So Long, Roger

Roger Ebert died this week and I will miss his voice.

I started watching Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert's original TV movie review show, Sneak Previews, on PBS in the 1970s when I was in junior high school. It was a joy to see their obvious love of movies and even though they had a sophisticated understanding of film their discussions were very accessible, even to a teen. I followed them to whatever show they were hosting over the years and then, after Siskel's death, continued to read Ebert's reviews on-line over the past fifteen or so years. After I had seen a movie, Ebert's was the first review I read.

Roger Ebert was a really good guy, obviously an influential critic, and someone whose writings and opinions I always enjoyed and respected. The world has lost a unique and important voice.