Welcome to another edition of Home Video Highlights, the column dedicated to the best and most exciting titles that are brand new to Blu-ray. The releases being highlighted this week are once again from Vinegar Syndrome, the boutique label dedicated to preserving the best of cult, underground, exploitation, and sexploitation, and it’s safe to say that all those bases are covered with these three releases.
Read More: 55 Must-See Films: The 2018 Fall Movie Preview
If you are a filmmaker – or an aspiring one – and looking for a little bit of inspiration, the first release that should absolutely be sought out is “Shot.” Filmed in 1973 in Champaign, Il, director Mitch Brown and producer Nate Kohn – college students at the time – raised $15,000 by holding campus film screenings.
Continue reading Three Slices of Strange 70’s Sleaze: ‘Shot,’ ‘Dear Dead Delilah,’ & ‘Wonder Women’ at The Playlist.
Read More: 55 Must-See Films: The 2018 Fall Movie Preview
If you are a filmmaker – or an aspiring one – and looking for a little bit of inspiration, the first release that should absolutely be sought out is “Shot.” Filmed in 1973 in Champaign, Il, director Mitch Brown and producer Nate Kohn – college students at the time – raised $15,000 by holding campus film screenings.
Continue reading Three Slices of Strange 70’s Sleaze: ‘Shot,’ ‘Dear Dead Delilah,’ & ‘Wonder Women’ at The Playlist.
- 9/9/2018
- by Ryan Oliver
- The Playlist
The Ebert name is starting to move in new directions, but after 20 years, Ebertfest remains largely the same. Roger Ebert’s annual film festival, held in his hometown of Champaign, Illinois, threw a cake-and-ice-cream party for its anniversary edition but otherwise stuck to programming a familiar mix of fare the beloved film critic championed during his life and newer work chosen for its similarities to films and themes he had embraced in the past. This year, the newer selections included “13th,” “Interstellar” and “Columbus,” while choices from the Ebert vault included “American Splendor,” “Rambling Rose” and opening-night selection “The Fugitive.”
Meanwhile, Chaz Ebert, Roger’s widow and co-founder and chair of the Roger and Chaz Ebert Foundation, plans moves into film production and broader social action. She announced during the festival that she would be co-producing a biopic of Sojourner Truth, to be helmed by Lateef “Cal” Calloway, who previously...
Meanwhile, Chaz Ebert, Roger’s widow and co-founder and chair of the Roger and Chaz Ebert Foundation, plans moves into film production and broader social action. She announced during the festival that she would be co-producing a biopic of Sojourner Truth, to be helmed by Lateef “Cal” Calloway, who previously...
- 4/26/2018
- by Andrew Lapin
- Indiewire
When Roger was asked to start a film festival by Kim Rotzoll, the dean of the College of Communications at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, we had no idea it would exist 20 years later. The idea was to do a one-time festival as a follow up to the successful Cyberfest, the birthday party for Hal 9000, the computer in Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey,” who says in the movie that he was born in Urbana, Illinois. Roger had something in common with Hal 9000, he too was born in Urbana. And so Roger agreed to undertake the task. Besides, Roger was a proponent of the civilizing effect that watching movies communally could have. He said that movies are a giant machine that generates empathy, letting us know about the different hopes, aspirations, dreams, and fears of others and helps us to identify with the people who are sharing this journey with us.
- 4/18/2018
- by Chaz Ebert
- Variety Film + TV
The 18th edition of Roger Ebert's Film Festival, commonly (and affectionately) known as Ebertfest, will open with Guillermo del Toro's Gothic romance/horror hybrid, "Crimson Peak," starring Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska, and Jessica Chastain. This year's festival runs from April 13 - 17 in Champaign, Ill. Watch: "How Cannes and 'Crimson Peak' Changed Guillermo del Toro's Life" Taking place in the late film critic's home town, and now overseen by his wife, Chaz, and festival director Nate Kohn, Ebertfest is designed to "champion films that deserve a closer look," and "Crimson Peak"—which failed to find a sizable audience, earning only $31 million at the domestic box office, despite receiving widespread praise from critics for its sumptuous detail and potent symbolism—certainly fits that bill. (As an added bonus, del Toro, one of the most lively social media presences in the ranks of leading filmmakers, will be in...
