Siskel & Ebert 1990-Joe vs. the Volcano, The Handmaid's Tale (1of3)

[magic2magic]

I never really liked Siskel's reviews. Ebert seemed to have more grace, and this reminds me how I miss him. Yeah, this is my favorite movie.

[bornwithoutwarning]

Joe vs the Volcano is a film with ideas in it, which is too rare. And it's a good movie. For me, it's a thumbs up but I do agree with Gene in the sense that the direction could have been tighter. It was Shanley's first directing job and it shows a little bit. Still love the originality and beauty and sweep of the movie tho.

[kicksit1980]

My wife watched Joe VS the Volcano with me and hated it though I loved it from the start. Then a few years later I had her watch it again and she LOVED it. She finally saw what I saw in it. The same thing happened with Raising Arizona. Sometimes you need a second viewing. That movie is magic.

[citygirl5705]

Joe vs. the Volcano is a fascinating film. Either you get the symbolism and great dialog or you don't. Either you love it or you really don't like it.

I understand siskel's argument. However, the magic of the film worked for me. I thought it was something special.

[yamilborges]

i have this movie on vhs. its such a classic and a great movie! Siskel is crazy.

[chapters07]

Yeah Siskel misses it completely. That opening sequence and first scene is classic. Get to the good stuff quicker?? It's literally at the beginning!

[zenmachinefilms]

I understand Gene's criticism here, but I disagree with him here and he missed the deepness of the film's meaning and impact on the millions of people stuck in jobs and lives like Hanks in the film.

[chuckbuckbobuck]

Joe versus the Volcano uber alles!!!!!!

[copaceticetal]

"It's an original movie with an original vision. Our next movie-" "---BADLY PACED." "--is an..")

I love how Siskel gets the last word in by talking over and interrupting Ebert's introduction (and Ebert then stammering on the word 'austere'). Its not done out of spite, or for attention. While they're friends, you get the feeling that they could argue passionately over Joe Versus the Volcano for the rest of the night, and they probably did.

[CrashLanden]

Gene's wrong. Great film.

[bustub2]

I liked it.

[terrydarc]

God, I miss Gene Siskel even though I majorly disagree with him here. Ebert is bang on with the island sequence terrible and the rest of the movie, even Meg Ryan doing a nice job. Only Abe Vigoda is pretty much wasted in the worst part of the movie.

Siskel singles out the "too long to get to the point" part that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE! The factory sequence opening with a boss-from-hell is to die for - literally in Tom Hanks case here. It's just absolutely great cinema a la Fritz Lang's Metropolis.

[jstrewth]

I love Joe Versus the Volcano. Interestingly, I would compare it to Xanadu, another much-maligned low fantasy movie that tread on mostly the same themes (basically, going to great lengths to prove how worthwhile you are in life). But I doubt you'd make that connection, since Xanadu is still viewed upon as a godawful roller disco musical. Shame.

[richie8811]

Joe vs the Volcano is actually a pretty good movie... if you watch it alone and a little drunk, it's hillarious

[NY4Life]

Two weeks until "Roger Ebert presents: At The Movies"

[Quadzilla99]

@NY4Life Can't wait.