"That's probably when I get the most angry at American movies, when they just so cynically manipulate the audience without even trying to give a good story"

In this quote, movie critic Gene Siskel reveals his disappointment with American motion pictures that rely on inexpensive methods to control the audience rather of concentrating on creating an engaging story. He recommends that these films do not have authentic effort and instead utilize cynical methods to evoke feelings from the audience. Siskel's words highlight the importance of storytelling in film and the dissatisfaction that comes when it is eclipsed by manipulative techniques. He suggests that a good story ought to be the structure of a film, rather than counting on tricks to capture the audience's attention. Siskel's criticism functions as a tip for filmmakers to prioritize storytelling over control.