- 1/21/2016
- by Matt Brennan
- Thompson on Hollywood
The American Pavilion has an amazing line up of panels this year at Cannes in the Roger Ebert Concert Center. Seating for all panels is first come, first served for Standard Members. Reserved seating is available for Red Carpet members which will be held until 10 minutes prior to start time, at which point they will be released.
Please arrive early!
Here is a detailed look at the events taking place ar the Pavilion starting Friday May 15.
Friday May 15
10:00–2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
How Advanced Imaging Techniques Should Impact the 3D Movie Experience
Workshop and reception sponsored by 3D Stereo Media, with participation of the Advanced Imaging Society, and the support of UP3D and Xpand 3D.
Walk-ins accepted if seats are available.
2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
The Casting Process
How can producers and directors collaborate with casting directors to secure the best possible cast?
-Nancy Bishop, "Snowpiercer," "Mission Impossible IV"
-Luci Lenox: "Traces of Sandalwood," "Vicky Christina Barcelona"
-Susan Shopmaker: Shortbus, "Martha Marcy May Marlene"
-Matthew Lessall: "Chronic"
Moderated by Keith Simanton, Senior Film Editor, IMDb/IMDb Pro
Saturday, May 16
2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
State of the Industry
-Rena Ronson, UTA
-John Sloss, Cinetic Media
-Linda Lichter, Attorney
-Jean Prewitt, Independent Film & Television Alliance (Ifta)
-Tom Quinn, RADiUS-twc
Moderated by Matt Belloni, The Hollywood Reporter
3:00–4:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
Sony Pictures Classic's Tom Bernard & Michael Barker
The New York Times presents the co-presidents and co-founders of Sony Pictures Classics, Tom Bernard and Michael Barker in conversation with Times contributor Logan Hill. They will discuss Woody Allen’s new film “Irrational Man,” which screened at the festival, the importance of film festivals like Cannes and the state of the movie industry, on screen and behind the scene
Sunday, May 17
12:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
Salma Hayek
The New York Times presents Oscar-nominated actress-producer Salma Hayek - "Tale of Tales," "Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet" - in conversation with Times contributor Logan Hill.
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
American Producers at Cannes
Ram Bergman," A Tale of Love and Darkness," upcoming "Star Wars: Episode VIII" and IX, "Looper"
Justin Chan and Wilson Smith, "Krisha"
Carly Hugo, "Share," "Bachelorette"
Ryan Zacarias, "Mediterranea"
Moderated by Eric Kohn, Indiewire
3:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
What Does Empathy Looks Like on the Big Screen?
If, as Roger Ebert has said, movies are a giant machine that generates empathy, what does it look like on the big screen and how do you encourage it in emerging writers and filmmakers? What implications would this have for the filmmaking industry amid a sea change in production deals and distribution? How does it affect the critical writing about films? What influences will it have for society as a whole? And is it tilting at windmills or who has done it successfully?
Chaz Ebert from The Roger Ebert Center and RogerEbert.com joins Jeff Skoll of Participant Media, a leader in telling important stories that matter; Ann Thompson of Indiewire, Thompson on Hollywood; John Sloss of Cinetic Media and Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival in a discussion moderated by Nate Kohn, Vice President of the Peabody Awards, and Festival Director of Ebertfest.
-Chaz Ebert (The Roger Ebert Center)
-John Sloss (Cinetic Media)
- Cameron Bailey (Artistic Director, The Toronto International Film Festival)
-Anne Thompson (Indiewire)
Moderated by: Nate Kohn, Vice President, The Peabody Awards
4:30–6:30 Pm
Emerging Filmmaker Showcase/ Lgbtq Showcase
Presented by American Express
10:00 Pm
Queer Night
With guest DJ John Cameron Mitchell
Monday, May 18
10:00–12:30 Pm
Student Filmmaker Showcase
Presented by American Express
1:00–3:00 Pm
Emerging Filmmaker Showcase
Presented by American Express
Tuesday, May 19
10:00–11:00 Am
TimeTalks:
Disney• Pixar’s "Inside Out"
New York Times contributor Logan Hill interviews director Pete Docter, producer Jonas Rivera, and actors Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Lewis Black and Phyllis Smith, who provide the voices of Joy, Disgust, Anger and Sadness in this original new movie.
