Roger Ebert

With the sad news of Roger Ebert's passing yesterday, it was surprising to see the reaction from the internet world. Not the fact that they were sad at his passing, but just the fact that his work was so pervasive and that he was so universally well respected by people in all walks of life. I'm active on Twitter, and there was such an outpouring of support from celebrities, writers and commonfolk all of whom were not only familiar with his work but influenced by it in some way. It's a testament to the power of movies, and how great ones get people talking almost unlike anything else. Roger Ebert simply watched movies, provided his thoughtful and honest take and went from there. It seems so simple, but he did that one thing so well that he helped shape an industry. He left this world a better place than when he entered it, a fact that has not gone ignored. Rest in peace, Mr. Ebert. We'll see you at the movies.