OT: RIP Film Critic Roger Ebert
down. First Siskel, now Ebert.
Close the balcony.
Ebert leaves a far greater legacy than Siskel, who was just a hack reviewer with a Yale degree.
Ebert, on the other hand, reinvented film critcism. Didn't always agree with him, but you could really feel the soul in his writing.
Chicago back in those days ("Sneak Previews" was better than "At the Movies"), it was Siskel and Ebert, Steve and Garry. The duo was more than the individuals. Great article from '99 about it here.
but that doesn't make it any easier. The guy was an inspiration to any lover of movies.
2 thumbs down
I never thought you'd describe a movie reviewer as brave, but I thought the end of his life was pretty brave.
"So on this day of reflection I say again, thank you for going on this journey with me. I'll see you at the movies."
I mean, it just came out that it came back and he was going to take some time off. But no indication he wouldn't be back, and while disheartening to have to fight again, not imminently deadly. Seeing this caught me off guard. I wonder if it did him too.
I didn't agree with all his movie views, but liked how he loved and embraced movies. Sad day, but at least his suffering is over.
to get into movie reviews myself for my blog. I know I'm an amateur at them, but if I could get to even a tenth of his level of talent at writing I'd be happy with it. He'll be missed by many. His reviews were always entertaining to read. I highly recommend his compilations books of reviews of awful movies, as his takedowns of garbage were hilarious.
...to see him go but he left a great legacy with his writing.
May he rest in peace.
I think the greatest thing about Ebert was that when he reviewed movies he did it as a regular old Joe that liked to be entertained.
Many movies that were denounced by film snobs Ebert would give 3 or 4 stars, praising the entertainment value while also acknowledging that the film may not win any Oscars. He never bashed a movie to make a name for himself - though I guess at his stage in his career he did not have to. He was optimistic and enjoyed movies, unlike many reviewers who portray themselves as someone who'd rather be waterboarded than have to re-watch whatever movie they had just reviewed.
This horrible disease can no longer harm you. Condolences to his familiy.
Chatster, thanks for this great video. Great review to a great movie.
With the sad news of Roger Ebert's passing, I thought that an upbeat, positive review of what might be considered a comedy classic would be a good way to pay tribute to his career.
Just a few days ago, Roger Ebert had announced his "Leave of Presence" from film reviews. Perhaps foreshadowing his imminent passing, Ebert then said, “On this day of reflection, I say again, thank you for going on this journey with me. I’ll see you at the movies.”
One of my favorite quotes from him regarding film writing is "It's not what a film is about, but how it is about it."
He will be missed.
RIP and two thumbs up for a towering legacy of grace, humor and humanity.
July 1st, 1998
"Here it is at last, the first 150-minute trailer. ``Xxxxxxxxxx'' is cut together like its own highlights. Take almost any 30 seconds at random, and you'd have a TV ad. The movie is an assault on the eyes, the ears, the brain, common sense and the human desire to be entertained. No matter what they're charging to get in, it's worth more to get out." (Emphasis mine)
Thought this one quite funny. Can anyone name the movie?!
A guess: Armageddon?
What Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel did for film reviewing is something that I don't think will ever be topped for quality, but later in Ebert's life, as cancer sadly seemed to be getting the upper hand, his courage and his will to go on being what he was, and to still do it so well, was very, very inspiring. I used to wait with great anticipation to see what his "Movie Of The Year" would be, and if I had not seen it already, I would watch it - his critical preferences were apparent in those films. He made reviews personal too, including anecdotes from his own life sometimes and even mixing it up by writing reviews as poems or even lyrics and open letters. A very entertaining, thoughtful man who will be missed.
My own favorite Ebert quote: "Every great film should seem new every time you see it.”
Ebert, on top of being an excellent film critic, came across as a genuine and kind person. His battle with cancer was tragic but also uplifting. His presence will be missed.
As for the great review included above, thanks. I think I saw Enrico Palazzo in it!
I am required to award stars to movies I review. This time, I refuse to do it. The star rating system is unsuited to this film. Is the movie good? Is it bad? Does it matter? It is what it is and occupies a world where the stars don't shine.
Reviewing The Human Centipede (5-May-2010) - LINK
How well did the man write? Well enough that I truly enjoy a quote containing one of my least favorite phrases - "It is what it is".
RIP, good sir. See you at the movies.
Didn't agree with him that often, but that really stinks...now what are we left with??
I won't be breaking ground on much of what I'm saying, but Ebert will surely be missed. In the minds of most, I have watched far too many movies in my time. Rarely, after finishing a movie, do I not go and read what Ebert said about it. I've always loved comparing my reaction to his, and I've further enjoyed the numerous ways he has been able to review so many movies, seemingly never repeating himself, seemingly always recognizing what a great opportunity he had to be able to watch films for a living.
He was always entertaining and unique in his style, his positive reviews and negative reviews are both great reading, regardless of you agree with him. His twitter feed (one of the few non-Michigan people I followed on twitter) was filled with great film analysis, history, etc. links.
His best attribute as a film critic is that he wasn't just a film critic. He was like every other movie-goer. He wasn't just a snob. He allowed himself to sometimes not be a film critic, but a movie critic, and just be entertained. After all, that's why so many of us like movies in the first place, and so many critics seem to forget that. I will greatly miss the entertainment he brought to the art of film/movie criticism.
Ebert had a greater influence on me than any other writer. When I was in high school his "Great Movies" essays were my avenue into understanding film, eventually inspiring me to study it in college and teach it in a community college here in Chicago. His presence was enormous and his views on the function and value of film and film criticism are still the backbones of what I do. It will be one of the great regrets of my life that I never got to meet or communicate with the man myself.