Awake in the Dark

August 15, 2006
Thanks to his high-profile television personality, Ebert enjoys the reputation of being America -s most respected and influential movie critic. This volume collects 40 years of Ebert -s movie journalism and film criticism, mostly from the "Chicago Sun-Times", and while it may not represent the author -s best writing, the book clearly summarizes Ebert -s pantheon of best films or at least the movies that have meant the most to him. Also included are appreciations of and interviews with notable actors and filmmakers, ranging from James Stewart and Ingmar Bergman to Meryl Streep and Spike Lee. Ebert surveys his long career, analyzing American and foreign films, documentaries, and overlooked or underrated films while also offering thought pieces on topics such as the colorization of old films and the legacy of "Star Wars". The book concludes with meditations on the value of film criticism, allowing for rebuttals from fellow critics Andrew Sarris and Richard Corliss. Always alert to trends and defending film as an art form, Ebert never fails to connect with his readers, although the short journal pieces could have been expanded. Highly recommended for all public and academic film collections." -Stephen Rees, Levittown Lib., PA"

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2006
Ebert, probably the most prolific film critic of all time, here distills his massive life's work into a single volume. After a nostalgic introduction recounting his initial forays into criticism, he presents reviews of the best films of each of the past 38 years, from " Bonnie and Clyde" to " Crash" , and a selection of foreign films, documentaries, and "overlooked and underrated" works. More compelling are longer "think pieces" on such topics as colorization, the movie-ratings system, digital projection, and " Star Wars" ' deleterious effect on Hollywood. Those, and a selection of star profiles and interviews, allow him to share his expertise and voice his passion in a fashion that daily reviewing seldom permits. The volume's final selection, a 2004 piece about the healing effect of viewing movies--and of writing about them--during his convalescence from cancer treatment, may well serve as his valedictory. As film criticism becomes more marginalized, Ebert may come to be seen as the last of a kind--the critic who actually has the power to influence a national audience. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)