Roeper quits; At the Movies to become the next Entertainment Tonight

[MacGuffin]

http://www.imdb.com/news/ns0000003/#ni0264604

Even though Roeper is a horrible excuse for a critic, Ebert was always cool.

[monolith94]

What we need is a brand new Siskel & Ebert, preferably originating on public television, where there's more freedom to be less commercial, not a macabre attempt to reconstitute a rotting corpse of a show.

[soitgoes...]

What we need is a brand new Siskel & Ebert, preferably originating on public television, where there's more freedom to be less commercial, not a macabre attempt to reconstitute a rotting corpse of a show.
But in making a brand new Siskel & Ebert wouldn't a rotting corpse have to be included?!?

[Winston*]

But in making a brand new Siskel & Ebert wouldn't a rotting corpse have to be included?!?
Too soon.

[soitgoes...]

Too soon.
Yeah, you're right. There's like a ten year moratorium on these things. Next year Gene. Next year.

[balmakboor]

How about a show with two zombies in a mall multiplex directed by George Romero? It could be a review show AND a commentary on how we keep returning to the movies even though most of them are crap.

[Spinal]

Siskel and Kael!

[NickGlass]

Goddamnit, they've announced the replacements.

http://weblogs.variety.com/thompsononhollywood/2008/07/lyons-and-manki.html

Will the new show be called "Ben Squared: The Nepotism Hour"? Well, at least we're one step closer to the vision of Idiocracy.

[Pop Trash]

Honestly, I might check it out. Roeper really wasn't that good of a critic and I never liked his "ignorance is bliss" attitude towards knowing something about world cinema history. As if liking a Bergman movie or something might make you a *gasp* elitist! I like Michael Phillips, he seems intelligent enough. I really couldn't stand Robert Wilinosky when he was on there. He had a bad combination of being snarky and condescending towards Roeper but also having some shitty taste of his own. Of course Ebert is cool but due to his medical condition, isn't ready for TV.

So yeah I will give this new incarnation a chance but I hope it isn't just fanboys geeking out about whatever new trendy Hollywood movie is out that week. ZOMG! Harry Potter! ZOMG! The Watchmen! ZOMG! James Bond! ZOMG! Star Trek! That would get stale after awhile.

[Raiders]

I like Ben Mankiewicz.

[eternity]

Fuck Ben Lyons.

[Ivan Drago]

Ben Mankiewicz, yes. Ben Lyons, nooooo.

[origami_mustache]

Honestly, I might check it out. Roeper really wasn't that good of a critic and I never liked his "ignorance is bliss" attitude towards knowing something about world cinema history. As if liking a Bergman movie or something might make you a *gasp* elitist! I like Michael Phillips, he seems intelligent enough. I really couldn't stand Robert Wilinosky when he was on there. He had a bad combination of being snarky and condescending towards Roeper but also having some shitty taste of his own.


I liked the guy with the Mr. Clean head...can't remember his name. He gave Roeper a lot of shit for his taste, which was the most entertaining thing for me, and actually had pretty good taste himself.

[Pop Trash]

I liked the guy with the Mr. Clean head...can't remember his name. He gave Roeper a lot of shit for his taste, which was the most entertaining thing for me, and actually had pretty good taste himself.
He came off as extremely smug and self-satisfied to me. And his massive patronizing of Roeper actually made me feel sorry for the guy and I don't even like Roeper that much. It might be semi-tolerable if the guy had good taste, but I seem to remember him praising Lars and the Real Girl to death and then panning The Assassination of Jesse James. I'm sorry but if you think Lars is a better film than Jesse James, there is no hope for you. He also liked that football movie with The Rock. His writing also isn't very good if you ever read his print reviews.

[SirNewt]

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/original/0327maltin.jpg

and oh crap my joke just went down in flames because Joel Siegel is dead and I didn't know it.



EDIT: Oh well, the show was like Roeper and Roeper at this point anyway.

[origami_mustache]

He came off as extremely smug and self-satisfied to me. And his massive patronizing of Roeper actually made me feel sorry for the guy and I don't even like Roeper that much. It might be semi-tolerable if the guy had good taste, but I seem to remember him praising Lars and the Real Girl to death and then panning The Assassination of Jesse James. I'm sorry but if you think Lars is a better film than Jesse James, there is no hope for you. He also liked that football movie with The Rock. His writing also isn't very good if you ever read his print reviews.


