Love this movie. That's about as much as you can hope for, right? You fall in love and then the world blows up. I know people who've had less. When I was a very little boy, my mom would take me to the coffee shop at the mezzanine at the May Company department store that seems to be in the background of every other shot in this movie. La Brea and Wilshire. One day she takes me and we are sharing a slice of apple pie a la mode and I hear a deafening bang behind me and my mom picks me up and carries me out like a little ironing board. An old man couldn't cope with his wife's alzheimers so he took her out to breakfast and shot her in the head. First time I ever heard a gunshot. My mother passed away more than 20 yearsago and now my dad was diagnosed with alzheimers this year and I am taking really good care of him and I still get goosebumps when I see an "M" button in an elevator, like the mezzanine is some sort of weird magical realm, neither here or there.
Alex Rodriguez this is the most fascinating comment I've read on RUclips in ages. It makes me want to read more of your life stories. I too love Miracle Mile.
This is one of my favorite movies. It's a beautiful love story set at the End of the World. Siskel misses the point; it's not supposed to be a realistic doomsday movie but a love story about two people who just met, and how deep that love can grow in one day. It is old but it stands the test of time. If you don't grow to love Harry and Julie by the time this movie ends, you have no heart or soul. I just finished watching it for the 6th time, over 20+ years, and it's as enjoyable as ever.
@@tomamberg5361 Yup! I just heard that awhile ago and makes this movie even better now that they’re married in real life too! I know I sound like a huge dope but come on, they’re together in real life!!! 🥰 ……I just hope this B.S will Putin and Ukraine doesn’t give us a real life nuclear annihilation ending as well 😳
@@livinginvancouverbc2247 Exactly! I first watched it because I love apocalyptic movies; but, ultimately, this is a story about love, and how it can create a whole, beautiful, unique world for these two people together, despite whatever is happening in the wider world.
Went into this film knowing very little and was really blown away by it and It has definitely entered my top 10 films of all time list! I haven’t watched a film in so long that gave me the chills and made me frightened as to what would happen next. At times it really feels like a horror film and that phone booth scene is cinema at its absolute greatest. Throughout the whole film you just keep asking yourself is this attack coming and what’s going to happen next . Could talk about this film for hours but I’ll leave it at that!
So Siskel's entire argument is "It wasn't the movie I wanted it to be....", as though it had to play hard and fast to his expectations? AT least Ebert acknowledged that the film wasn't going for ultra-realism, and that it was good on its own merits and in its own way.
I got this 3 for 1 at the Old Paris Flea Market (OKC) in a Video Update case back in 2001 and had no idea what the hell i was buying. Turned out to be one of the most rewarding film experiences of my young life. Remember back when Ronnie and Mikie were contemplating WW3? We had no idea if we were gonna last next year. Much less the end of the decade. THEY have the power to end it all any time and WE have no power to stop THEM. Kinda sad and kinda, like, whatever. Still, one of the Great Movies of my youth. \
This review definitely gave too much away. One of the best elements of the movie is the fact that you don't know whether or not he's right. That said, I do think Ebert was more on the money than Siskel here. It's a very heavily stylized disaster film that definitely has the same vibe of "After Hours," but personally I think this one is actually better.
Sadly, it has closed. What is Macy's in the movie is now part of the LA County Museum of Art. The whole area doesn't look as clean as it does in the movie. But then, that's Hollywoodland. All about illusion.
Suspect that Hemdale didn't know what to do with the flick. It got a very spotty first run release in 88. Did much better in the second run theaters and college towns. My buddies and I piled in the car one night - went to a second run house to see it. We came out raving "Cool!" "Awesome!" in spite of the ending It's an honest flick, in spite of the surrealism and tone shifts. I think males tend to dig it more than females. women take it as a downer - the ending. Men appreciate the honesty. It finally started to "break through" on VHS and cable TV. Still occasionally shows up on ThisTV. People who have seen it, never forget it. Stealth Masterpiece. Where the hell is Steve DeJarnatt?!
When I was working in a newsroom we got a review copy of the VHS that was left out up for grabs. Curious, I took it, and as you say, never forgot it. Seen a few more times since, and it's time for another viewing - hard to find, though...
