It's cute for a few seconds but sometimes its use is really out of place and it can break the illusion as you recall that yup, you are in fact watching a movie.

Hmm... it's important to not fall into the trap of arguing that only those who create can criticise. Swap out films for food or sports (or anything really), and it's apparent how inane that argument is. If you're not a master chef, does that mean you can't not like the food you've been served? Criticism is ultimately elaboration of dislike, it's feelings given form in word.

That's my feelings listening to the first Kevin Smith video. Also, Kevin Smith has a pretty shitty approach to receiving criticism of his movies, and appears (on the face of it) to be thin-skinned. Receiving criticism is a fact of life, all work regardless of whether it's amateur, professional, artistic or scientific, receives it. Trying to go through life insulating yourself from that only stunts your growth. It's probably why Kevin Smith's not getting any better as a film-maker or storyteller.

Further, if one argues that no film is bad, then no film is good either - it swings both ways.

Argh... jedi *puts fingers down mouth*

I'm guessing my enjoyment of this new trilogy will be dependent on how few Jedi and lightsabres are in it. Spaceships please. All the spaceships.

I found Iron Sky to be unwatchable. I'm sure some folks worked really hard and did some great work on it, but it's a cinematic mess (and really quite awkward to watch).

You have my vote for Heat though. Perhaps you can do a double bill with The Town as avatar hints at above?

Brave doesn't belong on any worst of the year lists!

Superb work Ash, loving these pictures.

I very recently got my hands on the old "ILM: Art of Special Effects" book which is an amazing book covering ILM's work on their 80s films. I've only briefly perused it so far, but would definitely recommend. Lots of neat pictures too. One thing that consistently surprises me is the extent of use of matte paintings back then (and still now I guess) in films I never thought were anything but mostly real. Indy and Co. walking up to Pankot palace for example.

For some reason, I hated the slo-mo in Dredd and actually got irritated during them (well, the latter ones at least). It was so slow that I began to lose interest and wish it would just get on with it - and then some were just unnecessary to begin with. By the time of the second superfluous sequence, my 'goodwill' had been used up. Otherwise, it's a great movie.

With regards to Looper, I confess I'd forgotten about it, to that point where I wouldn't include in a top 10 list because it would slip my mind entirely...