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Martin Scorsese and Steve Zaillian are teaming to produce a documentary on Roger Ebert inspired by the film critic’s 2011 memoir Life Itself. Steve James, who directed the doc Hoop Dreams, will helm it. Garrett Basch is producing, Scorsese via his Sikelia banner and Zaillian via Film Rites are exec producing, and James’ Kartemquin Films also will produce in some capacity. Ebert has been reviewing films for the Chicago Sun Times since l967 and on TV for four decades, and he was the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize. His personal life, detailed in the book, include bouts with alcohol and thyroid cancer that cost the critic his voice and parts of his jaw and shoulder. Despite that he remains a vital voice in the film world and has more than 700,000 Twitter followers. “Roger’s life has so much to say about movies over the last 30 to 40 years. And as his memoir makes so clear, his story is also one of great personal struggle and triumph. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Steve and Marty to tell this poignant and entertaining life story.” Ebert was repped in the deal by IPG’s Joel Gotler and Brian Lipson.
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I can only IMAGINE what the Hollywood liberal/commie has to say.
I worked in television news for more than forty years and witnessed the consultant driven campaign to enforce the American publics’ decreasing depth of knowledge about the real world, economics, etc. It is entirely appropriate that Hollywood will do a biopic about a film critic, especially when Roger was the bright one.
Didn’t he have a Biopic already, in the form of a cartoon series that was cancelled twice on TV: The Critic with Jon Lovitz?
Flippin’ LOVE Roger. His politics have become a bit more shrill over the years, and his reviews a bit less nuanced, but he is the first place I still go to on Thursday evening to check for a movie review. I’m man enough to admit my own film criticism lifts liberally from Mr. Ebert’s voice and style.
I still miss Gene (Siskel), but “Rodge” was/is always my fave! Can’t wait to see this new film based upon his terrific memoir. Now, i just need to go be disappointed by “The Words” this weekend, let-down easily by Roger Ebert’s (probably) spot-on review giving it a rather tepid two stars!
Gene Siskel was the best. Wish they’d do a documentary on him. I thought he was braver and more honest in his reviews than Ebert.
“Braver?” What in the hell does bravery have to do with an interview? I’ll bet you voted for hope and change. Please don’t reproduce.
Sounds numblingly BORING…
agreed, BORING BFD
Vile little man. A misanthrope and elitist. His criticisms are shrill and hopelessly subjective. As far as talent is concerned, look at the movie projects with which he’s been associated. Pure trash, if I’m being generous. A movie about him will be a delusional puff piece, but probably better than anything he could create.
How could a film exclusively about a film critic, and one who is not very insightful, possibly be of interest to anyone? All Ebert has ever done is to talk about work created by others. It is a perfect example of media narcissism. I can only hope for a biopic on the life of Katie Couric!
I do not believe that I have ever read a greater misjudgment about a person in my life.
Yes you have.
Every time you read Obama’s approval rating….
@Morrigan- Remind me to never play Scrabble with you. “Vile”, “Misanthrope”, “shrill & hopelessly subjective”. Always refreshing to see English being used well. Nicely done.
Yeah, there’s nothing I hate more than a subjective film critic. The nerve of that guy!
I give it 2 thumbs down.
Ebert was good when Siskel was alive to keep him intellectually honest. After Siskel’s death, and after the cancer, his reviews gave the impression of someone who was happy just to be alive – 3-4 Stars for EVERY piece of junk that came out. Injecting his close-minded liberal view of the world (yes, libs can be intolerant too) didn’t help either. He is one of many run-of-the-mill movie critics. Not sure that makes him worthy of a movie.
Hope it turns out better than Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
Yes–because a film critic should be judged by a singular attempt at screenwriting from his past. Good thing we never judged Tom Brady by his fleeting attempt at a baseball career with the Expos.
That is funny – Have not thought of that movie in years
which is nothing less than one of the greatest satires ever made!
Roger was a great movie critic, but he’s an imbecile about politics. His nasty and vile anti-Republican hate speech tells me he can’t tolerate diversity. Go figure! Libs scream about diversity 24/7 but it’s the LAST THING they really want. Liars!
Yes, a man who is married to a black women is against diversity. Jeez.
