Roger Ebert is enjoying a renaissance of relevance recently. I have never really read his reviews. I remember him from his TV show with Siskel and then Roeper.  But what better time to start reading than when he is at his best?

Perhaps I should I have waited longer…

If you have read any of my previous posts you will know that I think a review should be concise. If I should spend my time and money on a piece of art I want to do that and not read a reviewers reenactment of it. Worse is the rambling personal affection that a reviewer may have for something that I will never share. This is exactly what Mr. Ebert does in his review of 45365. It is really great that Mr. Ebert can relate to the small town life presented in the documentary, but it would have been helpful if he took the time from his reminiscing to tell me what the movie is about. I get no feel for why I should see this movie or the filmmakers intent for creating it, no sense for the artistic feel of the movie and no indication that it is even a movie at all. I do get the sense that Mr. Ebert would much rather be back in his old home town of Urbana, Illinois. Maybe it’s time for him to do just that.