R.I.P. Roger Ebert (1942-2013)

Roger Ebert, one of the most famous movie critics of all time died today after a long battle with cancer. He was 70 years old.  For those who have been following Ebert over the years you know that he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2002. Four years later, doctors removed part of his lower jaw, preventing him from speaking and eating.  That didn’t stop the man; Ebert continued to write movie reviews and often did interviews using a speech system on his computer.

The “Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down” ratings system will always be contributed to Ebert as a fun way to grab people’s attention when he reviewed movies.  He was a fantastic writer, putting most of us to shame who will be writing posts like this today, sorry for that sir.  He was enthusiastic on TV and his The Great Movies selection of books is something to check out chronicling all his reviews of his favorite films.  There is a lengthy obituary at suntimes you should read for more on this man’s life.

I’ve been a fan of his writing and thoughts on film as far back as I can remember.  Watching him review movies I wasn’t even old enough to see yet, and when I eventually did I would go back and read what he had to say again.  Goodfellas (in the video below) is one of those movies.  It’s my favorite movie of all time and just seeing how excited Ebert gets when talking about it brings back the feeling of seeing the movie for the first time.

On his blog recently and on twitter, he chronicled his struggle with cancer and just two days ago, he penned a post saying he was taking a “leave of presence”.

“At this point in my life, in addition to writing about movies, I may write about what it’s like to cope with health challenges and the limitations they can force upon you,” he wrote. “It really stinks that the cancer has returned and that I have spent too many days in the hospital. So on bad days I may write about the vulnerability that accompanies illness. On good days, I may wax ecstatic about a movie so good it transports me beyond illness.  So on this day of reflection I say again, thank you for going on this journey with me. I’ll see you at the movies.”

RIP: Michael Clarke Duncan

Actor Michael Clarke Duncan has passed away at the age of 54. News of his health has been going around since he suffered a heart attack in July and has been receiving treatment for the past two months.

Duncan was a larger than life actor, if you remember his Oscar nominated role in Frank Darabont’s 1999 drama The Green Mile then you know exactly what I mean.  I loved to watch him making the late night talk show rounds too; he was one of the happiest actors it always seemed, he would put a smile on your face with his energy and humble attitude.

Our condolences go out to Duncan’s family and friends.  He will be missed.

[Source]

Director Tony Scott Dead of Apparent Suicide

Director Tony Scott fatally jumped off the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro on Sunday afternoon, according to Los Angeles police sources. Investigators found a suicide note in his car, which was parked on the bridge.

Law enforcement sources said several witnesses saw Scott, the brother of director Ridley Scott, climb over a fence on the bridge and jump off.

Tony Scott directed such works as Top Gun, True Romance, and Crimson Tide.  He was 68.

[Sources: LA Times, Huffington]

RIP: Nora Ephron (1941-2012)

Screenwriter and director Nora Ephron [IMDB, WIKI], who wrote such hits as When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and Julie & Julia has died at the age of 71 of complications relating to acute myeloid leukaemia.

She was nominated for an Oscar three times, but never won the award.  Ephron is survived by her husband and two sons.  She was the oldest of four sisters, all of whom became writers.

RIP: Henry Hill (1943-2012)

Henry Hill, the former mobster whose life story we all know from my favorite movie GOODFELLAS died today at the age of 69.  Hill passed away in an L.A. hospital Tuesday after a long battle with an undisclosed illness. [TMZ]

Check out his wiki page, this awesome documentary, and a great clip from Goodfellas below below:

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RIP: Sidney Lumet (1924-2011)

Director Sidney Lumet has passed away of lymphoma at his home in Manhattan; he was 86.  Lumet earned himself four Oscar nominations for Best Director, he directed classics like Dog Day Afternoon, Network, 12 Angry Men and Serpico.

Although his films never won him a Best Director award, he was given an honorary Academy Award in 2005.  One of the best films of 2007 was Lumet’s last, Before the Devil Knows Your Dead.

He leaves behind a legacy of movies and influence that generations of filmmakers and goers will admire forever.

Elizabeth Taylor Has Passed Away

Elizabeth Taylor died earlier this morning of heart failure, she was 79. Taylor had been hospitalized since February.  Elizabeth Taylor is one of the most legendary actresses in  history, notable roles include A Place in the Sun, Giant, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cleopatra, and she won the Best Actress Award for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.  Taylor made her silver screen debut as a 10-year-old in There’s One Born Every Minute.

I have seen a few Elizabeth Taylor films, and there is one word I’m sure we will hear more than a few times in the coming days, and rightfully so, and that is glamour.  Taylor was no stranger to the Hollywood life off-screen with a varied taste in romance and jewelry.  She was the first actress to earn a seven-figure salary (Cleopatra, 1963).

Taylor was well-known for her charitable work as well, she was an advocate in the fight against AIDS, Taylor was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award by the Academy in 1992.

Taylor’s publicist says she was “surrounded by her children — Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton” this morning.  The actress died “peacefully” from congestive heart failure, “a condition with which she had struggled with for many years.” The rep adds, “Though she had recently suffered a number of complications, her condition had stabilized and it was hoped that she would be able to return home.  Sadly, this was not to be.”

I’ve been through it all, baby, I’m mother courage.
Elizabeth Taylor (February 27 1932 – March 23 2011)