Ebert & Roeper

Moderator: Welcome to AttheMoviestv.com! Thank you for joining us. Roger Ebert will begin answering your questions shortly!

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Roger Ebert: Hi, this is Roger, and I'm online now. I'll start answering in about...let's see...eight minutes. To increase speed, I don't think I'll worry too much about typos.

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Roger Ebert: Seven minutes. I feel like Mission Control.

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Roger Ebert: No, I have not been drinking before my launch. :)

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Roger Ebert: Six...five...four and a half...

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Roger Ebert: Why do we have to wait until 7, anyway?

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Roger Ebert: three...

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Roger Ebert: Two...this is driving me crazy...

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itzik: Hello Ebert, I hope you are feeling better!
I would like to start off with asking: when you rate a film, do you rate it towards your target audience, or the audience the movie was targeted towards? Being a teenager, I love so many movies which you gave thumbs down to. I realize that most drama with a big touching moral almost always gets thumbs up and wins all those Academy Awards. When will Adam Sandler's movies ever win an award?

Roger Ebert: When he makes a good one, like "Punch-Drunk Love." I try to review the movies for myself. Trying to imagine a hypothetical audience is maddening.

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Gerardo: Welcome back ! Are you planning to go back and review some of the movies you missed during the past year ? I loved reading your review of "The Departed" but I hate to think you missed my favorites films of 2007 such as "Casino Royale" or "Apocalypto". By the way, one feels odd recomending Roger Ebert a movie when it has always been the other way around !

Roger Ebert: I'm doing some 2006 and 2007 movies as we speak-the best ones, which will mostly appear as Great Movies.

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Omar: This is one of the most important questions of all of American Cinema: Who is the better actor Al Pacino or Robert De Niro?

Roger Ebert: I can never decide which I like petter, peach or apple pie.

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Chelbert: When will you return to Ebert&Roeper?

Roger Ebert: I have some more surgery coming up, which hopefully will restore my voice, but there is no target date and they're doing fine without me. Another good rating for the past season. Meanwhile, I am so happy to be back in print and at rogerebert.com

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Eligio: Is there a time that the politics of a movie clashes with your politics and make a movie unwatchable?

Roger Ebert: Not if it's a good movie.

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Tom: Knowing that you could see or review many films from 2006...I was wondering what you thought your favourite film from last year was or the best one you've seen is?

Roger Ebert: Candidates: "Children of Men," "Pan's Labyrinth," "The Departed"...I missed so many...

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Tom: Was there a film that you watched when you were very sick to kind of make you feel better or cheer you up?

Roger Ebert: Oddly enough, what worked was the first film I saw, "The Queen."

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Scott: Roger, over the years, what has been among your biggest shocks upon hearing your partners review of a particular film?

Roger Ebert: Couldn't believe Siskel disliked "Apocalypse Now." He later revised his opinion.

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Mathieu: I'd like to know if there are movies that you originally reviewed as bad and that you would review as good today? For example, most critics panned Blade Runner in 1982, but it is mostly universally acclaimed today...

Roger Ebert: I liked "Blade Runner," but some readers thought I didn't like it enough. Antonioni's "The Passenger" has worn well. After it was re-cut and shortened, I liked "The Brown Bunny" a LOT more.

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Lori: Are there plans for any further Ebert and Roeper Film Festivals at Sea on the Disney Cruise Line?

Roger Ebert: I'm ready to sail tomorrow. I know Richard wants to, also. Probably in 2008.
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Eddy: Where has the studio stored these classic reviews so that they could be shown to us nearly four decades afterward?

Roger Ebert: Most of the shows before 1985 seem to be lost, but I think Disney kept the ones they produced in Uncle Scrooge's vault.

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Al.: Roger, I recently watched D. W. Griffith's Birth of a Nation for the first time; in spite of having a general knowledge of the film's subject matter, I was stunned at what I saw. How may I get beyond the film's rotten core of racism and pandering purple politics, so that I might appreciate what many say is a classic film?

Roger Ebert: I struggled with it in my review on the Great Movies section of rogerebert.com, and hope I answered some of those questions.