11:00 Am
Industry in Focus:
Film Acquisitions
-Jeremy Boxer, Head of acquisitions at Vimeo On Demand
-Ben Browning, Co-President of Production and Acquisitions, FilmNation Entertainment
-Matt Brodlie, Evp Acquisitions, Relativity
-Bill Bromiley, Saban Films
Moderated by Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
American Directors at Cannes
Pippa Bianco, "Share" - Cinéfondation Competition
Jeremy Saulnier, "Green Room" - Directors’ Fortnight
Trey Edward Shults, "Krisha" - Critics’ Week
Moderated by Aaron Hillis
4:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
John C. Reilly
The New York Times presents one of the most versatile actors in movies today - John C. Reilly, who appears in three films at the festival - "The Lobster," "Tale of Tales" and "Les Cowboys."
Wednesday, May 20
10:00 Am
Oculus Story Studio
Virtual Reality Filmmaking
-With filmmakers like Spike Jonze, Robert Stromberg and Guillermo Del Toro embracing virtual reality as a filmmaking medium, meet the founding team of Oculus’ own film studio - ‘Oculus Story Studio’. Having premiered their first Vr movie at Sundance 2015 they are at Cannes to talk about learnings on Vr storytelling.
-Saschka Unseld, Creative Director Oculus Story Studio (Director Pixar’s Blue Umbrella)
-Max Planck, Cto, Oculus Story Studio
-Edward Saatchi, Executive Producer, Oculus Story Studio
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
Genre Film
Jeremy Saulnier, Director, Green Room
Mette Marie Katz, Xyz Films
Tom Quinn, RADiUS-twc
Jenny Jacobi, Drafthouse Media
Moderated by Jarod Neece, SXSW
2:00 Pm
Film Panel:
"Krisha"
Hear from the "Krisha" filmmakers that won the 2015 SXSW Jury Award and playing in Critics Week. Director Trey Edward Shults, Krisha Fairchild and other key cast and crew
Moderated by Claudette Godfrey, SXSW
Thursday, May 21
2:00 Pm
Indiewire's Screen Talk Podcast Live from Cannes with Eric Kohn and Anne Thompson
4:30 Pm
Film Panel:
"Dope"
A 2015 Sundance favorite, and playing in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight. Director Rick Famuyiwa, producer Nina Yang Bongiovi and key cast Zoe Kravitz, Chanel Iman, Toni Revolori, Quincy Brown, Kiersey Clemens, Shameik Moore , A$AP Rocky
Moderated by Jada Yuan, New York Magazine
8:00 Pm
Karaoke Night...
Please arrive early!
Here is a detailed look at the events taking place ar the Pavilion starting Friday May 15.
Friday May 15
10:00–2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
How Advanced Imaging Techniques Should Impact the 3D Movie Experience
Workshop and reception sponsored by 3D Stereo Media, with participation of the Advanced Imaging Society, and the support of UP3D and Xpand 3D.
Walk-ins accepted if seats are available.
2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
The Casting Process
How can producers and directors collaborate with casting directors to secure the best possible cast?
