I was certainly not a follower of Roger Ebert's, girls--I was clearly a "Paulette" (Pauline Kael!!!!!!!)--but there is, and was, no denying Ebert's presence as a film critic.
And you have to hand it to someone who puts it out there to admitting he wrote the screenplay to "Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls!" Even, if, despite the campy title and Russ Meyer, it
is one of the most boring movies I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!
Depending upon how you look at it, Ebert either mainstreamed or "dumbed down" film criticism; that is, he made it accessible to non-cineastes. I can't say I was always crazy about that, darlings, but there was no denying he had a passion and commitment to film, which earned him the respect of many he otherwise might not have received.
And how valiantly he struggled with his health. It was painful to watch what his illness did to his pugnacious appearance, but Roger put himself out there, out front and proud! I had hoped he had beaten the battle, but, just days before his death, it was announced, things were worsening, I felt sad, but did not anticipate his passing so soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Roger Ebert was just 70! Just! To think there was a time when I thought that age ancient!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As one media person said, "Siskel and Ebert are now together again."
Both their memories will live on, as we continue to see them, in spirit, at--where else??????--the movies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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