I can honestly say I dont remember being released in theaters in 88 or 89. I didn't hear about it until years later when a friend recommended it to me after we had a conversation about movies about nuclear war. It's a great film, but Ebert was correct. It was a bit too flashy given the subject matter. But then again, it took place in L.A. in the late 80's....
One of my favourite movies. The rights to release are actually in the hands of scanbox entertainment, and they have their office a few miles from where I live.
I've seen the War Game and its excellent but Threads goes much further in its depiction of absolute destruction of our genetics, our culture, right down to language. Ebert is right about Miracle Mile though, it's not about realism but more a poetic film that communicates its message through a colourful love story. Testament is more like the Day After, both are rather conservative in imagination and realism.
Just watched this for the first time. Great movie, but man, it feels uncomfortably close to something that could soon happen here in 2024, on the brink of WW3.
Siskel and Ebert seem to have missed the fact that this movie is supposed to be a black comedy, not a gritty, realistic view of armageddon. I've always loved this film, even though it isn't always entirely successful in blending comedy with drama.Also has some great visuals and a soundtrack by Tangerine Dream.
I posted this comment in 2010. How time flies. This movie has lingered in my head for over twenty years now. I first watched it as a teenager in the 90s.
I've seen Threads and it's probably the closest to The War Game. It's a good movie. But have you seen Watkins' The War Game? It's laughable to mention Testament as realistic in relation to it.
WTF was Siskel talking about?!?! He said the reality of the situation in this film would be a lot rougher, meaner, stranger and more disconnected. Some of the characters in the movie were rough and mean, some of the characters and situations were strange and disconnected. He said it seemed too much like a movie, which it was instead of a documentary, which it clearly wasn’t. Ebert got it. I never liked Siskel. It’s like he didn’t like some movies just to be contrarian. 😑
LOL what Ebert? Testament (1983) is the best documentary like account? He needs to brush up on his film history and see Peter Watkins' The War Game (1965).
I went down this list of videos titled full movie. How do you figure that this is the full movie? It is not. Not even by half. It's 28 videos of garbage. Change the title. I reported this list anyway so it'll be taken down. You can't say it's something it's not.
I think this movie has the right idea but was executed wrong. While the scene in the coffee shop was gripping to a degree, the entire film was what would have happened if some movie studio execs had hired John Hughes(Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller, ect) to produce a nuclear apocalypse film.
Do yourself a favor and watch Repo Man instead. That's the highly interesting 80s cheese. This is just stinky tar pit cheese like an atheist version of "Left Behind."
I just 'got' this movie. It is one of my favorites.
"We'll be diamonds."
Yes that is very good one.
Love this movie. That's about as much as you can hope for, right? You fall in love and then the world blows up. I know people who've had less.
When I was a very little boy, my mom would take me to the coffee shop at the mezzanine at the May Company department store that seems to be in the background of every other shot in this movie. La Brea and Wilshire. One day she takes me and we are sharing a slice of apple pie a la mode and I hear a deafening bang behind me and my mom picks me up and carries me out like a little ironing board. An old man couldn't cope with his wife's alzheimers so he took her out to breakfast and shot her in the head. First time I ever heard a gunshot.
My mother passed away more than 20 yearsago and now my dad was diagnosed with alzheimers this year and I am taking really good care of him and I still get goosebumps when I see an "M" button in an elevator, like the mezzanine is some sort of weird magical realm, neither here or there.
Alex Rodriguez this is the most fascinating comment I've read on RUclips in ages. It makes me want to read more of your life stories. I too love Miracle Mile.
This is one of my favorite movies. It's a beautiful love story set at the End of the World.
Siskel misses the point; it's not supposed to be a realistic doomsday movie but a love story about two people who just met, and how deep that love can grow in one day.
It is old but it stands the test of time. If you don't grow to love Harry and Julie by the time this movie ends, you have no heart or soul.
I just finished watching it for the 6th time, over 20+ years, and it's as enjoyable as ever.
100%
If you're still on RUclips, I'll let you know: the two leads - Anthony Edwards and Mare Winningham - got married in real life in 2021.
