Roger Ebert Brings Back At The Movies

Rodney 13 Comments

Earlier this year we announced that the long running movie review show At the Movies was being cancelled after 35 years on the air. With the evolution of movie reviews, punditry and commentary the show was becoming less and less media relevant.

Now Roger Ebert himself has announced he will ressurect the title and bring a whole new version of At The Movies back.

ScreenRant offers:

The two main co-hosts will be Christy Lemire, a critic from The Associated Press, and Elvis Mitchell from National Public Radio (and formerly critic of The New York Times). There will also be regular guest hosts Kim Morgan (MSN Movies, Huffington Post) and Omar Moore (The Popcorn Reel), both respected film bloggers.

Ebert had this to say about the new show:

“I believe that by returning to its public roots, our new show will win better and more consistent time slots in more markets. American television is swamped by mindless gossip about celebrities, and I’m happy this show will continue to tell viewers honestly if the critics think a new movie is worth seeing.”

I think this is brilliant. Roger Ebert, regardless of how recently he has been proving his dated views are less relevant is making a turn and a strategic effort to resolve this.

The new show is taking advantage of modern critics with a variety of hosts and reviewers. However reviews themselves will still be hosted by pairs and the classic Thumbs Up-Thumbs Down rating system will return.

Furthermore, web personalities and respected bloggers are being invited into the inner circle. I myself am a product of this evolution of the field that Ebert seemed stuck in the past of, and now he is proudly stepping forward.

Cheers Roger Ebert! Despite my difference to your opinions, I have always respected what you have brought to the industry, and this is one more reason!

Best of Luck on the new show!

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  • David Lopan

    Excited to see this. I youtube old episodes with him and siskel, all the time. Michael Phillips and A.O. Scott were awful hosts.

  • http://movienews.pipeno.com/ Darren

    Good luck Mr Ebert!

  • Daniel

    “I am sure at some point people decided that movies didn’t need sound and denounced “talkies” as well.”

    “Cough” Chaplin “Cough”

  • Daniel

    I am a HUGE fan of Roger Ebert and all he’s done and the fact that he’s such an inspirational man but am I the only one who doesn’t like the “:Thumbs Up” rating system?

  • http://darrenjameseeley.wordpress.com/ darren j seeley

    I am somewhat skeptical of this, as stations would commonly kick the old show around like a football. Sometimes it would air as scheduled; other times, an infomercial on The Psychic Friends Network and/or vaccum cleaners.

    If it wasn’t for Ebert and the late Gene Siskel, I would have not been aware of, nor possibly sought out many a picture throught the years. I only hope that the new show can follow that tradition. I do know that if Harry Knowles is a guest I will turn the channel.

  • Indiana Jones’ Brother

    Ebert is great and just as you said, holds many dated views. Still, the man has a hell of a brain in that skull of his, and I have high respect for intelligent people. His film reviews are thoughtful and interesting regardless if you agree or not. He knows the art of cinema - no doubt about it. Great to hear he is pushing forth with his show.

    • http://darrenjameseeley.wordpress.com/ darren j seeley

      I’m going to have to respectfully disagree with everyone here on his “dated” views. There is nothing dated about reviewing, and giving an opinion on a film.

      • http://www.judymoodymovie.com Rodney

        The man said “Our minds use the principle of perspective to provide the third dimension. Adding one artificially can make the illusion less convincing” as an attempt to cut down 3D cinema.

        That’s like someone saying you don’t need movies because when you read a book your imagination creates that dimension of visuals and to put it to screen artificially makes it less convincing. I am sure at some point people decided that movies didn’t need sound and denounced “talkies” as well.

        He also said “WHENEVER HOLLYWOOD HAS FELT THREATENED, IT HAS TURNED TO TECHNOLOGY: SOUND, COLOR, WIDESCREEN, CINERAMA, 3-D, STEREOPHONIC SOUND, AND NOW 3-D AGAIN” as if improving technology is a sign of Hollywood’s “fear”.

        He does have some dated views. No one said all his views were dated.

  • http://www.trailerpit.blogspot.com GL

    I am excited about this. Erbert is someone that went to school and has pretty much studied and dedicated his entire life to films. Of course he might have someone old views, he is from a certain time in history, lol, aka old, but at the same time his word matters, and he usually makes sense. Good for him.

    • http://www.judymoodymovie.com Rodney

      Read http://judymoodymovie.com/2010/05/roger-ebert-hates-3d-i-dont

      He doesn’t always make sense and sometimes those “old world” views do hinder his relevance. But I do respect the crap out of him, and glad to see him adapting.

      • 420BAND

        I Always listened to what he had to say, even if I didnt agree.
        his opinion always had it’s place

  • joe

    what channel will it be on ?

  • http://bttf4ever.blogspot.com fullmetal_medji

    I saw a preview of the show and I’m not as impressed as I thought I would be. Although Ebert’s segment is the best. Still, I’m glad they’re branching out into new stuff.