Many of you readers have been around to read my numerous accolades of the prolific film critic Roger Ebert of The Chicago-Sun Times. Though I have never officially met him--saying "Hi" at the Sundance Film Festival doesn't really count--I consider him a mentor. His reviews are poignantly meaningful. He has a solid grasp of U.S. and World history, U.S. and global politics, religion, social sciences, psychology, and simply an amazing understanding of the human struggle. More than not, Ebert’s reviews aren’t just about the components of the film, but also of the timeframe in which the film makes a imprint upon history.
Like his long-time film critic friend, Gene Siskel, who died of a brain tumor suddenly years ago, Ebert is a great champion of human rights. Off the top of my head, a few of his memorable reviews are: Mystic River, Ponette, Red, The Incredible Lightness of Being, Being John Malcovich, Bringing Out the Dead, Titanic, Schindler’s List, Hotel Rwanda, Crash, Saving Private Ryan, American Beauty, Munich, Eyes Wide Shut, to name a slight few.
In all, I appreciate writers who exemplify the meaning of humanitarian. Roger Ebert is such a writer.
Ebert has been battling salivary cancer for years now. He was in remission until this past month, when he underwent a second operation to remove cancerous glands. A sudden burst of a blood vessel sent him back in for an emergency operation today.
Josh Noel, Tribune staff reporter, noted the comments of the Sun-Times Editor in Chief John Barron in regards to Ebert: "Roger had bravely and successfully battled this stuff before and we hope and expect he does the same this time out."
My hopes are for a quick recovery and many more healthy years and extraordinary movie reviews.
Note: Ebert was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1975.
For access to Roger Ebert's film reviews, check out his extensive website here.
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