I definitely have to say you missed the point of Sharpio's article. A piece of work can be looked at in context of its time (Why everyone likes Citizen Kane is because it "changed cinema"), but I believe that truly great works can stand the testament of time, that is, exist outside when and where they were created and still communicate.

I think that Citizen Kane is great because it has a powerful story that is still relevant, but I cant stand Fellini because all of his work is pretentious and completely unrelated to me despite whatever importance Italian Neo-realism had. Sharpio is saying that movies, like all art, should be about what you enjoy, the experts be damned.

I've had this argument time and time again in film class and I definitely come from Sharpio's angle; though I disagree with him about Blade Runner. Talk about the merits of an individual film outside of what it did or who directed it. Was the Mid-poin Whammy really good? Did the end of the second act leave you as downtrodden as the lead character? Did the ending actually work? For example I love Blade runner because of the world, the style, the idea of the movie, but that doesn't negate that the final showdown with Roy is weak from a story standpoint. In the end the Tears in the Rain scene redeems the film but I am still intensely bored with the final showdown.

It's definitely been my favorite comic book movie so far. I really got into comics because of Batman Begins and from everything that I've read Batman wise (classics like the Long Halloween, Batman Year One, and The Dark Knight Returns) The Dark Knight is the most faithful to the character. At the same time as Matt says, the whole story strikes a tone with the post 9/11 world. I've seen the movie a dozen times and you could call me a fan, but I'm a fan because the strength of the story and its message.

Haven't watched torchword and still need to watch most of the new doctor who episodes but I have to agree with you on favorite doctors. Tom Baker was ridiculous and my first doctor, but Davidson was by far the best character in terms of investment. Favorite companions anyone? Adrik for most ridiculous and Teagan for best overall.