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Celebrate Ebert and the movies

by Tyler Wilson/Special to the Press
| July 18, 2014 9:00 PM

Few writers will leave the kind of legacy that Roger Ebert earned throughout his almost 50 years in film criticism.

Alongside his longtime television collaborator Gene Siskel, Ebert and his thumbs were responsible for bringing movie criticism to the masses. Their television show may have subjected each film to a simplistic see-it-or-skip-it judgment, but the discussion was lively, and the duo often celebrated exciting filmmakers and movies that would have been otherwise lost to mainstream moviegoers.

Beyond the show, Ebert was a major force in print criticism - his plainspoken style tackling complex films and thematic elements. The new documentary "Life Itself," available on Video on Demand (VOD) services, details his career, but goes far beyond the subject of movies and how we talk about them.

For film buffs, the likes of Martin Scorsese and Werner Herzog describe the impact of Ebert's writing, and previously unseen outtakes of Siskel and Ebert's TV rivalry is a fascinating look inside an often tense relationship.

The movie tackles weightier subjects too - Ebert's battle with cancer, the physical loss of his voice, and some of his last days. Filmmaker Steve James was given unrestricted access to Ebert's home and hospital rooms in the final, painful stretch of his life.

James' images, though difficult to watch, are loving and truthful to his subject. Ebert was an early celebratory voice for James' breakout film, 1994's "Hoop Dreams," and James crafts a tribute to Ebert that also serves as a wide-reaching essay on the end-of-life struggle that so many families face.

The enduring storyline of "Life Itself" is between Ebert and his wife, Chaz. Ebert credits this relationship as the sustaining force that saved his life at many turns, including early struggles with alcoholism. Chaz is a powerful, sympathetic presence here - and her enduring love is what powers her through managing Ebert's arduous daily routines in the final months.

It's their relationship that makes "Life Itself" one of the most powerful, and ultimately uplifting documentaries in recent years, and a definite frontrunner for year-end accolades. It's a movie that transcends its seemingly narrow subject matter. Make it a point to seek it out, either on VOD or at the Magic Lantern Theatre in Spokane.

• A "Snowpiercer" update

Last week's column subject, the terrific science-fiction adventure "Snowpiercer," was recently added to VOD services, including Amazon and iTunes. It is also playing at the Magic Lantern Theatre in Spokane. See last week's column for more information, but in short, SEE IT.

Tyler Wilson can be reached at twilson@cdapress.com.