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Awake in the Dark: The Best of Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert has been writing film reviews for the Chicago Sun-Times for nearly forty years. And during those four decades, his wide knowledge, keen judgment, prodigious energy, and sharp sense of humor have made him America’s most celebrated film critic. He was the first such critic to win a Pulitzer Prize—one of just three film critics ever to receive that honor—and the only one to have a star dedicated to him on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His groundbreaking hit TV show, At the Movies , meanwhile, has made “two thumbs up” one of the most coveted hallmarks in the entire industry.
No critic alive has reviewed more movies than Roger Ebert, and yet his essential writings have never been collected in a single volume—until now. With Awake in the Dark , both fans and film buffs can finally bask in the best of Ebert’s work. The reviews, interviews, and essays collected here present a picture of this indispensable critic’s numerous contributions to the cinema and cinephilia. From The Godfather to GoodFellas , from Cries and Whispers to Crash , the reviews in Awake in the Dark span some of the most exceptional periods in film history, from the dramatic rise of rebel Hollywood and the heyday of the auteur, to the triumph of blockbuster films such as Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark , to the indie revolution that is still with us today.
The extraordinary interviews gathered in Awake in the Dark capture Ebert engaging not only some of the most influential directors of our time—Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen, Robert Altman, Werner Herzog, and Ingmar Bergman—but also some of the silver screen’s most respected and dynamic personalities, including actors as diverse as Robert Mitchum, James Stewart, Warren Beatty, and Meryl Streep. Ebert’s remarkable essays play a significant part in Awake in the Dark as well. The book contains some of Ebert’s most admired pieces, among them a moving appreciation of John Cassavetes and a loving tribute to the virtues of black-and-white films.
If Pauline Kael and Andrew Sarris were godmother and godfather to the movie generation, then Ebert is its voice from within—a writer whose exceptional intelligence and daily bursts of insight and enthusiasm have shaped the way we think about the movies. Awake in the Dark , therefore, will be a treasure trove not just for fans of this seminal critic, but for anyone desiring a fascinating and compulsively readable chronicle of film since the late 1960s.
No critic alive has reviewed more movies than Roger Ebert, and yet his essential writings have never been collected in a single volume—until now. With Awake in the Dark , both fans and film buffs can finally bask in the best of Ebert’s work. The reviews, interviews, and essays collected here present a picture of this indispensable critic’s numerous contributions to the cinema and cinephilia. From The Godfather to GoodFellas , from Cries and Whispers to Crash , the reviews in Awake in the Dark span some of the most exceptional periods in film history, from the dramatic rise of rebel Hollywood and the heyday of the auteur, to the triumph of blockbuster films such as Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark , to the indie revolution that is still with us today.
The extraordinary interviews gathered in Awake in the Dark capture Ebert engaging not only some of the most influential directors of our time—Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen, Robert Altman, Werner Herzog, and Ingmar Bergman—but also some of the silver screen’s most respected and dynamic personalities, including actors as diverse as Robert Mitchum, James Stewart, Warren Beatty, and Meryl Streep. Ebert’s remarkable essays play a significant part in Awake in the Dark as well. The book contains some of Ebert’s most admired pieces, among them a moving appreciation of John Cassavetes and a loving tribute to the virtues of black-and-white films.
If Pauline Kael and Andrew Sarris were godmother and godfather to the movie generation, then Ebert is its voice from within—a writer whose exceptional intelligence and daily bursts of insight and enthusiasm have shaped the way we think about the movies. Awake in the Dark , therefore, will be a treasure trove not just for fans of this seminal critic, but for anyone desiring a fascinating and compulsively readable chronicle of film since the late 1960s.
512 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2006
94 people are currently reading
1144 people want to read
About the author
Roger Ebert
91 books404 followersRoger Joseph Ebert was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American film critic and screenwriter.
He was known for his weekly review column (appearing in the Chicago Sun-Times since 1967, and later online) and for the television program Siskel & Ebert at the Movies, which he co-hosted for 23 years with Gene Siskel. After Siskel's death in 1999, he auditioned several potential replacements, ultimately choosing Richard Roeper to fill the open chair. The program was retitled Ebert & Roeper and the Movies in 2000.
Ebert's movie reviews were syndicated to more than 200 newspapers in the United States and abroad. He wrote more than 15 books, including his annual movie yearbook. In 1975, Ebert became the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. His television programs have also been widely syndicated, and have been nominated for Emmy awards. In February 1995, a section of Chicago's Erie Street near the CBS Studios was given the honorary name Siskel & Ebert Way. Ebert was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in June 2005, the first professional film critic to receive one. Roger Ebert was named as the most influential pundit in America by Forbes Magazine, beating the likes of Bill Maher, Lou Dobbs, and Bill O'Reilly.[2] He has honorary degrees from the University of Colorado, the American Film Institute, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
From 1994 until his death in 2013, he wrote a Great Movies series of individual reviews of what he deemed to be the most important films of all time. He also hosted the annual Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival in Champaign, Illinois from 1999 until his death.
