::::::::I'm not sure why you're evaluating IMDb for encyclopedic value.  The point of an external link is to supplement encyclopedic coverage of a film.  I believe the different resources at IMDb accomplish that, and reliability is not imperative.  I think that the editor's perspective of IMDb is that it is not reliable enough, not flat-out unreliable.  (Except when we're talking about trivia pages, which IMO are seriously messy.)  Basically, I think that the resources qualify as "good enough" for readers who are seeking out resources other than an encyclopedia.  Even putting that argument aside, I think that the comprehensive cast and crew information is reason enough to include IMDb as an EL.  I just do not think that WP:EL forbids IMDb; discussion of its value will hinge on consensus.  We can discuss IMDb as an external link at WT:FILM, though.  I'm just not sure if it's possible to overcome its entrenched nature... I advocated removing Allmovie, a much lesser resource, but there was not interest in removing it.  I mean, if you put up the IMDb template for TfD, you will very likely see serious backlash.  Just my $0.02.