Serious Movie Lover

Sarah: Kimberly! Finally our cries are answered! Roger Ebert announced his new movie review show this week, to begin airing on PBS in January. I am super sad to see that our pals A.O. Scott and Michael Phillips won’t be involved in this new version of the show. And I’ll admit that I don’t know much about either of the new hosts, Christy Lemire of the Associated Press and Elvis Mitchell of NPR, except to say that I hardly ever agree with movie reviews I hear on NPR. Regular contributors Kim Morgan (wait, was she the be-pig-tailed object of your derision at Ebertfest this year?) and Omar Moore are also a mystery to me, and the bits I saw of them in the preview Ebert posted (linked above, take a look) don’t make me want to get to know them, exactly. Morgan’s special lesson about the historic value of The Third Man is especially off-putting, because I tend to resent this sort of “re-examination” of cultural objects that have already been widely accepted as really great. Like when Oprah told us all we should read Steinbeck. Should we, Oprah? What a totally edgy and unusual opinion to share! If only that author could somehow be incorporated into the curriculum of most high school literature courses! HOWEVER (all caps, getting back on track), I am still excited to watch this show based entirely on my trust in Mr. Ebert, National Treasure™. I wasn’t sure I’d like Richard Roeper or Phillips when they started hosting their versions of the show, and damn, if I didn’t enjoy both of them after a short adjustment period. Plus, disagreeing with the reviewers isn’t always a bad thing, as long as they have some insight to share. Most of all, the short clip in the preview of Ebert typing his review of a documentary I’ve never heard of, with his computer voice reading as he types, and giving it a thumbs up made me a little teary with joy. That segment alone will make this show worth tuning in for each week. This TV format of film reviewing has been sorely missed in my house since the sad last episode of Scotlips’ “At the Movies.” Can’t wait! You?

Roger Ebert stands with four people we don't yet trust.

Kimberly: Oh sweet christ almighty. I did not know that movie-reviewer-hot Morgan (TV hot > book hot > movie reviewer hot > blogger hot) is involved in this venture. I cannot erase this Ebertfest image of her from my brain: giant faux fur coat (not the coat in the preview clip—jesus, she needs more than one?), enormous black shades, jeggings, and combat boots walking out of the Virginia Theater on an overcast and warmish late April afternoon. Snap away, Champaign, Illinois paparazzi! On a less superficial note, I was lucky enough to be in the audience when she hosted the Synecdoche, New York panel and film-schooled Charlie Kaufman on his motivations for creating the movie! He looked so surprised! Yuck. Also, I would like this part of her bio noted for the record: “In addition, she co-wrote The Official Michael Jackson Opus, the first biography approved by the Jackson family and estate. She currently lives in Los Angeles.” That’s a double boner! I feel like I’m gonna explode here!

Moving on, Omar Moore was also at the fest (though he sat on some panels, he didn’t say much) as was Elvis Mitchell. I think he’s a wonderfully insightful interviewer (I’ve been enjoying “The Treatment” for the past few months) and he knows his shit, but I’ve never been a fan of his reviews. I think he what he has in empathy he lacks in wit, and that can make for some snoozy writing. (Though he gets bonus points for being part of the Murray Inner Circle.) But that Roger clip! Thrilling. So while my heart’s pure joy at hearing this announcement has been diminished somewhat, I trust Roger and Chaz (first-name basis) to create something that will be worth tuning in. And now we wait for the hinted-at return of Scotlips…

Tags A.O. Scott, At the Movies, Christy Lemire, Ebertfest, Elvis Mitchell, her stupid coats, Kim Morgan, Michael Phillips, Millhouse, Omar Moore, Roger Ebert, the Murray Inner Circle, The Official Michael Jackson Opus