Roger Ebert's Journal

Sir ,

I have been an avid reader of your movie reviews since years. I am from India, and so haven't been able to watch your movie review shows. I have been hearing from my friends in the US that you are keeping well. I pray for your fast recovery and hope to read more and more of your reviews. It is even great to see that a blog section has been introduced.

With warm regards,
Sujoy

First of all, get well, Roger. The Fest will not be the same without you--I'll never forget you on the stage with Errol Morris, talking about pet cemeteries and Interrortrons--but we will defer to the needs of your hip over our own.

The plaque program would be great--you reminded me of my college years in Philadelphia, where a fellow poverty-stricken student and I would roam around that aggressively historical city, inventing points of interest along an imaginary walking tour--"That's where Betsy Ross slapped Ben Franklin for getting fresh"; "This is the tavern where Poe cold-cocked a guy for calling Nathaniel Hawthorne a 'high-toned scrivener,'" etc. Boredom, it seems, is also a Mother of Invention.

Again, thanks for keeping your Fest going; I know you'll join us next year.

Shameless Plug: As long as you're laid up, why not visit my site, The Constant Viewer? It's the online version of a book I'm writing, a "cinema diary" that begins in a camera obscura in 1876, and will end in the present. I didn't want to write about movies as artifacts but immediate experiences, so I decided to construct a single diarist for the whole thing. I'm at 1917 right now; Caligari and Potemkin are right around the corner. (End of Shameless Plug)

I just want to wish Roger Ebert the best... From México, I know he´s known all over the world! The most passionate film critic ever (not exagerating),he and Martin Scorsese are the most passionate film lovers in America, and, without going out the wall, the world! Get better mr. Ebert. We need you. Love and resolution, your sincere admirer from México.

Roger,

I have been a longtime reader and fan of yours for years.
It is with the utmost pleasure that I write this to you for the first time.
I should've written to you a long time ago!

We all understand why you could not attend Ebertfest.
As one of your fellow neighbors here in Iowa, I would've loved to have been there.

We all understand why you cannot resume your duties on Ebert & Roeper.
Dealing with cancer and a broken hip can't be easy.
I only hope that when I reach your age, (I just turned 34) I'll possess the strength and determination that you have to keep going.
It is my sincerest wish that you make a full recovery.

I'll bet that you're wanting to get back into the swing of things but can't because of the "curve ball" life has thrown at you lately.
If I were you, I would be too. But maybe there is an outlet for you...

Have you ever thought about doing Podcasts?

We want to hear from you!
What do you think about doing "voice reviews" of movies?

You could watch movies as you regularly do and then record your reviews onto an audio format and then have them posted on your website. (assuming you feel up to it)

I know I would listen to them!

How about it Roger?
What do you think?

In the wake of sickness, it's appropriate to reflect on things past. I was reading your post, entertained by your wit, and noticed a slight shift of tone towards the end. A certain warm nostalgia and complacency seemed apparent to me. You seem to be writing all this with a smile. I can hear it in your words. I wish I was as great a writer as you are. And yet so humble. Unbelievable.

PS Timothy Spall (something about that grin...) was clearly having a good time in Sweeney Todd, which you did get to see. Rufus Sewell (something about those eyes...) reportedly was fantastic in the Tom Stoppard Broadway play Rock 'n' Roll, which you probably didn't get to see. I'm a big theater fan and I wish there was a "Roger Ebert" of theater critics that I could enjoy reading as much as you. If they're out there and you know of their work, please inform me. :-)

- Joseph (uber fan)

Get better, Roger!

Mr. Ebert, I hope you get well very soon. The paperust doesn't feel right without your column, no to mention the show.

Home is where the heart is, definitely.
By the way, "This is where Roger Ebert writes!"

-Joel Meza
Mexicali, B.C., Mexico

Will you PLEASE stay put? Or by 2013, the festival will be hosted by your brain in a vat.

Hello Roger! So good to see you writing again. Best wishes for your swift recovery, and welcome to the blogosphere!

You know what's best for you dude. Do you really want more medical bills (hope I'm not sounding like Chaz right now)?

We'll all understand. But heck, maybe you can bring the mountain to Mohammed by giving a venue where people can visit you, instead of risking your health (if that's a good idea, which I don't think it is).

In any case, stay strong Roger.

Tonight, in the Dusty Cohl tribute, Chaz commented that Dusty treated everybody the same, whether they were king or pauper, famous or obscure. I think exactly the same thing can be said about you, Roger. You have extended your friendship to an enormous number of people in all walks of life, and all those of us who have met you are grateful for it. Take it easy, and get well!

Hi Roger,
Here's a poem I wrote some time back as a challenge to write about a news event; your story was the first one I thought of. I'm glad the poem's out of date now and my call has been answered.