He was known for his weekly review column (appearing in the Chicago Sun-Times since 1967, and later online) and for the television program Siskel & Ebert at the Movies, which he co-hosted for 23 years with Gene Siskel. After Siskel's death in 1999, he auditioned several potential replacements, ultimately choosing Richard Roeper to fill the open chair. The program was retitled Ebert & Roeper and the Movies in 2000.
Ebert's movie reviews were syndicated to more than 200 newspapers in the United States and abroad. He wrote more than 15 books, including his annual movie yearbook. In 1975, Ebert became the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. His television programs have also been widely syndicated, and have been nominated for Emmy awards. In February 1995, a section of Chicago's Erie Street near the CBS Studios was given the honorary name Siskel & Ebert Way. Ebert was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in June 2005, the first professional film critic to receive one. Roger Ebert was named as the most influential pundit in America by Forbes Magazine, beating the likes of Bill Maher, Lou Dobbs, and Bill O'Reilly.[2] He has honorary degrees from the University of Colorado, the American Film Institute, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
From 1994 until his death in 2013, he wrote a Great Movies series of individual reviews of what he deemed to be the most important films of all time. He also hosted the annual Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival in Champaign, Illinois from 1999 until his death.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 25, 2021
Roger Ebert was one of the few American critics who deserved - and amply repaid - your attention.
I discovered scores of films through him - Barfly, Leaving Las Vegas, Last Exit to Brooklyn, The Mosquito Coast - and thought about scores of others I’d already seen in ways I hadn’t before.
He appreciated everything put before him, whether Bergman or Batman. He was no snob; and his reviews never lost their conversational, easy flow.
His best reviews were models of the form. I cite as evidence his takes on Apocalypse Now, Dark City, Powder, Almost Famous, Short Cuts, and The Godfather (‘brushes aside the flashy glamour of the traditional gangster picture and gives us what’s left...a private club as constricted as the seventh grade.’) I could squeeze in a dozen more.
Even when he disliked a film he was sharp and funny, as in his takedown of North.
I only remember vehemently disagreeing with him twice - on Dead Poets’ Society and Amadeus.
A sad loss. This is a wondrous sample of his best work.
I discovered scores of films through him - Barfly, Leaving Las Vegas, Last Exit to Brooklyn, The Mosquito Coast - and thought about scores of others I’d already seen in ways I hadn’t before.
He appreciated everything put before him, whether Bergman or Batman. He was no snob; and his reviews never lost their conversational, easy flow.
His best reviews were models of the form. I cite as evidence his takes on Apocalypse Now, Dark City, Powder, Almost Famous, Short Cuts, and The Godfather (‘brushes aside the flashy glamour of the traditional gangster picture and gives us what’s left...a private club as constricted as the seventh grade.’) I could squeeze in a dozen more.
Even when he disliked a film he was sharp and funny, as in his takedown of North.
I only remember vehemently disagreeing with him twice - on Dead Poets’ Society and Amadeus.
A sad loss. This is a wondrous sample of his best work.
March 5, 2013
For the movie lover and nostalgia buff, this book is a gold mine! Forty years of Ebert's movie reviews, essays, and interviews with the stars of cinema.
In his very early critic years, he called both "Bonnie and Clyde" and "2001: A Space Odyssey" masterpieces when the majority of critics were panning them. It was also 1968 when the young Roger interviewed both Jimmy Stewart and Lee Marvin.
Many big films are reviewed here--The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, Sophie's Choice, and Amadeus. But it is Ebert's insights about humanity delivered in reviews of smaller movies like My Dinner with Andre that show the long-term value of films in general.
I loved the review of Being John Malkovich almost as much as the movie! "Every once in a long, long while, a movie comes along that is like no other. A movie that creates a new world for us, and uses it to produce wonderful things."
The book finishes off with a list of "The Most Influential Films of the Century." No surprises with "Citizen Kane" or "Star Wars", but Ebert actually makes a somewhat convincing case that "The Blair Witch Project" is important because its origination now puts film making into the hands of anyone with serious motivation, and audiences will respond even to a movie without traditional production values.
Ebert is still the go-to-guy for me when trying to decide whether a movie unknown to me will ultimately be worth my time!
In his very early critic years, he called both "Bonnie and Clyde" and "2001: A Space Odyssey" masterpieces when the majority of critics were panning them. It was also 1968 when the young Roger interviewed both Jimmy Stewart and Lee Marvin.
Many big films are reviewed here--The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, Sophie's Choice, and Amadeus. But it is Ebert's insights about humanity delivered in reviews of smaller movies like My Dinner with Andre that show the long-term value of films in general.
I loved the review of Being John Malkovich almost as much as the movie! "Every once in a long, long while, a movie comes along that is like no other. A movie that creates a new world for us, and uses it to produce wonderful things."
