This controversial movie has a lot of star power with both Robert DeNiro and Mickey Rourke. Prison inmate Bill Cosby criticized this movie due to it's sexual nature. Oh, the irony.
Man I love this Ebert and Siskel fights they are so funny like an old couple fighting just for the smallest differences of opinion, And the reason why I think this fights work is that came from a place of passion and honesty they're passionate about what the movie mean for them, they did really had a funny and interesting chemistry.
Siskel didn't get the point about the ending! It's not shocking to those of us who pay close attention, because the lead character's true identity is made pretty obvious early on. The focus is on the lead character's journey to discovering who he really is. We're just along for the ride.
Also Johnny found a loop hole to cheat Hell but Satan turns his own trick on him. He makes him discover himself and reveal himself . Satan knew all along Harry Angel was Johnny Favourite. Brilliant I think.
Siskle's point was that it wasn't shocking. I can't remember if I was or not, I guess The Devil part was pretty obvious. I used to agree with Ebert more, but now I think Siskle was right more,but still the prick
Yeah, they're were a few orgy seconds, bit it did seem like a publicity stunt. Rourke was such a waist, I don't get it because the 90's would have been more his Era. I love Year of the Dragon too
Between this and "Johnny Handsome," the lesson is clear: Nothing good ever happens to Mickey Rourke characters in Louisiana. Actually, those two films would make for an interesting double-header.
I'm from New Orleans and believe this is one of the best films shot there. Parker and his DP (Michael Seresin, brilliant) captured the city in an original, unique way. The other NOLA film I like is Panic in the Streets by Elia Kazan. Find it. Great time capsule of the city with a great cast. Back to AH, loved Ebert's last dig at Siskel who missed the boat and the dock on AH. Cast is really good including two of my (sadly, late) actor friends: Elliott Keener as the obese racist cop, and Stocker Fontelieu as Charlotte Rampling's dad. Miss those guys. But don't you miss AH.
I really disagree with Siskel. I think Angel Heart is perfect in its pacing. The movie was never intended to be a fast paced action film but a slow moving film noir horror film. The films eerie atmosphere really adds to the disurbing storyline where Rourke's private detective sleuthing keeps unearthing a world of horrors that he really regrets taking on the job. Lisa Bonet is absolutely terrific in this as well
I'm with Siskel on this one. The core of the story is great, once you put the pieces together, but what a drag to sit through the whole thing! A good detective movie shows a puzzle slowly being put together, or at least gives the protagonist some motivations. Alan Parker was so concerned about concealing informatation from us for his big reveal at the end that he forgot about the other 90 minutes of the movie.
@@dr.juerdotitsgo5119 then this movie wasn't for you. Go watch a Rambo or Schwarzenegger film where there's something blowing up real good every five minutes. I'll take an adult supernatural thriller anytime
First time I've seen the Siskel & Ebert review of this film. I'm surprised that Ebert understood & liked it. Usually Ebert put down dark, scary, horror films but Angel Heart was one of the few he actually liked. I agree with Ebert too. The film hit me the same way. Siskel's review is disappointing because he thought the only good thing about the film was Lisa Bonet.
great question back in 87 when it was released it was controversial but not outrage. Today we live in an outrage culture..Angel Heart had such great acting I too wonder if there would be admiration or outrage. Strange times we live in, a seemingly small event is a powder-keg that can blow up at any moment.
@@Zseventyone She was fired from "A Different World" because she was pregnant with her daughter Zoe Kravitz. According to Debbie Allen, who was the director of "A Different World", she and Bonet went to Cosby to tell him of the pregnancy. Cosby didn't want "A Different World" to have an unwed mother character. She didn't want to go back to "The Cosby Show". But she was under contract. I believe she did 2 more seasons and was finally able to leave after that. She absolutely didn't want to continue on "The Cosby Show". But Bill was a control freak and wouldn't let her go. Debbie Allen said as much. She said Cosby was controlling of her sister, Phylicia Rashad (who played Cosby's wife) too.
@@katrinaolsen2444 I believe, she said "Fuck off" to pudding pops Cosby, when he opposed her working on a violent movie set in the 40's involving voodoo and sex scenes.
