Re: Let's discuss Iron Man 3. [SPOILERS]
Well, yesterday I saw the movie in question. Wasn't awful. Wasn't particularly memorable either.
What I remember 24 hours later: the skydiving scene was nicely done (and I was happy to find out via the credits that at least part of it was done practically). Ben Kingsley was fun to watch, and I liked SuperPepper even though that was telegraphed so hard I got a little impatient waiting for the payoff. And at least the climax didn't involve the destruction of another major city.
Other than that, all the going-through-the-motions of telling a story were completely wasted - it might have worked if they were actually going to commit to this idea that Tony will never put on the suit again. But everyone over the age of six knows he's going to put the suit on again until Marvel movies stop turning a profit.
Bottom line, Shane Black now joins Joss Whedon in the category of filmmakers who could make really interesting stuff, but are making these soulless McSpectacles instead. But maybe one or both of them will use the Soderbergh playbook and use their new clout to make a few challenging projects in between tentpoles. We'll see.