A Tribute to Roger Ebert

The passing of Roger Ebert has left a big whole in the film community’s heart. In honor of the one and only Roger Ebert and the impact he made on our lives, The Young Folks staff share what Ebert meant to them. 

As a film lover first and foremost, I love reading movie reviews. I frequent Rotten Tomatoes for the latest movie reviews. I scrolled past negative, positive, whatever else with little care in the world after reading the general consensus of the film I was interested in, but if Ebert’s review ever crossed my screen, I stopped and read it in full. Roger Ebert was the king of film reviewing. I’m not sure if that’s an official title, but if there ever was a king, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who disagreed that Ebert was it. He was a major influence on so many people in his life, and I’m glad to say one of them was me. Rest in Peace, Roger. See you at the movies.  –Tyler Stevens

 

It was an honor when I finally got up the courage to talk to Roger Ebert over 3 years ago after seeing him at every film screening. I told him about my ambition of being a film critic. He said I shouldn’t limit myself. He wrote, “Start at the top.” It’s stuck with me to this very day. RIP Roger. –Jon Espino

 

Roger Ebert was a master of the written word, but he was no stranger to snark. Everything he wrote was written with such elegance and respect, much like the writer himself. There will never be another Ebert, but thanks to him, there are millions of film lovers and reviewers who enjoy trying. –Ashley Cajero

 

Roger Ebert was one of the reasons why a movie would be considered amazing or terrible, and to be following in the footsteps of the man who said, “We are put on this planet only once, and to limit ourselves to the familiar is a crime against our minds,” proves that life should be lived and you should do whatever you love. –Catherina Gioino

 

It would be fair to say that Roger Ebert was the most respected and trusted source of film criticism of his generation. When he didn’t like a film, he was direct and honest; when he did, he was quick to provide admiration and praise. His television program and, most recently, his Twitter account demonstrated to younger viewers that film is both simple entertainment as well as a form of art that should encourage intellectual dialogue. In many ways, Ebert made it “cool” to have one’s own opinion about film. Cancer may have taken him, but Ebert’s contributions to the film industry will be everlasting. For shaping the way the world experiences film through grace, humour and tasteful sarcasm, I give this legend a well-deserved thumbs up! –Andrew Hunter

 

I started reading Roger Ebert’s reviews when I was young, around 11 years old, after seeing a couple of episodes of his program Ebert and Roeper. And I felt like I understood him, as many of us did. It was strange for people of such a young age to find themselves interested in an old man agreeing or disagreeing with what they thought about a movie. That’s a powerful talent, and it’s all because he never ever stopped loving movies. No matter how intense the discussion got, he felt like it mattered, because he knew how significant every weekend box office was to the development of our young culture. I’m sad to see him go, and his passion will live on through all of us when we go to sit in front of the silver screen. –Evan Griffin

 

Roger Ebert is one of the earliest names I ever associated with cinema. Before I knew Spielberg, before I knew Scorsese, before I knew Kubrick…I knew Ebert. He took being a critic to a new level and gave all of us here on TYF a platform to look up to. –Arianny Pilarte

Roger Ebert paved the way for movie criticism. Thank you, Mr Ebert, if it wasn’t for your love of cinema, TheYoungFolks.com probably wouldn’t exist; you will continue to be an inspiration for movie lovers all over the world. – Luciana Villalba

 

If I am to ever hold a mere ounce of the intellect, optimism and writing expertise that Roger Ebert had, I will be more than content. He was the first critic that made me think that film criticism was possible; he made me love movies more, and he kept an unfettered love for cinema throughout his years that was inspiring to read. I will miss being able to say every Thursday that I need to go read what Ebert’s said. –Allyson Johnson

I was six or seven when I started watching At The Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. I always loved movies, and even though I was too young to see many of the movies that they reviewed, I was still interested in what they had to say. As years went on after Siskel’s passing, I continued to follow Ebert’s reviews and thoughts on film. He had a way of writing that made his opinion seem extra special, extra precious. His praise was wondrous, and his criticism was thoughtful and delightfully (and sometimes harshly) snarky. He was an inspiration and will remain so for years to come. Thank you, Roger Ebert, for paving the way for me and other young folks who live, love and breathe film. –Gabrielle Bondi

Rest in Peace, Roger Ebert. (1942-2013)

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