R.I.P. Roger Ebert

[Icy Tea]

He knew movies although his likes and dislikes were too often based on his own tastes and not completely on the movies actual merits. He and Siskel were great together and they always lacked something on their own.
I'm glad he's finally found peace, he had a rough time of it.

[Siskiwit]

Originally Posted by Icy Tea

He knew movies although his likes and dislikes were too often based on his own tastes and not completely on the movies actual merits. He and Siskel were great together and they always lacked something on their own.
I'm glad he's finally found peace, he had a rough time of it.

What are the merits of a movie? Why is Gone With The Wind better than The Wizard Of Oz?

The only reason is that person A values the combined elements of the former more than the latter. Person B might not value those same elements in the same way.

No film is inherently better or worse than another, except by opinion.

[WannaliveinGreenville]

Before going to a certain movie, I would look up what Roger had to say...

There were times where he gave a thumbs down and I went to see it anyway. Sometimes it was better than he reported, but most times, he was accurate.

That is the one thing I will miss, searching for Roger Ebert's opinion... before I dish out $7.50 for a movie..

You will be missed. RIP Mr. Ebert.

[karlsch]

Ted Rall, never afraid to say what he thinks: Ted Rall Editorial Cartoon, April 10, 2013 on GoComics.com

I agree with his opinion of Citizen Kane; historically significant, but boring to watch today.

[Siskiwit]

Originally Posted by karlsch

Ted Rall, never afraid to say what he thinks: Ted Rall Editorial Cartoon, April 10, 2013 on GoComics.com

I agree with his opinion of Citizen Kane; historically significant, but boring to watch today.

Rall is a fool for thinking that a film was objectively good or not. It wasn't. And Ebert didn't hold to this pretense; he understood that his reviews were merely opinion.

And his equation of Ebert's taste with intelligence is absolutely idiotic. But part for the course for Rall.

I didn't always agree with Ebert, either. Example: I loved Walker, which was one of the only films I ever saw Ebert give zero stars. Another example: Citizen Kane itself. But that is merely a difference of opinion. I guess I lack Rall's narcissism, wherein one mistakes a personal perference for an objective truth.