As many of you have probably heard on the news already, film critic Gene Siskel died on Saturday at the age of 53 as a result of complications of a brain surgery he underwent earlier last year.

Siskel was part of the film critic team “Siskel & Ebert” from the syndicated TV show of the same name. For nearly a quarter century, the pair influenced
and entertained millions of people with their opinions and barbs on current films. They became part of the American entertainment culture and their trademark “thumbs up/thumbs down” a pop culture icon. Gene Siskel has been the man of reasoning of the team, taking a very clear and concise look at films which often stood in a stark contrast to his partner’s more emotional and oppinionate take on the movies.

Gene Siskel will be sorely missed by the entire film-going community and the international film industry.