Roger Ebert is a name synonymous with the movies. In Ebertrsquo;s Bests; he takes readers through the journey of how he became a film critic; from his days at a student-run cinema club to his rise as a television commentator in At the Movies and Siskel Ebert. Recounting the influence of the French New Wave; his friendships with Werner Herzog and Martin Scorsese; as well as travels to Sweden and Rome to visit Ingrid Bergman and Federico Fellini; Ebert never loses sight of film as a key component of our cultural identity. In considering the ethics of film criticismmdash;why we should take all film seriously; without prejudgment or condescensionmdash;he argues that film critics ought always to engage in open-minded dialogue with a movie. Extending this to his accompanying selection of ldquo;10 Bests;rdquo; he reminds us that hearts and mindsmdash;and even rankingsmdash;are bound to change.
#1740185 in eBooks 2012-11-05 2012-12-19File Name: B00AQIUIAI
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Garden of Historical DelightsBy culture loverThe subtitle for this book is "a book of hours." Indeed; that is probably the closest label available; as the book is formatted into a sort of super Day Runner; with each timeslot having a brief essay on a person or event that took place at that hour. Alternatively; you can think of it as a collection of "On this day in history" articles; except it would be "on this HOUR in history." I prefer to consider it a historical smorgasbord of fascinating occurrences.There are just under 100 brief essays on various topics; most attached to a particular time such as Noon or 7:30pm. Interspersed are twelve seasonal cant-be-tied-to-a-specific-time pieces; labeled with the name of a month.As I said; MOST of the articles focus on a single event; such as 11am (when Oscar Wilde; having just arrived in the US; "takes" New York) or 1:50am ("Last Call at La Rotonde"). Some offer brief narratives outlining the development of an item (such as 7:30ams essay on looking glasses) or a concept (11:45ams essay on sun worshippers). Others; such as the 3:50am "Dreamers Take Flight" gently pinballs from ancient Greece to the Marquis Saint-Denys (probably the first person to try to "program" his dreams AND draw "the faint geometric visual hallucinations that swirl when ones eyes are closed; just on the cusp of sleep.") to psychologist Mary Arnold-Forster. The period covered ranges from the beginning of the World (at 9am naturally; at least according to Bishop Usshers famous calculation) to a handful on the late 20th century. While a few topics may be predictable (10am: "the Royal Table is Laid"); not many other works would include both the 18th century Spanish custom of ladies taking hot chocolate even in church (at 9:05 AM) and "Moonlight Bathes the Colosseum;" concerning the 19th century Grand Tour who "flocked to see Romes Colosseum by moonlight" (at 9:05 PM). Geographically; we journey from Europe to Asia to America (with a handful in the Middle East; such as the 11:45pm essay on coffee). There are illustrations throughout. A few culinary essays; such as 8:55pm "Desserts Aflame" include recipes for things like crepes Suzette or the hot chocolate mentioned above. (The ingredients for Nostradamus famous "Love Jam" are included but youll have to determine for yourself how many "mandrake apples picked at dawn" to combine with "the blood of seven male sparrows.") A list of sources for each essay are in the back of the book.This is a short work of slightly over 250 pages (not counting the bibliography); so you may be tempted to finish it in one or two sittings. Try to refrain; however. Just as you would not attempt to eat an entire box of truffles all at once; so too is your enjoyment extended by limiting yourself to just a few entries at a time.I enjoyed this book immensely and plan to peruse the authors previous work next. Bon appeacute;tit !1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. CuteBy SerenaLove the book--but its not quite what I expected. It less about specific times and events and more of just trying to link charming little historical stories somehow to time. Its a lovely little book for history and humanities lovers.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful Way to While Away the Hours ReadingBy Lady Eve SidwichLove Jessica Kerwin Jenkins books. Anecdotal contemplations of a wide array of dizzying subjects. Completely absorbing; interesting; amusing. I bought mine (as well as her Encyclopedia of the Esquisite) for myself but both books would make for great gifts.