Roger Ebert arguably was the most famous movie critic of all time, reviewing thousands of films over his career. Here's a look at his all-time favorite movies and the films that got his famed thumbs down.
Favorite Movies
Casablanca - 1942
"If we identify strongly with the characters in some movies, then it is no mystery that 'Casablanca' is one of the most popular films ever made."
The Godfather - 1972
"The story views the Mafia from the inside. That is its secret, its charm, its spell; in a way, it has shaped the public perception of the Mafia ever since."
E.T. -- The Extra-Terrestrial - 1982
"But when those bikes took off, what a terrific moment! I remember when I saw the movie at Cannes; even the audience there, people who had seen thousands of movies, let out a whoop at that moment."
The Silence of the Lambs - 1991
"The popularity of Jonathan Demme's movie is likely to last as long as there is a market for being scared. Like 'Nosferatu,' 'Psycho' and 'Halloween,' it illustrates that the best thrillers don't age.
Titanic - 1997
"These shots strike precisely the right note; the ship calls from its grave for its story to be told, and if the story is made of showbiz and hype, smoke and mirrors--well, so was the Titanic."
Least Favorite Movies
Ishtar - 1987
"'Ishtar' is a truly dreadful film, a lifeless, massive, lumbering exercise in failed comedy."
Heaven’s Gate - 1981
"This movie is a study in wretched excess. It is so smoky, so dusty, so foggy, so unfocused and so brownish yellow that you want to try Windex on the screen."
Kazaam – 1996
"The filmmakers looked at him [Shaq], saw a tall bald black man, and said 'Hey, he can be a genie!' At which point, somebody should have said, 'OK, that's level one. Now let's take it to level three.'''
