logo Sign In

Roger Ebert R.I.P.

Author
Date
Author
Time
Post link

http://www.suntimes.com/17320958-761/roger-ebert-dies-at-70-after-battle-with-cancer.html

I feel rather strange writing these words.

He always downplayed himself and kept a great deal of humility which many in criticism could never hope to have. Reading Ebert's writing was not merely checking the worth of a particular film but rather like hearing the farseeing yet somehow poignant advice of a favorite uncle. Even when you absolutely disagreed.
The best in this lonely little group has now left us. Though he would be the first to deny it.



VADER!? WHERE THE HELL IS MY MOCHA LATTE? -Palpy on a very bad day.
“George didn’t think there was any future in dead Han toys.”-Harrison Ford
YT channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader

Author
Time
Post link

People often deride film critics as unnecessary and pretentious. Neither of those labels applied to Rober Ebert. For the last two years or so I've frequently checked Mr. Ebert's website out of curiosity, and I can say I easily see why he has perpetually been held in such high regard. His written reviews remained eloquent while maintaining a fun, conversational tone. Even his on-screen persona during his tenure on At the Movies was great. Sometimes, it almost felt like he was speaking directly to you. Not just a general audience. You. That's something.

And plus, anyone who continues his line of work after the various problems he faced due to his thyroid cancer is worth noting in my book.

What makes this the worst though was that he was still planning. Only two days ago he announced that he was going to expand his interests while taking a break from reviews due to a return of his cancer. I can only hope he outlined his plans well enough that his wife, Chaz, will continue with them.

What a lasting impact Ebert will leave. Unfortunately, the balcony is closed forever.

A Goon in a Gaggle of 'em

Author
Time
Post link

He and Leonard Maltin were the first two professional critics I ever cared about, and even in recent readings, I still appreciated his view on movies.

Author
Time
 (Edited)
Post link

Truly the end of an era. Now all we have left are mostly anonymous internet based movie reviewers. I don't think anyone else will ever have his level of recognition or prominence.

I was a regular viewer of Siskel and Ebert's show back in the day. They were almost like an old married couple in their disagreements, but always entertaining to watch.

I also appreciated how they championed Laserdiscs back when a lot of people were probably unaware of the format.

The balcony has truly closed.

Where were you in '77?

Author
Time
Post link

Barry Norman and Mark Kermode are still alive.

I wish someone would give Alex Cox another television show.

Author
Time
Post link

I often disagreed with Roger Ebert, and more usually agreed with Gene Siskel.  However, I much prefered listening to Ebert's reviews, because he seemed so down-to-earth, and less pretentious.  He seemed like a regular guy who loved movies, and communicated in an entertaining style.  He also never hesitated to say when he liked a movie even if it was getting panned by other critics.  He and Siskel had an incredible chemistry on screen, even if they weren't really friends.

Hard to believe that Ebert out-lived the much more fit-looking Siskel, by 15 years even.  Great quote by Siskel just before his untimely death:  "I'm in a hurry to get well because I don't want Roger to get more screen time than I."

"Close the blast doors!"
Puggo’s website | Rescuing Star Wars

Author
Time
Post link

Ebert's Great Movies list needs to be explored by more people. As my film tastes broadened into adulthood, that list helped me discover films I might not have otherwise heard about.

“Grow up. These are my Disney's movies, not yours.”

Author
Time
Post link

Saw this photo elsewhere and had to share...

Where were you in '77?

Author
Time
Post link

Anybody else use this software back in the 90s? It came with our new PC in 1995.

“Grow up. These are my Disney's movies, not yours.”

Author
Time
Post link

R. I. P.   Mr. Ebert. 

and thanks for defending Return of the Jedi against that stupid ignorant snob.

Author
Time
Post link

SilverWook said:

Truly the end of an era. Now all we have left are mostly anonymous internet based movie reviewers. I don't think anyone else will ever have his level of recognition or prominence.

True the current media climate pretty much insures his status for the years to come. Sure it may be possible for someone to achieve such notoriety but it's unlikely as the many screens available vie for our attention.

