I first read about this over at IMDB, and I have to say that I was very much amused by the situation, although it isn't quite at the same level as the gauntlet laid down by Uwe Boll against any critic that has said bad things against him.
In case you haven't heard that story, Uwe Boll, director of such cinematic - ahem - masterpieces as House of the Dead and Bloodrayne, challenged anyone who has criticized his work to take him on in a boxing match. Not only that, he said he would film the bout and incorporate the footage into a future film. Now that is absolutely hilarious, and would probably result in the most entertaining work he has ever produced. Now, back to the story at hand.
Apparently, Joel Siegel, the mustachioed film critic, made something of a scene while at a screening of Kevin Smith's new film (opening this Friday), Clerks II. Approximately 40 minutes into the screening, Siegel got up and loudly exclaimed: "Time to go! First movie I've walked out of in 30 BLEEP years."
All I can say is, "Wow!"
This has caused my opinion of Siegel to drop down a few more notches, meaning he is nowhere near the top of the list of critics whose work I enjoy. His slide down my personal list started a year or so ago when Siegel hosted a prime time summer movie preview where it was advertised that he would be giving reviews, or at least thoughts on what to see and what not. It turned out to just be a hype show with a bunch of trailers. May not be a big thing to some, but to be allow himself to be used as a pitch machine like this just served to put a few holes in his credibilty. This just pushes it over the edge.
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Article comments
1 - El Bicho
"Joel Siegel's actions have hit his credibility"
I'm sorry. When did this guy EVER have credibility? I have yet to hear one person I know ever say, "Well, Joel Siegel says this movie..."
However, if a movie is that bad in a reviewer's opinion, I don't care if he leaves and says why. Of course, his detractors can tell him what he didn't understand about the "woman having sex with a donkey" discussion, which is what caused Siegel to leave.
You only get so many hours in life, and I understand someone not wanting to waste their time on another lowbrow Kevin Smith-Fanboy circle jerk.
2 - Chris Evans
I've always hated Joel Siegel. He's an idiot. Always has been. No one respects him. He's the Jennifer Lopez of movie critics. Lots of fame and money--zero talent. He has no right to be rude to any filmmaker or any audience and definitely has no room to be on any pedastal where he's "too good" for ANY film.
He's always been trash, will continue to be trash. This only goes to show why he's the scum of the film industry.
3 - Ray Ellis
While we're at it, let's not forget Gene Shallit. His "reviews" say nothing, just an opportunity for him to practice bad puns.
And El Bicho, but a critic has to set himself to a higher standard than the average asshole. Sorry, I forgot-- we were talking about Joel Siegel, not a critic.
4 - Chris Evans
You're definitely right about that Ray.
I'm still fuming he tried to say Jake Gyllenhaal's character was a "sexual predator" in Brokeback Mountain.
5 - Baronius
If a reviewer wants to walk out of a movie, that's fine by me. Just as long as he only does it once every 30 years or so, and he can write a solid review about what made the movie unwatchable. I remember a reviewer a few years back who would obviously stop paying attention if he didn't like the movie (and he hated everything). Now those were some worthless reviews.
I can even understand getting huffy while sitting through a bad movie. But announcing your displeasure on the way out, it sounds like someone's got a crush on Joel, and his name is Joel.
6 - Joe
"This has caused my opinion of Siegel to drop down a few more notches, meaning he is nowhere near the top of the list of critics whose work I enjoy."
If Joel read this part, I bet he's shitting his pants right now.
7 - Dave Nalle
Joel Siegel is actually a worse movie critic than Michael Medved, and that's saying a lot.
Dave
8 - Scott Butki
Wow, that is saying a lot.
What an idiot.