R.I.P. Roger Ebert (1942 – 2013)

“On this day of reflection I say again, thank you for going on this journey with me. I’ll see you at the movies.”

~

I am stunned to report that Roger Ebert died today, at the age of seventy. Those who frequent this site won’t need me to explain who he was, or what he did.

Only yesterday — I can scarcely believe it — we were just discussing him, having read his latest post, and musing offering the assistance he sought.

The thing is, unlike Elwy Yost, whose death I dreaded coming, I never believed that Ebert would actually go. There’s never been a time when I didn’t remember him “just being there”, and his soldiering on through adversity made him a survivor, never a victim.

So many memories spring to mind: appearances on Oprah, The Critic, Godzilla ’98 (ahem), fellow Gene Siskel’s memorial and, of course, his weekly television shows. Ironically I often disagreed with his opinions, but kept watching, listening, and learning nonetheless. He believed what he believed, but remained compelling and worthy of respect.

Our opening quote above was taken from his final written blog, an entreaty for us to meet him at the movies. In his honour, I respectfully offer a selection of ways to do so.

Let’s keep the balcony open a little while longer…

Ebert’s Annual Selections

• The Last Picture Show (1971)
• The Godfather (1972)
• Amadeus (1984)
• Dark City (1998)
• Juno (2007)
• The Social Network (2010)

Videos Featuring Ebert Commentaries

• Casablanca (1942)
• Citizen Kane (1941)
• Dark City (1998)

The Influence of Ebert

• Don’t You Forget About Me (2009)
• The Exorcist (1973)
• Hellboy (2004)
• Pitch (1997)
• Rodan (1956)
• This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2005)

A Superfluous Clip of Yost Interviewing Ebert