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Matthew: There are a handful of examples of films which received a negative review from you, but turned out to become very popular. The Usual Suspects, Snatch, Gladiator, and Fight Club were all given thumbs down by you but they are all also featured on IMDb's Top 250. Do you feel as though you were mistaken with your original thoughts, or that you were correct and their acclaim is unwarranted?

Roger Ebert: I stand by my reviews, although Usual Suspects nags at me.

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Karl:
Any films from the great land of Alaska or on Alaska that you enjoyed or recommend?

Roger Ebert: Ever see John Sayles' "LIMBO," or the Inuit drama "The Fast Runner?"

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Stan: I know you get this question very often, but speaking from a totally personal, subjective point of view, what is Roger Ebert's (the cinephile's, not the film critic's) all-time favorite movie? The one you can watch over and over again and never tire of.

Roger Ebert: "Citizen Kane"

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mitchell: what has been your most memorable experience during your time on the air?

Roger Ebert: Getting to interview Bill Clinton about his favorite movies.

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mitchell: did you feel that the Spike Lee film, "25th Hour", was unrightfully snubbed at the Oscars?

Roger Ebert: Yes. One of his best.
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anuar: Hello Roger,
First of all, congratulations in your recovery and god luck toward the future. Since you did not get a chance to post a review, I would like to hear what you thought about Alejandro Ganzelez Inarritu's Babel; I thought it was one the best movie of 2006 but I would also like to know your opinion.

Roger Ebert: I think it will be a Great Movie on my site soon.
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Marianne: I am sick of supposed comedy movies that rely on stupidity or vulgarity to be funny. What is your favorite "smart" comedy?

Roger Ebert: Go back and have a look at "The Lady Eve"
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Connor: I realize that this is probably an obvious and silly question, but how do you define a 'great movie'? How do you differentiate between a four-star film and a 'great movie'?

Roger Ebert: I actually feel a sort of tingle.

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Ben: what was your opinion of Children Of Men? It was my favorite movie of 2006, and I'm wondering if you got a chance to see it.

Roger Ebert: yes, I've seen it. I'm gradually going back and picking up some of the movies I missed, and I have a feeling it might be a Great Movie on my website

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Joseph: Have you picked a high definition format of choice for viewing at home (i.e. Blu-ray or HD-DVD) or do you actually have old film reels being projected?

Roger Ebert: I haven't jumped either way. DVDs look great on my high-def projector. I'm waiting to see which format wins.

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Bennett: Mr. Ebert, In 1999, Dean Goodhill invented Maxivison, which you said was 4 times better than the current projected image. Does the fact, that 8 years later Maxivison gone nowhere mean that the studios believe that the theater is becoming obsolete in favor of home video and it's not worth the money to upgrade to Maxivision? Thank you and keep up the outstanding work you do.

Roger Ebert: Goodhill informs me his system is still very viable, especially since IMAX is coining money and no system in existence is remotelyas good as Maxivision. Investors are still interested. If you ever saw it in a theater you'd go bananas. Spielberg or Lucas should four-wall one of their epics using it.

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Henrick: What motion picture inspired you to become a film critic and why did you decide to become one? (you are the best Mr. Ebert, God bless you and I hope you heal well and return to the balcony)

Roger Ebert: "Citizen Kane" was the movie that made me aware, as a teenager, that movies didn't make themselves, but were DIRECTED. Then at our local art theater i started going to Bergman, Fellini, etc.

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Chris: Has anyone that you know personally ever been mad about a negative review of a film that they were a part of, or has knowing someone personally ever swayed a review?

Roger Ebert: I'm glqd I live in Chi so I don't know a lot of the movie people well. It is hard to pan a friend, but I do it. The great Robert Altman once asked me, "If you never gave me a bad review, what would a good review mean?"

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LOREN: Roger, you're my heor since our days at the U of I. Did you review TOM JONES for the Daily Illini?

Roger Ebert: Nope. But I saw it at the old Co-Ed. The chicken eating scene! Smack!