-Nancy Bishop, "Snowpiercer," "Mission Impossible IV"
-Luci Lenox: "Traces of Sandalwood," "Vicky Christina Barcelona"
-Susan Shopmaker: Shortbus, "Martha Marcy May Marlene"
-Matthew Lessall: "Chronic"
Moderated by Keith Simanton, Senior Film Editor, IMDb/IMDb Pro
Saturday, May 16
2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
State of the Industry
-Rena Ronson, UTA
-John Sloss, Cinetic Media
-Linda Lichter, Attorney
-Jean Prewitt, Independent Film & Television Alliance (Ifta)
-Tom Quinn, RADiUS-twc
Moderated by Matt Belloni, The Hollywood Reporter
3:00–4:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
Sony Pictures Classic's Tom Bernard & Michael Barker
The New York Times presents the co-presidents and co-founders of Sony Pictures Classics, Tom Bernard and Michael Barker in conversation with Times contributor Logan Hill. They will discuss Woody Allen’s new film “Irrational Man,” which screened at the festival, the importance of film festivals like Cannes and the state of the movie industry, on screen and behind the scene
Sunday, May 17
12:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
Salma Hayek
The New York Times presents Oscar-nominated actress-producer Salma Hayek - "Tale of Tales," "Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet" - in conversation with Times contributor Logan Hill.
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
American Producers at Cannes
Ram Bergman," A Tale of Love and Darkness," upcoming "Star Wars: Episode VIII" and IX, "Looper"
Justin Chan and Wilson Smith, "Krisha"
Carly Hugo, "Share," "Bachelorette"
Ryan Zacarias, "Mediterranea"
Moderated by Eric Kohn, Indiewire
3:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
What Does Empathy Looks Like on the Big Screen?
If, as Roger Ebert has said, movies are a giant machine that generates empathy, what does it look like on the big screen and how do you encourage it in emerging writers and filmmakers? What implications would this have for the filmmaking industry amid a sea change in production deals and distribution? How does it affect the critical writing about films? What influences will it have for society as a whole? And is it tilting at windmills or who has done it successfully?
Chaz Ebert from The Roger Ebert Center and RogerEbert.com joins Jeff Skoll of Participant Media, a leader in telling important stories that matter; Ann Thompson of Indiewire, Thompson on Hollywood; John Sloss of Cinetic Media and Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival in a discussion moderated by Nate Kohn, Vice President of the Peabody Awards, and Festival Director of Ebertfest.
-Chaz Ebert (The Roger Ebert Center)
-John Sloss (Cinetic Media)
- Cameron Bailey (Artistic Director, The Toronto International Film Festival)
-Anne Thompson (Indiewire)
Moderated by: Nate Kohn, Vice President, The Peabody Awards
4:30–6:30 Pm
Emerging Filmmaker Showcase/ Lgbtq Showcase
Presented by American Express
10:00 Pm
Queer Night
With guest DJ John Cameron Mitchell
Monday, May 18
10:00–12:30 Pm
Student Filmmaker Showcase
Presented by American Express
1:00–3:00 Pm
Emerging Filmmaker Showcase
Presented by American Express
Tuesday, May 19
10:00–11:00 Am
TimeTalks:
Disney• Pixar’s "Inside Out"
New York Times contributor Logan Hill interviews director Pete Docter, producer Jonas Rivera, and actors Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Lewis Black and Phyllis Smith, who provide the voices of Joy, Disgust, Anger and Sadness in this original new movie.
11:00 Am
Industry in Focus:
Film Acquisitions
-Jeremy Boxer, Head of acquisitions at Vimeo On Demand
-Ben Browning, Co-President of Production and Acquisitions, FilmNation Entertainment
-Matt Brodlie, Evp Acquisitions, Relativity
-Bill Bromiley, Saban Films
Moderated by Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
American Directors at Cannes
Pippa Bianco, "Share" - Cinéfondation Competition
Jeremy Saulnier, "Green Room" - Directors’ Fortnight
Trey Edward Shults, "Krisha" - Critics’ Week
Moderated by Aaron Hillis
4:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
John C. Reilly
The New York Times presents one of the most versatile actors in movies today - John C. Reilly, who appears in three films at the festival - "The Lobster," "Tale of Tales" and "Les Cowboys."
Wednesday, May 20
10:00 Am
Oculus Story Studio
Virtual Reality Filmmaking
-With filmmakers like Spike Jonze, Robert Stromberg and Guillermo Del Toro embracing virtual reality as a filmmaking medium, meet the founding team of Oculus’ own film studio - ‘Oculus Story Studio’. Having premiered their first Vr movie at Sundance 2015 they are at Cannes to talk about learnings on Vr storytelling.
