Hometown hero Roger Ebert championing other hometown hero Frederick Marx's Hoop Dreams

My mom took me to see Hoop Dreams at The Art when I was 10 years old. I saw 2001: A Space Odyssey for the first time, in 70mm, at the 2001 Ebertfest in a very-packed, newly-restored Virginia Theatre. When picking out their weekend VHSs and DVDs my folks sought out Ebert’s favs so he’s the reason I saw Mulholland Drive, Pulp Fiction, Adaptation & Being John Malkovich, A Simple Plan, Fargo, Dark City, Three Kings and Magnolia (Magnolia!)... and so many other amazing, formative movies.

He always had a tireless earnestness about film, but being able to watch him get old, get sick, survive, and melt into a pure, postureless, open, grateful, loving, thinking, writing, revered public figure was another gift.

Others will say it better but I'll say this: thanks, Roger Ebert.