I remember hearing a lot about the controversy at the time. It was a big deal since she was on The Cosby Show. I was just a kid so I don't know if I understood what it was all about.
Plus it's directed by brit Alan Parker man he sure seemed to only like dark, depressing movies. Pink Floyd band members didn't even like the Pink Floyd: The Wall movie he directed! Years later I really enjoyed the book Angela's Ashes but there's no way I was going to see the movie just waaay too depressing to be on film. Of course, Parker directed Angela's Ashes too.
@@jedijones Kind of surprising he had a couple of decent hits like Midnight Express. I think when Midnight Express premiered on network TV that was a HUGE night for the networks in Feb, 1979 as Feb was called "sweeps" month because so many millions of people would tune in due to it being boring winter. I believe back in Feb, 79 they showed Midnight Express one week, and the next week the networks really went at it by showing "Elvis" starring Kurt Russell on ABC. One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest on NBC, and Gone With the Wind on CBS. I watched Cuckoos Nest but I believe we were in a frenzy during commercials and turned the dial to Elvis so I saw a bit of that as well!
@@erichaynes7502 I think the movies I remember seeing on network prime time that I never got to see before were Superman 1 and 2, Star Wars, The Jerk and The Incredible Shrinking Woman. Probably Airplane 1 and 2. Possibly Jaws 1 and 2. We had VHS by 1985 so then the network airings weren't so important. Still can't remember if I first saw The Empire Strikes Back on TV or VHS.
@@jedijones I do remember Jaws premiering on Network TV, probably late 78 or Feb 79(ok, I just checked it premiered on ABC Nov 4, 1979). so this was 4+ years after Jaws theater release. The network had special dramatic music when they'd show a short clip during commercial("Jaws will return in just a few moments") as if to say "this is a very big event!"
@@reneperez7903 Yeah, it was okay but Mickey Rourke's other movies back in the day (the 1980s) were much better. I give most of them from that time period an enthusiastic thumbs up.
@@kamuelalee he was good in 9 & a half weeks with him & Kim Basinger along with Diner & Johnny Handsome which are the only ones I’ve seen of his that came out in the 80s.
One of the best movies ever made.
Agreed. If you haven't already check out Mickey Rourke in "Johnny Handsome". Also set in New Orleans and Morgan Freeman early in his career.
Totally agree!
Absolutely
Concur, the atmosphere is chilling and superb
On so many levels. 🎯
Mephistopheles is such a mouthful in Manhattan, Johnny
This movie is frightening.
Fabulous movie... very under rated... the acting. the direction, the atmosphere Wow!
Siskel on the wrong side of history AGAIN
Oh, Siskel.
Siskel (and Ebert) gave both Under Siege movies thumbs up and for that all other mistakes are forgiven.
Man I love this Ebert and Siskel fights they are so funny like an old couple fighting just for the smallest differences of opinion, And the reason why I think this fights work is that came from a place of passion and honesty they're passionate about what the movie mean for them, they did really had a funny and interesting chemistry.
Those Letterman appearances were gold. They really turned up the petty bickering 😂
Siskel didn't get the point about the ending! It's not shocking to those of us who pay close attention, because the lead character's true identity is made pretty obvious early on. The focus is on the lead character's journey to discovering who he really is. We're just along for the ride.
Also Johnny found a loop hole to cheat Hell but Satan turns his own trick on him. He makes him discover himself and reveal himself . Satan knew all along Harry Angel was Johnny Favourite. Brilliant I think.
Pretty shocking Siskel missed the boat on this novie.
Siskle's point was that it wasn't shocking. I can't remember if I was or not, I guess The Devil part was pretty obvious. I used to agree with Ebert more, but now I think Siskle was right more,but still the prick
I felt the opposite, I didn't get he was favorite
Yeah, they're were a few orgy seconds, bit it did seem like a publicity stunt. Rourke was such a waist, I don't get it because the 90's would have been more his Era. I love Year of the Dragon too
Between this and "Johnny Handsome," the lesson is clear: Nothing good ever happens to Mickey Rourke characters in Louisiana. Actually, those two films would make for an interesting double-header.
NYC was pretty bad for him too.
Or when he gets a new face!
