WATCHING WITH JOHN

ABOUT THE SERIES:

Among the most respected American film critics of all time, Roger Ebert (1942-2013) won a Pulitzer Prize for his writing in the Chicago Sun-Times and found wider fame co-hosting a syndicated television series with fellow critic Gene Siskel. Among his many books are several volumes devoted to The Great Movies and our very own programming administrator, John Hagelston, is on a quest to see as many of the 350-some titles he so designated on the big screen.

A Note from John: 

Starting as a volunteer, I’ve been with the American Cinematheque for nearly 12 years, and in that time have managed to see all but 80 or 90 of his “great movies.”

Lists can be a tool to help quality boil to the top, and I was looking for one on film when I discovered the Ebert List. To my mind, the Sight & Sound poll is too academic/esoteric (the latest version even more so). The Library of Congress’ National Film Registry covers a wider cinematic spectrum but with a narrower geographic focus. The Ebert List is not without limitations – chief among them the fact that it stopped growing 10 years ago – but I’m convinced that if I see everything on it, I’ll experience some wonderful movies that I would have otherwise missed.

Hopefully you’ll find some of them wonderful as well. Join me at the American Cinematheque as we cross off items from the Ebert Movie Bucket List.