29 4 / 2013
In this week’s SI, Jason Collins comes out of the closet as the first openly gay player in a major American team sport. (Kwaku Alston/SI)
04 4 / 2013
"
Thank you. Forty-six years ago on April 3, 1967, I became the film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times. Some of you have read my reviews and columns and even written to me since that time. Others were introduced to my film criticism through the television show, my books, the website, the film festival, or the Ebert Club and newsletter. However you came to know me, I’m glad you did and thank you for being the best readers any film critic could ask for.
Typically, I write over 200 reviews a year for the Sun-Times that are carried by Universal Press Syndicate in some 200 newspapers. Last year, I wrote the most of my career, including 306 movie reviews, a blog post or two a week, and assorted other articles. I must slow down now, which is why I’m taking what I like to call “a leave of presence.”
What in the world is a leave of presence? It means I am not going away. My intent is to continue to write selected reviews but to leave the rest to a talented team of writers handpicked and greatly admired by me. What’s more, I’ll be able at last to do what I’ve always fantasized about doing: reviewing only the movies I want to review.
… The immediate reason for my “leave of presence” is my health. The “painful fracture” that made it difficult for me to walk has recently been revealed to be a cancer. It is being treated with radiation, which has made it impossible for me to attend as many movies as I used to. I have been watching more of them on screener copies that the studios have been kind enough to send to me. My friend and colleague Richard Roeper and other critics have stepped up and kept the newspaper and website current with reviews of all the major releases. So we have and will continue to go on.
At this point in my life, in addition to writing about movies, I may write about what it’s like to cope with health challenges and the limitations they can force upon you. It really stinks that the cancer has returned and that I have spent too many days in the hospital. So on bad days I may write about the vulnerability that accompanies illness. On good days, I may wax ecstatic about a movie so good it transports me beyond illness.
… So on this day of reflection I say again, thank you for going on this journey with me. I’ll see you at the movies.
"
04 4 / 2013
"Young men, let your old dad here impart some advice. If a woman has a choice of a man who makes sacks of money on the trading floor and a man who likes to stay home at night reading Lolita, and she’s more attracted to the reader, choose that woman. She needs to pass one more test: Does she believe (a) Lolita is a sex novel, or (b) it’s one of the greatest works of modern literature? Find that out on the second date. If she answers (b), there’s your girl."
03 4 / 2013
Our design/content consultation with our wonderful publisher, TypeEngine, was last night and was a great success! Our magazine, Bright Wall/Dark Room, will officially launch in early May! This is all really happening!
(You all better subscribe in May - only $1.99 a month! - or else I will never speak to you again.)
Woo! Congrats!
22 3 / 2013
I have a love in my life. It makes me stronger than anything you can imagine.
(via bbook)
21 3 / 2013
a bright wall in a dark room.: A Letter to Our Readers
Hello, everybody. This is Chad, the guy behind this site. I am coming to all of you today, directly, because A Bright Wall in a Dark Room has arrived at a (very promising) crossroads—but if it’s to go any further, we need your help.
It has been vitally important to me over the years to…
I’ve been so lucky to write for this fantastic blog that just brims with love for film and the creative process and the community itself, of unique and lovely writers and the readers that have helped elevate the platform to this new exciting place editor Chad (and Michelle and Elizabeth) have worked toward—an online magazine that will continue all these interesting conversations, but unfettered by ads.
To do this, we’re asking for small donations. Please consider clicking through and throwing a few, or more, bucks toward this sleek new model of online expression and community. It’s been a really valuable space for me, pushing me to write outside of my job responsibilities, and sate a creative yearn I’m often so good at ignoring. And now, in its new incarnation, it’s inspiring me to work even harder to tap into that refuge I seek and have occasionally found alone, in the back of dark theaters, watching transformational movies, attempting to translate those moments of brilliance into words of empathy.
So thrilled to be a part of this next step, and hope you can, too. If not monetarily, by following the thoughts of these awesome writers, and the whole BWDR ethos, into this fantastic new theater.
Thanks!
21 2 / 2013
19 2 / 2013
Deep Inside - A Study of 10,000 Porn Stars
For the first time, a massive data set of 10,000 porn stars has been extracted from the world’s largest database of adult films and performers. I’ve spent the last six months analyzing it to discover the truth about what the average performer looks like, what they do on film, and how their role has evolved over the last forty years.
This is fascinating.
“Nikki Lee and David Lee—the most common first and last names of porn stars. A nice coincidence that they share the same last name. It means if these hypothetical hedonists were to marry, a name change wouldn’t be needed.”
And here I thought I was going to marry a Chinese or Korean American.
31 1 / 2013
Dan Marino Fathered A Love Child With A CBS Production Assistant
Deadspin commenters are the best.
To be fair, Marino never saw a ring, either, and even his 1984 AFC Championship Ring was subject to investigation.
My very favorite subgenre of Deadspin comments = the intersection of championship-less athletes and their relationship dirt. Still reeling from the “It will be a traditional Minnesota Vikings wedding: no rings” comment to the Christian Ponder/Samantha Steele engagement scoop. IT NEVER GETS OLD. Like, literally. Trust me.
Sob.
