There was a time when "two thumbs up" meant something in the movie industry.
Film buffs will recall that after two leading movie reviewers (Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert) uttered up their assessments of a roster of newly-released films each week on - "At the Movies" - the winsome twosome closed out the popular entertainment show with a "thumbs" up (a hit!) or a "thumbs" down (a turkey).
In its heyday "At the Movies" held alot of sway in the movie business.
The way the thumb cranked either triggered sales at the box office or sent it straight to video or DVD release.
When Gene Siskel passed away a few years ago, the future of the popular show was in doubt.
Until the producers resurrected the show in a new format.
For a short while, the network rotated the "empty" critic's seat with guest reviewers, to filmgoer's delight!
Subsequently, a cast of quirky movie reviewers were inclined to trot out their opinions about film each week, sometimes with disasterous results.
Then, the original critic - Roger Ebert - was forced to curtail his activities in the film biz, when mortality stared him square in the face after a cancer scare descended out-of-the-blue.
Although the network installed two new critics, and valiantly moved on, it was evident to film buffs (and industry insiders) that the magic was gone.
Notwithstanding, the advent of web sites devoted entirely to the Art of Film, transformed the whole concept of film reviewing way beyond the limitations of the little boob tube.
Amost overnight - shows like "At the Movies" - became outdated, and thus, went by way of the dinosaur.
Except for "At the Movies" which was a hold out to the bitter end (to the studio's credit).
But, the axe finally fell this week, when Disney announced that the long-running syndicated bill-of-fare was being cancelled.
"After 24 seasons in National syndication, the highly-regarded movie review show 'At the Movies' (formerly known as "Siskel & Ebert" and "Ebert & Roeper") will air its last original broadcast the weekend of August 14, 2010," a spokesman for the distributor at Disney-ABC announced with little fanfare.
Disney suits explained that from their point of view - "At the Movies" - had run its course.
And, was a losing proposition in the final analysis?
Ebert - a true gentleman - accepted the decision with dignity.
"At the movies" outgrew the genre, he shrugged.
However, the feisty critic remained undeterred.
On the heels of the Disney announcement, Mr. Ebert issued up a press release of his own.
Ebert and his wife are moving forward with plans to launch their own show!
"I can't reveal details about the talks we're deeply involved in. I can say that the working title was - "Roger Ebert presents Fill in Words Here" - and that it has now become "Roger Ebert presents At the Movies."
You can't keep a good man down, eh?
See 'ya "At the Movies", Roger!
FOOTNOTE
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Film Buffs
You are invited to check out my Movie Reviews each week at the Tattler!
Either clink on the link below for current critiques or input the name of the film in the search box at the top left corner.
If the movie has been reviewed, it will pop up on the screen.
Cheers!
Reviews
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/03/movies.html
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