It’s really amazing how fast time flies. It has already been two weeks since Roger Ebert left us, leaving a void in the film world that may never be filled. For many, his name was synonymous with the term “movie critic” with the Siskel & Ebert brand becoming a household name shortly after entering national syndication over thirty years ago. And though his contributions to his “At the Movies” show were limited starting in 2006, he still regularly updated his website with at least three to four reviews every weekend. Plus, once a month, he’d enter a new addition to his “Great Movies” list, giving us keen insight on all the great films in cinema, classic or modern. With news of his recent passing, everyone from filmmakers to the President have made public tributes to the man.
Recently, critics A.O. Scott and Dana Stevens joined legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog on the Charlie Rose program to discuss what Roger Ebert meant to them and to cinema. For Herzog, he saw Ebert as being more than just a critic, calling him “a national treasure.” Herzog continued, “He was after illumination, something about truth in cinema, and that’s how I connected with him. We always had the feeling there was something much deeper than just movies.” Also brought up in the discussion was how Ebert wrote personalized letters to a number of different aspiring filmmakers and writers, including Stevens herself.
It’s a very touching tribute and you can watch the entire 20-minute segment below. [Thompson On Hollywood]
