Sydney Pollack: 1934-2008

[Saburo]

Sydney Pollack, the Academy Award-winning director of "Out of Africa" who achieved acclaim making popular, mainstream movies with A-list stars, including "The Way We Were" and "Tootsie," died Monday. He was 73.
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Pollack helmed "Tootsie," my favorite movie of all time.  What made it even more enjoyable was his running commentary on an old Criterion laserdisc release.  His voice, discussing his craft, was one of the most lucid, articulate and engaging I've ever experienced.  More than anyone else, Pollack helped me to understand what being a movie director is all about. 

He will be missed greatly.