-Saschka Unseld, Creative Director Oculus Story Studio (Director Pixar’s Blue Umbrella)
-Max Planck, Cto, Oculus Story Studio
-Edward Saatchi, Executive Producer, Oculus Story Studio
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
Genre Film
Jeremy Saulnier, Director, Green Room
Mette Marie Katz, Xyz Films
Tom Quinn, RADiUS-twc
Jenny Jacobi, Drafthouse Media
Moderated by Jarod Neece, SXSW
2:00 Pm
Film Panel:
"Krisha"
Hear from the "Krisha" filmmakers that won the 2015 SXSW Jury Award and playing in Critics Week. Director Trey Edward Shults, Krisha Fairchild and other key cast and crew
Moderated by Claudette Godfrey, SXSW
Thursday, May 21
2:00 Pm
Indiewire's Screen Talk Podcast Live from Cannes with Eric Kohn and Anne Thompson
4:30 Pm
Film Panel:
"Dope"
A 2015 Sundance favorite, and playing in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight. Director Rick Famuyiwa, producer Nina Yang Bongiovi and key cast Zoe Kravitz, Chanel Iman, Toni Revolori, Quincy Brown, Kiersey Clemens, Shameik Moore , A$AP Rocky
Moderated by Jada Yuan, New York Magazine
8:00 Pm
Karaoke Night...
- 5/13/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
If last year's Ebertfest was a memorial to the late great Roger Ebert, this year was a rebirth of sorts. While the festival must now exist without its namesake, what transpired April 23 - 27 suggests that there will be many more Ebertfests to come. Held at the 90-year-old Virginia Theater in Champaign-Urbana, the festival – formerly titled Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival – continued to do what it has done for the past 15 years: celebrate transcendent cinema, both old and new. As the festival director since its inception in 1998, Nate Kohn believes Ebertfest "fills its own niche." There is no submission process to get a film into Ebertfest; they choose you. There are no publicists. There are no films being bought and sold. There are no studio executives walking out of a movie 15 minutes after it has started. There are no people on their phones during the feature presentation. Ebertfest eschews the...
- 4/29/2014
- by Sam Fragoso
- Indiewire
Where are we? Where are we going? What can be be hopeful about? What do we need to be concerned about?
Vanessa and I joined Michael Barker, Chaz Ebert, and Nate Kohn at Ebertfest on Saturday, April 26th to ponder these questions. It was 9A so forgive me if I was a little sleepy and did not have much in […]...
Vanessa and I joined Michael Barker, Chaz Ebert, and Nate Kohn at Ebertfest on Saturday, April 26th to ponder these questions. It was 9A so forgive me if I was a little sleepy and did not have much in […]...
- 4/29/2014
- by tedhope
- Hope for Film
Day Two of Ebertfest began early (9 am), with a discussion panel titled “Challenging Stigma Through The Arts”, which focused on Short Term 12 and its depiction of struggling teens. The panelists, a combination of artists, critics, and social work professionals, explored the connection between trauma, expression, and the arts, as well as the progression of the kind of institutions and professionals featured in the film from the ‘80s to now. Brie Larson, the lead of Short Term 12, was particularly eloquent in speaking about her character, her preparation for the film, and the importance of embracing one’s darkness to find strength within perceived weakness. Much of the panel wound up centering on the experiences of the youth outreach professionals and ways of communicating with and helping integrate these young adults into the community. That left half of the panelists out of most of the discussion, which was unfortunate, but...
- 4/25/2014
- by Kate Kulzick
- SoundOnSight
Chicago (AP) — Roger Ebert's final blog posting last April ended with his hopeful sign-off: "I'll see you at the movies." The award-winning film critic died two days later. Visitors to the central Illinois theater that hosts the annual "Ebertfest" film festival he started now may feel like they saw him at the movies. A life-sized bronze statue of the longtime Chicago Sun-Times critic will be formally unveiled Thursday outside the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, which is next to Urbana where Ebert grew up. His wife, Chaz Ebert, described the statue as "interactive art," because it shows her late husband giving his famous "thumbs up" sign and sitting between two empty theater seats where visitors can sit. "Roger, he would feel honored that someone wanted to do this for him, but he almost would feel embarrassed because he was so modest," Chaz Ebert said. "But he would be very grateful...
