Celebrating One of the Best Minds in The Film Critic Community: Gene Siskel

Every now and then I will be treating this “Screenwriter’s Almanac” a bit more specifically. And today, I did a little research - a pretty wide net was cast with just a simple search of, “What cool thing happened today in history?” Yeah, pretty broad, so of course I focused it more around screenwriting and Hollywood, and I found something special.

To those who didn’t grow up around the Chicagoland area, Gene Siskel was really just a popular film critic. He and Roger Ebert of course rose to stardom over the many years, but in the Midwest they were nothing short of royalty where the film community was concerned. While we didn’t always agree with their reviews, I always found myself leaning more toward Gene’s opinions than Mr. Ebert’s. I loved them both, but I also loved to disagree with them, and to watch them argue on their regularly programmed show which ran for over 20 years. It got quite uncomfortable at times! Check out a clip of their argument over Home Alone 3 here (let’s just say I heartily agree with Gene).

Seriously? Roger liked Home Alone 3 the best? W T F?

Nonetheless, I found that on today’s date, January 26, 1946, Gene Siskel was born. As co-host of their iconic television show Siskel & Ebert alongside Roger, Siskel played a pivotal role in shaping how audiences approached and appreciated movies. They truly made “thumbs up” a cultural phenomenon. By blending sharp analysis with a genuine love for cinema, Siskel elevated film criticism to a whole new cultural status.

What made Siskel’s contributions so fantastic for Hollywood - especially for screenwriters - was his ability to shine a light on the artistry behind a film’s story. He always valued strong scripts and wasn’t afraid to call attention to the power of well-written dialogue, compelling characters, and innovative storytelling. He championed films with unique, thoughtful narratives, and did everything he could to amplify the voices of screenwriters and indie filmmakers who might otherwise have been overlooked. It really is his legacy.

Siskel’s philosophy can probably be best captured in his famous question: “Is this film more interesting than a documentary of the same actors having lunch?” This simple little question set a standard that challenged filmmakers and screenwriters to deliver stories that were deeply engaging, authentic, and worth telling. Basically, he asked…is your story boring?

His legacy lives on through the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago, which serves as a hub for the celebration and exploration of cinema. They host so many wonderful events, screenings, and festivals. Known for its dedication to independent and international films, the center reflects Siskel’s passion for elevating diverse voices and promoting film as an art form. It offers a space where filmmakers, screenwriters, and audiences can connect, learn, and celebrate the power of storytelling - exactly the kind of impact Siskel championed throughout his life. And yes I did pull a lot of this from the Center’s website - you can check it out here: https://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/

If you live in or around Chicago, or have any plans to visit one of y favorite cities, you really should check out their schedule of events while you’re in town. Here are some options in the coming months…

ADFF:CHICAGO 2025 (January 31–February 2): In collaboration with the Architecture & Design Film Festival and the Chicago Architecture Center, this international festival showcases films dedicated to the creative spirit of architecture and design.

Conversations at the Edge (Spring 2025 Season): An ongoing series featuring screenings, performances, and talks by groundbreaking media artists, organized in partnership with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Department of Film, Video, New Media, and Animation, and the Video Data Bank.

Persistence of Memory (February 14–26): This series presents ten films exploring themes of recollection, unreliable narrators, amnesiac protagonists, and ghosts, featuring works by directors such as Akira Kurosawa, Ingmar Bergman, Aki Kaurismäki, and Alfred Hitchcock.

I just wanted to share a little love for a man who loved what we do - write and create. He championed us when we didn’t even know it, so the least we can do is give a little hello and wave to Mr. Siskel up there in his theatre chair as he happily watches us do our very best at creating something he might be proud of.

Happy birthday, Mr. Siskel!

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