Brilliant Director/Producer (and sometimes actor) Sydney Pollack passed away due to cancer at his home in the Pacific Palisades --- he was 73. 

Born in 1934 in Indiana, Pollack was an acting coach who became an amazing director, whose career spanned many years.  He is currently in the movie Made of Honor with Patrick Dempsey, and was also recently seen in last year's George Clooney vehicle, Michael Clayton.  He also played a character in Stanley Kubrick's last film, Eyes Wide Shut.

His career is too long for me to list all of his movies, but here are some of my favourites --- most of these are classics, so if you haven't seen them, now might be a good time to hold your own retrospective.

Tootsie (Director --- this movie is the AFI's #2 on the Funniest American Movies of All Time list and was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars in 1982)

Three Days of the Condor --- great script in a CIA whodunnit with Robert Redford.  A classic.

Out of Africa --- one of his biggest successes, starring Meryl Street, Robert Redford.

They Shoot Horses, Don't They? -- Jane Fonda stars in a movie about a grueling dance marathon.

Sabrina --- remake of the old Bogey movie, this one didn't do great at the box office, but it's a really good romantic comedy (starring Harrison Ford).

Rest in Peace, Sydney Pollack