The book finishes off with a list of "The Most Influential Films of the Century." No surprises with "Citizen Kane" or "Star Wars", but Ebert actually makes a somewhat convincing case that "The Blair Witch Project" is important because its origination now puts film making into the hands of anyone with serious motivation, and audiences will respond even to a movie without traditional production values.
Ebert is still the go-to-guy for me when trying to decide whether a movie unknown to me will ultimately be worth my time!
November 12, 2016
Roger Ebert has a way of writing about films that will make you smile, it will make you want to stop what your doing and watch whatever he's gushing about, his enthusiasm is infectious. As a film major I love reading his stuff but I think that even if your remotely interested in movies this will help you see them in a new light and appreciate all that goes into them.
March 26, 2020
That was nice. I don't consider the reviews in this book Ebert's best, but by far the reviews of the movies he considered the best. I've read better reviews of Ebert's. Still, I love his style. The best parts of the book to me seemed the "Essays and Think Pieces" part and the "On Film Criticism" part. Loved them. Of course, the "Profiles and Interviews" were great, and I particularly liked the essays on Ingmar Bergman, Spike Lee, Woody Allen, and yes, Tom Hanks. Nice piece of writing. Great expectations for "Great Movies".
August 27, 2019
As Ebert writes in the Coda of this book, there are people who WATCH movies, and people who SEE movies. This book is intended for the latter, the people who define themselves by movies, who are devoted to them. As someone who has only a slightly-higher-than-casual relationship to film, a lot of this book came off as pretentious and in love with its own high-brow perch (Part VII, which includes some essays by other critics especially). And I have to say that the interview section was particularly disturbing - The Lee Marvin interview especially has aged exceptionally poorly.
Ebert notes near the end that he has to balance his reviews somewhere between popular culture accessibility and film-aesthete interest. Most of this book skews to the far end. While there are definitely numerous insights provided and there are some that have pointed me to movies I'll be interested to add to my queues, I'm not devoted enough to film to be the audience for this book. As such, I spent much of it on the outside looking in, and wondering if I even really wanted to be on the inside.
Ebert notes near the end that he has to balance his reviews somewhere between popular culture accessibility and film-aesthete interest. Most of this book skews to the far end. While there are definitely numerous insights provided and there are some that have pointed me to movies I'll be interested to add to my queues, I'm not devoted enough to film to be the audience for this book. As such, I spent much of it on the outside looking in, and wondering if I even really wanted to be on the inside.
June 30, 2020
I didn't read this straight though. I picked what I was interested in, and skipped what, for whatever reason, didn't grab me. I probably read 60% of this book, but I enjoyed that 60% very much. This is a great collection by a great film critic. It includes interviews, profiles, reviews, think pieces . . . a bit of everything that the prolific Ebert wrote over the course of his long career. He writes with intelligence and wit, and isn't unreasonably snobbish in his opinions. Awake in the Dark has made me revisit a few films and pointed me to a number of great films I'd missed.
January 28, 2022
I really miss Roger’s writing.
September 6, 2023
4.5 Stars
Book is a gold mine of his thoughts and all his great interviews and reviews put together. Really interesting to go through the hits of one of the most important people in film/critic history.
Book is a gold mine of his thoughts and all his great interviews and reviews put together. Really interesting to go through the hits of one of the most important people in film/critic history.
May 4, 2024
His reviews have not only made me a better viewer of films, but a better storyteller.
June 10, 2010
If pressed to name a movie critic, most people would probably say Roger Ebert.
Even though he hasn’t hosted the show he made famous in some years – indeed, he no longer can speak – he remains (and likely will remain for some time) the most famous critic of his time.
I recently finished a collection of his writings, Awake in the Dark, which reinforces that conclusion. While the book is primarily made of film reviews (which I’ll get to later), it’s the other sections that shine the most.
If Ebert is a good critic, he’s an even better essayist. Here he tackles the MPAA, Ted Turner and the colorization of film (an issue that Ebert likely helped defeat), digital projection and why the Oscars reward some movies over others.
A real treat in the book is an extended discussion on the state of film criticism, presented in a series of essays by Ebert, Richard Corless and Andrew Sarris. It’s an interesting look at two differing schools of thought on how criticism works and where it’s headed – Corless argues that shows like Siskel and Ebert are moving film criticism away from actual discussion to quick bursts of information and “if it’s any good” talk that spells out your taste for you.
A section of his profiles is a little more uneven. His looks at Woody Allen feels odd with the added benefit of hindsight and his piece where he drives around with Robert Mitchum doesn’t really go anywhere (much like Mitchum’s driving).
But others offer an interesting look inside the creative process. His piece on Ingmar Bergman takes you inside a closed set, where Bergman only filmed with the people who absolutely needed to be there. His piece on Tom Hanks examines what makes Hanks such a versatile and popular actor when people barely even know the real Hanks – without actually speaking to his subject.
His astute ability at breaking down not only why a movie, a character or a director is successful, but at how they impact the viewer is superb – few critics can really explain why things work like Ebert does, in simple terms that anybody can understand. These profiles often show this in exquisite detail. When he really clicks on a subject, it’s great reading.
