Fantastic article on Roger Ebert

johnny_ultimate

http://www.esquire.com/features/roger-ebert-0310

I rarely agree with Roger Ebert these days. He has given a lot of films I've deeply disliked rave reviews. But I still think he is one of the most intelligent, iconic film critics around. This article shows him in a completely different light - as a man who has endured a lot of hardship, and yet has an unending love of cinema and life. Very moving read, and even if I don't agree with his views on Broken Embraces, is someone I definitely respect.

DazMarz

Totally agree with both the post and the attached article. Ebert is a thoroughly excellent, if sometimes caustic when needed, critic of the silver screen. Even when he gives out his typically scathing reviews to bad films, you can still sense the almost child-like enthusiasm for the medium about which he writes.

His reviews are, despite what many may think ('I liked that film and he slated it' etc.), were rarely wrong in the sense that he critically appraised the films and rendered his view concisely and evenly.

A true expert and professional in his field.

mike65

I'd no ideal he's been such travails, I hardly read what the critics are saying these days and it been an age since I saw him on tv (now I know why).

Nice to see that he's listening to Caroline

bnt

The article's definitely surprised a few people, and Roger has written some more about it, here.

I've been reading Roger's reviews for years, and have a feel for his system. The fact that he likes or dislikes something is not a good guide to what I'll think, but (as noted) the way he explains the reasoning behind his reviews is incredibly useful. He sounds like he'll be around and reviewing for many years to come. :cool:

Sleazus

I've always loved Ebert, not in an I-agree-with-him-all-the-time sort of way, but in a he-puts-so-much-thought-into-what-he-does sort of way. He knows (and loves) film in a way that few truly do.

I am going to join the chorus of those who had no idea that he was so frail.

Roar

wow. that was really, really moving. I was nearly welling up reading some of that.

Duggy747

Jesus Christ!! I never knew he lost his lower jaw, the pic was 1st thing I saw and thought it was some sick photoshop joke!

Very interesting & valuable read, thanks, I've always known of him and read many of his reviews but I didn't know how much shìt he had to go through!

Valmont

I have no time for any movie critics or reviewers as I prefer to simply enjoy or dislike a film and leave it at that. That said, the exception is that for every film I ever watch, I always read what Roger Ebert has to say about it. His reviews are often funny and always intelligent. I like the way he reviews films in the context of what they set out to be rather than using a one size fits all criteria.

christeb

Thread from the dead.

Ebert posts his updated Top 10, it might interest some here: http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2012/04/the_greatest_films_of_all_time.html

Only realised his physical condition when I read that Esquire article today, thoroughly fascinating stuff.

bnt

Roger turned 70 yesterday (the 18th). It's taken a helluva lot of work, dedication and perseverance from him, his family, his doctors and others for him to make it to this milestone. There's a good piece on MovieFone about the impact he's had on film criticism generally, how he helped to make it more accessible to a wider audience, at the risk of dumbing it down to a simple Thumbs Up or Down. There's Reviewing and there's Criticism, and Roger does both - which not everyone seems to get.