Of course in Australia, we never got to enjoy S&K. A great shame. We have Margaret and David, and fellow Australians will know about them and some may well agree with me that they are both well past their use-by date, especially Mr Stratton who appears to be stuck in the 60s.
I have, however, enjoyed Roger Ebert's books of collected crits, and like the very best critics reviewed the film he saw, not what he wanted it to be and perhaps more importantly reviewed the film from basically the POV of the intended audience. And like the best critics, he was able to write spoiler-free reviews and still be meaningful about the film under review. It is such lazy film journalism/criticism to simply write "spoilers ahead". Perhaps most telling of all was his ability to review a film that he didn't like and still be a good read... a less egocentric Kael, perhaps. His collection YOUR MOVIE SUCKS is a compendium of such reviews. In Australia film criticsim is going down the same lazy path it seems to be everywhere. If folks internationall want to read the single best film critic in Australia, then go to www.smh.com.au (the Sydney Morning Herald paper... the one that isn't owned by Murdoch) and search Paul Byrnes' reviews. RIP Roger and Gene. While Roger was still with us, so was Gene after a fashion. Phil Edwards -----Original Message----- From: Kirby McDaniel [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2013 08:17 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [MOPO] Roger Ebert Passes - side story. They were known in my circles as Fatty and Sissy. Now don't any of you get your panties in a knot. :::::::}}}}}>>> Kirby McDaniel MovieArt Original Film Posters P.O. Box 4419 Austin TX 78765-4419 512 479 6680 www.movieart.net mobile 512 589 5112 On Apr 4, 2013, at 6:58 PM, David Kusumoto <[email protected]> wrote: What made Ebert and Siskel transcend other critics were their knock-down, drag-out fights on camera. One of their funniest happened on the Letterman show when they ignored Letterman and started arguing about "Free Willy" (Ebert liked it, Siskel didn't). Siskel said, "I didn't like 'Free Willy' because who likes the whale? The whale isn't good looking enough on screen to care about. I once asked Spielberg about why he likes creatures in his films and he said it's because of their eyes. In 'Free Willy,' the whale's eyes are set so far apart that you can't see them." Ebert scoffed, "This is Gene Siskel's criticism of 'Free Willy.' Gene doesn't like 'Free Willy' because you can't see both of the whale's eyes at the same time. Now that, folks, is rompin' stompin' film criticism." Siskel responded, "Well, YOU obviously identify with Willy. I wonder WHY." Ebert shot back, "Yes, and Gene Siskel will ALWAYS be bald." Letterman was in stitches and let them fight throughout their entire appearance. In the end, when it mattered most, they were pals, and Ebert repeatedly said after Siskel's deaththat he missed himevery day, that he would never have a smarter rival who was also a great friend. -d. > Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 18:11:57 -0400 > From: [email protected] > Subject: Re: Roger Ebert Passes > To: [email protected] > > Such sad news and what a great loss. > > I'll deeply miss his Twitter messages...he was one seriously prolific > "Tweeter," if that's the word. Those 144 characters regularly led me to some > very interesting reading on a number of subjects all across the web. > > I guess with Mr. Ebert's passing the "balcony is REALLY closed." > > Scott > MoPo List Owner > > -----Original Message----- > From: MoPo List [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of > Freeman Fisher > Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2013 3:54 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [MOPO] Roger Ebert Passes > > Truly a loss for all fans of film and film criticism. You may not > alway have agreed on some of his opinions, but he delivered them with > style, wit and class. > > http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/04/roger-ebert-dead_n_3016769.html Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com___________________________________________________________________How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing ListSend a message addressed to: [email protected] the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-LThe author of this message is solely responsible for its content. Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com___________________________________________________________________How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing ListSend a message addressed to: [email protected] the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-LThe author of this message is solely responsible for its content. Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [email protected] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