- 4/24/2014
- by Caryn Rousseau (AP)
- Hitfix
The last day of Ebertfest was a thankfully calm and contemplative one. With only one screening at noon, there was plenty of time to sleep in and grab breakfast before heading back to the Virginia Theatre one more time. The day started with a video essay by Kevin Lee[/link] B. that was filmed at last year’s festival and paid tribute to Roger Ebert and his international impact. “Sight and Sound Poll: Roger Ebert’s Favorite Films” features younger critics and filmmakers from all over the world reading parts from Roger’s reviews of four of his favorite films, the four films to remain consistent between his first Sight and Sound poll list and his last. It’s a sweet essay and it was a nice way to kick off the final day of the festival.
Next up was the final film of the festival, Not Yet Begun to Fight,...
Next up was the final film of the festival, Not Yet Begun to Fight,...
- 4/22/2013
- by Kate Kulzick
- SoundOnSight
Urbana, Ill. -- Michael Esteves wakes up every day in the spot Roger Ebert called the center of the universe, and it isn't Chicago, New York or Cannes.
Esteves owns the place, in fact. He has since 2005, when he bought the two-bedroom home in Urbana where the late movie critic grew up, writing once that it was the best possible place, the hub of it all. Since then, Esteves has gotten used to students, Ebert fans and even Asian tourists stopping by in reverence to the hometown hero who made it so big.
"People in India know about Roger Ebert," Esteves marveled.
Ebert was celebrated as a citizen of Chicago and the world after he died April 4 of cancer, but his connection with his hometown – and the University of Illinois, his alma mater – was strong and permanent.
Ebert donated money and more to the school, and he helped journalism students there with advice and,...
Esteves owns the place, in fact. He has since 2005, when he bought the two-bedroom home in Urbana where the late movie critic grew up, writing once that it was the best possible place, the hub of it all. Since then, Esteves has gotten used to students, Ebert fans and even Asian tourists stopping by in reverence to the hometown hero who made it so big.
"People in India know about Roger Ebert," Esteves marveled.
Ebert was celebrated as a citizen of Chicago and the world after he died April 4 of cancer, but his connection with his hometown – and the University of Illinois, his alma mater – was strong and permanent.
Ebert donated money and more to the school, and he helped journalism students there with advice and,...
- 4/19/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Prashant Bhargava, the director of award winning film “Patang” fondly remembers Roger Ebert. Ebert loved “Patang”, gave it his famous thumbs up with four stars and invited it to his festival Ebertfest
I grew up in Chicago. I didn’t grow up with Bollywood. Before Amitabh Bachchan, I knew Roger Ebert.
My first exposure to film was watching Siskel and Ebert debate on their television show. Roger was one who made film accessible for me. From our sofa, I would jump up and at times vehemently disagree with their thumbs up or down. Other times I found myself enlightened by their impassioned discussions. From an early age, Roger, sparked my love for cinema.
Prashant Bhargava with Roger Ebert
But my father was the first in our family to actually meet him. For 17 years, he took Roger’s film criticism class at the University of Chicago’s downtown extension. Roger would pick a topic,...
I grew up in Chicago. I didn’t grow up with Bollywood. Before Amitabh Bachchan, I knew Roger Ebert.
My first exposure to film was watching Siskel and Ebert debate on their television show. Roger was one who made film accessible for me. From our sofa, I would jump up and at times vehemently disagree with their thumbs up or down. Other times I found myself enlightened by their impassioned discussions. From an early age, Roger, sparked my love for cinema.
Prashant Bhargava with Roger Ebert
But my father was the first in our family to actually meet him. For 17 years, he took Roger’s film criticism class at the University of Chicago’s downtown extension. Roger would pick a topic,...
