Roger Ebert is Dead
 

According to his newspaper the Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert died today from cancer. I post this because not only is it news, but he is one of the friendliest of the mainstream critics toward horror movies (he gave four out of four stars to such films as Paranormal Activity, The Cabin in the Woods, The Last House on the Left, Scream, Halloween, and The Blair Witch Project). Even giving high praise to such films as Motel Hell and Candyman. I did not always agree with him on horror movies (for instance, his crusade against slashers in the 1980s), but he gave several horror movies a chance, that other critics did not. I always read his reviews and found them interesting (even if I did not agree).

I will miss him. I grew up in a suburb of Chicago, and we got the Suntimes everyday. I read his movie reviews constantly. And I used to watch him on Sneak Previews, which was a PBS show in Chicago starting 1975, with Siskel and Ebert.

In 1982 they left Sneak Previews/PBS and to create At the Movies, which went nationwide.

Ebert was kinder to horror movies and artful elements, than Siskel was, in general. I agreed and disagreed with both (what a surprise!). But like Siskel, and everybody, Ebert had things he didn't like that tarnished a movie's rating. Like for instance, Ebert gave 'Terminator' Zero stars (out of 5). After I saw it, I was like 'what?'. He also gave Matrix a poor review, cause the subject matter bothered him. But I loved Ebert, will miss him like a lifelong friend.

Truly a loss. I always enjoyed reading his reviews. I didn't always agree with him but even at his age and his health problems he always wrote entertaining and many times funny reviews. He will be missed.

Sad to see him go. I watched At the Movies all the time when I was growing up; and I respected his reviews. Of course, I didn't always agree with them.

I remember my impression of him changed when I learned that he had worked on the script of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls and then again when I realized he had given the film Irreversible a glowing review. A very daring guy.

Here's a link to the Chicago Tribune article:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/c...0,602338.story

RIP

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Yeah that was a shame to hear about Jess Franco.

Always really liked Faceless

http://www.eccentric-cinema.com/imag...faceless01.jpg

Downloaded it recently but still haven't seen it.

RIP Jess Franco.

a two-fer

Margaret Thatcher, the “Iron Lady” of British politics, who turned her country in a sharply conservative direction, led it to victory in the Falklands war and helped guide the United States and the Soviet Union through the cold war’s difficult last years, died on Monday. She was 87.

and


Annette Funicello, the most popular Mouseketeer on "The Mickey Mouse Club," who matured to a successful career in records and '60s beach party movies but struggled with illness in middle age and after, died Monday, The Walt Disney Co. said. She was 70.

Out of everyone in the news this week, Annette is the one I have to comment on. I always enjoyed her movies and music, and she was everyone's favorite Mousketeer. I watched her beach movies on TV in the 70's, and loved them all. Like Marilyn Monroe, when Annette Funicello was a star, she was known by her first name alone; if you said "Annette," everyone knew who you meant. She was a very singular presence and personality, and I am sorry to hear about her passing. RIP Annette

agreed....when I was a little newb I would love to watch those "beach" movies. My favorite character being Eric Von Zipper

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