and actually they only plsye like 2 weeks... "Fog" and "they live" alternated days...
@@iluvmylovebirdandmybudgiet7729 Hmm. I'd still like to see They Live sometime.. It looks like a movie I'd like, though it's a satire so quite a bit different from The Thing.... The 80s had quite a few good sci-fi horror movies with Carpenter, Cronenberg and Cameron.
I remember seeing On The Right Track in the theater with my sister when I was 7. It's a shame all Gary Coleman's movies are stuck in legal limbo even this long after his death. Technically, Disney SHOULD own it now since it was a 20th Century Fox film. And I won't even begin to describe the trauma I faced watching Fox and the Hound. I still won't watch animated Disney films because of it.
Escape From New York is a good action movie. I'd give it a thumbs up, but Roger's right about how you left the film feeling unfulfilled. Also, the ending was a bit weak. Snake asks the President, a bunch of people died trying to rescue you. How do you feel about that? The President simply answered, I want to thank them..." Snake wasn’t impressed with that answer, but what kind of answer was he supposed to give? "I'm going to shut down this maximum security prison?" It just seemed like a set up for an unnecessary comedic ending.
I could have sworn they showed that "Neutered" clip during their review of "Gates of Heaven," but it wasn't here or in their best-of-the-year show, either. Where the heck did I see it (aside from the movie itself, I mean)? I clearly remember them chuckling over it.
My top Favorite John Carpenter Films. 1.) *The Thing* 2.) *Halloween* 3.) *They Live* 4.) *Vampires* (Criminally Underrated) 5.) *In the Mouth of Madness* 6.) *Escape from N.Y.* 7.) *Village of the Dammed* (Remake) 8.) *Prince of Darkness* 9.) *Ghosts of Mars* 10.) *Assault on Precinct 13*
Well, let's be honest - he has a pretty poor track record My top 5 of His films Halloween Assault on Precinct 13 Starman Escape from New York Christine
@@keithdoherty3178 what about The Thing or They Live? Honestly, for what it was as an exercise in mostly genre fare, I would stack that stretch from 1976 to 1988 against virtually any other filmmaker's best dozen year period. I'm not saying it would be in the top 10 or top 20 of all time, but it certainly wouldn't look ridiculous in such a lineup.
I know people who prefer Escape from LA because of the religious right satire in the President, it's less deadpan and strange and more of a coherent narrative, despite being cheesy
@@imcallingjapan2178, not sure about a female-centric cop show, but there was a 1970s TV movie that had "Force Five" as an alternate title, and there was an American television adaptation of Japanese anime in 1980 called "Force Five". The title seems to have been well worn by the time it got attached to this film.
@@adamgrimsley2900 that it is meant to be a parody of a certain type of movie. Or... parody not the right term exactly... maybe also an homage? Satire? I think Gene said it best: Like a cartoon. Also probably also a joke about the alarmist reactionary mood about urban crime at the time, especially in New York, pushed here to apocalyptic absurdity. But also perfectly exploiting the zeitgeist, so well that the premise could easily be taken seriously by a naive viewer. Or maybe I am wrong about Carpenter's intent. It's also been ages since I saw it, so I might be recalling things differently than if I actually watched it again. Which I di want to do now!
Ebert was never exactly a model of consistency. He decried violence against women in film but wrote the screenplay for Russ Meyer's Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls, a violent sexploitation film. He along with Siskel attacked the slasher genre despite giving Halloween a rave review. He'd often complain about explicit gory makeup FX in horror films but championed Dawn Of The Dead. Go figure.
Oh boy, "On the Right Track!" We have white saviors and a fun time soundtrack to a black child living in a locker. Freaking hell. I'm glad we've moved a slight bit.
Escape from New York was freaking awesome!
Is* it holds up (except the styrofoam wall he shoots and jumps through)
Fibber
I saw Gates of Heaven last night and it had me in tears. That is one film that will never leave my top 10.
I talked my dad into taking me to see _On the Right Track_ when I was 8 years old. I haven't thought about this movie in forty years and am stunned that not only did Siskel & Ebert like it, but Kevin Thomas of the _L.A. Times_ did as well. Thomas was tasked with reviewing the sorts of films that Sheila Benson wouldn't dignify with a response and he was Quentin Tarantino's favorite local critic. It just goes to show that a genre film doesn't have to be a bad film.
Sneak Previews is still my favorite era if the Siskel and Ebert duo. The intro is clever and even better decades later, perfectly capturing the flavor of going to the movies at that time, when the snacks were terrible, the seata cramped, and the floors sticky.
In those days I enjoyed taking my shirt off to roll around on those sticky floors, allowing the nutritious buttery juices and sugary corn syrup emulsion to coat my entire torso. It always seemed to give my body a beautiful glistening sheen and my loved would always remark that I was a sight to behold when the lights came on. These were truly the times of our lives ... Tender and memorable Taster's Choice Moments to be sure.
