I'm Not Wild About Harry

I recently heard an NPR feature on the movie Hot Fuzz. (A big disappointment for me--went on way too long and an absurd plot twist made for a ridiculous third act.) They interviewed the filmmakers, and, for an "expert" opinion, talked to Harry Knowles.

Now Harry's created the Ain't It Cool News site, one of the best movie spots on the web, and he deserves his success. But he's one of the worst critics in the world.

Hot Fuzz is essentially a comedic homage to action films, done with a sly British take. I didn't expect too much from Harry, and he delivered. For instance, he noted a foot chase sequence is shot to be like a car chase, just more low rent, missing the open homage to the famous foot chase in Point Break, a movie Hot Fuzz mentions by name more than once.

There's nothing wrong with being a fanboy enthusiast, but when you can't write, have no insights, and know nothing outside film, you shouldn't be the go-to guy for NPR.