Comments on: The Slasher Witch Hunt part 1: Roger Ebert

By: Byron Dunbar

Byron Dunbar — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:15:14 +0000

Ebert doesn’t hate slashers, he just dislikes the ones he felt were in poor taste. He gave good reviews to Last House on the Left, Halloween, the Devil’s Rejects, Motel Hell, and although he only awarded it two stars, he admits the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre is an incredibly well made and effective film.

By: To The Kill « Blanked as Ordered

To The Kill « Blanked as Ordered — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:33:10 +0000

[...] Part of my disdain for these films was due to the franchise element. I’ve always despised a lack of originality in movie making. It seemed that most slasher movies were either sequels, remakes or ripoffs of other slasher films. I also took issue with the mindless violence and gore. To me, an effective horror film could convey terror at the threat of violence without resorting to graphic, repetitive depictions of violence. And then there was the lack of character development. Most characters in slasher films exist as victims first, characters second. In many cases, they don’t even get to utter a single line of dialogue before being dispatched by a brutal and often unseen killer. Combine this lack of interest in human development with visual depictions of human lives being (literally) destroyed, and you can see why the slasher movement was deemed offensive or even threatening to many in the early 1980s. [...]

By: Christine

Christine — Sun, 24 May 2009 11:44:27 +0000

Well-written, sober article.

By: Anthony Benedetto

Anthony Benedetto — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:27:15 +0000

I have always followed Ebert’s reviews and enjoyed reading his opinions even I don’t agree with him. His hatred for “Alligator” makes no sense. The film was never meant to be taken that serious. But I always felt negative reviews work in favor of a slasher film?

The other thing that is hysterical is that Quentin Tarantino steals elements from these films. Which most critics probably have not sat through. His films are met with rave reviews for stealing from films that nobody wanted to see. Ebert even did a tribute show to him. The funniest thing is the reamke of “Inglorious Bastards” a film that starred Fred “The Hammer” Williamson now stars Brad Pitt. How many people want to bet Ebert will give it a rave review?

By: Thomas

Thomas — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:13:50 +0000

I want to thank everyone for their positive comments, feedback, and suggestions. I hope you all enjoy the next chapter.

To Alison- I didn’t mean to imply that his health problems were caused by his dislike for slasher films. Actor, director Vincent Gallo has taken credit for “cursing” Mr. Ebert with cancer after Ebert gave Gallo’s The Brown Bunny a negative review. The final paragraph was only ment as a type of “Where are they now” conclusion to the article.

By: Alison

Alison — Tue, 05 May 2009 22:21:30 +0000

Despite his views against the Slasher genre (it’s hard to say his opinion on the horror genre in general), I’m not quick to say his health or the Chicago-Times going under are karmic signs. I myself wanted to be a film critic back as a teen, but somehow deviated away from it to focus more on watching the industry as it is and from afar, balancing between my opinions and what the industry does what it does. If I was a figure in this debate, I would side with the issue of personal responsibility and societal responsibility when to comes to violence, the line between reality and fantasy of film depictions, etc.

By: Amanda By Night

Amanda By Night — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:11:15 +0000

I love when filmmakers use a critic’s negative review as marketing. Like I think Siskel and Ebert said Lost Highway was the worst movie they’d seen and that quote ended up on the poster. Or when Rex Reed said the Texas Chainsaw Massacre was the sickest film he’d ever seen and there’s the quote on the vhs!

I like Ebert a lot, regardless of his opinions. He’s a great writer and has a true passion for film, even if we disagree at times.

Great article Thomas. Very interesting and enjoyable!

By: Arsinine

Arsinine — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:30:04 +0000

‘Day of the Woman bombed when it was originally released but made a fortune after a title change and Ebert’s rants in the media.’

Moral watchdogs never learn that the best way of ensuring that “trash” disappears is to simply ignore it. Time and again, railing against questionable things only generates an interest disproportionate to merit.

By: the2ndsuitor

the2ndsuitor — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:58:22 +0000

Great idea for a slasher site article, explore the other side of the fence (did I just smash 3 metaphors into one sentence?).

I think it’s worth mentioning the tirade against “Friday the 13th” and Ebert’s failed conscience-questioning letter campaign to Betsy Palmer for her participation in the film. According to her, he released her industry contact information to rally viewers into sending her letters, questioning her judgement in taking the role. She said she never got a single one.

By: Racicot

Racicot — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:58:13 +0000

Great topic for discussion!

I like how you call it a Rogue’s gallery – awesome.

And as they say: They never built a monument for a critic.