Gates of Heaven has stayed with me ever since my first viewing 20 years ago. There's magic in this movie that brings me to a place of peace.
The interview with the older mother sitting on her stoop is maybe the greatest 7 minutes captured on film. I have always thought this and still do.
I like all the films on this show. Force:Five is a guilty pleasure for me.
Have just found this channel. Super seeing these again. Thank you.
18:02 - Surprised that Ebert didn't mention that Kurt Russell provided the voice of the adult 'Copper' in The Fox and the Hound, the Disney movie they just reviewed prior to this one.
I thought the same. Ebert also doubted Russell was doing a deliberate Clint Eastwood impersonation. However, Kurt Russell himself confirmed that he was indeed doing exactly that as an homage to the spaghetti westerns of both Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef.
Kurt Russell must've had a good weekend.
@@skylinerunner1695 Then in BigTrouble in Little China, he does his best John Wayne impersonation.
@@plissken2156 My god you're right. I can't believe I missed it all the times I've watched it, but yes, the stretched out words and delivery, especially in the solo trucking scenes where he's talking outloud over the CB airwaves. 'Have you paid your dues? Yeah I paid my dues. The cheque is in the mail.' The best.
@@skylinerunner1695 I like how he stuffs that sandwich in his mouth after he says that. Dude was a goofy badass in that movie. It's Carpenter's best movie.
Siskel ate some brownies that day and is brimming with smiles and benevolence for all.
Never seen Siskel this happy before or since!
@@briantarney5473 Yeah he was having an upbeat day for sure
I'm usually with Rogers's opinions, but this time I am with Gene the whole way. He must have been in a good mood that week and could take films in good fun. I'm laughing at Rogers's seriousness about Escape from New York: He took it so seriously that he missed the point. Gene is absolutely right that Carpenter meant it as a "cartoon". I didn't get that either when I saw it-- but I was just eleven! And I thought it was the coolest movie I'd ever seen. (And I felt so cool seeing one of my first R movies.)
Escape from New York is a classic gem... Roger canned so many great classics, like this and Gladiator.
Gladiator is supreme schlock, bad special effects bad camera work bad action scenes and overall bad direction from Ridley Scott, that happens to have some over the top brilliant acting. It's one of those movies that cater to the lowest denominator audiences and lots of critics disliked it, not just Roger. I personally think Ridley Scott is overrated, he can direct well only if he's given a superb script and has some talented writer work with him. His more recent filmography is ample evidence.
@@zxbc1 cool story bruh
Gladiator is dumb and boring.
@@MediaBuster Gladiator had some good acting and great stunts and it was good to see Roman gladiators on the screen but the plot was cliched and IMO they could have given us a lot more history, in a good way.
Gladiator is no classic.
Once again, Siskel proves that he was in fact the "cooler" of the two with his YES rating for Escape From New York.
I agree with Roger's comments. Escape From New York is an idea that is not fully realized but it's still a fun action flick.
I always enjoyed Ebert's reviews because I like his sharp observations and humorous writing style, but there's no denying how often he was off the mark on great movies. Gene nailed it in his review of Escape From New York (his gratuitous smear of Adrienne Barbeau notwithstanding) but Roger's expectations for it ridiculous. He complained about the chase scenes in a movie about escape in a race against time.
I think that Siskel was really trolling Ebert on Force: Five.
Either that or he lost a bet and had to claim that a dog was actually good on air.
I wonder if Siskel was getting paid off this week, he was really in a positive thumbs up mode.
Escape from New York is a cult classic. I watch that and Trading places every now and then.
I saw "Escape from New York" about 2 weeks ago at an art cinema in Japan....it was 4K I guess transferred.... I saw it at the driive-in when I was young but it was so dark it was hard to see anything..
I thnk the set up was better than the actual movie..some fight scenes look really cheesy..like all Carpenter films .it had a great score
I saw that theaters were having the John Carpenter Retrospective. Thought about going to see it or "They Live" but there have been a lot of Japanese movies I've been interested in seeing lately so didn't make it.
I was never a fan of "They Live" but did see it in a theater..it was worth seeing "Escape" and "The Fog" just for the music/ sucked at the drive-in... and actually they only plsye like 2 weeks... "Fog" and "they live" alternated days...
@@iluvmylovebirdandmybudgiet7729 Hmm. I'd still like to see They Live sometime.. It looks like a movie I'd like, though it's a satire so quite a bit different from The Thing.... The 80s had quite a few good sci-fi horror movies with Carpenter, Cronenberg and Cameron.
@@iluvmylovebirdandmybudgiet7729 THEY LIVE had a strong first half,but it fell apart towards the end.
I remember seeing On The Right Track in the theater with my sister when I was 7. It's a shame all Gary Coleman's movies are stuck in legal limbo even this long after his death. Technically, Disney SHOULD own it now since it was a 20th Century Fox film.
