'Roger Ebert'

'Roger Ebert'

When I was younger and getting into my deep love of movies I started to watch a movie review show on television. It was on PBS and it had two movie critics on the show and they looked funny to me but they turned out to be the biggest influences in my life. Here were two men who loved movies as much as I did and spoke about them with great love and passion. Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert were and will always be the most influential and best movie critics ever to me. I agreed most of the time with them and oh yes a lot of times I was mad at them and disagreed vehemently but 90% of the time I thought they were right. Later I started to do my own reviews and my style was greatly influenced by them. Without their show I would have never seen small, independent masterpieces like the movie "One False Move" which is one of my all time favorite movies. They helped and championed small movies that could have been lost forever if no one would promote them and make people aware of them. Sadly Gene Siskel passed away too soon and created a big hole in my heart. Ever since his passing whenever I see a movie I always think what would Siskel think about this.

Roger Ebert would get another worthy partner to replace Siskel when he gave Richard Roeper a chance to do another show with him. Roger Ebert is not only a great movie critic but also a fantastic writer. He doesn't waste any words and he speaks so you can understand him when other critics try to be elitist and use big words. Roger is more like the regular moviegoer, he is more in touch with what a movie lover thinks. I sometimes think most critics actually don't love movies and see it as just a job. Even though I am still mad at him for not liking "The Untouchables", "Full Metal Jacket" and "The Natural" I still can read the reviews and understand his criticisms.
Through the years I have really never missed a show that involved Roger and I looked forward to seeing the show every week. Sadly a few years ago Roger Ebert was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and through numerous surgeries lost his ability to talk and eat. At first I was deeply shocked and sacred that I would lose Roger and that now both him and Gene would be taken from me too early. Now Roger Ebert to me is seen in a whole different light and that is as a very brave and strong hero. His love of movies would never stop his drive to see everything and to give us his opinion. The courage that Roger has shown through his ordeal is amazing and very touching. Even more special is the love and support of Roger's wife Chazz. Her courage is also impressive and proves that behind every great man is indeed a great woman. So here I am watching "The Oprah Winfrey Show" the other day and Roger and Chazz were her guests as they went over the upcoming Oscars. Now I never watch Oprah and would only watch if someone like Roger was on or if she promised I would win a million dollars if I watched. I don't care much for her or her show but the one thing she does well is promote great profiles of courage. She did a tremendous job on this show and made it a very touching and powerful experience. She gave us insight into the new computer software that has given Roger back a pretty close approximation of his real voice. The men who worked on this new technology are heroes to me for they gave a little bit of the old Roger back. There was also a very powerful moment where Chazz read off a note that Roger wrote and to prove how great Roger is as a writer I thought I would share it here. These words could apply to anybody and to any obstacles that might challenge anyone.

"I believe that if at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier and something to make ourselves a little happier. That is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the World. That is true no matter what our problems, our health or our circumstances, we must try. I didn't always know this and I am happy that I have lived long enough to find it out."

Well Roger, you have made my life a little happier for your love of movies has made my love of movies stronger. I am grateful for your passion, dedication, strength and love of movies. You have meant a lot to me in my life and I enjoy all you have contributed to the movies. Your writing is a great influence and your bravery is admirable. Roger proves that no matter what struggles, pain or major road blocks you encounter in life, nothing could ever kill your passion and desire to keep doing what you love to do. You have touched many lives over the years including this movie lover. Thank you Roger!