I'm from New Orleans and believe this is one of the best films shot there. Parker and his DP (Michael Seresin, brilliant) captured the city in an original, unique way. The other NOLA film I like is Panic in the Streets by Elia Kazan. Find it. Great time capsule of the city with a great cast. Back to AH, loved Ebert's last dig at Siskel who missed the boat and the dock on AH. Cast is really good including two of my (sadly, late) actor friends: Elliott Keener as the obese racist cop, and Stocker Fontelieu as Charlotte Rampling's dad. Miss those guys. But don't you miss AH.
I loved this movie
Me too.
One of my favorites all genres and times combined!
Ebert with the mic drop 🎤
Angelheart is a great horror film. I loved the novel also!
❤ this movie. I’m from New Orleans, so that doesn’t hurt. Loved Charlotte Rampling’s performance too.
Great Film!
I miss these guys.
I think Roger was right, classic
I really disagree with Siskel. I think Angel Heart is perfect in its pacing. The movie was never intended to be a fast paced action film but a slow moving film noir horror film. The films eerie atmosphere really adds to the disurbing storyline where Rourke's private detective sleuthing keeps unearthing a world of horrors that he really regrets taking on the job. Lisa Bonet is absolutely terrific in this as well
I'm with Siskel on this one. The core of the story is great, once you put the pieces together, but what a drag to sit through the whole thing! A good detective movie shows a puzzle slowly being put together, or at least gives the protagonist some motivations. Alan Parker was so concerned about concealing informatation from us for his big reveal at the end that he forgot about the other 90 minutes of the movie.
@@dr.juerdotitsgo5119 then this movie wasn't for you. Go watch a Rambo or Schwarzenegger film where there's something blowing up real good every five minutes. I'll take an adult supernatural thriller anytime
When GENE got things wrong.... He REALLY GOT THEM WRONG!!!!😅😅😂😂😂😂😂
First time I've seen the Siskel & Ebert review of this film. I'm surprised that Ebert understood & liked it. Usually Ebert put down dark, scary, horror films but Angel Heart was one of the few he actually liked. I agree with Ebert too. The film hit me the same way. Siskel's review is disappointing because he thought the only good thing about the film was Lisa Bonet.
Siskel was so wrong here, this is without exaggerating one of the best thriller/horror movies of all time
They both didn't like the mysognist slasher films of the era, Ebert always like nior.
Ebert?
Beautiful Black female costar.
👍
I loved it.
🤣"In that case I'm sorry that you have to be on this show." Roger would dog Gene so hard. I miss this program.
I swear, those two always act like a couple of old ladies bickering!
Oh come on Siskel. Ebert loves anything set in New Orleans.
I loved Siskel and Ebert, but man, Ebert could be so cruel to Siskel at times! Check out his last comment on this clip.
I agree. He comes across as very cruel and childish.
It's one of the things that made this show great. Ebert later said their hate for each other was meaningless, but their love for each other was deep.
No, he was right, you go to films for craft and style, if not then it is just tv.
Their relationship was always like that.
Ebert was pointing out Siskel's contradiction, since they are on TV. Ebert wasn't saying it was a shame that Siskel was on that show.
Siskel gets it wrong yet again.
I'm one hour into the film. Never realized how good it was. But would this be considered controversial today?
great question back in 87 when it was released it was controversial but not outrage. Today we live in an outrage culture..Angel Heart had such great acting I too wonder if there would be admiration or outrage. Strange times we live in, a seemingly small event is a powder-keg that can blow up at any moment.
@@erichaynes7502 and Cosby fired Lisa B for it. Because, you know, he’s so wholesome. 🙄
@@Zseventyone She was fired from "A Different World" because she was pregnant with her daughter Zoe Kravitz. According to Debbie Allen, who was the director of "A Different World", she and Bonet went to Cosby to tell him of the pregnancy. Cosby didn't want "A Different World" to have an unwed mother character. She didn't want to go back to "The Cosby Show". But she was under contract. I believe she did 2 more seasons and was finally able to leave after that. She absolutely didn't want to continue on "The Cosby Show". But Bill was a control freak and wouldn't let her go. Debbie Allen said as much. She said Cosby was controlling of her sister, Phylicia Rashad (who played Cosby's wife) too.