Tolerating opinions (political not artistic) that do not match his own is not Mr. Ebert’s strong suit. He sucks at it, actually, and is, in fact, a political hack. None of us is perfect.
That said, he’s a marvelous writer and his reviews are insightful and a delight to read. And his life, in dealing with illness and debility has been a lesson in strength and grace. I think his life would make a terrific movie.
So I’m reading the comments and say to myself “WTF?”
All this hate can only mean Drudge must have picked this up.
Sure enough.
I have never personally met RE but I can honestly say I love the guy.
Read his blog and his book and you non-Drudge readers will love him too.
All the best Roger and Chaz!
And Congratualtions!
Always some Media Matters type twit who claims the comments are because of a link to Drudge. I’m on this site all the time – a movie about Ebert is about as interesting as watching grass grow. Ebert was nothing without Siskel – when Siskel passed away Ebert became irrelevant.
One could make a great movie just about Ebert’s work with RUSS MEYER in the ’60′s let alone all the stories about the famous Hollywood types he got to know quite well. Ebert’s book is a hell of a read!
In response to the Roger Ebert movie deal, marketing executives at Sominex have called an emergency strategy meeting to address this competitive threat.
Sounds boring. I wont spend the gas money or the time to see it.
Direct to VHS.
Lol… I’ll wait for the laser disc.
Love ya, Marty, but I’m sure as hell not gonna waste money on yet another Commywood elitist even for you.
Ah! Those days when the cinema was magical, the critics were tough and our standards were ” high “…..movies stars look like movie stars….Audrey Hepburn who was beautiful, pure, radiant like the sun light on screen and magical …..things seemed so effortless and simple….if only we had preserved our integrity in our artistic work and keep our standards extraordinarily high, then we can produce ” exquisite art ” again, right Marty ??? GOD is the ONLY LIGHT!!
They’ll play it to chronic insomniacs to put them to sleep.
Hmm. The vile being spewed about Roger’s poltics is just insane. So he’s a liberal and expresses his views from time to time, on his personal twitter feed mine you, If it’s not your cup of tea why are you following the guy? He can’t have opinions or call people on their BS? If memory serves his hero is Darwin and only really critizes creationists or religious fundamentalists both of which deserve every criticism directed their way. This is coming from a Independent or “RINO”. Roger is great. Plus you know the man will be reading these comments so, please, be respectful.
When a public figure makes their political/religious views public they guarantee half the public will not agree. Some may not be kind with their remarks but that’s their opinion right or wrong. I believe Roger can take it.
Really! Who do they expect will want to see it?
Siskel was the good guy and he died in 1999. Ebert sucks and will always suck.
I started watching Siskel & Ebert when I was 10 (I’m now 44). They praised movies I might’ve ignored if I didn’t tune in to their weekly program: SHILOH, BEFORE SUNRISE, PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, etc. I still have several of their Late Show/Tonight Show appearances as well (on tape and DVD). Those were always fun. I’ve enjoyed reading Roger’s books over the years too. I just wish Roger would vote for Romney because Obama has been a disaster. If McCain wanted to be re-elected with unemployment so high, liberals would say NO WAY.
Wow I will wait for the book..You have to be kidding why would anyone pay to watch a movie about a film critic. I would think watching weeds grow would be more entertaining.BORING
Should rank right up there with the sanctimony and self-absorption of a bad Academy Awards show – and about as meaningful.
Misguided politics, intolerance in diversity of thought, delusions of grandeur, and a movie critic. Deep. Really deep.
I predict dozens and dozens of viewers…
Oh, please……say it ain’t so! This is something I would have expected from those fellas who make “South Park” but not from the likes of Marty S.
Oh, come on you Roger bashers!
I’m also irritated by his rather radical liberal tendencies. But the man is a great movie reviewer. He remains my go-to movie critic if I want a trusted opinion. To say he is not nuanced is just untrue.
So, let’s at least be fair. I am politically opposed to Roger and find that side of him to be pedestrian and mildly ridiculous.
But the man is a deservedly accomplished and beloved movie critic. He has earned all the accolades.
I can’t wait to read the reviews, I’m sure his fellow critics will say it’s BRILLIANT!