The Issue: The passing of legendary movie critic Roger Ebert after a lengthy battle with thyroid cancer.
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Life is certainly not for sissies — one could’ve asked film critic Roger Ebert, who fought a long, courageous battle against cancer (“2 Thumbs Up for Fine Act,” Kyle Smith, April 5).
Even though cancer had claimed Ebert’s voice, his writing ability was unaltered. In essence, we still heard his voice.
Back in the day, I watched the dynamic duo of Ebert and Gene Siskel on their PBS show. It was a genuine treat. Their passionate bickering was unlike anything else I had ever watched on TV.
But time is a thief, as another great legend leaves our world.
Ebert was unforgettable and will sorely be missed. JoAnn Lee Frank
Clearwater, Fla.
Many sources will pay appropriate tribute to the late Ebert’s contributions to film criticism, and with his essays and other articles in the wider world of pop culture.
But it’s also fascinating to note that Ebert, as a young man in the early ’60s, was also a fan of science-fiction fanzines, which had a particular base here in New York.
That eager and often erudite league of enthusiasts helped encourage the burgeoning writer, or at least gave him one of the very first forums in which to hone his abilities, and receive some steady feedback.
James H. Burns
Valley Stream
I want to express my condolences on Ebert’s passing, but I also want to question the celebrity status that he and all other critics of the arts have reached.
Isn’t the saying that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”? Why was his “eyesight” cherished above anyone else’s?
I wonder how many movies that he panned went on to make tons of money and how many he praised that went straight to the video rack? After all, one man’s garbage is another man’s gold.
If the prose with which he detailed films was the real talent, then I’ll accept his notoriety.
In fact, I’ll give him a thumbs up on that.
Louie Rey
East Meadow