OTBKB is thrilled that film writer and cineaste Pops Corn has joined the team. Here's his latest, a thoughtful appreciation of Roger Ebert, who is pictured at left.
Case for debate: Roger Ebert. Did he elevate film criticism? I’ve always felt he has with his even-handedness, his perceptive analysis, his engaging writing. But as a resident of the kingdom of film snobbery, I’m fully aware that his televised thumb-wielding dumbed down serious film criticism.
If you are not a believer and need proof of his Pulitzer, I direct you to www.rogerebert.com. Since a downward turn in his battle with cancer in 2006, his writing has been exceptionally personal, direct and raw. Even in the age of blogging, his current, voluminous output still manages to disarm me. You especially don’t see it coming from someone whose pulpits have long been highly visible posts with major media corporations.
In the same vein as a BAM series from earlier this year, “The Late Film,” focusing on works from directors nearing their life’s end, Ebert's current output offer the insights of a man with little time to waste. Heart of the mater stuff with every topic given serious thought and reflection. And nearly every topic you can think of is discussed—health care, the state of movies, laying into people who have forsaken the newspaper business, advocating the use of unflattering photos of himself, political rants, whatever is on Ebert’s mind.
And I’d say that he doesn’t have any time for bullshit, but he did manage to type up a positive review of Law-Abiding Citizen. The fact that a man on his last legs could give this film a chance can only be chalked up as a testament to his love of the movies. And when he does love a movie nowadays, he really lets you know about it. Last year at this time, he gushed passionately, often and inquisitively, about Synecdoche, New York.
His work has always had value, but his work during his illness is a fascinating case study. And if it makes you really nostalgic, you can check out the At The Movies archives. where movie review clips offer a mini-history of the last couple of decades of film, including one of my favorite televised movie arguments, Siskel and Ebert grappling over Barfly.
–Pops Corn