For Keeps: 30 Years at the Movies

For Keeps compiles Roger Ebert's key film reviews and essays from three decades as a movie critic. The collection spans from 1967 to 1997, capturing both mainstream releases and independent films through Ebert's perspective. The book arranges reviews chronologically and includes Ebert's interactions with major directors and actors of the era. His coverage ranges from landmark films like Bonnie and Clyde to personal reflections on the evolution of cinema technology and audience tastes. The writing style mirrors Ebert's trademark approach - clear analysis paired with historical context and technical insights. His reviews go beyond plot summaries to examine cinematography, performances, and cultural impact. This collection demonstrates how film criticism can bridge the gap between artistic analysis and popular entertainment. The reviews reveal cinema's power to reflect and shape American cultural values across changing decades.

Readers value For Keeps as a collection of Ebert's most impactful film reviews from 1967-1997. The book showcases his ability to analyze films beyond surface-level criticism. Liked: - Clear, accessible writing style that avoids academic jargon - Personal anecdotes about interactions with filmmakers - Coverage of both mainstream and art house films - In-depth analysis of cinematography and directing techniques Disliked: - Some reviews feel dated or tied to specific cultural moments - Limited coverage of international films - Length (over 800 pages) makes it unwieldy as a reference - Repetitive themes across multiple reviews Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (328 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (41 ratings) "Ebert writes about movies the way we wish we could talk about them," notes one Amazon reviewer. Multiple Goodreads users cite the book as their introduction to serious film criticism.

The Great Movies by Pauline Kael A collection of film criticism spanning decades of cinema that presents in-depth analyses from one of America's most influential critics.

Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood by Mark Harris The examination of five Best Picture nominees from 1967 reveals the transformation of American cinema through cultural shifts and studio system changes.

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls by Peter Biskind This chronicle of 1970s Hollywood illuminates the filmmakers, actors, and industry players who revolutionized American cinema during its most innovative decade.

Making Movies by Sidney Lumet The director of 'Network' and 'Dog Day Afternoon' details the technical and artistic processes behind film creation from pre-production through final cut.

When Movies Mattered: Reviews from a Transformative Decade by Dave Kehr A compilation of film reviews from the 1970s and 1980s captures the period when American movies underwent significant artistic and commercial changes.

🎬 This 500+ page collection features Roger Ebert's most memorable reviews and essays from 1967 to 1997, including his famous review of "Night of the Living Dead" that helped launch the film into cult classic status. 🏆 Ebert was the first film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism (1975), and remained the only film critic to receive this honor until 2004. 📝 The book's title "For Keeps" reflects Ebert's belief that certain films stay with us forever, shaping our memories and understanding of life - a theme he explores throughout the collection. 🎥 Many of the reviews included in this anthology were written during a pivotal time in American cinema (the 1970s), when filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Steven Spielberg were revolutionizing Hollywood. 🤝 Despite being competitors, Ebert maintained a close 23-year friendship with fellow critic Gene Siskel, though they frequently disagreed in their famous "thumbs up/thumbs down" reviews - several of their most notable disagreements are documented in this collection.