The bulk of this book is a massive collection of reviews, 76 in all. The editors of the book wisely chose to go with Ebert’s original reviews when possible (some of them curiously brief). This gives the book a sense of immediacy his other collections don’t have. These pieces, written around the time of the movie’s premiere, offer an unvarnished look at each movie before the public reached a mass opinion.
It’s interesting to see how he reacted to movies like The Godfather, Bonnie and Clyde and Do The Right Thing upon their original release. And it feels more honest to see this original reaction, not how he feels looking back.
The book doesn’t stick to just “classic” movies either. It offers a selection at world film, with reviews that range from Ozu’s Tokyo Story, Herzog’s Stroszek and Satayajit Ray’s The Music Room. These reviews offer a quick primer on world cinema and showcase that Ebert is interested in more then just the blockbusters.
There are also sections on documentaries – including several reviews of the Up series of movies – and on films Ebert thinks are either underrated or overlooked. His take at the works of Sam Peckinpah or the great car chase in To Live and Die in LA show that more then anything else, Ebert is somebody who genuinely likes movies.
It feels at times like by writing, Ebert is trying to share his enthusiasm with the reader, make it clear not that a movie is good (or bad) but that it’s worth your time. Ebert writes that film is a medium to be enjoyed and to be shared; what fun is it to watch a movie by yourself?
On the whole, Awake in the Dark serves as a great overview for Ebert’s career and a great look at how movies have evolved in the past 40 years. More then that, it shows the evolution of Ebert as a film critic – by taking one review from each year he wrote, you can really see how much he’s grown and further appreciate how lucky his readers are. For anybody interested not just in Ebert, but also in film, this book is must-read.
Even though he hasn’t hosted the show he made famous in some years – indeed, he no longer can speak – he remains (and likely will remain for some time) the most famous critic of his time.
I recently finished a collection of his writings, Awake in the Dark, which reinforces that conclusion. While the book is primarily made of film reviews (which I’ll get to later), it’s the other sections that shine the most.
If Ebert is a good critic, he’s an even better essayist. Here he tackles the MPAA, Ted Turner and the colorization of film (an issue that Ebert likely helped defeat), digital projection and why the Oscars reward some movies over others.
A real treat in the book is an extended discussion on the state of film criticism, presented in a series of essays by Ebert, Richard Corless and Andrew Sarris. It’s an interesting look at two differing schools of thought on how criticism works and where it’s headed – Corless argues that shows like Siskel and Ebert are moving film criticism away from actual discussion to quick bursts of information and “if it’s any good” talk that spells out your taste for you.
A section of his profiles is a little more uneven. His looks at Woody Allen feels odd with the added benefit of hindsight and his piece where he drives around with Robert Mitchum doesn’t really go anywhere (much like Mitchum’s driving).
But others offer an interesting look inside the creative process. His piece on Ingmar Bergman takes you inside a closed set, where Bergman only filmed with the people who absolutely needed to be there. His piece on Tom Hanks examines what makes Hanks such a versatile and popular actor when people barely even know the real Hanks – without actually speaking to his subject.
His astute ability at breaking down not only why a movie, a character or a director is successful, but at how they impact the viewer is superb – few critics can really explain why things work like Ebert does, in simple terms that anybody can understand. These profiles often show this in exquisite detail. When he really clicks on a subject, it’s great reading.
The bulk of this book is a massive collection of reviews, 76 in all. The editors of the book wisely chose to go with Ebert’s original reviews when possible (some of them curiously brief). This gives the book a sense of immediacy his other collections don’t have. These pieces, written around the time of the movie’s premiere, offer an unvarnished look at each movie before the public reached a mass opinion.
It’s interesting to see how he reacted to movies like The Godfather, Bonnie and Clyde and Do The Right Thing upon their original release. And it feels more honest to see this original reaction, not how he feels looking back.
The book doesn’t stick to just “classic” movies either. It offers a selection at world film, with reviews that range from Ozu’s Tokyo Story, Herzog’s Stroszek and Satayajit Ray’s The Music Room. These reviews offer a quick primer on world cinema and showcase that Ebert is interested in more then just the blockbusters.
There are also sections on documentaries – including several reviews of the Up series of movies – and on films Ebert thinks are either underrated or overlooked. His take at the works of Sam Peckinpah or the great car chase in To Live and Die in LA show that more then anything else, Ebert is somebody who genuinely likes movies.
It feels at times like by writing, Ebert is trying to share his enthusiasm with the reader, make it clear not that a movie is good (or bad) but that it’s worth your time. Ebert writes that film is a medium to be enjoyed and to be shared; what fun is it to watch a movie by yourself?
On the whole, Awake in the Dark serves as a great overview for Ebert’s career and a great look at how movies have evolved in the past 40 years. More then that, it shows the evolution of Ebert as a film critic – by taking one review from each year he wrote, you can really see how much he’s grown and further appreciate how lucky his readers are. For anybody interested not just in Ebert, but also in film, this book is must-read.
