Quote of the day

" I believe that if, at the end, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world."

--Roger Ebert, June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013,  American journalist, film critic and screenwriter. The Chicago Sun-Times said he "was without question the nation’s most prominent and influential film critic,"[10] and Forbes described him as "the most powerful pundit in America".[11] He was both the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize, and the first to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Ebert was primarily known for his film review column (in the Chicago Sun-Times beginning in 1967, and later online)[12] and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The Movies, which he co-hosted for 23 years.

May he rightly rest in peace.

Links:

http://www.salon.com/2011/09/15/roger_ebert/

Roger Ebert - Wikipedia

Yo, Republicans. Hypocritical much?

From the news:

Republican National Committee used Philippines firm to set up call blasting Obama on unemployment

Link to original article: http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2012/05/republican_national_committee_21.html

Roger Ebert on a Missouri Film Festival

The extremely well-known film writer and critic Roger Ebert posts today on Facebook and his blog today about a regional film festival here in Missouri: "This event at the University of Missouri is a good example of a film festival that has defined a role for itself, and built up a loyal audience over 10 years. Why spend a fortune to go to Cannes when there may be a terrific event like this nearby? Kevin Lee is a well-known blogger and was our correspondent at True/False." Link: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120306/FILMFESTIVALS/120309991

Quote of the day--

From "All the Lonely People":

"Alcohol makes you feel better and then makes you feel worse and then remorselessly very bad indeed, but then alcohol will make you feel better again. It is the cure for the dog that bit you, and how easily you forget it is also the dog. Good Doctor Schlichter told me, 'It is the one relationship you have learned to count on, with the bottle.'
Thank God I found sobriety. I could sustain myself with my work, my reading, the movies, my friends. And walking, walking, walking. Of all the purposes of education, I think the most useful is this: It prepares you to keep yourself entertained. It gives you a better chance of an interesting job. Those who stare at the TV for hours might as well be sitting on a stone under a tree in a primeval village; indeed, that might offer more interest and variety."    --Roger Ebert, from his journal, literally, "Roger Ebert's Journal"

If you weren't familiar with Mr. Ebert's writing and journal before now, you might want to check it out.  His writing is frequently as good each day as it is with this entry.  (See link below)

I post this line because I liked it and think it somewhat important.  The rest of the column is really much more personal about loneliness, possible loneliness, computers, the internet and our modern age.  He writes beautifully, very personally and with terrific insight.


Have a terrific weekend, y'all.

Links:  http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2010/11/all_the_lonely_people.html
http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/