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Roger Ebert explains scuffle at Toronto Film Festival
Lou Lumenick of the NY Post whacked esteemed fellow critic Roger Ebert with a magazine after Ebert tapped him several times during a film screening at the Toronto Film Festival to try and get him to move so he could see the film.
Today, Roger Ebert, who is unable to speak after extensive surgeries from thyroid and salivary gland cancer that included the removal of his lower jaw, took to his blog to explain the situation.
"If it were up to me, you would never have heard about the incident at the Toronto Film Festival on the morning of Sept. 6 when a fellow critic whacked me with a rolled-up program or a festival binder or something. It has been blown out of proportion. It is of little interest."
"The incident remained private until today (Sept. 11), when a basically accurate account appeared in the New York Daily News. I suppose since it happened at a press screening with 500 journalists in the room, this was inevitable. Now it’s become a big deal, raced around the web, and been somewhat exaggerated."
"There are always two sides to everything. Here is mine. The movie “Slumdog Millionaire” had subtitles on the bottom right side of the screen. I was seated in an outboard aisle seat on the right. The person in front of me was leaning over into the aisle, making the subtitles impossible to read. He is not short. Because of neck and shoulder surgery I could not look around him." Lou Lumenick of the NY Post whacked esteemed fellow critic Roger Ebert with a magazine after Ebert tapped him several times during a f... more -
The Breeding Properties of M&Ms
I received this message on the blog, but it obviously fits no known topic. The author is something of a mystery: "R. Crutch," no city, no e-mail. But I felt it necessary to share with you. (Roger Ebert)
From R. Crutch:
Whenever I get a package of plain M&Ms, I make it my duty to continue the strength and robustness of the candy as a species. To this end, I hold M&M duels.
Taking two candies between my thumb and forefinger, I apply pressure, squeezing them together until one of them breaks and splinters. That is the "loser," and I eat the inferior one immediately. The winner gets to go another round.
I have found that, in general, the brown and red M&Ms are tougher, and the newer blue ones are genetically inferior. I have hypothesized that the blue M&Ms as a race cannot survive long in the intense theater of competition that is the modern candy and snack-food world.
Occasionally I will get a mutation, a candy that is misshapen, or pointier, or flatter than the rest. Almost invariably this proves to be a weakness, but on very rare occasions it gives the candy extra strength. In this way, the species continues to adapt to its environment.
When I reach the end of the pack, I am left with one M&M, the strongest of the herd. Since it would make no sense to eat this one as well, I pack it neatly in an envelope and send it to M&M Mars, A Division of Mars, Inc., Hackettstown, NJ 17840-1503 U.S.A., along with a 3x5 card reading, "Please use this M&M for breeding purposes."
This week they wrote back to thank me, and sent me a coupon for a free 1/2 pound bag of plain M&Ms. I consider this "grant money." I have set aside the weekend for a grand tournament. From a field of hundreds, we will discover the True Champion.
There can be only one. I received this message on the blog, but it obviously fits no known topic. The author is something of a mystery: "R. Crutch,"... more -
Ebert & Roeper Leave Their Job
Neither Richard Roeper nor Roger Ebert will return to their nationally syndicated movie review show, 'At the Movies With Ebert & Roeper,' next season. In a statement Monday Mr. Ebert wrote: "After 33 years on the air, 23 of them with Disney, the studio has decided to take the program named 'Siskel & Ebert' and then 'Ebert & Roeper' in a new direction. I will no longer be associated with it." Also The Associated Press reported that after eight seasons, Mr. Roeper, a columnist for The Chicago Sun-Times, would leave the show. Roeper said in a statement that he and Disney-ABC Domestic Television had failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension. Mr. Roeper also said he planned to continue as a host of a movie review show elsewhere, but did not disclose details. His last appearance was on the weekend of Aug. 16. Mr. Ebert has been on leave from 'At the Movies' for the last two years because of health problems, but he said in his statement that the trademark for the program. Neither Richard Roeper nor Roger Ebert will return to their nationally syndicated movie review show, 'At the Movies With Ebert &a... more
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Ebert, Roeper Give "At the Movies" Two Thumbs Down
Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert says he's cutting ties with the television show that he and the late Gene Siskel made famous. His announcement came a day after Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper said he was leaving the nationally syndicated ``At the Movies With Ebert & Roeper.'' Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert says he's cutting ties with the television show that he and the late Gene Siskel made f... more
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Famed Film Critic, Roger Ebert Plans On Making His Festival
Famous for ranting about films and throwing his thumbs in the air, Roger Ebert is planning on making it to his annual film festival. Ebert has been out of the public appearance game for a couple years now due to cancer treatment but has maintained his relationship with the film community through his website.
It's good to see the big guy finally getting out and about. Famous for ranting about films and throwing his thumbs in the air, Roger Ebert is planning on making it to his annual film festival. E... more -
Roger Ebert Writing Again!
Roger Ebert is going to start writing movie reviews again after some time off while battling thyroid cancer for several years.
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Roger Ebert can't speak but he's ready to start writing again
Roger Ebert will resume writing reviews later this month, but will not rejoin his syndicated TV show because he's still unable to speak.
In a letter published in Tuesday's Chicago Sun-Times, the Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic and co-host of TV's "Ebert & Roeper" said surgery in January ended in complications, and his ability to speak was not restored. He said the return of speech would require another surgery.
"But I still have all my other abilities, including the love of viewing movies and writing about them," Ebert said.
Ebert, 65, said he's looking forward to his annual film festival starting April 23. "I will resume writing movie reviews shortly thereafter," he said. Roger Ebert will resume writing reviews later this month, but will not rejoin his syndicated TV show because he's still unable to... more -
Do you Shaky Cam?
The first time I distinctly remember seeing it was in NYPD Blue back in...what...the early 90s? Since then, hyper-edited hand-held camera work has become so common that action movies that actually use tripods seem to be in the minority. For a lot of people, this culminated in the latest Bourne flick, The Bourne Ultimatum, a film which averages 2 seconds per shot and has actually caused a few people to throw up when watching it on the IMAX screen (what a dumb idea that was.)In the linked article, Roger Ebert (though only Film critic to win a pulitzer) weighs in on the whole thing.Personally I loved Bourne Ultimatum, perhaps having learned to let shaky cam wash over my irises in a zombified stupor. But for some people, it can ruin a movie. What do you think? The first time I distinctly remember seeing it was in NYPD Blue back in...what...the early 90s? Since then, hyper-edited hand-held cam... more
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Siskel & Ebert & Roeper Archived
Starting today every single review (film clips included) and debate ever featured on Siskel & Ebert (& Roeper) can be viewed on their website www.atthemoviestv.com. Trust me, this is totally addicting. Starting today every single review (film clips included) and debate ever featured on Siskel & Ebert (& Roeper) can be viewed o... more
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