@@katrinaolsen2444 I believe, she said "Fuck off" to pudding pops Cosby, when he opposed her working on a violent movie set in the 40's involving voodoo and sex scenes.
I think it wouldn't be controversial today, unless they casted Amber Heard as Madame Lucy Ferro.
Loved the comment at the end of the review lol
it's a classic for sure lol.
the number of films that siskel got the right take on is few and far between.
Siskel is clueless..
@@leostawicki7283
_"was"_ ... thankfully
Mickie was the real deal.
So does Lisa Bonet now join the ranks of Rae Dawn Chong, Jobeth Williams, Adrienne Corri, Amanda Donohoe, Barbara Hershey?
I remember hearing a lot about the controversy at the time. It was a big deal since she was on The Cosby Show. I was just a kid so I don't know if I understood what it was all about.
Plus it's directed by brit Alan Parker man he sure seemed to only like dark, depressing movies. Pink Floyd band members didn't even like the Pink Floyd: The Wall movie he directed! Years later I really enjoyed the book Angela's Ashes but there's no way I was going to see the movie just waaay too depressing to be on film. Of course, Parker directed Angela's Ashes too.
@@erichaynes7502 He did do The Road to Wellville which was a change of pace for him. It would've been a change of pace for anybody.
@@jedijones Kind of surprising he had a couple of decent hits like Midnight Express. I think when Midnight Express premiered on network TV that was a HUGE night for the networks in Feb, 1979 as Feb was called "sweeps" month because so many millions of people would tune in due to it being boring winter. I believe back in Feb, 79 they showed Midnight Express one week, and the next week the networks really went at it by showing "Elvis" starring Kurt Russell on ABC. One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest on NBC, and Gone With the Wind on CBS. I watched Cuckoos Nest but I believe we were in a frenzy during commercials and turned the dial to Elvis so I saw a bit of that as well!
@@erichaynes7502 I think the movies I remember seeing on network prime time that I never got to see before were Superman 1 and 2, Star Wars, The Jerk and The Incredible Shrinking Woman. Probably Airplane 1 and 2. Possibly Jaws 1 and 2. We had VHS by 1985 so then the network airings weren't so important. Still can't remember if I first saw The Empire Strikes Back on TV or VHS.
@@jedijones I do remember Jaws premiering on Network TV, probably late 78 or Feb 79(ok, I just checked it premiered on ABC Nov 4, 1979). so this was 4+ years after Jaws theater release. The network had special dramatic music when they'd show a short clip during commercial("Jaws will return in just a few moments") as if to say "this is a very big event!"
Kinda funny the director like Favorite sold out for publicity and as art imitating life not many know of this masterpiece
Is the x version around
When it came out on DVD....it was the X version.
There’s not much you’re missing, just a few extra seconds of blood, gore, and nudity during the sex scene with Lisa Bonet.
This was badly edited by the MPAA especially the sex scene whereas the blood that is leaking on the ceiling and lands on the nude couple
AngelHeart is a two hour Twilight Zone episode.
Not even close....
@@leostawicki7283
Yeah really. That guy should stick with comic book CGI movies
Gene Siskel has always be wrong.
Lot o people are completely self deluded, and wouldn't, couldn't recognize their real selves if they walked up and slapped the shit out of em.
this movie was to weird for me
_"too"_
@@donarthiazi2443 well excuse me
@@morgan8757
_Well_ should have been capitalized. Also, please remember to use correct punctuation ☝️
@@donarthiazi2443 well excuse me our miss brooks
@@morgan8757
Don't mention it Osgood.
These guys sucked.
I gave it a marginal thumbs 👎⭐️⭐️
It was a decent movie but not as good as Year of the Dragon.
It’s not a bad film but I got pretty bored at times & that’s why I gave the film a marginal thumbs down
@@reneperez7903 Yeah, it was okay but Mickey Rourke's other movies back in the day (the 1980s) were much better. I give most of them from that time period an enthusiastic thumbs up.
@@kamuelalee he was good in 9 & a half weeks with him & Kim Basinger along with Diner & Johnny Handsome which are the only ones I’ve seen of his that came out in the 80s.
@@reneperez7903 Yes, great flicks you've named. The other strong Rourke-invovled movies are Barfly, The Pope of Greenwich Village and Rumble Fish.