@@tomamberg5361 Yup! I just heard that awhile ago and makes this movie even better now that they’re married in real life too! I know I sound like a huge dope but come on, they’re together in real life!!! 🥰
……I just hope this B.S will Putin and Ukraine doesn’t give us a real life nuclear annihilation ending as well 😳
@@tomamberg5361 Yes I am still on RUclips and thanks for the pleasant info.
@@livinginvancouverbc2247 Exactly! I first watched it because I love apocalyptic movies; but, ultimately, this is a story about love, and how it can create a whole, beautiful, unique world for these two people together, despite whatever is happening in the wider world.
Agreed, the surrealism makes it work and was way ahead of it's time.
Went into this film knowing very little and was really blown away by it and It has definitely entered my top 10 films of all time list! I haven’t watched a film in so long that gave me the chills and made me frightened as to what would happen next. At times it really feels like a horror film and that phone booth scene is cinema at its absolute greatest. Throughout the whole film you just keep asking yourself is this attack coming and what’s going to happen next . Could talk about this film for hours but I’ll leave it at that!
So Siskel's entire argument is "It wasn't the movie I wanted it to be....", as though it had to play hard and fast to his expectations? AT least Ebert acknowledged that the film wasn't going for ultra-realism, and that it was good on its own merits and in its own way.
Yeah Siskels reason for not liking the movie was very nonsensical
I bet if he watched it again he would give it a better review
@@kicksex Hasn't Siskel been dead for quite some time?
A great movie that has sadly been overlooked.
Great direction and acting by well respected actors make this a movie you must see.
All movies set in Los Angeles in the 80s are going to be adorable pieces of magical realism, aren't they?
Marian Gonzalez: Try “To Live and Die in LA” beautiful yet very gritty...
I got this 3 for 1 at the Old Paris Flea Market (OKC) in a Video Update case back in 2001 and had no idea what the hell i was buying. Turned out to be one of the most rewarding film experiences of my young life. Remember back when Ronnie and Mikie were contemplating WW3? We had no idea if we were gonna last next year. Much less the end of the decade. THEY have the power to end it all any time and WE have no power to stop THEM. Kinda sad and kinda, like, whatever. Still, one of the Great Movies of my youth.
\
It's been a very long time since I've seen this, but I remember being on the edge of the seat. It blew me away.
The film is best when you don't know anything about it. This review reveals way too much.
Ebert committed the worst sin you can in a review - he gave away the ending.
Roger was right.
This review definitely gave too much away. One of the best elements of the movie is the fact that you don't know whether or not he's right. That said, I do think Ebert was more on the money than Siskel here. It's a very heavily stylized disaster film that definitely has the same vibe of "After Hours," but personally I think this one is actually better.
Into the Night is another one, 80s trilogy of men stuck in nightmarish situations in the early hours of the morning
Unless you are interested in being depressed for days afterward, DO NOT watch Testament. I saw this on PBS back in the early 80's. VERY disturbing....
Loved the coffee shop scene
Sadly, it has closed. What is Macy's in the movie is now part of the LA County Museum of Art. The whole area doesn't look as clean as it does in the movie. But then, that's Hollywoodland. All about illusion.
Suspect that Hemdale didn't know what to do with the flick.
It got a very spotty first run release in 88.
Did much better in the second run theaters and college towns.
My buddies and I piled in the car one night - went to a second run house to see it.
We came out raving "Cool!" "Awesome!" in spite of the ending
It's an honest flick, in spite of the surrealism and tone shifts.
I think males tend to dig it more than females. women take it as a downer - the ending. Men appreciate the honesty.
It finally started to "break through" on VHS and cable TV. Still occasionally shows up on ThisTV.
People who have seen it, never forget it.
Stealth Masterpiece.
Where the hell is Steve DeJarnatt?!
It was actually June '89 that saw the release of this film.
When I was working in a newsroom we got a review copy of the VHS that was left out up for grabs. Curious, I took it, and as you say, never forgot it. Seen a few more times since, and it's time for another viewing - hard to find, though...
I can honestly say I dont remember being released in theaters in 88 or 89. I didn't hear about it until years later when a friend recommended it to me after we had a conversation about movies about nuclear war. It's a great film, but Ebert was correct. It was a bit too flashy given the subject matter. But then again, it took place in L.A. in the late 80's....