December 21, 2014
It’s difficult to review a book such as this. In the world of movie criticism, the late Roger Ebert loomed large, as have many others, like the late Pauline Kael. Whether you find Awake In the Dark: The Best of Roger Ebert – Forty Years of Reviews, Essays and Interviews interesting or not, I suppose, depends on whether or not you value Ebert’s opinion. When it comes to the writing, Ebert was more than competent, writing reviews in a reader-friendly way, accessible to all.
Awake In the Dark is broken down into several sections, including one featuring interviews and profiles he conducted, along with essays and ‘think’ pieces regarding films and filmmakers, and essays on film criticism. Along with all of that, we’re treated to Ebert’s reviews of what he considers the best films from 1967 to 2005; a look at memorable foreign films and documentaries, and my favorite section, films Ebert, as a critic, felt were overlooked and underrated (this to me, always gives you an interesting insight into the reviewers tastes).
One aspect in reading Awake In the Dark that I did take away, is that despite unexpectedly falling into the job of film critic (there is a brief autobiographical introduction on Ebert’s life), Ebert embraced his fate and did all he could to learn about film, it’s history and technique, so that in presenting his views, he was doing so from a position of authority and appreciation. What you get from these interviews, reviews and essays is a love of the cinema and the art of moviemaking that the man developed and shared with us for decades.
Awake In the Dark, as it doesn’t require you to follow a specific narrative, is one of those books you can pick up and read, put down for a while and get back to, without losing anything. It is also a book that will prompt you to seek out movies you haven’t seen, that are featured, or re-watch those you have, based on Ebert’s perspective. Either way, you’ll benefit and have a great time doing so.
I personally worked as an entertainment writer for almost three decades, and while I had no problem with the interview and profile piece, I must admit, I never felt I developed a true voice for the writing of movie reviews, so take it from me, what you’re reading is not something that was thrown together and easy to do, but writing that required thought, analysis and perspective to pull off properly; Roger Ebert mastered that, and as such, Awake In the Dark is worth adding to the book shelf of anyone who even slightly considers themselves a cinephile.
Awake In the Dark is broken down into several sections, including one featuring interviews and profiles he conducted, along with essays and ‘think’ pieces regarding films and filmmakers, and essays on film criticism. Along with all of that, we’re treated to Ebert’s reviews of what he considers the best films from 1967 to 2005; a look at memorable foreign films and documentaries, and my favorite section, films Ebert, as a critic, felt were overlooked and underrated (this to me, always gives you an interesting insight into the reviewers tastes).
One aspect in reading Awake In the Dark that I did take away, is that despite unexpectedly falling into the job of film critic (there is a brief autobiographical introduction on Ebert’s life), Ebert embraced his fate and did all he could to learn about film, it’s history and technique, so that in presenting his views, he was doing so from a position of authority and appreciation. What you get from these interviews, reviews and essays is a love of the cinema and the art of moviemaking that the man developed and shared with us for decades.
Awake In the Dark, as it doesn’t require you to follow a specific narrative, is one of those books you can pick up and read, put down for a while and get back to, without losing anything. It is also a book that will prompt you to seek out movies you haven’t seen, that are featured, or re-watch those you have, based on Ebert’s perspective. Either way, you’ll benefit and have a great time doing so.
I personally worked as an entertainment writer for almost three decades, and while I had no problem with the interview and profile piece, I must admit, I never felt I developed a true voice for the writing of movie reviews, so take it from me, what you’re reading is not something that was thrown together and easy to do, but writing that required thought, analysis and perspective to pull off properly; Roger Ebert mastered that, and as such, Awake In the Dark is worth adding to the book shelf of anyone who even slightly considers themselves a cinephile.
October 27, 2022
Like all of Ebert's books, this one's going to be reread a couple of times in my lifetime. Reading or rereading, I learn so much from him. Had I read his books in high school, I would have pursued film as a major in college. And certainly, "I coulda been a contender!"
June 30, 2020
Roger Ebert was a beloved American Film Critic. He had been working at the Chicago Sun-Times since 1967 and gradually built up his craft. Ebert had a love of movies that allowed him to continually see them and enjoy them for what they were. All he asked was that they not waste the viewer’s time.
In that vein, Awake in the Dark is a collection of forty years of essays, interviews, and reviews on movies and movie related topics. The film starts with interviews. I don’t live in Chicago so I never read the Sun-Times, and as a result of that, I didn’t know that Ebert did interviews. It includes interviews he did with Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Robert Altman, James ‘Jimmy’ Stewart, Ingmar Bergman, and others. At the beginning of each interview, Ebert includes a small paragraph or two talking about what it was like to interview that person and how they matched up with others.
