A Quick Thought on Roger Ebert

As you assuredly know by now, former Chicago Sun-Times film critic and TV personality Roger Ebert died today at the age of 70. There are thousands of tributes to Roger Ebert online and know full well that this reasonably short tribute to Mr. Ebert will say what many have said already. But it cannot be said enough.

Roger Ebert may, both directly (through being an avid fan of his writing) and indirectly (through influencing the styles of many writers I enjoy), have influenced Johnapedia more than any other writer. Most people will always turn to his time on At The Movies with Gene Siskel, and later Richard Roeper, and while I do enjoy both incarnations of the show, his writing will always be his apex, as far as I'm concerned. Roger Ebert was one of the first major film critics who spoke to people such as myself (or at least how I perceive myself, and also how most would like to perceive themselves)--he wrote towards people who were selective with their movie tastes but who also like to be entertained. 

An example I came up with would be how critics would react to Anchorman. A pre-Ebert film critic would excoriate it for being silly and for not being directed by Ingmar Bergman. Too many modern critics would immediately call it the funniest movie ever made in order to pander to popular opinion. Roger Ebert would tell the truth. He would evaluate the movie with a critical eye but he wouldn't bash a less prestigious movie just to seem like an intellect.

Roger Ebert spoke with an admirable snark (his review for the truly abysmal movie "North" is the stuff of legend), but he wasn't just going for hit pieces. The problem with some of the intense critics of the modern era (blogs, random internet people mostly) is that they don't appreciate. If a critic hates everything, who gives a damn if he doesn't like a movie? If a critic, however, enjoys film and shows a deep appreciation for it, then his detracting will hold some weight. Roger Ebert was that guy.

I don't feel like giving you links to great Roger Ebert articles or great Roger Ebert TV clips. I wouldn't be able to stop. Roger Ebert is a true legend, the single greatest and most important film critic in the history of the United States. Rest in peace.