The Illusionist

Overall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)
Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)
Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)

Comments:
(Merlin) A very interesting love story with a heist-like twist. Set in turn of the century (early 1900's) in Vienna and dealing with stage magic, classism, and power it's a very involving film.

Crank

Overall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)
Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)
Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)
Comments:
(Merlin) This movie was a blast to watch. Interesting concept, great action, really funny scenes... It has it all. Another action/comedy hit on target by Jason Stitham, who's becoming one of my favorites. Bizarre cinematography really pulls you into the whole experience of Chav's drugged-out world. a LOT of fun packed into an hour and 23 minutes.

The Wicker Man

Overall Rating: # # (2 Buckets o' Popcorn)
Merlin's Grade: # # (2 Buckets o' Popcorn)
Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)
Comments: Disclaimer - neither of us has seen the original British film from the 70's.
(Merlin) An odd movie. Production values and casting were excellent, with some interesting performances, especially Molly Parker (of Deadwood fame) though her appearances were brief. An interesting concept for a horror movie. The biggest problem I had with this movie was the anti-paganism feel... not just the "Pagans are bad...mmmmkay?" sort of feeling, but one of ... "look, this society has women the dominant gender... isn't that BIZARRE?" and "Isn't it strange that people would choose to live isolated from the modern world and live simply with nature?". I guess my Neopagan leanings just were slightly offended by how bizzare they portrayed everything about these people.