David F
This is a really good documentary about the film critic Roger Ebert. It really captures his personality and his evolution as a Midwesterner who turned to journalism early in his life, then channeled his political beliefs into a populist brand of film criticism that appeared in newspapers and on television, reaching a mass audience. The film doesn’t flinch from his prickly personality and his clashes with Gene Siskel, another newspaper film critic who appeared on the same movie review TV show as Ebert. I remember watching their show as a kid - it helped me to develop my interest in film and this documentary fills in the background of how it came to be and the role it played for so many years in the film promotion and exhibition industry. This film is a great look at a fascinating personality, a nostalgic look back at a world where newspapers and TV were more influential, and a nice portrait of a time before Rotten Tomatoes when a thumbs up or down from a newspaper film critic in Chicago could influence movie goers to head out to a movie theater.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/16/25
Full Review
Audience Member
Life Itself is a terrific documentary film that was released in 2014 and it chronicles the life of the most famous if not the most famous, one of the most famous professional film critics of all time, Roger Joseph Ebert. Who wrote movie reviews professionally for The Chicago SunTimes and was the only major film critic at the time to ever win and receive a Pulitzer Prize award. I found this movie to be very insightful and it taught me not only more about Roger Ebert's life, but about how important film criticism is in general. It's very interesting to see in this documentary movie about how times were different before the internet and social media. One of the things that this movie taught me is that back in the 1950s-1990s time frame and such the average movie goer and the film buffs had no outlet to voice their opinions and have themselves heard. But now a days with the internet and social media everyone has multiple outlets on different website platforms and social media sites, which has changed the film and tv industries in huge ways. I also felt like this documentary made me go through all sorts of emotions, happy, funny, sad and surprised. Which is what a lot of movies in different genres are supposed to do with the audiences and viewers who are watching. This movie is worth checking out, especially if you're a movie buff and you have a strong passion and interest in films. This is easily in my top 10 list of the best documentary movies ever made. Some documentaries are absolutely boring and unwatchable, but this one is amazing, and it should've won more awards, like best documentary or something like that. I love how Martin Scorsese makes an appearance in the documentary since he was on the tv Show that Roger Ebert did back in the day. I highly recommend this one for all movie buffs and movie lovers alike. This is definitely a documentary movie that is not to be missed.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/13/25
Full Review
Bailey Giannini
Life Itself is a terrific documentary film that was released in 2014 and it chronicles the life of the most famous if not the most famous, one of the most famous professional film critics of all time, Roger Joseph Ebert. Who wrote movie reviews professionally for The Chicago SunTimes and was the only major film critic at the time to ever win and receive a Pulitzer Prize award. I found this movie to be very insightful and it taught me not only more about Roger Ebert's life, but about how important film criticism is in general. It's very interesting to see in this documentary movie about how times were different before the internet and social media. One of the things that this movie taught me is that back in the 1950s-1990s time frame and such the average movie goer and the film buffs had no outlet to voice their opinions and have themselves heard. But now a days with the internet and social media everyone has multiple outlets on different website platforms and social media sites, which has changed the film and tv industries in huge ways. I also felt like this documentary made me go through all sorts of emotions, happy, funny, sad and surprised. Which is what a lot of movies in different genres are supposed to do with the audiences and viewers who are watching. This movie is worth checking out, especially if you're a movie buff and you have a strong passion and interest in films. This is easily in my top 10 list of the best documentary movies ever made. Some documentaries are absolutely boring and unwatchable, but this one is amazing, and it should've won more awards, like best documentary or something like that. I love how Martin Scorsese makes an appearance in the documentary since he was on the tv Show that Roger Ebert did back in the day. I highly recommend this one for all movie buffs and movie lovers alike. This is definitely a documentary movie that is not to be missed.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/13/25
Full Review
Rami A
When reading critic reviews of films, I tend to ignore most of them, but not Roger Ebert. Whenever I wanted to watch a movie, I would check to see what Roger Ebert had written. No matter how many years pass, people will still remember Roger Ebert for his reviews and his love for cinema. But not only did he love movies, he was also the movies. He inspired me to write reviews as a hobby.
Roger Ebert’s influence extended far beyond his reviews; he changed the way we engage with cinema. His unique ability to articulate the emotional and intellectual threads woven into films allowed audiences to appreciate movies on deeper levels. He made us think critically about the artform, challenging us to consider not just what we watched, but why it resonated with us.
The documentary captures not just his professional milestones, but also the personal struggles he faced. Ebert's battle with cancer was a significant part of his story, yet he never allowed it to define him. Instead, he used it as an opportunity to reflect on life and its fragility, sharing his thoughts with honesty and vulnerability. His transition from a vibrant film critic to a voice of resilience showed his dedication to living fully, despite the challenges he faced.
In moments of triumph and despair, Ebert’s passion for cinema remained a guiding light. His ability to connect with audiences through both his writing and personal journey continues to inspire aspiring critics and filmmakers alike. Watching this documentary not only honors his legacy but also encourages us to find our own voices in the world of storytelling, just as he did. Ultimately, Ebert taught us that films are more than entertainment; they are reflections of life, worthy of deep appreciation and discussion.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/25/25
Full Review
Rodney G
I used to go to Roger's Overlooked Film Festivals. I waited years to watch this knowing it was going to hurt! It's a beautiful love letter to Roger. Kudos to Steve for making a masterpiece! Truly unforgettable and heart breaking!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
07/19/24
Full Review
Jeff M
This is without a doubt the most personal film on my best of its decade list. Roger Ebert was the most important person in my life when it came to my love for film. We were both from Central Illinois, we both battled weight issues, we had similar tastes in film - usually. He even corresponded with me a time or two. A tribute I wrote about him upon the 5th anniversary of his death was chosen to be included in a retrospective on rogerebert.com and remains one of the most significant moments of my life. So apart from being a wonderful documentary, this is one of the few films about which being objective is almost impossible. I think of him every time I write a review, and even though we never met, I will always consider him a cinematic brother. And after watching this informative and heartbreaking motion picture, I felt closer to him than ever before.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/04/24
Full Review
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