The Legendary Film Critic Loses His Battle with Cancer and Passes Away at Age 70
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1942 - 2013
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Long ago, before the internet and sites like Rotten Tomatoes, movie reviews were primarily found in newspapers and later on television. Unlike today where there is a saturation of information about the latest movies with casting and plot spoilers available on your mobile device there was a time you depended on smart and fair critics to give you an inkling as to whether or not it was worth your time. Chicago Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert, along with Chicago Tribune's Gene Siskel, on their show 'At the Movies' was my gateway to previews and information by way of intelligent debate over great and not-so-great movies as a young man. Today, the Sun-Times reported that Ebert had passed away from a decade long battle with thyroid and salivary gland cancer.
One of the great aspects of Ebert's reviews was his honest and fair evaluation of films from 'Citizen Kane' to 'Ishtar'. He didn't merely dismiss a film without telling you specifically why he felt the way he did. And he could do so eloquently and with a unique perspective. He loved movies and that love showed through on air and in his printed reviews. Even with Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer I still searched for what Ebert's take was on any given film. His reviews still mattered because there was at least one voice you knew, even if you didn't agree, still had integrity. Perhaps, that is why so many aspiring writers, critics, reporters were influenced by the Pulitzer Prize-winning critic.
In his later years as the cancer altered his life he found a voice through his blog and Twitter. His social conscience was displayed in magnificent pieces about the world at hand. He was more than a critic but a writer of many merits. The characters in Twitter couldn't contain his wit and passion as he was still reaching new and old generations alike. He had just recently announced he was stepping away from day-to-day activities to deal with the reemergence of the cancer and just as quickly was gone. His contributions to the art of criticism and film review will linger on as part of his legacy. Thumbs up, Roger.
"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." - Roger Ebert
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