Toronto Mike

The Day I Stopped Trusting Siskel and Ebert

movies

"Grosse Pointe Blank" was released in 1997.  It was a very cool John Cusack vehicle that had him attending his ten-year high school reunion party and had us revisiting some great 80s tunes.  "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" was also released in 1997.  It too had a couple of women going to their high school reunion where 80s songs rule the day.  For obvious reasons, I've always associated these movies with one another.  Oh yeah, one of these movies I consider brilliant while the other I consider brain dead.  Watch these two back-to back and you'll truly see the difference between great and hate.

In 1997, my go to guys for movie reviews were Siskel and Ebert.  I'd watch their little syndicated show that always aired at a strange time, and I'd always be interested in whether the thumbs were up or down.  I trusted these two and usually agreed with them.  In 1997, that ended.

Siskel and Ebert gave "Grosse Pointe Blank" two thumbs down and then gave "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" two thumbs up.  I couldn't believe it then and I still don't believe it, but I saw it with my own two eyes and know this to be fact.  I was shocked by the fact they didn't like "Grosse Pointe Blank" but I was flabbergasted by the fact they actually liked "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion".

In 1997 I learned even the great Siskel and Ebert could get it way wrong.  In 1997 they totally blew it.  Like, gag me with a spoon!

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