GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Roger Ebert - A True Great, R.I.P.

POSTED BY: SHINYGOODGUY
UPDATED: Friday, April 12, 2013 13:32
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Saturday, April 6, 2013 10:58 AM

SHINYGOODGUY


I just got back from vacation and turn on my computer to find some distressing news - Roger Ebert has died.

Distressing for me because I felt as though he spoke to me directly, I got the feeling that he was a distant sage old uncle handing out advice, and, in this case, it concerned movies. I felt truly saddened when I first heard of his bout with cancer and how it would affect his speech, only to find him months after having his jaw, among other things, removed and he continued with his brilliant career as a movie critic. And that's putting it mildly.

Roger Ebert not only offered up sound critiques, he gave a piece of himself in every review, as though the reader was in his living room casually chatting with the movie pundit. At least, to me, that's the feeling I experienced. He turned me on to many great movies, but my 2 favorite, which I never thought I would ever watch had it not been for Roger, are Going Places (1974) and Breaking The Waves (1996). Every time I even think of these movies, I think of him. And that will continue.

So many good memories and so many good movies because he was in the world, Bravo! I shed a tear, but I will mostly remember him with fondness because of what he gave to the world, not just Hollywood.

Rest in Peace, my friend.

I now picture you and Gene sitting in the balcony together again.


SGG

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Sunday, April 7, 2013 3:20 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.


I frequently disagreed with his take on individual films, but I always respected his love and passion for the medium, and his insistence that it should be considered an art form. He reviewed each film as a unique experience, judging them by the type of movie they were trying to be, not comparing a straight action film by the same standards he used for serious drama, or comedy.

I also appreciated the fact that he took SF films seriously, whereas most critics look down on the genre. Of Serenity, he said..."[it] is made of dubious but energetic special effects, breathless velocity, much imagination, some sly verbal wit and a little political satire. [snip] There are also unanticipated scenes of real impact, including a planet where -- but see for yourself. I'm not sure the movie would have much appeal for non-sci-fi fans, but it has the rough edges and brawny energy of a good yarn, and it was made by and for people who can't get enough of this stuff. You know who you are."

And we know who you are, Roger. A film lover who wanted all of us to appreciate the experience as much as you. You will be missed.



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Sunday, April 7, 2013 4:53 PM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.


The Sun-Times has released Roger's final review, and I am glad it was from a director that he and I both hold in high regard.

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/19293543-421/roger-eberts-last-r
eview-to-the-wonder.html




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Sunday, April 7, 2013 5:45 PM

JONGSSTRAW


I remember the early days when "Siskel and Ebert" were on PBS. It was a great show because they gave very honest reviews with keen insights that you wouldn't get anywhere else. They often disagreed with each other on movies, and their fiery exchanges made the show very entertaining.

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Friday, April 12, 2013 3:23 AM

TWO

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly


Quote:

Originally posted by Jongsstraw:
"Siskel and Ebert" . . . gave very honest reviews with keen insights that you wouldn't get anywhere else. . . . Their fiery exchanges made the show very entertaining.

Roger Ebert on The Avengers:
Quote:

"Comic-Con nerds will have multiple orgasms," predicts critic David Edelstein in New York magazine, confirming something I had vaguely suspected about them. If he is correct, it's time for desperately needed movies to re-educate nerds in the joys of sex. "The Avengers" is done well by Joss Whedon, with style and energy. It provides its fans with exactly what they desire. Whether it is exactly what they deserve is arguable. www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-avengers-2012
Roger Ebert on Serenity:
Quote:

I made a note: "More banging than in your average space movie." Then something shifted inside my ears and I somehow knew I was hearing sound men, pounding the hell out of garbage-can lids, sheets of steel and big piles of pots and pans. I say this not with disapproval, but with affection. "Serenity" is an old-fashioned space opera, and differs from a horse opera mostly in that it involves space, not horses. www.rogerebert.com/reviews/serenity-2005
I wish he lived to review Alan Tudyk's performance in 42, which opens today. Or reviewed Summer Glau's Knights of Badassdom, whatever year that will be coming to theaters.

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity," where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/two

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Friday, April 12, 2013 7:38 AM

SHINYGOODGUY


For the most part, I would often see his take on the movie reviews and rarely disagreed, but one thing is for sure he brought a new and almost laymen's approach to the art of film critique.

He said something many years ago that has stayed with me throughout - not all movies should be considered works of art; some are good strictly for their entertainment value, but, to me, within that belief there is art - such is the case with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, which Ebert panned in his first review. It grossed over $107M worldwide and was produced for a measly $15M - commercial success does not make it a great movie, but Jim Carrey became a household name )his movies have grossed over $2.4B, averaging $97M per movie). Still though Ace Ventura is a classic comedy ("laces out") and I'm not talking out of my ass.....later Ebert would admit that he may have been wrong about the movie.

But he was instrumental, at least for me, in getting the everyday individual to use their common sense in reviewing movies for themselves. I was greatly influenced by his approach and rather easy-going style. He will be missed greatly.


SGG

Quote:

Originally posted by ecgordon:
I frequently disagreed with his take on individual films, but I always respected his love and passion for the medium, and his insistence that it should be considered an art form. He reviewed each film as a unique experience, judging them by the type of movie they were trying to be, not comparing a straight action film by the same standards he used for serious drama, or comedy.

I also appreciated the fact that he took SF films seriously, whereas most critics look down on the genre. Of Serenity, he said..."[it] is made of dubious but energetic special effects, breathless velocity, much imagination, some sly verbal wit and a little political satire. [snip] There are also unanticipated scenes of real impact, including a planet where -- but see for yourself. I'm not sure the movie would have much appeal for non-sci-fi fans, but it has the rough edges and brawny energy of a good yarn, and it was made by and for people who can't get enough of this stuff. You know who you are."

And we know who you are, Roger. A film lover who wanted all of us to appreciate the experience as much as you. You will be missed.




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Friday, April 12, 2013 7:39 AM

SHINYGOODGUY


Thanks for posting,

SGG

Quote:

Originally posted by ecgordon:
The Sun-Times has released Roger's final review, and I am glad it was from a director that he and I both hold in high regard.

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/19293543-421/roger-eberts-last-r
eview-to-the-wonder.html





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Friday, April 12, 2013 7:41 AM

SHINYGOODGUY


Ain't it the truth. That's what intrigued me about them, their raw natural energy.


SGG

Quote:

Originally posted by Jongsstraw:
I remember the early days when "Siskel and Ebert" were on PBS. It was a great show because they gave very honest reviews with keen insights that you wouldn't get anywhere else. They often disagreed with each other on movies, and their fiery exchanges made the show very entertaining.


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Friday, April 12, 2013 1:32 PM

WHOZIT


I was never a big fan of his BUT, he gave many action flicks and comedys good reviews proving he wasn't a snob. If it was entertaining Ebert gave it thumbs up even if it wasn't some artsey melodrama.

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