And I won't even begin to describe the trauma I faced watching Fox and the Hound. I still won't watch animated Disney films because of it.
Siskel, a sucker for movies where kids pick winners at the track.
Yeah, there must be dozens of those.
There were, not anymore
Escape From New York is a good action movie. I'd give it a thumbs up, but Roger's right about how you left the film feeling unfulfilled. Also, the ending was a bit weak. Snake asks the President, a bunch of people died trying to rescue you. How do you feel about that? The President simply answered, I want to thank them..." Snake wasn’t impressed with that answer, but what kind of answer was he supposed to give? "I'm going to shut down this maximum security prison?" It just seemed like a set up for an unnecessary comedic ending.
I think Snake was at least expecting some remorse for their deaths but it's obvious the President couldn't care less.
I love watching these reviews because everything they don’t like became classics. Force five over escape from ny lol
Watched Gates of Heaven with my sister. She lasted 10 minutes.
😀😀😀
I could have sworn they showed that "Neutered" clip during their review of "Gates of Heaven," but it wasn't here or in their best-of-the-year show, either. Where the heck did I see it (aside from the movie itself, I mean)? I clearly remember them chuckling over it.
Watch the 1981 "Buried Treasures" episode
My top Favorite John Carpenter Films.
1.) *The Thing*
2.) *Halloween*
3.) *They Live*
4.) *Vampires* (Criminally Underrated)
5.) *In the Mouth of Madness*
6.) *Escape from N.Y.*
7.) *Village of the Dammed* (Remake)
8.) *Prince of Darkness*
9.) *Ghosts of Mars*
10.) *Assault on Precinct 13*
No one cares!
Come on, you've got to throw Big Trouble in Little China some love.
Legend has it Adrienne Barbeau was sentenced to New York because of her awful helmet-hair perm.
Siskel getting it right about Escape From NY and Ebert getting it wrong is not something I could have predicted.
Escape from New York is one of my top 3 John Carpenter movies. 👍
Yeah, it's up there with "Halloween," "The Thing," and "The Fog." I loved them all.
Well, let's be honest - he has a pretty poor track record
My top 5 of His films
Halloween
Assault on Precinct 13
Starman
Escape from New York
Christine
@@keithdoherty3178 what about The Thing or They Live? Honestly, for what it was as an exercise in mostly genre fare, I would stack that stretch from 1976 to 1988 against virtually any other filmmaker's best dozen year period. I'm not saying it would be in the top 10 or top 20 of all time, but it certainly wouldn't look ridiculous in such a lineup.
@@keithdoherty3178 "The Thing" is a truly great movie. "Starman" and "Christine" are average. To be honest, you have poor taste.
Ebert didn't like Escape from New York but he gave thumbs up to Escape from LA?
I know people who prefer Escape from LA because of the religious right satire in the President, it's less deadpan and strange and more of a coherent narrative, despite being cheesy
Force: Five? An inspiration for Fox Force Five in Pulp Fiction?
There was a real show pilot episode of a female-centric cop show called Fox Five in the 80s, that's probably where he got the premise
Catch up
And Strike Force Five in 2023.
@@imcallingjapan2178, not sure about a female-centric cop show, but there was a 1970s TV movie that had "Force Five" as an alternate title, and there was an American television adaptation of Japanese anime in 1980 called "Force Five". The title seems to have been well worn by the time it got attached to this film.
Adrienne barbeaus my old lady
That was very much Kurt Russell's intention.
Some of these movies should have gone straight to video.
Heavens gate
Escape from New York is a great classic. Ebert has no clue of what he's talking about.
Well he does have a clue. He's a great critic.
@@adamgrimsley2900 but this time it went over his head completely. Gene got the directorial intent right. Roger didn't get the joke.
@@johnsorrelw849 what did ?
@@adamgrimsley2900 that it is meant to be a parody of a certain type of movie. Or... parody not the right term exactly... maybe also an homage? Satire? I think Gene said it best: Like a cartoon. Also probably also a joke about the alarmist reactionary mood about urban crime at the time, especially in New York, pushed here to apocalyptic absurdity. But also perfectly exploiting the zeitgeist, so well that the premise could easily be taken seriously by a naive viewer.
Or maybe I am wrong about Carpenter's intent. It's also been ages since I saw it, so I might be recalling things differently than if I actually watched it again. Which I di want to do now!
Ebert was never exactly a model of consistency. He decried violence against women in film but wrote the screenplay for Russ Meyer's Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls, a violent sexploitation film. He along with Siskel attacked the slasher genre despite giving Halloween a rave review. He'd often complain about explicit gory makeup FX in horror films but championed Dawn Of The Dead. Go figure.
Oh boy, "On the Right Track!" We have white saviors and a fun time soundtrack to a black child living in a locker. Freaking hell. I'm glad we've moved a slight bit.
surprised you didn't capitalize black, since you employed the "white saviors" buzz phrase