Now The Bad

It was officially announced yesterday that Ebert & Roeper At The Movies will discontinue this summer. I have personally watched Mr. Ebert and his various partners for the past 25 or so years. I can't really say that about much of anything else. Maybe Oakland Raider Football. It is shockingly sad.

Mr. Ebert has been unable to do his show for two years and Roeper is a lightweight, but I was happy to be introduced to Michael Phillips, who is now on my list of readable critics. Ebert says he's taking the thumbs. Roeper has to find new TV employment.

Ebert has received more flack than any other film critic in history due to his insistence of narrowing full-length written reviews into a thumbs up or thumbs down. If the only exposure to him that you have is his television show, you owe to yourself to go pick up some of his written work. I have his last 17 yearly guides as well as all his other writing on film.

Let's not forget that he won the Pulitzer.

I recommend Movie City News for links to the reaction and response to the demise of Ebert & Roeper.

Ebert's statement here

Movie City News is here

Michael.

First The Good

Michael is no stranger to obsessions. With THE WIRE now over, he's been talking up the PBS series CARRIER, which is available on DVD now. You might remember him singing the praises of the use of a Killer's song in the first episode that makes him feel both manly and teary at the same time.

I found a clip of it. Keep in mind that it's in poor YouTube quality and the sound and picture will be way better on your home theater. But it gives you an idea about the photography and personal stories of the USS Nimitz. The song starts at about 1:30.

Tell me I'm wrong. Tell me your heart doesn't soar when they come around the corner at Point Loma and you see the ship.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUVY-jYDy8

Michael.

Cinebanter #55 - THE DARK KNIGHT

The MP3 of Cinebanter #55 is available here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula unite with their critic peers as they review the universally praised Batman flick THE DARK KNIGHT. During the Last Five®, they have a terrible battle over the merits of WALL-E, and in the Listener Last Five, they get their sunshine stolen AND hear from a girl (who isn't Tassoula). The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 THE DARK KNIGHT Discussion
• Break
• 25:22 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 25:48 The Last Five®
• Break
• 51:28 Listener Last Fives (Len in PA and Kate in VA)/Show Notes
• 1:05:46 Credits and Outtake

If you'd like to subscribe to the show (it's free, of course) via iTunes, click here.

The show is also available on Podcast Alley, and blubrry. Please vote for us at any of those sites and leave comments if you like what you hear.

And, if you're compelled to donate to the show, there is a PayPal button labeled 'Make a Donation' to the left of this blog. All donations are much appreciated.

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: WALL-E, MONGOL, FOUR MONTHS, THREE WEEKS AND TWO DAYS, ALPHA DOG and THE BALLAD OF ESEQUIEL HERNANDEZ. Tassoula's Last Five in this episode were: RAGING BULL, JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, WALL-E, 16 BLOCKS and BATMAN BEGINS.

Special thanks to Brad Daane and Mark Cummins for providing the original music in this episode.

Reviews and/or notes of every movie Michael sees can be found at his MichaelVox website.

Tassoula has reviews, musings and movie-related product links at Tassoula's Movie Review Blog.

Feedback is always welcome - you may leave comments here or e-mail the hosts at cinebanter@gmail.com.

We hope you enjoy the show!

It's The Dark Knight

For listeners who have been on the edge of their seat waiting for Michael and I to announce what film we'd review on our 55th show, we've finally arrived at a decision.

We'll be reviewing THE DARK KNIGHT.

Tune in July 21 to hear our review.

~~~

Listener Update: 12 Year-old Charlie is Published

A few months back we began hearing from a listener who called himself "12 Year-old Charlie." He sent us his Listener Last Five (which was mighty sophisticated) and a review that he'd written, which made us wonder if he was indeed that young.

Turns out, he wasn't pulling our leg.

12 Year-old Charlie, a.k.a. Charlie Lyons, is the real deal and he's even earned himself a writing gig with his local newspaper, the Purcellville Gazette.

His first review, of the film WALL-E, was published last week, and you can read it by clicking into this PDF. His piece appears on page 14.

Congratulations Charlie!

~~~