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Death of a Mensch, Roger Ebert, R.I.P.

Once Upon a Time at the Chicago Sun-Times

Rick Kogan has written a fine obituary, "A film critic with the soul of a poet," with a beautiful lede: It was reviewing movies that made Roger Ebert as famous and wealthy as many of the stars who felt the sting or caress of his pen or were the recipients of his televised thumbs-up or thumbs-down judgments. But in words and in life he displayed the soul of a poet whose passions and interests extended far beyond the darkened theaters where he spent so much of his professional life. Kogan, at the Chicago Tribune for many years now, used … [Read more...]

They Called Him ‘Mister Mooch’

An elegy on film for Carl Weissner ... ... by Signe Mähler and Cody Maher. … [Read more...]

Who Is Heathcote Williams? Not for Sale, That’s Who

Heathcote Williams, in "Wet Dreams" [1974]

"He is one of a few of genius who did not sell out and who peaks in (relative) old age. That’s quite something nowadays." -- Gerard Bellaart +++ "Fame is the first disgrace because God knows who you are." -- Heathcote Williams, "The Local Stigmatic" +++ The videos comprise Parts 1 and 2 of a semi-sendup documentary from Channel 4, "Every Time I Cross the Tamar, I Get into Trouble." It was broadcast in 1993 as an account of some of Heathcote Williams's work and Al Pacino's obsession with his writing, and includes an interview … [Read more...]

Godfrey Reggio’s Vision of ‘Life Out of Balance’

A day in February, 1983. Godfrey Reggio is standing in front of the old Reichstag in Berlin. A tall, gaunt man with pale blue eyes and a graying beard that looks like stubble, he has just presented Koyaanisqatsi at the Berlin Film Festival. The notices have been gratifying. One critic called it "a masterpiece . . .  the highlight of the festival." Trained from adolescence in the ascetic self-effacement of the Christian Brothers, a rigorous order of Catholic teaching monks, Reggio nonetheless has a self-indulgent urge. He wants to bask in … [Read more...]

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