- 4/7/2013
- by Prashant Bhargava
- DearCinema.com
Something nice happened to us while we were preparing the schedule for Ebertfest 2012, which plays April 25-29 at the Virginia Theater (above) in Champaign-Urbana, Ill. We'd invited Patton Oswalt to attend with his "Big Fan. He agreed and went one additional step: "I'd like to personally choose a film to show to the students, and discuss it." That sounded to me like a splendid idea, embodying the spirit of this festival, which combines the love of good films with volunteerism. This is a rare festival where no business takes place. No films are bought or sold. No deals are signed. It's simplicity itself: We join in a classic 1920 palace, 1,600 of us, and watch a film as it should be seen, on a vast screen with perfect sound. Then we talk about them afterwards. The festival and the theater come to us through the work of countless volunteers from the University and the community of Champaign-Urbana.
- 3/27/2012
- by Roger Ebert
- blogs.suntimes.com/ebert
Where do you like to sit when you go to the movies? I know where I do, and I even suppose I know why. I started reconsidering my thinking, however, when I read David Bordwell's enlightening new blog entry, "Down in front!"
Here is a man who recalls every film he has ever seen, and where, and when, and why, and where he sat, and usually who he sat next to. That person has often been his wife, Kristin Thompson. That they take turns writing entries on the world's best film blog may tell you something.
But wait. I am adamant about hating to make lists. Why do I go out on a limb and name the world's best film blog, when I would never name the world's best film? It's because there's no competition. If you know a better blog, please tell me. I'll start reading it.
Kristin and Bordwell are the authors,...
Here is a man who recalls every film he has ever seen, and where, and when, and why, and where he sat, and usually who he sat next to. That person has often been his wife, Kristin Thompson. That they take turns writing entries on the world's best film blog may tell you something.
But wait. I am adamant about hating to make lists. Why do I go out on a limb and name the world's best film blog, when I would never name the world's best film? It's because there's no competition. If you know a better blog, please tell me. I'll start reading it.
Kristin and Bordwell are the authors,...
- 11/26/2011
- by Roger Ebert
- blogs.suntimes.com/ebert
The 2011 edition of a movie critic's dream unreels again this week. In my own home town, I'll be able to show the films of my choice in a classic movie palace, flawlessly projected on a giant screen before a movie-loving audience. To paraphrase Orson Welles when he was given the run of Rko Radio Pictures to make his own movie, it's the biggest train set a boy could ever want.
Ebertfest 2011 runs April 27-May 1. The passes have been sold but we've always been able to find room for everyone in line inside the 1,600-seat Virginia Theater. Its long-term renovation continued this year with work on the lobby, the concession stand and the upstairs lobby. The marquee is a work in progress.
The preservation of theaters like this is invaluable; such buildings will never again be constructed, and most of our filmmakers will never have seen their films with such a large audience.
Ebertfest 2011 runs April 27-May 1. The passes have been sold but we've always been able to find room for everyone in line inside the 1,600-seat Virginia Theater. Its long-term renovation continued this year with work on the lobby, the concession stand and the upstairs lobby. The marquee is a work in progress.
The preservation of theaters like this is invaluable; such buildings will never again be constructed, and most of our filmmakers will never have seen their films with such a large audience.
- 5/5/2011
- by Roger Ebert
- blogs.suntimes.com/ebert
Mike Leigh has long been a great director, but now he is surely at the top of his form. "Another Year" has premiered here and is the film everyone I talk with loves the most. It is so beautifully sure and perceptive in its record of one year in the life of a couple happily married, and their relatives and friends, not so happy. After "Vera Drake" (2004) and "Happy-Go-Lucky" (2008), Leigh cannot seem to step wrong.
A women at the press conference asked Leigh (left) "did you have to make Mary so sad?" She might as well have asked, "did you have to make Tom and Gerri so happy? "
They're a long-married couple, played by Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen, and they seem in complete accord about their life together. They garden, they work, they welcome their friends, they hope their son will find the right girl, they are in love.
A women at the press conference asked Leigh (left) "did you have to make Mary so sad?" She might as well have asked, "did you have to make Tom and Gerri so happy? "
They're a long-married couple, played by Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen, and they seem in complete accord about their life together. They garden, they work, they welcome their friends, they hope their son will find the right girl, they are in love.