Ode: To Ebert

how blunt and unsubtle is the thumb
oh opposable digit
when it has but two positions:
up toward academy heaven
or down to late-night hell

how tempting it is to oppose the opposable
raise a fist to what the critic cannot know
self-appointed arbiter of my taste
as if a mere gesture can fathom
that evolving mystery

until the man lays down
his crude instrument
lets each delicate finger of the self
--his nuanced words, his fine voice--
animate "the eunuch in the harem"
(for we can't all be such studs)
knowing he was invited for a reason:
to watch (it’s what he loves)
but also to kiss (his love is that great)
and tell (he knows how his mistress
longs to be shared)

then we listen

but now, critic, your voice
that wants so much to share
is silent for a time
ravaged but not yet out--
give us a sign--
we're not waiting
for any movie tips
just another thumbs up

Dear Roger - I have been reading your column since I was a teenager and watched you with Siskel, and later Roeper, on 'Sneak Preview' and 'At the Movies'. Your movie reviews have inspired me to watch movies I might have overlooked or ignored and in doing so, you have enriched my life. Your love of movies is contagious.

I hope that your health will improve every day and you can get back to doing what you love. In the meantime, thank you for all of the years of wonderful reviews and great books. I'm looking forward to many more.

I disagree with your political views about 90 percent of the time but thoroughly appreciate your movie reviews. Each weekend, your insights are a must-read before heading to the local cinema. Get well soon!

Roger,

I know how difficult it must be for you not to be at the Ebertfest. But although I am aware you are not one to accept the mantle of sainthood, I want you to know that I consider you one of the major powers of example I've ever known. The fortitude and resilience you have shown throughout your recent challenges are inspirational.

You are at Urbana.

Can't wait to see your reglar reviews start up again.

Canvas was amazing, the whole panel stayed around, signing autographs and taling with everyone who stuck around. Great choice!

I enjoyed Timothy Spall's performance in a made-for-British-TV film titled "Mr. Harvey Lights a Candle" (thank goodness for Netflix!). I thought Rufus Sewell was wonderful in "The Illusionist" (he can be so menacing and soft-spoken at the same time). Get well soon, Roger, I miss reading your reviews.

Hi, Roger:

I'm sorry to hear about your recent accident. It's a damn shame when you have to miss your own party, due to something like this. Here's hoping you will have a speedy recovery and come back stronger from this.

But if the past two years have proven anything, it is that yours is a voice that will not be silenced. In spite of your various health problems and numerous setbacks, you continue to provide us with your unique insight through your movie reviews and articles.

Keep it up. We'll keep reading your words and praying for your quick recovery.

Rob Lindsay.
Renton, WA

P.S. I have a suggestion for next year's "Overlooked Film Festival," a film you might want to watch while you're recovering. It's "Whisper of the Heart," from Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli. It's on DVD in America from Disney. It is the "Say Anything" of Japanese animation.

I am reminded of your "Patch Adams" review where you conclude it was probably unwise to haul a bunch of cancer-striken children to a courtroom for the sake of making an appearance.

Heed your own words, sir.

Roger, I'm a lifelong lover of films. Even though I sometimes disagree with you, I owe my appreciation of the medium in large part to you and Gene Siskel. Absolutely no doubt about that in my mind.

We miss you, dude! Get well!!

Billy

Roger, don't do anything that could slow down your
recovery. At this time, there is no point in saying anything else to you. Do us all a favor and get well soon.

Alas Mr. Ebert, because of the demands of parenting, I never get to go to your festival, but my own parents always bring home the program and go through what is available on my Netflix queue. Last year I enjoyed all the Werner Herzog available on DVD. I'll never forget the sweet film "Tully" from your 2004 festival.

Focus on healing. The way that you have carried on in the face of illness is inspiring to us all.

I will attempt to squeeze a novel in to two words. Well four, actually. Thank you, Roger Ebert. I'm off to the Virginia Theatre. Can hardly wait.

Roger, for years you've inspired me to broaden my film horizons beyond the famed and award honored. . Too many of today's critics are so full of themselves, they confuse preening snobism and love of special effects with true film appreciation. Even though I've sometimes been dismayed at how "wrong" you are about one film or another, your opinion has never failed to make me re-examine why I liked or disliked one we did not agree about. And isn't that what critical thinking should do? Thank you for recognizing, always, that film is artful entertainment and must appeal on some level to the eye and mind of the beholder.

You were wise to listen to advice and not travel, though I know it must be difficult to not attend Ebertfest physically, but I'm sure everyone there feels your spirit there with them.

I don't know if you've seen this one, but if not, I recommend you watch the 1976 Peter O'Toole TV film drama, Rogue Male. It's not available on Netflix, but is out on DVD. I attend a film course for Life Long Learners and it was one of the selections for our "Perilous Films" series this semester. I think it has much to recommend for next year's fest which we all know you will attend.

We miss you, Roger Ebert. My Friday ritual of opening my computer and reading your reviews while planning my weekend movie trips is something I miss very much. Whenever I see a new film, I always wonder "What would Roger Ebert think of this one?". Take your time to recover and may you and your wife keep inspiring us with your words and actions. Thank you.

With my fond admiration for the work of Rufus Sewell, I was sad to miss this one. I've always wanted the chance to ask Mr. Sewell about his creative endeavors in writing, something rarely touched on in articles about him. (And then there's his magical talent for shape-shifting into anyone, including Elvis.) In any case, I wish I had known more about this often overlooked festival, especially since it's so close to home. It'll be something special to keep in mind for next year and maybe the gracious Mr. Ebert will be in attendance to share our love of films and the gifted artists who help create them.