Quick aside, I've been working on the Universal lot for the last 6 weeks and have picked up all sorts of interesting stories.  The War of the Worlds crashed 747 is still on the lot to this day, and it's 100% practical.  Spielberg bought a 747, flew it into Burbank Airport, had it cut into three, and then transported by truck to the lot.  Only problem...they forgot to remove the tail number.  SO for a week after while they were set dressing it, other planes flying into Burbank would look down and see a downed 747 in pieces, and call it into to the FAA and FBI.  Production got shutdown twice while LAPD and LAFD were called to the studios.

I'd love to.

That sounds more reasonable.

1)  Tone
2)  Philosophy
3)  Performances of Matthew and Woody.
4)  Editorial (admittedly biased)
5)  Dialogue
6)  Set design
7)  Michelle Monaghen (She does a lot with a little)
8)  Narrative Structure (i.e. flashback device)
9)  Errol's performance.  You can voice cast an entire pixar movie with just him.
10)Watching the internet shit it's pants because the finale didn't butter it's toast and tuck it in at night.

OK, I'll restate to clarify.  The time jumps certainly were not bad, and were great narrative devices.  With that said, the time framing device wouldn't be in my top 5 favorite things about it.

The brain starts doing some really batty things near death.  My grandfather (a lifelong atheist) flatlined on a table in 1981.  He had the classic near death experience of floating above his body.  He had no explanation for it, it didn't cause him to reassess his faith per se, but it definitely changed him.  Also, the moments before both Steve Jobs and Lou Reed died, their loved ones witnessed those men experience something indescribable.  I'm not preaching anything spiritual, but clearly wacky shit goes when you're about to croak.