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Roger Ebert: I HAVE THE SAME OBJECTION TO HOW ROSSELLINI WAS TREATED (AND DO DOES SHE, JUDGING BY HER AUTOBIOGRAPHY). BUT LYNCH IS A GOOD DIRECTOR AND I SHOULD RE-VISIT THE FILM. OOPS, SORRY FOR CAPS.

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Charlie: Still have the same thoughts on Blue Velvet 21 years later?

Roger Ebert: I still feel badly about how Rossellini wqs treated (and so does she, judging by her autobiography). But Lynch is a good director and I should re-visit the film.

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Joseph: If it were possible to live in a world where the written word was paramount, would you forgo a thumbs up and star rating?

Roger Ebert: Yes. Or lacking that, I'd like a five-star or horizontal thumb system where you could have a true middle position, which is really where I am some of the time.

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Justin: As someone who has given Quetin Tarantino four stars for almost all of his films, what were your thoughts on "Grindhouse?"

Roger Ebert: I thought his half was better than the other, and want to see the director's cut.

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JK: Did you ever read a movie review in which the critic made some valid and interesting point that you missed completely in your own experience of the same movie? In other words, where you ever WOWed by someone else's criticism?

Roger Ebert: One critic I often bow to is Stanley Kauffmann of The New Republic. But yes, any good critic can see something one missed, and vice-versa.

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Dane : (1) Why do you think that there are not as many positions open for future film critics as there are, say, sports writers?
(2) What is the biggest obstacle between the casaul movie goer who wants really good movies, and a film critic?

Roger Ebert: 1. Sports writers cover local teams. Movie critics cover national releases. But I bemoan the newspapers that are pinching pennies by firing criics. A local voice is important. 2. If they want really good movies, none.

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Katy: What was the most satisfying review you ever wrote and why?

Roger Ebert: Maybe "Bonnie and Clyde," because it got such horrible opening reviews and I thought it was a masterpiece. Or "2001," where I wrote my review the same night as the sneak preview, and was *right* when so many reviews were wrong-headed.

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Karen: What was the most difficult movie for you to review?

Roger Ebert: "Birth of a Nation." See my struggle with it on my website in the Great Movies section.

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Omar: Which director do you like better: Francis Ford Coppola or Martin Scorsese?

Roger Ebert: Do you prefer apples, or peaches?

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Nick: Is there any up and coming director or actor that you think has a big future ahead of him/her?

Roger Ebert: I think the New Mexican Cinema is on fire right now. Cuaron, Inarrituz, del Toro, excuse my spelling live online. And...Ashley Judd is not "up and coming," but in her recent films has shown amazing greatness. Rent "Come Early Morning."

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Chris: Why on earth would anyone want to watch a subtitled movie??? Especially if its in a theatre were you cannot go back if you missed anything. This is a no brainer, sure they may be good movies,but I want to watch the actors ACT , if I am constantly reading to keep up with the movie I miss seeing the film , this is what books are for.Then there is the problem of not being able to read whats on the screen when it is against a white background,Yellow should be the default colour not white. This is my big point how can you review a movie if you can not watch the expressions on the faces etc. of all the actors.

Roger Ebert: Because you don't just WATCH actors act, you HEAR them. Why rob an actor of his or her instrument? Dubbed movies sound phoned in on amateur night. And many of the best films are foreign, so don't deprive yourself. Also, don't tell a lot of people you won't go to subtitled movies. They may leap to assumptions.

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Rich: How do you feel about Beyond the Valley of the Dolls after all these years?

Roger Ebert: For what it is, it is kind of amazing. It still plays like gangbusters, and is one of the few big studio satires. I've written about it on my website.

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John: When you see the reviews you did with Gene now, what thoughts do you have?

Roger Ebert: Nostalgia. We had so much fun. I miss Roeper, too, but I shouldn't complain after being able to sit in that wonderful chair for more than 30 years. Those were the days, my friend.

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Matt: What's the most memorable on-air fight you ever had with Gene?

Roger Ebert: Maybe over "Apocalypse Now." Even more memorable were the off-air fights.

