Remembering Roger Ebert

I really was stunned and saddened to hear that Roger Ebert died. He was such a constant in my media life. I loved his writing and his lively discussions on At the Movies with Gene Siskel and later with Richard Roeper.

For a few years I took Roger’s film class through the University of Chicago’s adult ed program. It was tough to get a seat in the class. The first time I took it we watched Paul Schrader‘s films and Schrader even came to our class to screen Light of Day.

The following semester to cut down on students who would have to be turned away when the class moved from Spertus College to a screening room on Michigan Avenue, Ebert chose to focus on films by French director Robert Bresson. Bresson’s films are tough as he rejects everything Hollywood loves: surprise endings, professional actors, music, you name if it’s in a blockbuster, it’s not an element of a Bresson film. I love a good challenge I signed up again. Even in the smaller new space, the class was full and some were turned away. A lot of the people had been taking the class for 18 years by then and many were knowledgeable film viewers. Ebert never put anyone down or carried himself as if he was smarter or better than us. In fact, several times he’d point out that the only reason he was teaching the course was the roll of a die. Hardly, since he was an expert, but he conducted the class with such respect for all.

Usually the class followed the films of one director and we were able to see his evolution or what made him tick. I recall taking the Schrader, Bresson, Billie Wilder classes, but I think there were others. I do remember winning the Beat Roger Oscar contest in the class one year. Talk about a fluke. I got 8 or 10 books, one autographed, which I’ll have to dig out.

Beyond the class, Roger’s website and reviews continued me to seek out challenging films, to expand what I watched. Thus I discovered great films, old and new.

I admire how Roger wrote, how he curated outstanding web content on his blog, how he taught me to view films and how he exhibited joy in film. He wasn’t just a public intellect, he was a happy one. How often do we see that? He cared passionately about film, didn’t take himself to seriously, was honest about his likes and dislikes – even his early feelings for Siskel. He lived well. I was always awed by how bravely and openingly he continued to live and work while battling cancer.

It’s sad that he lost that battle, but we were lucky to have him all these years. For a reminder of Ebert’s passion and insight, take a look at the Chicago Tonight video, which you can watch online here.

Related stories

• NPR’s Fresh Air remembers Roger Ebert
• Chicago Tonight on remembers Roger Ebert
• An interview with Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel
• Roger Ebert: Life Itself
• Roger Ebert, Film Critic and Co-Revolutionary? (boiseweekly.com)
• Rest in Peace: Roger Ebert (1942-2013) (weminoredinfilm.com)
• RIP Robert Ebert, 1942-2013 (artpredator.wordpress.com)
• Obama: ‘Movies won’t be the same’ without Roger Ebert (politico.com)
• A Look Back At Siskel and Ebert (on.aol.com)
• One of the best video farewells to Ebert I’ve seen (spontaneousderivation.com)

For Valentine’s Day: Best Romantic Comedies

For me Nora Ephron leads the pack for modern films and Audrey Hepburn stars in some of the best “oldies.”

1. You’ve Got Mail with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. As a book lover the loss of the book store adds poignancy.
2. Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn, William Holden and Humphrey Bogart. A perfect Cinderella story.
3. When Harry Met Sally with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. Just perfect. I loved the scenes with the older couples.
4. Notting Hill, with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.
5. My Fair Lady, a musical based on Shaw’s Pigmailion, starring Audrey Hepburn and Harrison
6. Roman Holiday, Audrey’s break out film with Gregory Peck.
7. French Kiss, with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline, you get to see France and Ryan. The film’s not terrific but the setting and Ryan make it worthwhile.
8. Annie Hall, a Woody Allen classic, starring Diane Keaton. Sometimes moving on is the happy ending.
9. Something’s Gotta Give, Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson show that even those over 35 can find new love.
10. Philadelphia Story with Katharine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant.

I admit I like any romantic comedy with a smart heroine.

Related articles

• 20 Best Rom-Coms To Make Your Valentine’s Day Complete (923now.cbslocal.com)
• 10 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time! (thenew1037.cbslocal.com)

Hansel und Gretel

The Lyric Opera of Chicago is presenting Engelbert Humperdink’s (the original Humperdink, not the pop singer) Hansel und Gretel. As you’d expect the music was heavenly and the story was compelling. This version emphasized the hunger and poverty this family experienced. The first act portrays how this family has no food other than a small jug of milk, probably 2 cups full, hardly enough for a family of four. The children lament how they’re starving and long for food. During the pre-opera lecture, we were reminded  that before a neighbor gave Hansel and Gretel‘s family the milk, the probably hadn’t eaten breakfast or dinner the night before. Yet when they get rambunctious and are cavorting around the kitchen they break the milk jug losing the only food the family has.