- 5/17/2010
- by Roger Ebert
- blogs.suntimes.com/ebert
Tina Mabry's "Mississippi Damned," an independent American production, won the Gold Hugo as the best film in the 2009 Chicago International Film Festival, and added Gold Plaques for best supporting actress (Jossie Thacker) and best screenplay (Mabry). It tells the harrowing story of three black children growing up in rural Mississippi in circumstances of violence and addiction. The film's trailer and an interview with Mabry are linked at the bottom.
Kylee Russell in "Mississippi Damned"
The win came over a crowed field of competitors from all over the world, many of them with much larger budgets. The other big winner at the Pump Room of the Ambassador East awards ceremony Saturday evening was by veteran master Marco Bellocchio of Italy, who won the Silver Hugo as best director for "Vincere," the story of Mussolini's younger brother. Giovanna Mezzogiorno and Filippo Timi won Silver Hugos as best actress and actor,...
Kylee Russell in "Mississippi Damned"
The win came over a crowed field of competitors from all over the world, many of them with much larger budgets. The other big winner at the Pump Room of the Ambassador East awards ceremony Saturday evening was by veteran master Marco Bellocchio of Italy, who won the Silver Hugo as best director for "Vincere," the story of Mussolini's younger brother. Giovanna Mezzogiorno and Filippo Timi won Silver Hugos as best actress and actor,...
- 10/23/2009
- by Roger Ebert
- blogs.suntimes.com/ebert
It's a good thing Ebertfest is no longer called the Overlooked Film Festival. One of my choices this year, "Frozen River," was in danger of being overlooked when I first invited it, but then it realized the dream of every indie film, found an audience and won two Oscar nominations. Yet even after the Oscar nods, it has grossed only about $2.5 million and has been unseen in theaters by most of the nation.
Those numbers underline the crisis in independent, foreign or documentary films--art films. More than ever, the monolithic U.S. distribution system freezes out films lacking big stars, big ad budgets, ready-made teenage audiences, or exploitable hooks. When an unconventional film like "Slumdog Millionaire" breaks out, it's the exception that proves the rule. While it was splendid, it was not as original or really as moving as the American indie "Chop Shop," made a year earlier. The difference is,...
Those numbers underline the crisis in independent, foreign or documentary films--art films. More than ever, the monolithic U.S. distribution system freezes out films lacking big stars, big ad budgets, ready-made teenage audiences, or exploitable hooks. When an unconventional film like "Slumdog Millionaire" breaks out, it's the exception that proves the rule. While it was splendid, it was not as original or really as moving as the American indie "Chop Shop," made a year earlier. The difference is,...
- 3/27/2009
- by Roger Ebert
- blogs.suntimes.com/ebert
The 10th Anniversary Ebertfest begins tonight in Urbana-Champaign. It is with some melancholy that I write these words on a legal pad in a hospital bed in Chicago. After consulting with my doctors, I have decided it may not be prudent to try to make the journey today with a fractured hip.
Sigh. I was really happy with this one. The films, the guests, the friends. Chaz, Nate Kohn, Mary Susan Britt and I had all the pieces in place. The only tweak I didn’t have time for was a proper full-length review of “Shotgun Stories.” It was on the to-do list. What I’m using now is what I wrote after seeing it at the Chicago Film Festival. The rest is almost a turn-key operation---the little festival that runs itself, with the help of countless volunteers.
It’s hard to express what it means to me that the festival is in my hometown.
Sigh. I was really happy with this one. The films, the guests, the friends. Chaz, Nate Kohn, Mary Susan Britt and I had all the pieces in place. The only tweak I didn’t have time for was a proper full-length review of “Shotgun Stories.” It was on the to-do list. What I’m using now is what I wrote after seeing it at the Chicago Film Festival. The rest is almost a turn-key operation---the little festival that runs itself, with the help of countless volunteers.
It’s hard to express what it means to me that the festival is in my hometown.
- 5/11/2008
- by Roger Ebert
- blogs.suntimes.com/ebert
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