Rest in peace Mr. Ebert.

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/7405/cooly.gif

http://twister111.tumblr.com
Previous Signature preservation link

Author
Time
Post link

Warbler said:

R. I. P.   Mr. Ebert. 

and thanks for defending Return of the Jedi against that stupid ignorant snob.

Return of the Jedi is largely crap and why do people use R.I.P. when someone dies? it's bloody annoying as hell.

You're dead now so please don't get up and move around.

I hope the neighbours don't wake you up.

When someone I like dies I hope there is a better afterlife where they are busy and happy, restored, not asleep and an acronym that sounds like something got torn or pirated.

Author
Time
Post link

Why lay in to Warbler and not captainsolo or twister111 who both invoked the same phrase?  I guess because Warbler also thanked ol' Roger for the defense of ROTJ (which I love).  It has a history to it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rest_in_peace

No need to jump all over him.

M.N.O.D.H.C.T.T.R.A.M.H.S.B.P.O.U.T.T. (May no one disturb his corpse till the resurrection, and may his spirit be pleasantly occupied until that time).  I dunno, it just isn't as catchy and wouldn't fit so well on gravestones. ;)

Author
Time
Post link

twister111 said:

 

SilverWook said:

Truly the end of an era. Now all we have left are mostly anonymous internet based movie reviewers. I don't think anyone else will ever have his level of recognition or prominence.

True the current media climate pretty much insures his status for the years to come. Sure it may be possible for someone to achieve such notoriety but it's unlikely as the many screens available vie for our attention.

Rest in peace Mr. Ebert.

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/7405/cooly.gif

 

*ensures*

/petpeeve

Author
Time
 (Edited)
Post link

I haven't 'laid into Warb'.

I have commented on this before in relation to comments made by people who aren't him.

I'd retract that accusation if I weren't me.

If you want someone to rest in peace type, "rest in peace" not rip (it doesn't take that much longer).

I personally prefer to think of him as regenerated, rejuvenated and hard at work review Hitchcock's latest.

Called to Glory!

 

Author
Time
Post link

Bingowings said:


why do people use R.I.P. when someone dies? it's bloody annoying as hell.

You're dead now so please don't get up and move around.

I hope the neighbours don't wake you up.

When someone I like dies I hope there is a better afterlife where they are busy and happy, restored, not asleep and an acronym that sounds like something got torn or pirated.

What _ender said, but also, I don't get your problem with this.  What would you prefer they say?

Author
Time
Post link

Bingowings said:

If you want someone to rest in peace type, "rest in peace" not rip (it doesn't take that much longer).

Seriously?

I'll be watching to make sure you never abbreviate something, then.

Author
Time
 (Edited)
Post link

Bingowings said:

Warbler said:

R. I. P.   Mr. Ebert. 

and thanks for defending Return of the Jedi against that stupid ignorant snob.

Return of the Jedi is largely crap and why do people use R.I.P. when someone dies? it's bloody annoying as hell.

You're dead now so please don't get up and move around.

I hope the neighbours don't wake you up.

When someone I like dies I hope there is a better afterlife where they are busy and happy, restored, not asleep and an acronym that sounds like something got torn or pirated.

I decided to look at bingowing's post due to what Ender has said.

Is there now any doubt that Bingo has been deliberately targeting  me and trying to criticize me for whatever he can?   That he is deliberately trying to annoy me?   Bingo, please leave me alone and go after someone else.

Oh and while Return of the Jedi is not as good as Star Wars or Empire Strikes Back,  it is certainly not crap. 

Author
Time
 (Edited)
Post link

I comment on how I don't like Return Of The Jedi that much or an acronym for a platitudinous epithet for the dead and suddenly the thread isn't about Roger Ebert anymore.

Not fun anymore.

Author
Time
 (Edited)
Post link

Warb, I often find you to be oversensitive, but I agree with you in this case.

Bingowings said:

I haven't 'laid into Warb'.

I have commented on this before in relation to comments made by people who aren't him.

All I see there was a mild joke you made.  My joke was better. :p

And if you weren't targeting Warb, why not say something about the thread title immediately?