Movies That Should Have Been in Ebert's "Great Movies" Section
 

One of my favorite things in the years reading Ebert's reviews was discovering who would get the prestigious honor in appearing in his Great Movies section where he would write a special new review reflecting on its merits years or decades after its release. Every so often there would be one that I didn't see coming, but I could see why he picked it. One that tickled me was placing "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" as well as "Groundhog Day". They both have lasting power.

So, in honor of Roger, what movie would you had wished he would have put in the Great Movies? And actually, not just wished, but you could see him believably putting there in accordance to his tastes and insights. We're talking about a list that has "Citizen Kane"; "The Godfather" (along with "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" and "Groundhog Day")

For me it would be "Back to the Future". It was a movie I had always wished he had took the time to rediscover. It's a pop masterpiece of the first order and endlessly rewatchable. The drama and the comedy flow back and forth beautifully and the performances are more nuanced than they're given credit for. I believe its even used in film classes. Ebert had given it 3 and a half stars when he reviewed it.

Here's his great movies section, so you can get an idea.

Re: Movies That Should Have Been in Ebert's "Great Movies" Section
 

Comedies are woefully underrated, when it comes to critics. Some I consider great:

Lost in America
My Favorite Year
Arthur
Broadcast News
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
A Fish Called Wanda
Raising Arizona
Animal House
The Blues Brothers
Broadway Danny Rose
Play It Again, Sam
Without a Clue
The Princess Bride
Blazing Saddles
Repo Man

Re: Movies That Should Have Been in Ebert's "Great Movies" Section
 

I think Brian DePalma's THE UNTOUCHABLES is a 4-star film, but Roger never cared for it (2 1/2 stars from him)

Re: Movies That Should Have Been in Ebert's "Great Movies" Section
 

Here are some that I consider great films and strongly disagree with Roger

The Usual Suspects - *1/2
Dead Man - *1/2
Blue Velvet - *
Lost Highway - **
A Taste of Cherry - *

Re: Movies That Should Have Been in Ebert's "Great Movies" Section
 

Ebert's "Great Movies" list is hardly definitive; just his [Ebert's] favorite films. I don't think anything "should" be on it that he hadn't put there already.

Besides, 3 1/2 out of 4 is hardly a bad review for "Back To The Future"... :shrug:

Re: Movies That Should Have Been in Ebert's "Great Movies" Section
 

Not sure if he was going to put it on the Great Movie List, but I recall in an email exchange with a reader a year or two ago Ebert said he planned to revist A Clockwork Orange (which he disliked).

Planes Trains and Automobiles is my favorite of all The Great Movie essays. I love how Ebert explains his realization over the years that it was a great movie, and it includes a fascinating and sad little story about meeting John Candy.

The Great Movie Essay for The Shining is bizarre, and makes me question if he actually watched the movie again or even liked it.