The reviews of the movies he covers are in chronological order by year and are supposedly the ‘best’ movies of that year. Now I don’t know what is meant by best in this context. It certainly isn’t the movie that did the best in the theaters since he includes movies like The Black Stallion over The Empire Strikes Back. However, Ebert does include an essay at the beginning of the section that talks about his decisions and how he regrets including one over another more deserving movie. Some of the movies I have heard of, others I have watched and enjoyed. However, with me not being a film buff, these situations are few and far between. For example, I have watched Apocalypse Now and enjoyed it. I have heard of Amadeus, but I never watched it, even though I am a huge fan of Classical Music. In any case, when so many movies come out, it is difficult and arbitrary to come up with one movie over dozens.
Finally, the last portion of the book covers his essays that critique the craft of movies and how they are perceived and reviewed as a whole.
This book was fantastic for what it offers. Ebert has a sense of wonder when watching movies that he translates to the written word with aplomb. It almost makes me want to watch even more movies and feel that wonder myself.
In that vein, Awake in the Dark is a collection of forty years of essays, interviews, and reviews on movies and movie related topics. The film starts with interviews. I don’t live in Chicago so I never read the Sun-Times, and as a result of that, I didn’t know that Ebert did interviews. It includes interviews he did with Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Robert Altman, James ‘Jimmy’ Stewart, Ingmar Bergman, and others. At the beginning of each interview, Ebert includes a small paragraph or two talking about what it was like to interview that person and how they matched up with others.
The reviews of the movies he covers are in chronological order by year and are supposedly the ‘best’ movies of that year. Now I don’t know what is meant by best in this context. It certainly isn’t the movie that did the best in the theaters since he includes movies like The Black Stallion over The Empire Strikes Back. However, Ebert does include an essay at the beginning of the section that talks about his decisions and how he regrets including one over another more deserving movie. Some of the movies I have heard of, others I have watched and enjoyed. However, with me not being a film buff, these situations are few and far between. For example, I have watched Apocalypse Now and enjoyed it. I have heard of Amadeus, but I never watched it, even though I am a huge fan of Classical Music. In any case, when so many movies come out, it is difficult and arbitrary to come up with one movie over dozens.
Finally, the last portion of the book covers his essays that critique the craft of movies and how they are perceived and reviewed as a whole.
This book was fantastic for what it offers. Ebert has a sense of wonder when watching movies that he translates to the written word with aplomb. It almost makes me want to watch even more movies and feel that wonder myself.
November 30, 2023
I had only off and on read Ebert through the years, but given that I teach classes about movies these days, I wanted to read the most famous movie reviewer and see what all the fuss was about. And his reviews and knowledge are often impressive, even if I thought his interviews were frequently downright boring. I couldn't believe they included these drab interviews with actors just talking about driving around trying to get to their shooting site or gabbing about their home problems. I want to know about their ACTING, the movies they are in. Who CARES if they get lost driving or if they have a loser son? I also thought it was interesting how enormously wrong Ebert was about digital cinema and other topics. Still, an interesting read.
February 12, 2021
Note to my daughters since this is on my "Books for My Daughter's" shelf:
Something about Roger Ebert's voice, authenticity, rascally-nature, and erudition made me admire him, but more importantly was one of the influences on my life-long love of cinema and the art of filmmaking. But puzzling to me still is that he somehow, thru his writing, became a kind of father-figure to me. Someday I'll analyze why, but for now, I hope you can read his writings and enjoy them and maybe psychoanalyze your mom for me. Auntie and dad understood this and always bought me his books.
Since his death I haven't been able to without getting distressingly emotional.
- Love, Mom
Something about Roger Ebert's voice, authenticity, rascally-nature, and erudition made me admire him, but more importantly was one of the influences on my life-long love of cinema and the art of filmmaking. But puzzling to me still is that he somehow, thru his writing, became a kind of father-figure to me. Someday I'll analyze why, but for now, I hope you can read his writings and enjoy them and maybe psychoanalyze your mom for me. Auntie and dad understood this and always bought me his books.
Since his death I haven't been able to without getting distressingly emotional.
- Love, Mom
June 13, 2023
I enjoy Ebert. It may be his style, his auteur approach, or other things, but it is certainly his love for the movies. You can sense it in pretty much every one of the reviews in the book, which include one for his favorite movie of each year he wrote (1967-2005) as well as his favorite foreign films and documentaries. You definitely see it, sometimes explicitly, in the essays, which cover a variety of topics. He focuses on this love in his coda essay. This book is well worth the time for anyone who loves the movies, especially those from the decades of his reign.
December 8, 2021
This collection of interviews, film reviews, and essays by Roger Ebert is fantastic. Prior to reading this, I didn't have a clear idea of what kind of writer Ebert was or why his work is regarded so highly. Now I know.
Ebert's writing gets you excited about the movies. He makes you think about the movies in a new way. His descriptions of a film allow you to picture it in your mind even if you've never seen it. His reviews go beyond, "Will I like this?" and "Is it good?", veering into "How will this film change me as a person?" His interviews show the best, the worst, and the most profound attributes of his subjects. And his essays are powerfully argued and intelligent even when they turn out wrong.
If you are interested in Ebert's work and want to learn more about it and him, this is a brilliant place to start. I'm almost heartbroken that I have to return it to the library tomorrow.