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Don: Roger, You have long championed a new A Rating for intelligent, sophisticated movies aimed at adults. But would a new Rating really change things or just be banned from newspapers ads as well as most theaters, the same as happened the NC-17 Rating before?

Roger Ebert: The A would come BETWEEN the R and NC-17, signaling adult not NOT hard-core pornographic content. It would remove the stigma of hard-core and broaden the margins for true adult films. Jack Valenti once asked me, "How can you tell if a film is hard core?" I asked him if he really didn't know, and to his credit he laughed.

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Brian:
Hi Roger - Do you ever feel that the television format limits your ability to fully convey your opinion of a film? Your written reviews have so much more depth than what you're able to say in a minute or two on screen.

Roger Ebert: They are different mediums for different purposes. It's great to be able to show scenes from a movie and discuss them. It's a best of both worlds choice.

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Lana: Why do most date movies receive bad reviews from critics?

Roger Ebert: I'd argue that only the bad ones do. On the other hand, some dating couples actually prefer a film they don't have to pay too much attention to...I like date movies like "Tully," "Come Early Morning," "Becoming Jane," etc.

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Kent: Hi Roger- If you had to see Bourne Ultimatum or Hot Rod this weekend, which would it be?

Roger Ebert: Two good movies for different moods. What are you looking for? Action or laughs?

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Neil: Having just lost Ingmar Bergman, can you talk a little about his influence on American audiences and the subsequent young turk filmmakers of the early 60's?

Roger Ebert: On rogrebert.com, I have tributes from then-young turks like Gregory Nava and David Mamet who speak eloquently of his influence on them.

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dkk: I just saw your review of Hoop Dreams for the first time. Reflections on it all these years later?

Roger Ebert: One of the best docs of all time. Astonishing, how it unfolds and climaxes like fiction! I've seen it so many times.

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Rolmos: What is your opinion on the new Asian cinema, especially the Korean industry?

Roger Ebert: The Koreans are on a roll right now, although the films are sometimes hard to fine. Have you seen "The Isle" (ouch!), "Audition" or "Old Boy?"

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ash: would you please help me understand why you thought "Bug" with Ashley Judd was such a good movie. I felt it was an incredible waste of time. Thank you.

Roger Ebert: I reviewed it on my website and tried to explain why, along with an interview with Friedkin, who I thought found rediscovered the fire of his youth.

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Russell: First of all, I would like to say that I recently purchased "Your Movie Sucks" and I have to say that I find it to be a very interesting read. But my question is: do you ever read some of the comments on movie website forums, like IMDB or Rottentomatoes? If so, have you ever considered posting at one of those sites? Thank you for your time and a speedy recovery!

Roger Ebert: I visit both sites all the time, but much more for info than opinion. I like to write with a relatively uncluttered mind. Also, many or even most of my reviews are written before any comments are posted (except possibly by publicists...have you noticed how the "Simpson's Movie" was as high as #33 on IMDB's all-time top 250 BEFORE it opened, and is currently at #116?)

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Lori: Are there plans for any further Ebert and Roeper Film Festivals at Sea on the Disney Cruise Line?

Roger Ebert: Richard and I both are very enthusiastic about doing one, maybe in the spring. If I can't talk by then, I'll wink and make interesting signals with the ship's flags.

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Jared: Are there any television programs you watch religiously?

Roger Ebert: I never miss Ebert & Roeper, which continues to be a must-view for me. You didn't ask, but I think it's TERRIFIC that 5,000 reviews are now online, including THIS WEEK'S! I don't know what it cost Disney to digitize more than 1,000 shows, but cinematical.com was just enthusing that they're FREE!

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Matt: Why did you decide to stay in Chicago and not move to Hollywood or New York?

Roger Ebert: Chicago is America's largest habitable city.

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Andrew: There's a story I heard about you visiting Russ Meyer in the hospital. Since he was suffering from Alzheimer's, he didn't remember you but was still able to point out to you how buxom the nurse was. Is this a true anecdote?

Roger Ebert: It happened in his home, where he had skilled care. The nurse was not buxom. He didn't know who I was or he was, but he noticed that. Some things must be hard-wired in the brain.

