Roger Ebert’s Best of 2010 and Date Set for ‘At The Movies’

Earlier this year ABC had decided to officially cancel their long-running movie review show At The Movies (which turned to awful when Ebert called it quits). Ebert later hinted that he was working on a new movie review show of his own. Now it’s finally here: At The Movies will be re-launching January 21st on PBS.

The new show will not be hosted by Ebert, but he will use his computer voice to appear on each episode with a segment called Roger’s Office, taking a look at classic, overlooked and new films. The new hosts will be Christy Lemire of The Associated Press and a yet to named replacement for Elvis Mitchell (see pilot below) formerly of the New York Times, who will bring back the classic Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down rating system.

A pilot for the new-format At the Movies was shot earlier this summer, see it below.  Over the last few years, Ebert has become one of the most popular opinions on the Internet. His Twitter and blog are read by millions.  He has recently posted his top picks for best movies for 2010.  Check them out here. (more…)

Roger Ebert Relaunches At The Movies on PBS

It’s easy to dismiss Roger Ebert as the most read and followed movie critic of all time; so he didn’t like a movie you liked – it’s not really the point I have come to realize. I read his weekly blog and reviews, even for films I have no intention on seeing and even if I disagree with his dissecting of the film. He’s a brilliant writer and has no reason to cater to anyone’s opinions.

Earlier this year ABC had decided to officially cancel their long-running movie review show At The Movies (which turned to awful when Ebert called it quits). Ebert later hinted that he was working on a new movie review show of his own. Now it’s finally here: At The Movies has been restored to its rightful owner, and in January 2011 it’s going to be re-launching on PBS under his guidance. Here’s what Ebert had to say:

“This is the rebirth of a dream…I believe that by returning to its public roots, our new show will win better and more consistent time slots in more markets. American television is swamped by mindless gossip about celebrities, and I’m happy this show will continue to tell viewers honestly if the critics think a new movie is worth seeing.”

The new show will not be hosted by Ebert, but he will use his computer voice to appear on each episode with a segment called Roger’s Office, taking a look at classic, overlooked and new films. The new hosts will be Christy Lemire of The Associated Press and Elvis Mitchell of NPR, who will bring back the classic Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down rating system.

A pilot for the new-format At the Movies was shot earlier this summer, and a sampling of that taping has been posted below.  Over the last few years, Ebert has become one of the most popular opinions on the Internet. His Twitter account is always going and his blogs as I mentioned are read by millions. Earlier this year we posted a few spots about Ebert recovery and health since his battle with cancer.  See him get his voice back here and bookmark his blog.

Roger Ebert’s Sex And The City 2 Review, In Quotes

Oh Roger, never change.  This might be the funniest review the great Roger Ebert has ever written.  I figure you can go read the whole things here, but also that I would provide some of the best quotes from his review.  Sex And The City 2 opens this weekend?  Looks racist and stupid, so it will be #1.  Ebert goes to say:

“Some of these people make my skin crawl…their defining quality is consuming things. They gobble food, fashion, houses, husbands, children, vitamins and freebies. They must plan their wardrobes on the phone, so often do they appear in different basic colors, like the plugs you pound into a Playskool workbench.”

“…marital crisis., Carrie thinks they should talk more. But sweetheart, Mr. Big has nothing to say. At least he’s provided you with a Manhattan apartment that looks like an Architectural Digest wet dream.”

“Miranda is a high-powered lawyer who is dissed by her male chauvinist pig boss. Samantha is still a sexaholic slut. Charlotte has the two little girls she thought she wanted, but now discovers that they actually expect to be raised. Mothers, if you are reading, run this through your head. One little girl dips her hands in strawberry topping and plants two big handprints on your butt. You are on the cell to a girlfriend. How do you report this? You moan and wail out: “My vintage Valentino!” Any mother who wears her vintage Valentino while making muffin topping with her kids should be hauled up before the Department of Children and Family Services.” (more…)

I Spit On Your Grave Trailer, Ebert’s Most Hated Movie

One of the most hated controversial movies of all time is getting a remake, and the first teaser trailer has finally arrived online. Meir Zarchi’s I Spit On Your Grave is a rape revenge movie that was released back in 1978, Roger Ebert wrote that this was the worst movie that he had ever seen, referring to it as “a vile bag of garbage…without a shred of artistic distinction,” adding that “Attending it was one of the most depressing experiences of my life.”

So the remake is going to be great!  I Spit On Your Grave is expected to hit select theatres this September; check out the trailer. (more…)

Roger Ebert Presents At the Movies

Yesterday we learned about the cancellation of At the Movies, something I saw coming after Richard Roeper left the show.  Roger Ebert has since announced that he and his wife Chaz (seen here on Oprah with his new voice) will produce a new movie review television show tentatively titled Roger Ebert Presents At the Movies.  At the Movies will end in August after 35 years.

“No, Wednesday’s cancellation of At the Movies hasn’t discouraged us,” Ebert wrote on his blog on Thursday. “We believe a market still exists for a weekly show where a couple of critics review new movies.”  “The Thumbs will return,” Ebert says.  Also saying a host has been selected and that the show, which will encompass everything from big money blockbusters to low-budget indie films, will have a huge presence on the web and other new media platforms.  The film critic added that he would also like to make “occasional appearances” on the air.

This is great news.  If you’re like me and keep up with Ebert on his blog and weekly movie reviews, you know that the guy can give you some confidence in life, for me it’s to be a better writer and reviewer.  What can I say; he makes me want to be a better blogger. (more…)

Reel: Roger Ebert on Oprah, His Oscar Picks

Roger Ebert was on Oprah this past Tuesday to discuss his now beaten cancer and how he his regaining his voice via technology.  Pretty crazy stuff.  As we noted before, he had recorded commentaries for several DVD movies before he lost his voice [Citizen Kane being one of the best he did, a must listen]. A Scottish company called CereProc blended digital recordings of Ebert speaking to make his text-to-audio voice.

Here he is on Oprah giving his Oscar predictions and such, seeming well happy:

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Ebert Found His Voice, Pretty Amazing

Roger Ebert lost his ability to speak after surgery for cancer.  He had recorded commentaries for several DVD movies before he lost his voice [Citizen Kane being one of the best he did, must listen]. A Scottish company called CereProc blended digital recordings of Ebert speaking to make his text-to-audio voice.  Ebert says it has has helped him regain a voice his grandchildren can recognize, and as you will see in the clip below, as does his wife Chaz.

Ebert lost his ability to speak after surgery for cancer.  He has been doing a lot of writing online, reviews and a blog. Ebert writes that the voice will be heard predicting Oscar winners on a segment of The Oprah Winfrey Show airing Tuesday.  He says he may be able to use the voice for radio and webcasts.  I continue to be impressed by how Ebert is living his life.

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