Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert share their disdain for
Dune (1984), though Siskel wishes Ebert would have agreed to make it Skunk of the Week. They consider it a confusing bore, and one of the great follies in motion picture history, but Ebert believes it has a few features that allow it to evade the label of "skunk." The film critics both admire
Starman (1984), especially Siskel, who calls it one of the highlights of the Christmas season and John Carpenter's best film since
Halloween (1978). There is a slight disagreement on
Mass Appeal (1984). Both critics like the performances, while agreeing that it was a predictable message picture. But Siskel likes what it has to say and recommends it; Ebert dislikes the theology of the film and gives it a "thumbs down." Neither critic recommends
Runaway (1984), though Siskel believes it starts out well enough before falling apart.
—J. Spurlin