Ebert's writing gets you excited about the movies. He makes you think about the movies in a new way. His descriptions of a film allow you to picture it in your mind even if you've never seen it. His reviews go beyond, "Will I like this?" and "Is it good?", veering into "How will this film change me as a person?" His interviews show the best, the worst, and the most profound attributes of his subjects. And his essays are powerfully argued and intelligent even when they turn out wrong.
If you are interested in Ebert's work and want to learn more about it and him, this is a brilliant place to start. I'm almost heartbroken that I have to return it to the library tomorrow.
June 6, 2017
I used this book to pick out movies to watch in order to learn. I don't have any informed thoughts on the author's point of view, however I appreciate his crisp and lucidity in his writing (judging by the movies I have watched in the past). I may return to this book later.
June 10, 2020
I have had a terrible time concentrating enough to read, so a book of essays, reviews, etc. was just right. I believe Roger is still the only film critic to win a Pulitzer (he was the first, I am sure of that). Really a good writer and a thoughtful human.
December 7, 2024
Even if you don't agree with his particular take on a movie, and there are many that you won't agree with, you still have to give him props for being an amazing writer. Especially when compared to the many self described cinephiles and critics on Letterboxd and their verbose vomit.
May 2, 2019
A book you need to own. Haven’t read it cover to cover but there’s a lot of gems in there.
August 22, 2022
A movie critic for the ages. Reading his reviews now, especially ones where race was the central theme, (ie Do the Right Thing, Malcom X) were thoughtful, never patronizing and prescient.
July 30, 2024
I had to return this book to the library before finishing it. I really like his writing and his insight in film. There are films I would like to watch because of his recommendations.
August 16, 2010
Reading his reviews making me want to watch movies immediately! His passion is contagious. His reviews are always bang on!
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From Booklist
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. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Product Description
Roger Ebert has been writing film reviews for the Chicago Sun-Times for over forty years. In fact, no critic alive has reviewed more movies than he has. Yet his essential writings have never been collected in a single volume—until now. With Awake in the Dark, both fans and film buffs can finally bask in the best of Ebert’s work. The reviews, interviews, and essays collected here present a picture of his numerous contributions to the cinema and cinephilia. From The Godfather to GoodFellas, from Cries and Whispers to Crash, the reviews in Awake in the Dark span some of the most exceptional periods in film history.
In addition, the extraordinary interviews gathered in Awake in the Dark capture Ebert engaging not only some of the most influential directors of our time—Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen, Robert Altman, Werner Herzog, and Ingmar Bergman—but also some of the silver screen’s most respected personalities, including actors as diverse as Robert Mitchum, James Stewart, Warren Beatty, and Meryl Streep.
America’s most celebrated film critic, Ebert is a writer whose exceptional intelligence and bursts of insight have shaped the way we think about the movies. Awake in the Dark will be a treasure trove not just for fans of this seminal critic but for anyone desiring a fascinating and compulsively readable chronicle of film since the late 1960s.
“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.”—Booklist
“[Ebert's:] writing is top-notch. In Awake in the Dark, Ebert has produced his most personal collection of reviews, essays, and interviews, providing insights into the man as much as the movies he loves. . . . This volume contains some of Ebert's most exciting writing.”—Gary Kramer, Filmbill
_________-
From Booklist
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. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Product Description
Roger Ebert has been writing film reviews for the Chicago Sun-Times for over forty years. In fact, no critic alive has reviewed more movies than he has. Yet his essential writings have never been collected in a single volume—until now. With Awake in the Dark, both fans and film buffs can finally bask in the best of Ebert’s work. The reviews, interviews, and essays collected here present a picture of his numerous contributions to the cinema and cinephilia. From The Godfather to GoodFellas, from Cries and Whispers to Crash, the reviews in Awake in the Dark span some of the most exceptional periods in film history.
In addition, the extraordinary interviews gathered in Awake in the Dark capture Ebert engaging not only some of the most influential directors of our time—Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen, Robert Altman, Werner Herzog, and Ingmar Bergman—but also some of the silver screen’s most respected personalities, including actors as diverse as Robert Mitchum, James Stewart, Warren Beatty, and Meryl Streep.
America’s most celebrated film critic, Ebert is a writer whose exceptional intelligence and bursts of insight have shaped the way we think about the movies. Awake in the Dark will be a treasure trove not just for fans of this seminal critic but for anyone desiring a fascinating and compulsively readable chronicle of film since the late 1960s.
