Not Silenced for Good

One of my favorite critics has been silenced.  Well, not quite in that way.

According to a blurb on the Seattle Times website, Pulitzer Prize winning critic Roger Ebert has lost his ability to speak after complications in surgery.  They wrote that his "surgery in January ended in complications, and his ability to speak was not restored."

"But I still have all my other abilities, including the love of viewing movies and writing about them," Ebert said (CNN).

Thankfully, the 65-year-old reviewer will continue to review movies through writing for the Chicago Sun-Times, says IMDB.  He will not, however, return to his syndicated television series "At the movies with Ebert & Roeper."

Ebert has a history with cancer.  According to Wikipedia, he was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer that was successfully removed.  In 2003, he also underwent a surgery and radiation treatment for cancer in his salivary gland.  This reportedly left his voice altered.

If you're not a reader of Ebert's reviews (other than the "Two Thumbs Up" slogan on trailers), I suggest you get reading.  I find that Ebert has an impeccable perspective in his reviews and shares his taste in film with yours truly.

I'm glad to hear that he is on his way to recovery, and that we can still enjoy his insightful reviews we've all come to love.