Roger Ebert’s Top 100 Movies: Celebrating Cinema’s Best and Worst Films

Here's a deep dive into Roger Ebert, the film critic who shaped generations of moviegoers. His influence spans from cherished films to those that repelled him. Ebert was more than a critic; he was a cultural institution.

The Ebert Verdict: More Than Just Stars

Roger Ebert was relatable and sharp-witted. He reviewed about 10,000 films from 1967 to 2013. His four-star rating system was iconic. He also used zero stars for bad films like *I Spit On Your Grave*. Ebert had a superpower: his writing. He made complex cinematic ideas accessible. He was like a knowledgeable friend explaining masterpieces like *Citizen Kane*. Ebert honored the human aspect in storytelling.

Ebert's Pantheon: The Films He Adored

What films topped Ebert's favorites list? Martin Scorsese's *Raging Bull* (1980) held the top spot. Scorsese was Ebert's favorite director. Ebert also loved *Tokyo Story* (1953) and *The Tree of Life* (2010). Alfred Hitchcock's *Vertigo* (1958) was another favorite. Ebert said, "Notorious is my favorite Hitchcock." These films were more than movies; they were art that resonated with him.

The Hall of Shame: Ebert's Least Loved

Every critic loathes some films, and Ebert was no different. He didn't have a formal "least favorite" list. Films like *10 to Midnight*, *The A-Team*, and *Africa: Blood and Guts* earned his disdain. Ebert criticized *An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn*. Romantic comedies like *Alex & Emma* didn’t impress him, nor did *Anatomy of Hell* and *Annapolis*. To Ebert, these represented storytelling missteps.

Walk-Out Wonders: Films Ebert Couldn't Endure

Walking out of a movie is a bold critic's statement. Ebert walked out of several films. *The Statue* (1971) was the first film he exited. The philosophical *Jonathan Livingston Seagull* (1973) was too much for him. Vincent Gallo's *The Brown Bunny* (2003) also made him leave. *Tru Loved* (2008) and *Mediterraneo* (1991) were other films he couldn’t endure. These moments show what he found unforgivable in cinema.

Zero Zone: The Films That Hit Rock Bottom

Zero stars from Ebert meant disaster. While *I Spit On Your Grave* is the most infamous zero-star film, it shared the honor with *10 to Midnight* and *Africa: Blood and Guts*. *An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn* appeared again on this list. Films like *B*A*P*S*, *Breaking the Rules*, and *Caligula* also hit rock bottom. *Chaos* and *Dangerously Close* rounded out Ebert's view of cinematic destruction. For him, these films lacked redeeming qualities.

High Praise: Ebert's Top-Rated Films

Ebert celebrated cinematic triumphs too. He praised classic films like *Citizen Kane*, *The Godfather*, and *The Dark Knight*. Epic fantasies and sci-fi masterpieces were his favorites as well. Movies like *The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King* and *2001: A Space Odyssey* caught his attention. He liked diverse genres such as *The Shawshank Redemption*, *Spirited Away*, and *The Sting*. Of course, he adored the original *Star Wars* trilogy too. His highest rating went to *Leave No Trace*, which boasts 100% positive reviews based on aggregate critic scores.

The Final Curtain: Ebert's Last Review and Legacy

Ebert's passion for cinema never wavered, even in his last days. His final review, published posthumously on April 6, 2013, was for *To the Wonder* by Malick. He battled cancer for over a decade, starting in 2002. He lost his voice due to surgery in 2006 but continued to write. Ebert passed away on April 4, 2013, in Chicago at age 70. His Pulitzer Prize-winning reviews cemented his legacy as a leading film critic. Ebert won the Pulitzer for criticism in 1975 for his work in 1974.

Beyond Ebert: Movie Trivia Tidbits

Here’s some fun movie trivia! According to polls, America's favorite movie is *Forrest Gump*. In contrast, *Zyzzyx Road* holds the title for lowest box office gross—only $30. For cinematic dominance, *Avatar* remains the highest grosser ever made. Finally, *Star Wars* (1977) is the most referenced film in popular culture.

Ebert's Personal Touches

Ebert had personal preferences too. His admiration for Martin Scorsese is well-known. He embraced technology, using a synthesized voice named "Alex" after losing his own. To summarize human existence, he often quoted Shakespeare: “Life is but a tale, told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” This fits Ebert well, a man who analyzed stories for years. Roger Ebert's influence persists, reminding us that film criticism connects us to movies deeply.