I only first heard of it in the early 2000’s when it was released on DVD. I now own the BLURAY.
@2:30. It's called marriage...................
This movie is one of my top 10's. I had no idea what I was watching and that phone call totally sucked me in to it!
One of my favourite movies. The rights to release are actually in the hands of scanbox entertainment, and they have their office a few miles from where I live.
It's interesting that they didn't like the style, but the cleanliness of the film's image makes it look modern even by today's standards.
I've seen the War Game and its excellent but Threads goes much further in its depiction of absolute destruction of our genetics, our culture, right down to language.
Ebert is right about Miracle Mile though, it's not about realism but more a poetic film that communicates its message through a colourful love story.
Testament is more like the Day After, both are rather conservative in imagination and realism.
'Threads' is the most realistic 'nuke' story of all.
Hey its the ER guy! That was a great show
Great movie! Miss this show even more!!!
Siskel had such an awful taste. This was a great movie. Testament was good too but I found it too soapy. Miracle Mile is much better.
*Its not strange, its just predictive programming.*
Just watched this for the first time. Great movie, but man, it feels uncomfortably close to something that could soon happen here in 2024, on the brink of WW3.
God I miss these guys!
Ditto!
Well, at least you're not an atheist.
Siskel and Ebert seem to have missed the fact that this movie is supposed to be a black comedy, not a gritty, realistic view of armageddon. I've always loved this film, even though it isn't always entirely successful in blending comedy with drama.Also has some great visuals and a soundtrack by Tangerine Dream.
TANGERINE DREAM IS GOD!
Definitely isn’t meant to be a black comedy
how can you say a movie felt like a movie, and have that be a negative comment?
brutal spoiler right off the bat!
I thought it worked too Roger! ;-)
Spoiler alert!
Watch "Threads"
thank you
I posted this comment in 2010. How time flies.
This movie has lingered in my head for over twenty years now. I first watched it as a teenager in the 90s.
Awesome movie
This film is class
I've seen Threads and it's probably the closest to The War Game. It's a good movie. But have you seen Watkins' The War Game? It's laughable to mention Testament as realistic in relation to it.
Ugggh! This movie was beyond depressing!
WTF was Siskel talking about?!?! He said the reality of the situation in this film would be a lot rougher, meaner, stranger and more disconnected. Some of the characters in the movie were rough and mean, some of the characters and situations were strange and disconnected. He said it seemed too much like a movie, which it was instead of a documentary, which it clearly wasn’t. Ebert got it. I never liked Siskel. It’s like he didn’t like some movies just to be contrarian. 😑
He's being a jackass as always!..
Great little movie!
Max
LOL what Ebert? Testament (1983) is the best documentary like account? He needs to brush up on his film history and see Peter Watkins' The War Game (1965).
Obviously you didn't see the movie, did you? That isn't the whole story.
I went down this list of videos titled full movie. How do you figure that this is the full movie? It is not. Not even by half. It's 28 videos of garbage. Change the title. I reported this list anyway so it'll be taken down. You can't say it's something it's not.
Struck me as a clever, at turns, thrilling comedy that's really about male sexual hysteria. It's broadcasted all through the dialogue.
I can't watch something about this film without seeing your same comment on everything.
Sadly both men are now dead.
Sadly nothing they were both assholes
I think this movie has the right idea but was executed wrong. While the scene in the coffee shop was gripping to a degree, the entire film was what would have happened if some movie studio execs had hired John Hughes(Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller, ect) to produce a nuclear apocalypse film.
Everyone says it is great, but these clips look terrible.
Its great
Do yourself a favor and watch Repo Man instead. That's the highly interesting 80s cheese. This is just stinky tar pit cheese like an atheist version of "Left Behind."
Repo Man is one of my FAVORITE FILMS. I loved Miracle Mile and LOVE the TANGERINE DREAM score.
Repo Man is great, but I think Miracle Mile is better.
Apples & oranges.
Miracle Mile is a stupid movie that masks its numerous shortcomings and sophomoric acting with a weird yet appealing atmosphere.
Nah, Miracle Mile is a great movie.
unfortunatebeam Well, it certainly had the potential to be great...
In other words, still better than most movies.
Film critics are among the lowest forms of life.