The mother returns and is furious when she learns that the milk’s gone. She sends Hansel and Gretel into the forest to get a large bowl full of berries. After they leave, their father returns and fortunately, he’s sold all his goods, the brooms he makes, and has bought a large bag of food. Their problems are over. When father learns that the children are off in the woods, he’s alarmed. The forest is dangerous. A terrible witch who preys on children lives there. What was mother thinking?

The second act is set in the forest, done with a minimal naturalistic style, with dark, foreboding visuals. Again the music is moving and the visuals compel. The highlight of the act was when the children say their prayers singing to the 14 angels who protect them.

Opera newcomers would appreciate this performance as the story is so familiar and the music is beautifully sung. There are some differences from the cozier versions of the story we usually hear. The mother is not a stepmother. The scenes with the bread crumbs aren’t here and we don’t see a colorful candy house. So the artistry of the sets isn’t what you’d expect, but the visuals do express the theme of hunger and hard times well.

All in all, this production of Hansel und Gretel pulls us in from start to finish.

Related articles

• Hansel and Gretel Mexico Premiere (cinemageek.co.uk)
• Hansel and Gretel: The Evening Prayer (Hänsel und Gretel – Abendsegen) (christianfantasyforwomen.com)
• Hansel and Gretel (annestormont.wordpress.com)
• Hansel and Gretel – review (guardian.co.uk)
• Hansel and Gretel (Grimm’s Fairy Tales – 16) (mythologystories.wordpress.com)
• A Freudian Nightmare (Chicago Classical Review)
• Lyric’s Hansel and Gretel
• Hansel und Gretel (Chicago Theater Beat)
• Review: Hansel and Gretel (timeout chicago kids)

The Hobbit

I enjoyed The Hobbit when I read it for the first time last November. I’m not a fantasy fan normally, but I liked the characters and wit in The Hobbit.

I saw The Hobbit’s 3D IMAX version and it was the first time for me to see a 3D film, which I found kind of cool, but not necessary. In fact as the story progressed, the 3D aspect was rather distracting.

As I watched The Hobbit, I wondered about the frame with some old guy I didn’t know since I haven’t seen The Lord of the Rings going about writing and explaining why he was writing the story of Bilbo Baggins. I’d have cut that as I don’t think Peter Jackson needed this extra link to his first trilogy.

I thought Martin Freeman and Richard Armitage, old “friends” from Sherlock and MI-5 respectively, were good. All the actors were. What I had problems with was the extras stuffed into the film. I didn’t need the high octane fighting scenes and the drawn out CGI effects. Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.

Jackson’s imprint is bold in this film as the tone differs from Tolkien‘s novel. I thought the best parts of the film were Tolkien’s wit and gentle narration. The scene where the mountains and rocks came to life to do battle was just bizarre. I left the theater rather worn down by the clamor and epic, slick action. Again, I often felt I was watching a computer game.

I’m glad I saw The Hobbit, but don’t feel I need to see two more films in this trilogy, that could easily be one film. I think Peter Jackson just wants to milk the story and beef up ticket sales. I agree with Salon writer Ilana Teitelbaum who thinks “Hollywood” has stripped The Hobbit of its poetry.

Related articles

• Where Tolkien’s roots won’t get to middle-earth (thehindu.com)
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) (pilgrimswatch.wordpress.com)
• The Hobbit: Why Are There No Women in Tolkien’s World? (ideas.time.com)
• The Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey at top of New Year box office (telegraph.co.uk)
• MTV’s Steven Smith On ‘The Hobbit’: Insert Bad Tolkien Pun Here (geek-news.mtv.com)
• 34 Hobbit-Inspired Designs – From Hobbit-Inspired Face Warmers to Mini Hobbit Homes (TrendHunter.com) (trendhunter.com)
• Of Hobbits and Contracts (lawprofessors.typepad.com)
• THE HOBBIT – Freeman and Cumberbatch Discuss Smaug (geektyrant.com)
• ‘Hobbit’ film technology a bit much? (sunnewsnetwork.ca)
• The Hobbit (thefibernest.com)

The Last Lines of The Great Gatsby

Roger Ebert video taped Bill Nack reciting these perfect lines.

Remember Bob?

Classic comedy, indeed. I wish he was still on the air.

A Quick History of China

By John Green, a novelist you can trust.

Spalding Gray: Our Town

A friend, Sandra blogged about Our Town and included the YouTube video above. I love the play and watched the video.

This Our Town scene was extra poignant because it features the wonderful monologuist Spalding Gray, who, sadly killed himself a few years back. In Japanese they have a tendency to let sadness just ring like a bell. That’s how this made me feel.

I also like the My So-Called Life scene below.

CBS Radio Mystery Theater

When I was growing up in the 70′s, I’d listen to CBS Radio Mystery Theater before going to sleep. I loved how radio stimulated  my imagination, how enthralling the stories were.

I just discovered that they’re all online, available at http://www.cbsrmt.com/.  It’s a fun, nostalgic journey.

A Gem: Chicago’s Music Box Theater