Even in the age of Rotten Tomatoes when all of film criticism is distilled into handy rubrics and composite grades, Roger Ebert's familiar, Pulitzer-stamped byline stood out from the pack. It was only Tuesday when Ebert announced he'd be taking a "leave of presence" from his astonishingly consistent dispatch of reviews, and Thursday brought the devastating news of his death from cancer at the age of 70. For many film lovers this is an unthinkable loss, one that compels us to circle back to the place we love most: the movies.
Ebert was direct, incisive, and heartfelt in his reviews, and when he hated a movie, he was often mercilessly funny. To celebrate the impressive rancor of his review anthology I Hated, Hated, Hated This Movie, this edition of Weeklings! focuses on the movies I've hated most -- and maybe you've hated them too. The usual suspects like Grease 2 and Crash appear, but look out for Moulin Rouge, Forrest Gump, and Vertigo too.
R.I.P. Roger Ebert. You taught us that being honest about the things we love is the right way to matter.
You can find previous Weeklings! episodes here.