Well, I only saw a few epsiodes with him as cohost...I agree, Lars and the Real Girl was pretty terrible...at least not as good as The Assassination of Jesse James. I just remember him bashing Across the Universe, which everyone seemed so high on, and it made me happy. What was his name?

[Spinal]

I'm sorry but if you think Lars is a better film than Jesse James, there is no hope for you.

:|

[Spinal]

Across the Universe, which everyone seemed so high on ....

In what parallel universe was this?

[origami_mustache]

In what parallel universe was this?

Hollywood...I need to stop reading Variety, they try to brainwash everyone.

[Spinal]

Hollywood...I need to stop reading Variety, they try to brainwash everyone.

56 on metacritic.

54 on RT.

Probably lower than that on Match Cut.

[origami_mustache]

56 on metacritic.

54 on RT.

Probably lower than that on Match Cut.

sorry, I didn't mean critically at all...I just remember everyone around here going gah gah over it. (gag)

[MacGuffin]

sorry, I didn't mean critically at all...I just remember everyone around here going gah gah over it. (gag)

What are you talking about?

;)

[origami_mustache]

and by "here" I don't mean Match Cut.

I guess I need to stop being so vague.

[Mysterious Dude]

So you thought Roeper was bad? Try watching the show with Ben Mankiewicz and Ben Lyons.

[Kurosawa Fan]

So you thought Roeper was bad? Try watching the show with Ben Mankiewicz and Ben Lyons.

You're not kidding. Ben Lyons, in the brief bit I saw, didn't like Towelhead because it was too sad. That was the only criticism he could offer. It was just so depressing. When countered with that being what the film was going for, he had nothing more, just repeated what he already said.

[NickGlass]

You're not kidding. Ben Lyons, in the brief bit I saw, didn't like Towelhead because it was too sad. That was the only criticism he could offer. It was just so depressing. When countered with that being what the film was going for, he had nothing more, just repeated what he already said.

I thought it was amusing when Ben Lyons kept criticizing The Women simply because there were no men in the cast. It might be unfunny, obnoxious, and the opposite of progressive, but there weren't even men on the street when Meg Ryan hailed a cab. What an awful film(!).

[Sxottlan]

I never responded to this thread before because I think I was in denial about one of my all-time favorite shows coming to an end. Or at least, undergoing a change so drastic as to essentially be coming to an end.

And what it's been replaced with is just kind of depressing. The "roundtable" review segment is a joke. Instead of two vapid and ineffective opinions, we get five trying to talk over each other with little to no depth. And it's weird having the two of them at a counter talking straight at the camera.

Not to mention the look of the set is just terrible. Maybe it's the color, but then the video looks several years out of date.

I know Ebert is pretty much done for good, but I really hope he has enough pull and/or money to bring back the thumbs with at least Michael Phillips and Richard Roeper (if he wants to continue with Chicago critics).

[Derek]

"I love women in real life, but at the movies, I hated The Women."

How does Ben Lyons sleep at night? If the answer is "well", my response is what can be done to change that. Seriously, this was completely unwatchable.

[Mysterious Dude]

Sometimes, I thought Roeper was a little unsophisticated. Once, he made fun of Michael Phillips for mentioning some obscure, old director - Michelangelo Antonioni.

Roeper is a fucking scholar compared to Ben and Ben.

[transmogrifier]

You know, in the age of the internet, and reading, there is really no excuse for going to TV for advice about which if the latest movies to watch.

So, in summary, you only have yourselves to blame.

[number8]

You know, in the age of the internet, and reading, there is really no excuse for going to TV for advice about which if the latest movies to watch.

So, in summary, you only have yourselves to blame.

Who says we watch it for advice on what to watch? Ebert and Roeper was entertainment in itself. Roeper sucks, but I loved watching him debate movies with Roger.

[NickGlass]

Sweet vindication:

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towerticker/2009/08/chicago-tribunes-michael-phillips-ny-times-ao-scott-in-on-at-the-movies-ben-lyons-ben-mankiewicz-out.html?

[Spinal]

I don't even know what A.O. Scott looks like, but he's one of the best critics writing about the movies today. I'll definitely check it out.

