I saw ARGO earlier today.  Terrific movie.  I think GONE BABY GONE is richer, but this is tighter and pretty much works like a Swiss watch, which is arguably a greater directorial achievement.  It's a fairly direct descendent of DOG DAY AFTERNOON, though not as character-rich.  B+/A- is just about right.  I never even…

@avclub-cae7a6912df29a8dbe16c853546eb509:disqus  Yeah, the album cover was pretty poor.  THE CROSSING had such beautiful packaging, too.

@avclub-cae7a6912df29a8dbe16c853546eb509:disqus  Yeah, the album cover was pretty poor.  THE CROSSING had such beautiful packaging, too.

Some of it is a little too on the nose, but it's still special. It's kind of like their BORN IN THE USA; not as subtle or ranging as their previous work, with shorter, punchier songs probably aimed specifically to try to break really, really big. Should've worked, too.

Some of it is a little too on the nose, but it's still special. It's kind of like their BORN IN THE USA; not as subtle or ranging as their previous work, with shorter, punchier songs probably aimed specifically to try to break really, really big. Should've worked, too.

@avclub-cae7a6912df29a8dbe16c853546eb509:disqus  THE SEER is mostly terrific.  Why does it get bashed?

@avclub-cae7a6912df29a8dbe16c853546eb509:disqus  THE SEER is mostly terrific.  Why does it get bashed?

How does he make the surfboard levitate to make it an arm rest?

How does he make the surfboard levitate to make it an arm rest?

It's not great.  It's a bit overlong even though the Weinsteins cut it down by about half an hour.  Good, but not great.

It's not great.  It's a bit overlong even though the Weinsteins cut it down by about half an hour.  Good, but not great.

Did the ENGLISH PATIENT backlash cause THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY to be dismissed?  'Cause that's a terrific movie.

Did the ENGLISH PATIENT backlash cause THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY to be dismissed?  'Cause that's a terrific movie.

To wit: I propose BIRDY.

To wit: I propose BIRDY.

INSIDER, QUIZ SHOW, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS.  Yes.

INSIDER, QUIZ SHOW, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS.  Yes.

…but it did have the later "Jeff Lynne sound" which I still think was terrific.  I remember Petty contending at the time, "Say what you want about ELO, but the production always sounded great."

…but it did have the later "Jeff Lynne sound" which I still think was terrific.  I remember Petty contending at the time, "Say what you want about ELO, but the production always sounded great."

Probably top 50, but top 10 is a stretch even for this fan.