“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.”—Booklist
“[Ebert's:] writing is top-notch. In Awake in the Dark, Ebert has produced his most personal collection of reviews, essays, and interviews, providing insights into the man as much as the movies he loves. . . . This volume contains some of Ebert's most exciting writing.”—Gary Kramer, Filmbill
February 21, 2008
Roger Ebert has always been my favorite film critic. Regardless of his feelings about the movie in question his reviews are always well written and actually SAY something. For example, I will never forget the beginning of his review of Star Wars - The Phantom Menace. Most every other critic was trashing it, but Ebert wrote:
"If it were the first "Star Wars" movie, "The Phantom Menace" would be hailed as a visionary breakthrough. But this is the fourth movie of the famous series, and we think we know the territory; many of the early reviews have been blase, paying lip service to the visuals and wondering why the characters aren't better developed. How quickly do we grow accustomed to wonders. I am reminded of the Isaac Asimov story "Nightfall," about the planet where the stars were visible only once in a thousand years. So awesome was the sight that it drove men mad. We who can see the stars every night glance up casually at the cosmos and then quickly down again, searching for a Dairy Queen."
Wow. He really got it, I figured. No cynicism in that review. Total joy in the experience of watching that movie.
Well, this caliber of reviewing is what Ebert does best. And this book, a collection of reviews from over the last 30+ years is a fascinating read for any movie lover. Many reviews brought back memories, good and bad, from years gone by. Some movies I decided I need to see right away. Others, held no interest at all. But the reviews are always worth reading.
This is a must have book for any true movie lover!
"If it were the first "Star Wars" movie, "The Phantom Menace" would be hailed as a visionary breakthrough. But this is the fourth movie of the famous series, and we think we know the territory; many of the early reviews have been blase, paying lip service to the visuals and wondering why the characters aren't better developed. How quickly do we grow accustomed to wonders. I am reminded of the Isaac Asimov story "Nightfall," about the planet where the stars were visible only once in a thousand years. So awesome was the sight that it drove men mad. We who can see the stars every night glance up casually at the cosmos and then quickly down again, searching for a Dairy Queen."
Wow. He really got it, I figured. No cynicism in that review. Total joy in the experience of watching that movie.
Well, this caliber of reviewing is what Ebert does best. And this book, a collection of reviews from over the last 30+ years is a fascinating read for any movie lover. Many reviews brought back memories, good and bad, from years gone by. Some movies I decided I need to see right away. Others, held no interest at all. But the reviews are always worth reading.
This is a must have book for any true movie lover!
April 21, 2008
Best of Ebert: it's a selection of reviews from his favorites and essays on film trends and film criticism generally. His writing style is quick-witted, yet clear and concise, which allows the reader a certain level of comfort and familiarity with his writing. his writing ability, love for the movies (and the University of Illinois and the Chief) make him a favorite writer of mine. of course, he also will skewer a film when necessary, and one of the lines I remember best (from his review of Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo): "But [Rob] Schneider is correct, and Patrick Goldstein [critic] has not yet won a Pulitzer Prize. Therefore, Goldstein is not qualified to complain that Columbia financed "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo" while passing on the opportunity to participate in "Million Dollar Baby," "Ray," "The Aviator," "Sideways" and "Finding Neverland." As chance would have it, I have won the Pulitzer Prize, and so I am qualified. Speaking in my official capacity as a Pulitzer Prize winner, Mr. Schneider, your movie sucks."
November 2, 2011
I know I have raved about Ebert's negative reviews before ("Your Movie Sucks" is a must-read for film buffs, or anyone who writes about popular culture or enjoys reading about it), and I was not expecting this anthology of some of his more favorable reviews to be as entertaining. This was one of those rare situations in which I was glad to be proved wrong! I may not agree with all of his positive reviews (Crash was the best film of 2005? Really?), but I always learn something when I read his work. Ebert is a fantastic writer. The one major flaw in this collection is that the "Essays and Think Pieces" section is way too short; the essay on the MPAA ratings system is, perhaps not surprisingly, just as relevant in 2011 as it presumably was in 1990 (I am not old enough to make that comparison, ha). Anyway, this is an anthology worth picking up...I hope that there is a collection of Ebert's longer essays in the works.
September 3, 2024
There isn't much to review with "Awake in the Dark" by Roger Ebert. Any review of a book by a world class reviewer seems wrong somehow. Suffice to for those interested in film theory, film reviews, the intimate thoughts of past directors and actors of renown, or those who simply were fans of Eberts writing, this is a must-read. This is not a narrative book, its not something you'll feel compelled to read in one sitting or be flipping pages in a flurry to see what comes next. Its the type of book you have on the shelves and every so often, when the mood is just right, you pick up and read a chapter or two to remind you what top quality interviews and films reviews look like. Ebert was a master and this book really demonstrates that on every page. For those who know what type of book this is and still seek out and read it, its a 5/5, plain and simple.
August 13, 2020
Love him or hate him, Roger Ebert changed film criticism forever. This collection, which spans the length of his career from the 1960s until his death in 2013, chronicles not just half a century of movies but also our changing world. I especially appreciate Ebert’s commitment to engage films on their own merits, judging them on the basis of what (as he understood it) the filmmakers intended to accomplish. He could be blunt and opinionated, like any good critic, but time and again I was struck most of all by his generous spirit. Sure, this is a “greatest hits” collection, but I’m gobsmacked to think he wrote most of these on daily deadlines.
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