[Pop Trash]

Wow, that's great news. Two of the best critics out there. The one drawback: they both exude uber nerdiness.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Awesome news. I'll start recording it again in September.

[Kurious Jorge v3.1]

Ben Lyons & Michael Phillips combo would have been awesome.

[Spun Lepton]

Wow, that's great news. Two of the best critics out there. The one drawback: they both exude uber nerdiness.

http://www.frapstr.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/nerds.jpg

[Pop Trash]

Ben Lyons & Michael Phillips combo would have been awesome.

Serio?

[Pop Trash]

http://www.frapstr.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/nerds.jpg

LOLZ. AO Scott in particular, who happens to be a great writer about films, came off as pretty nebbish on camera. I mean, it doesn't really bother me, but I could see some viewers being turned off by him.

[Spinal]

Siskel and Ebert were pretty nerdy themselves.

[DavidSeven]

Liked A.O. Scott a lot when I saw him on Charlie Rose. Really well-spoken and funny too, I thought. Don't recall his appearances on At the Movies.

[Mysterious Dude]

This is terrific news. I always liked Scott and Phillips when they filled in for Ebert.

[Sycophant]

If only Armond White could take over one of those chairs...

But this is pretty damned good.

[Derek]

Lyons, whose inability to articulate his opinions undercut his cinematic knowledge and critical skills.

:confused:

[Spinal]

If only Armond White could take over one of those chairs...


The man does not need any more pub.

[Spun Lepton]

If only Armond White could take over one of those chairs...

Depends on whether the exec. producers are willing to shell out for his rather sizable Drool Cup budget.

[ContinentalOp]

Way to brighten my day. Awesome news.

[Ezee E]

Too often Lyons sounded as though he were dictating a blurb for an ad, rather than giving serious counsel as to whether a consumer should buy a ticket, rent a DVD or skip a film altogether.

They clearly didn't see him host the Match Cut Awards.

[Ivan Drago]

Yay! The show is watchable again!

[Dead & Messed Up]

This is terrific news. I always liked Scott and Phillips when they filled in for Ebert.

Indeed. I would've loved a female reviewer for a change. Someone like Manohla Dargis, Mary Ann Johannson, or Aisha Tyler (who had a great rapport with Roeper the few times she guested on At the Movies). But these guys are good. They know their shit.

The only problem I can foresee is a lack of sparks between the two, since they're so much of a piece.

[BuffaloWilder]

Hey, somebody else reads The Flick Filosopher. Score.

[number8]

As Scott Weinberg said today... It's like trading in your beat-up '79 Pinto for a 2009 blowjob.

[NickGlass]

Ben Lyons = George W. Bush
A.O. Scott = Barack Obama

It makes so, so much sense.

[Dukefrukem]

Am i the only one who doesn't care about this?

[number8]

Am i the only one who doesn't care about this?

Which makes you the lame guy.

[Dukefrukem]

Just checking.

[Hugh_Grant]

Awesome news. I'll start recording it again in September.

What he said. I loved A.O. Scott when he filled in for Ebert.

This is the pair that should have been hired in lieu of the Bens. I had watched At the Movies in all of its incarnations, but I couldn't deal with Lyons.

[ThePlashyBubbler]

AO Scott paid a visit to my school this past semester and gave a talk about criticism and its place in the modern world. Although the talk wasn't quite as engaging as it could've been, Scott came off as very well-spoken, articulate, and funny. Seems like like a decent and modest guy to boot.

[ledfloyd]

i thought scott was the best of the guest hosts when it was still ebert & roeper. i also think he's about the best critic in print, so this is awesome news. the show will actually matter again.

[Yxklyx]

People still watch TV? Or is this a web based thing?

[Spun Lepton]

Am i the only one who doesn't care about this?

Go back to your Saw VII thread. :P

[Mysterious Dude]

People still watch TV?
People don't watch TV?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Anyone watch their first episode? Pretty great. I'm so excited that these two have taken the reins. It's so refreshing to see two guys talk about a film and actually have some clue as to what was truly good or bad about said film. I LOVED A.O. Scott's review of The Burning Plain.

