Roger Ebert discovering “an important new actress”

So for those of you that have been following Sundance, you know that it has been HUGE for Kristen, who has been garnering rave reviews for her performances in The Runaways, and especially Welcome to the Rileys. Many in the press are calling the glowing reception of her performances the biggest breakthrough of her career so far. As was posted earlier, the biggest and most respected critic today, Roger Ebert (who is known for hating the Twilight series), tweeted after seeing the WTTR screening: “Kristen Stewart is a fine actress. Saints preserve her from Twilight.” Well, Ebert has finally wrote summary/reaction of eight films he saw at Sundance, two of them being WTTR and The Runaways, and lets just say he has taken a big liking to Kstew! Very big in terms of critical acclaim, and so well deserved go Kristen! Here’s what he had to say in terms of her performances, i didnt include the small paragraph of the summary for those of you who want to be spoiler free but the link at the bottom will take you to full text:

The Runaways:
Joan Jett still tours today, and is an intact survivor. The movie reproduces the Runaways’ actual music, which is no better that you might expect, but the acting is very convincing. Kristen Stewart proves once again that she’s a rising star, and Dakota Fanning is such a fine actress that I, for one, almost believed I’d always heard her using the f-word. As for Michael Shannon, is he the most unheralded force in acting today, or what?

Welcome to the Rileys:
Welcome to the Rileys was one of the buzz champs of Sundance 2010. The discovery once again is Kristen Stewart, who after this year’s festival can be considered completely rehabilitated after the “Twilight” films. That sounds like unlikely melodrama? So it is. But Gandolfini, Stewart and Leo inhabit it with persuasive performances, and director Jake Scott uses French Quarter locations that add another level of atmosphere. Gandolfini does something here he often does, as in John Turturro’s “Romance & Cigarettes” (2005): He demonstrates that although he may not be conventionally handsome, when he smiles his face bathes you in the urge to like him. Kristen Stewart here is tougher even than her punk rocker in “The Runaways.” Who knew she had these notes? I’m discovering an important new actress.