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Andrew: Do you and your wife tend to like the same types of films? And if now, who has better taste??

Roger Ebert: Chaz loves movies and knows all about them. More often than not we agree, which shows what good taste we both have.

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Andrew: Do you and your wife tend to like the same types of films? And if now, who has better taste??

Moderator: We're going to extend the live chat with Roger Ebert until 8:15 Central time. Keep those questions coming!

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Miriam: Mr. Ebert, you always say that "Say Anything" is one of your favorite teenage comedies of all time. Have any other teenage comedies taken its place so far?

Roger Ebert: Not "taken its place," but I liked "Welcome to the Dollhouse," "Election," "Clueless," the re-cut "Donnie Darko" and the new "Rocket Science." I'm probably forgetting a lot.

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Mark: Who was your favorite person to interview? Why?

Roger Ebert: Robert Mitchum, hands down. He was like watching performance art.

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Saul: Are there any great novels you've read, that you feel would work well as films, that haven't been adapted yet?

Roger Ebert: "A Fine Balance," by Rohinton Mistry, "The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay," by Michael Chabon, "The Quincunx," by Charles Palliser, Dave Eggers' "Work of Unspeakable Genius' (I always get the title wrong), any of Simenon's non-Maigret novels.

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Jared: In one word how would you describe your time with Siskel and in another your time with Roeper? How would you compare the two. And why do you think it is important to launch these old episodes of your classic show? Thanks

Roger Ebert: (1) Tempestuous. (2) Productive. I think the episodes keep alive reviews IN THE MOMENT, with all the freshness of what was almost live TV.

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Jared: In one word how would you describe your time with Siskel and in another your time with Roeper? How would you compare the two. And why do you think it is important to launch these old episodes of your classic show? Thanks

Roger Ebert: (1) Tempestuous. (2) Productive. I think the episodes keep alive reviews IN THE MOMENT, with all the freshness of what was almost live TV.

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Mark: A thought crossed my mind about what would happen if Hollywood remade Citizen Kane. If there really was a mainstream Hollywood remake of Citizen Kane, do you think legions of movie-goers would rise up against the studio producing it or would nobody care?

Roger Ebert: You could remake the story but not the film. "Kane" is great because of how it is great. Today's audiences would be indifferent, and "Kane" lovers would be outraged.

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Keith: What is your feeling about the new genre of horror films like Hostel and Captivity which they call "torture porn" or "gorenography"? Is it just that the studio's feel the audience has to be shocked instead of scared or is it the fact that torture is so in the news now that if we actually see it, we may think differently about using that as a tactic?

Roger Ebert: Some disgust me. Some can be very good. The subject matter isn't the determining factor--it's the purpose and style and artistry.

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Bobby: If someone made a film about you, who would you want to play you?

Roger Ebert: Brad Pi...excuse me, Philip Seymour Hoffman.

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Dylan: In regards to the "games as art" discussion, you wrote "Art seeks to lead you to an inevitable conclusion". Do you feel that an film with an ambiguous ending, or one in which you cannot tell the intention of its maker, is not art, regardless of any other artistic qualities it may have?

Roger Ebert: No. "Cache" and "L'Avventura" and countless other great films (even "Citizen Kane") had ambiguous endings. Ambiguity can be an inevitable conclusion

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Deb: Who actually came up with the "Thumbs Up" idea?

Roger Ebert: Me.

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Geoff : Who's amazing idea was it for putting 5,000 reviews online? Thank you, i don't have to search through old video tapes.

Roger Ebert: We have to thank Janice and Gwynne and Sal and David in Burbank, Don and David here, and for that matter, Richard, Gene and I, who all wanted them online. Disney stepped up to the plate. I think IMHO it's one of the most remarkable free resources on the web. And with that...well, we're 15 minutes over, but I have enjoyed this so much I INSIST on doing it again. Now go see a good movie.

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Moderator: That's it for tonight... Thanks for joining in for the live chat with Roger Ebert! Keep searching through the archives and enjoy the show!