In 2013, my first review over on Rogerebert.com went live. Roger himself had assigned it to me. It was a review of Christian Petzold’s wonderful Barbara. I sent in my draft to him, terrified and excited. He emailed back in 10 minutes, saying, “This is wonderful. I love how you start with the details of what you saw.” My mother was staying with me at the time (long story: I was very very ill and could not take care of myself at the time), and the two of us shared an intense moment of triumph, her for me, and me for me, that in the midst of my sickness this amazing unforeseen opportunity had come along. It felt like such a hopeful harbinger. It is so special to me that my mother was there for me in that moment. It had been a terrible and hair-raising 5 years. I will be forever grateful. Ebert reaching out to me changed my life.
I have reviewed 3 to 5 movies a month ever since then for Ebert. It’s a great gig, and rare in this terrible racket. I have interviewed directors. I have gone to Ebertfest every year. It’s a gig I am grateful for. I feel proud to be a part of it. Roger Ebert died a month after my Barbara review went up. But at least I got to have that one moment with him. Roger, wherever you are, thank you.
Here are some of the pieces I’ve written over the years, things I’m proud of.
A Band Called Death (2013)
Metallica Through the Never (2013)
Nymphomaniac Volume 1 (2014)
Nymphomaniac Volume 2 (2014)
Hateship Loveship (2014)
The Strange Little Cat (2014)
Love Is Strange (2014)
The Homesman (2014)
I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story (2015)
Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015)
Eden (2015)
Interview with Reed Morano on Meadowland
Crimson Peak (2015)
Spotlight (2015)
Carol (2015)
Christmas Again (2015)
Night Owls (2015). I interviewed director Charles Hood about Night Owls here.
Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party (2016)
Cemetery of Splendour (2016)
Krisha (2016)
Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)
The Fits (2016)
World-class Acting: On Joan Crawford and Sudden Fear
Disorder (2016)
Under the Shadow (2016)
Little Sister (2016)
Elle (2016)
Always Shine (2016)
Things to Come (2016)
20th Century Women (2016)
Book Review: Mary Astor’s Purple Diary
Ma (2017)
Kedi (2017)
Living Truthfully Under Imaginary Circumstances: An Interview with Sam Schacht about The Method
Heal the Living (2017)
Manifesto (2017)
Interview with Charles Taylor on Opening Wednesday at a Theater or Drive-in Near You
Megan Leavey (2017)
The Beguiled (2017)
Columbus (2017)
Beach Rats (2017)
Rat Film (2017)
Super Dark Times (2017)
Princess Cyd (2017)
The Greatest Showman (2017)
The Last Movie Star (2018)
You Were Never Really Here (2018)
Elvis Presley: The Searcher (2018)
? And I’ve been enjoying your reviews ever since. I hope to go back to Ebertfest some day. I was lucky enough to go when Roger was still alive, which is something I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.
Greg – I feel very fortunate to have known him (albeit so briefly). It would be great if you could come back to Ebertfest!
I never met Roger but miss him terribly
You SHOULD be proud. The undisputed greatest film critic of all time chose you to help carry on his work and legacy. And it was completely earned on merit. Congratulations on the anniversary!
Todd – thank you so much! It’s been a fun ride!