A View From The Balcony
(Feb 20, 1999)
We movie critics are a unique and varied group of people. Our purpose is to look at movies, and critique them. We few try to reflect the sentiment of the masses through words. We attempt to give voice to our opinions, as we feel the majority would see them.
One of the best, and most influential, voices amongst critics was Gene Siskel. Siskel wrote for the Chicago Tribune for 30 years, and ever since I can remember, his thumb, along with partner Roger Ebert's, has been the most recognizable symbol of a movie’s worth to most of America. Their words could make or break a film, their opinions are among the most respected (not necessarily agreed with), and, for me, they were an inspiration to combine my love of writing, and love of movies. Today, that great voice was silenced, at a very young 53.
I can remember back to my youth, flipping around and stopping on a PBS show with two men, in a darkened theater, watching, and talking about movies on the screen. The show was called Sneak Previews, and I remember having to search to find the show sometimes, but that it was well worth the effort when I did. The show came along at a time when my world was first opening to the cinema. I recall sitting in a theater watching Close Encounters, Jaws, Star Wars, Halloween, etc. These were the first steps towards my love of movies that exists today. Through it all, these two figures were there. Often, I regretted not living in Chicago and having direct access to their reviews.
As I grew, through the 80s, (The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller) my taste in movies matured, along with me. Even now, as we are perched on the edge of a new millennium, I feel the need to share my words, views, experiences, and opinions with world, through my reviews, via the medium of the internet.
Siskel and Ebert brought movie critics into the mainstream. People have always, and will always, had opinions on movies. But now, because of these two pioneers, those words are more available and more respected. Whether most of critics admit it or not, we have been inspired by these two to do what we do. A little of his spirit will live on in each of us.
The voice of Mr. Siskel may be forever silent, but his
words will echo throughout darkened theaters for the rest of time. I’ll save a seat
in the balcony next to me, because I know, Gene, that you are there. I may not have agreed
with your thoughts and opinions a lot of the time, but I always respected them. You will
be missed greatly.
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