Roger Ebert, the man who led film criticism into the mainstream and public consciousness, had died. He was 70 years old.
Growing up into the film lover and movie reviewer that I am today, it wouldn't have been possible in any stage without Ebert. He was always on the grandest stage to proclaim the joys of cinema and to shine the spotlight on features that may have gone unnoticed without the Chicago native's voice and his ever present thumb. He made reviews digestible for easy consumption yet still could wax philosophically and elegantly. Like any cinephile with an opinion, I didn't always agree with the man on certain films or some of the text written up for them. Despite disagreeing with him often, he never lost my respect, not even with his controversial view in the video games as art debate.
"At the Movies" and its long evolving path before being cancelled in 2011 has always been there through my many stages of life. Along with his combative yet always friendly comrade Gene Siskel, as well as several guests and Richard Roeper, he helped make film discussion as vibrant and entertaining as it truly is. Even after Siskel tragically passed away and he himself began to suffer from ailments, including the lose of his jaw and vocals, the man never gave up and embraced the virtues of the internet, which he saw as the next venue for film criticism and debate.
Before today's shocking news, he issued a statement just yesterday that he would take a "leave of presence", to diminish some of his duties but still have the time to spend on the films he truly loved.
As of this moment, the news and sorrow has spread and his personal website is still down. He leaves behind his loving wife and supporter Chaz Ebert, a multitude of projects including his annual film festival, and the global audience that loved him and helped him through the pains of his life, just by spending a little time to talk about the latest issues and movies.
He will sorely be missed.
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