Today brings sad news for anyone who has ever loved movies, the good ones and the bad ones, or was just a lover of great writing. Legendary film critic Roger Ebert has passed away at age 70, after recently announcing a "leave of presence" to deal with health complications from a continued bout with cancer. The Pulitzer Prize-winning critic was known for his witty and insightful reviews, not just on film but on a multitude of subjects of varying scope.
The critic for the Chicago Sun-Times for more than four decades, Ebert helped revolutionize the way film criticism is viewed not only in this country but throughout the world. He and his longtime friend Gene Siskel brought simplified but thoughtful movie reviews right into households for more than thirty years with Siskel & Ebert At the Movies. The duo became synonymous with their "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" system, capable of crushing or saving a film with a single gesture.
When Siskel passed away in 1999, Ebert continued to soldier forward and refused to slow down. He continued the show with Richard Roeper, finding chemistry with another critic who shared a similar passion for the art of filmmaking. Ebert increased his online presence, leading the transition to the digital world while others in his field were still struggling to grasp its potential. The author of fifteen novels, he also ran his film festival, EbertFest, and continued to contribute to numerous publications. He recently completed another memoir, 2011's Life Itself.
I'm sure I speak for many of my colleagues by saying that Ebert was one of the driving influences on my love of film. With his humor and reasoned analysis, occasionally mixed with a bit of righteous indignation, he opened up my eyes to explore beyond just what was on the big screen and to look deeper.
We here at Punch Drunk Critics send our condolences to Ebert's family and those who knew him best.
