The Bitter Truth is I never met film critic Roger Ebert. So I don't have any amusing stories to tell about what a great guy he was. How he did some nice things for me and my career. Hell, I don't even have a photo op to post! But hearing about his death made me think about what Roger Ebert did for me by just doing his job. Alongside Gene Siskel, he helped change my favorite movies from "Porky's" sequels and action flicks starring Chuck Norris into "Brazil", "Wings Of Desire" and "The Last Emperor." He taught me not to fear subtitles. But to embrace them. And that vintage Alfred Hitchcock and Woody Allen films are history lessons worth learning.
Sure, "Film Critic" isn't the hardest job in the world. And Ebert could often come across as pompous bordering on self parody. And over time he would give "Thumbs Up" to some pretty unwatchable foreign films, while dissing comedy gold like Vanilla Ice's feature debut "Cool As Ice." But for a moment in my youth his TV show was a guide to the amazing world of cinema. Roger Ebert will be missed and that's The Bitter Truth.
Sure, "Film Critic" isn't the hardest job in the world. And Ebert could often come across as pompous bordering on self parody. And over time he would give "Thumbs Up" to some pretty unwatchable foreign films, while dissing comedy gold like Vanilla Ice's feature debut "Cool As Ice." But for a moment in my youth his TV show was a guide to the amazing world of cinema. Roger Ebert will be missed and that's The Bitter Truth.
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