RIP Roger Ebert

[Fuzzy_]

Roger Ebert, renowned film critic, dies at age 70 - CNN.com

From the article:

Los Angeles (CNN) -- The last hand in the "two thumbs up" film critic team, Roger Ebert, died Thursday, two days after revealing cancer returned to his body.

Ebert and Gene Siskel co-hosted their iconic review show until Siskel's death in 1999 after a battle with a brain tumor.
Report: Film critic Roger Ebert has died
Photos: People we lost in 2013 Photos: People we lost in 2013

The Chicago Sun-Times, the base of operations for Ebert's syndicated reviews, announced his death at age 70.

In an essay on his blog Tuesday, Ebert explained he was planning to slow down and reduce the number of movie reviews he wrote. Ebert had already lost his voice and much of his jaw after battling thyroid and salivary gland cancer.

"My intent is to continue to write selected reviews but to leave the rest to a talented team of writers handpicked and greatly admired by me," Ebert wrote. "What's more, I'll be able at last to do what I've always fantasized about doing: reviewing only the movies I want to review."

Ebert suffered a hip fracture in December, and it recently led to the revelations about cancer, he said.
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Still the only pulitzer-winning movie critic. He always managed to view movies from the appropriate a social context while being mindful of the human condition. He appreciated the hard work it took to make even a shitty movie, but still be able to call it trash.

That last thing Fuzzy heard Ebert say about the possibility of his cancer recurring is that he wouldn't fight it. "No more surgeries."

 

[ConanTheBarber]

Very sad. He was a damn fine writer and his taste was easy to embrace.
He had a pretty good run after that original cancer diagnosis.
Strange that he would die so soon after that blog post.
He sounded so accepting and there was no hint that he felt death was imminent.

 

[LargeSide]

I was very saddened to read about this today. RIP

 

[Hoss]

So sad to learn this. I always enjoyed his reviews and his fairly upbeat attitude and take on all which had come his way in recent years.

 

[Fuzzy_]

He was very firm about not having any more surgeries. It seems to have been a waiting game. He was diagnosed in 2002, so that is a pretty good run. Dying at 70 with such a remarkable career -- including his many books and film festival, which was his pride and joy -- isn't so bad... considering. Much of his success occurred after his 2002 treatment then subsequent jaw removal.

This all seems so sudden. News of his cancer recurrence was just two days ago. His website still has recent reviews. If it was euthanasia, that's understandable considering his unwillingness to endure more pain from cancer.

Fuzzy loves this exchange about overthrowing the WASPs. Band together against the yellow ties!

 

[798686]

I loved Siskel n Ebert.

 

[nudeyorker]

I think (but I'm not sure) Roger Ebert is the only film critic with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. I met Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert in the late 80's they were both tres charmant! RIP Mr. Ebert.

 

[lms28]

People who only knew him as a film critic are missing out. He was a fantastic writer and his blog was one of the best on the net. I highly recommend seeking it out.

One of my favorite Ebert quotes (from his memoir): “‘Kindness’ covers all of my political beliefs. No need to spell them out. I believe that if, at the end, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn't always know this and am happy I lived long enough to find it out.”

 

[D_Fergus_Fearsomegas]

I loved Siskel n Ebert.

same I grew up with these guys so said

 

[ConanTheBarber]

Here's a piece Ebert wrote for Salon about 18 months ago in which he speaks of his feelings about death and about what makes a good life.

 

[798686]

He certainly didn't let the cancer stop him from kicking arse.
He was an inspiration.

 

[ConanTheBarber]

Here's a clip in which Roger Ebert really has at a commentator who has the nerve to tell Asian Americans how to express themselves.
A standup guy, he was.