Ryan McNeil
Roger Ebert has been a huge influence on me.
I can still remember beginning to watch him with Gene Siskel on TV back when I was 16 and first seriously getting into film. While it would take a few years until I would actively start hunting down some of the “smaller” movies they’d discuss, I nevertheless always gravitated to the way they would critique, dissect, and indeed argue over every week. I was sad when Gene Siskel passed away all those years ago, since it seemed to slightly muck up the dynamic of the show (Roper was never any match for him).
Then came the news a few years back that Ebert wasn’t well. He needed surgery to fight cancer which has since left him unable to speak (thus, no more TV show). I think the bigger shock to my system was having to go several weeks without seeing any of his writing…but such things come when one is recovering from surgery.
As I mentioned in my podcast, Ebert is back in the news. The photo you see above you is from a feature article in Esquire Magazine (found here). The article caught me off guard at first, since I’ve always found it strange when the media covers the media. But for those who haven’t been following Ebert’s personal situation, or sadly – continuing to read his work, his situation might come as a shock to the system.
What leaves me slightly more intrigued gang, is a rumour that next week, he’ll be appearing on Oprah Winfrey’s show. If this is true – you’d better believe I’ll be setting my PVR.
Indeed, Roger Ebert has been a huge influence on me. He looks for the good in a film, isn’t afraid to call a bomb a bomb, and writes so. freakin’. well! These little babblings of mine are like crayon scribblings compared to the thoughtful analysis that he can fire off on his worst day. The article and potential TV appearance intrigue me because I care about the man behind the work, and while I know he’ll likely never read this, I just felt like this haphazard moment he’s having back in the spotlight would be an opportune time to say it…
…Thanks Roger. I’d never have been able to write even this well without you.
Nice post here man :). I follow Ebert on Twitter, and it's safe to say the guy's just one hell of a smart guy. Always thoughtful tweets, unlike some people (like myself). And his blog posts are often to die for.
Though your post does force me to ask the question: If you're doing crayon' scribblings, then what am I doing? I suppose, painting with my elbows o.O
Great post, Hatter. I do not think there is a movie buff/blogger a live who has not been influenced by Ebert (and Siskel too).
One of my favourite memories of the 2002 TIFF was standing in line at the Cumberland waiting to see "The Marsh" (a Canadian film that my friend and I had picked over Whale Rider…big mistake, but I digress). Anyways, film critic Leonard Maltin is standing beside us talking to his family, the cast of Whale Rider is getting ready to go into the theatre, and all of a sudden we see Roger Ebert and his wife strolling by on the opposite side of the street.
The funny thing is we do not even bat an eye at Maltin or the Whale Rider cast, yet completely freak out over our “Ebert sighting”. It was a rare “geek” moment, but what can I say, the man is a film legend in my books
Read this article and his response last week, one of the best things I've read in a while. Such a good writer, no question that the guy really set the bar. Poor guy, but incredibly grounded and insightful at the same time. Glad you liked this too, man. Really good stuff.
Nice post and way to go linking to that Esquire article. I had been meaning to do so for a week but never got a chance. Ebert is a living legend and anyone should aspire to be as good at what he does as he is as a movie critic and man.
Ebert is like God to cinephiles. Sometimes I questions his motives, but I still respect the man as visionary film critic.
@ Univarn… Funny thing, ebert was reluctant to join Twitter until someone pointed out that he could still fire off witticisms at 140 characters per.
And thanks for the smile, but you are hardly painting with your elbows.
@ CS… Colour me jealous. Through seven full festivals, and one screening at an eigth, I have always hoped to one day run into Ebert. No such luck.
@ Aiden… Thanks for pointing that out, I really should double back and include his follow up.
@ Castor & branden… Well said!
The one thing I have always taken away from Ebert, and the one thing that guides me own writing, has been how he can convey complex ideas about film while writing in a language that just about anyone can understand. He challenges readers to think, but never talks over them: his writing is always conversational and thus readable. I love his anecdote about the editor who explained to him that if you truely understand something you can explain it to just about anyone.
That's why I think Ebert has become such a big name. Whenever I read Jim Emerson's blogs, as good as some of them are, I sometimes feel as though I am being talked down to, or am not of equal status because I don't share his elitism.
Another thing is, reading Ebert's work, you always get a sense of the man behind the words. Not a lot of critic put themselves into their writing anymore. That's one of the things I treasure most. When I read a review I don't care whether the person liked it or not so much as I want to understand their experience of it. Ebert always seems to offer that as much as he possibly can.
I hate to say it, but sometimes I feel as though truely good mainstream criticism, with the exception of Ebert and a few others, died with Siskel.
I'm a little younger, so I don't remember Siskel that well. But I did watch "Ebert & Roeper" quite a lot. I really started loving Ebert when I actually read his written reviews. He was the first film critic I read. Those are awesome. I'm glad they're all available on rogerebert.com.
And of course, he has terrific blog entries and tweets. He's awesome.
And he's going to be on Oprah next week?! I'm going to check the listings.
I love Ebert is able to convey such eloquence with such accessible writing. When he loves a film, you just have to feeling that you got to check it out. His love for all kinds of movies can be comprehended by the average moviegoer.
Great post that sums up a lot of people's thoughts about Ebert. People criticize him for loving too many movies these days, but I'd rather have someone who loves movies than cuts them all down.
P.S. Can you shoot me an email? You're the winner of the DVD giveaway I was running!
@ Mike… Amen brother! Sometimes for me that's the trickiest thing about trying to write on film is finding that middle ground between raving fan/ranting hater and self-indulgent twerp.
Ebert lives in that middle ground. You always get the impression that he harbours passion for the good and venom for the bad, but never pushes it so far as to seem pompous.
@ Marcy… It's a shame that you never got to see Siskel & Ebert. I'm not sure if their back episodes really exist online anywhere but if you can track them down, they're really quite something to see…even moreso than his later shows with Roeper.
@ Daniel… If a critic starts telling me that everything sucks, I start getting visions of Jay Sherman in my head.
Thanks for the Friday morning smile re. my unexpected winnings!
Ebert's always been my favourite reviewer because he seems to be able to appreciate ALL types of movies.
I sat behind him at TIFF a few years ago and was able to chat with him for about ten minutes before the screening! Very exciting! We actually had a long discussion about 'Babe' after I mentioned it's one of my favourite movies, and he talked about Siskel listing 'Pig In The City' as one of the best of the year!
Whenever I get back from the theatre I need to read his opinion of the film I just saw! Love him!
-The Lady Of The Hat
If you're interested, old Siskel and Ebert reviews can be found at http://www.atthemoviestv.com.
And, of course, they're awesome.