[Pop Trash]

Anyone watch their first episode? Pretty great. I'm so excited that these two have taken the reins. It's so refreshing to see two guys talk about a film and actually have some clue as to what was truly good or bad about said film. I LOVED A.O. Scott's review of The Burning Plain.
Did this air yesterday??? They were playing football in my area. DAMN!

[Kurosawa Fan]

Did this air yesterday??? They were playing football in my area. DAMN!

It airs at 5:30 am on Sunday mornings on my local station. I record it every week.

[ledfloyd]

i missed it cause i was roofing this weekend. hopefully the reviews get posted on the website pretty soon.

[Pop Trash]

It airs at 5:30 am on Sunday mornings on my local station. I record it every week.
What did they review and what were the verdicts?

[Kurosawa Fan]

What did they review and what were the verdicts?

Oh crap. Now you're testing me. Both loved Extract, A.O. Scott liked 9 while Philips thought it was just decent, both hated The Burning Plain, both hated All About Steve, Philips really liked Big Fan while Scott thought it was good, but not great. I think that was about it. I might be forgetting one.

[Pop Trash]

Both loved Extract
Interesting, considering the lukewarm reception it received from critics overall. I still think I'll skip paying to see it in theaters and just rent it.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Interesting, considering the lukewarm reception it received from critics overall. I still think I'll skip paying to see it in theaters and just rent it.

I trust Judge enough to give it a go, especially after their raving. Philips said it was the funniest film of the year thus far, and Scott seemed to agree with that sentiment.

[Pop Trash]

I trust Judge enough to give it a go, especially after their raving. Philips said it was the funniest film of the year thus far, and Scott seemed to agree with that sentiment.
Yowzers.

[Duncan]

Scott's had a video review gig for a few years now on the NYTimes' website. If you like the show, there's plenty of good stuff there, and he probably goes into more depth than in the show. Or you could just read the reviews, but I think film is a medium where being able to show what you're talking about is very helpful.

[Pop Trash]

Anyone watch their first episode? Pretty great. I'm so excited that these two have taken the reins. It's so refreshing to see two guys talk about a film and actually have some clue as to what was truly good or bad about said film. I LOVED A.O. Scott's review of The Burning Plain.

Oh, so I finally saw this. Damn, this is such an improvement. A.O. Scott seems like he's been prepping since he seems much more comfortable on camera. They seem to have good chemistry with each other too. You're right about Scott's rather brilliant review of The Burning Plain (and consequently a criticism of just about any of the screenplays Arriaga has written). I also liked Phillips' description of Mike Judge: "he's the poet laureate of stupidity." LOLZ.

The only controversy is that Scott said he thought David Mamet is one of the most overrated writers in recent history. While I don't love everything Mamet does, I don't think I agree.*

*EDIT: I forgot that this statement was actually in this weekend's episode.

[Sxottlan]

These two are such a vast improvement. I can't believe a show actually traded up for a change.

[Ezee E]

These two are such a vast improvement. I can't believe a show actually traded up for a change.
Were there any other options to go?

[Derek]

Were there any other options to go?

My vote would've gone to Lyons and Boner hosting with Ben Foster in XTREME-mode as a correspondent. If I ever win the lottery, I will make it happen.


Caught yesterday's episode and really enjoyed it.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I just wish they could do the balcony setup. They look like a couple of post-indie-screening latte-sippers.

But yeah, fantastic improvement. Scott's review of The Burning Plain was hilarious, and I like how their disagreements are significant but cordial. I wonder if we'll ever see one of them go Ebert on the other and throw a tantrum.

[Pop Trash]

I wonder if we'll ever see one of them go Ebert on the other and throw a tantrum.

It might happen. I think one has to really love a movie and the other pans it, to the point where they are just personally insulted that they didn't like the movie (like Siskel being rather frustrated by Ebert panning Full Metal Jacket, for example). Either that or they have to be dumbstruck that the other likes a movie at all, much like Ebert's infamous "thumbs up" to Cop and a Half.

[Derek]

I just wish they could do the balcony setup. They look like a couple of post-indie-screening latte-sippers.

So you'd prefer them to be dishonest? ;)

[Dead & Messed Up]

So you'd prefer them to be dishonest? ;)

Balcony's more fun.

[Mysterious Dude]

They're a little awkward right now, but much better than the two Ben's. I'll keep watching.

I've been watching some old Siskel & Ebert videos on YouTube lately. They're still good.

[ledfloyd]

A.O. Scott's tangent about there not being penguins in Whiteout was hysterical

[Spun Lepton]

Balcony's more fun.

I think they should have Ebert in the balcony above them, voicing his displeasure with their reviews by dumping popcorn and soda on them.

[Derek]

I think they should have Ebert in the balcony above them, voicing his displeasure with their reviews by dumping popcorn and soda on them.

I thought he couldn't speak anymore. Perhaps he could be shrouded in the darkness and give a slow thumbs up or down after every segment.

[Spun Lepton]

I thought he couldn't speak anymore. Perhaps he could be shrouded in the darkness and give a slow thumbs up or down after every segment.

Did you miss the part when I said, "voicing his opinion by ..." ?

[Derek]

Did you miss the part when I said, "voicing his opinion by ..." ?

I did.

[Mysterious Dude]

I don't like the "rent it" option. Seems like a cop-out.

[Pop Trash]

I don't like the "rent it" option. Seems like a cop-out. I dunno...I know what they mean. I do think there are movies out there that I am like "eh, I'll redbox that for a buck if I'm bored at the supermarket sometime." Like The Invention of Lying or something.

Also, as much as I like AO Scott, at times I feel like he needs to come down from his ivory tower. I just picture him at home wearing a smoking jacket, sitting in a leather chair, reading some first edition copy Marcel Proust.

[NickGlass]

I don't like the "rent it" option. Seems like a cop-out.

Yeah, I think the whole idea of "rent it" is absolutely moronic. It makes it seem like going to the theater is such a chore. If I want to see a film, I'll see it in the theater. If I miss it, it's probably because I didn't want to see it in the first place, or my schedule was busy and the times were inconvenient. It has nothing to do with "eh, I'll just wait for video and significantly decrease the experience of the film just because I wasn't really that interested in the first place."

But I'm one of those wacko theater purists, so whatever.

[Pop Trash]

Yeah, I think the whole idea of "rent it" is absolutely moronic. It makes it seem like going to the theater is such a chore. If I want to see a film, I'll see it in the theater. If I miss it, it's probably because I didn't want to see it in the first place, or my schedule was busy and the times were inconvenient. It has nothing to do with "eh, I'll just wait for video and significantly decrease the experience of the film just because I wasn't really that interested in the first place."

But I'm one of those wacko theater purists, so whatever.

Not everyone can be an effete New Yorker with unlimited time and money to spend on hanging out in a theater.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Yeah, I think the whole idea of "rent it" is absolutely moronic. It makes it seem like going to the theater is such a chore.

I think it has more to do with money than inconvenience. Do you want to hand over $10 to see this, or wait to rent it from Netflix where it basically would cost $1 on a typical monthly plan.

I understand the rent it option. If the particular movie interests you, know that it's heavily flawed, but you might still enjoy it despite those flaws.

[number8]

Basically what I was going to say. They specifically say "rent it" rather than "see it on DVD" because of the money issue. I think it's mindful, given the economy. They know that most people rent with a monthly plan now, so it's basically kind of like "free" in most people's mind.

[NickGlass]

Not everyone can be an effete New Yorker with unlimited time and money to spend on hanging out in a theater.

Oh, yeah, sorry--I forgot for a second that I'm a snob. As for unlimited time and money, that's hardly true, but I choose to spend extra time and money on film, yes.

And, yes, I'm aware that many of the films playing in NYC are not available to many across America--but then wouldn't "rent it" be the only option for them anyway? I just feel there's a better way to convey the idea of questioning your decision to see a movie other than "rent it," which I find somewhat demeaning to the idea of cinema. Once again, I tried to chide myself when saying I'm one of those "wacko theater purists" to point out the apparent snobbery in my comment, but I still can't help but be bothered whenever I hear AO Scott say "rent it."

[number8]

Did you guys watch the last one? Scott and Phillips fighting over Zombieland is classic At the Movies.

[chrisnu]

Did you guys watch the last one? Scott and Phillips fighting over Zombieland is classic At the Movies.
That was awesome.

[EyesWideOpen]

Another great episode, I'm glad I decided to dvr the show since I can never figure out when its on in my area. I was excited to hear them both rave about Where the Wild Things are and A.O. Scott to use his dvd pick on Audition.