tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138459712024-02-28T10:23:32.306-05:00M&M's Movie ReviewsAs avid moviegoers, we would like to share our views on which movies are worth seeing, and which are not.<br><br>
Our Ratings (in Buckets 'o Popcorn): <UL><LI>5 Buckets - A MUST-SEE in the Theatre.<LI>4 Buckets - You should catch this one, probably in the Theatre<LI>3 Buckets - An all-right movie, wait for video if you want.
<LI>2 Buckets - Don't bother seeing in the Theatre, and no need to rush to rent it.<LI>1 Bucket - Waste of time. Don't even bother renting it.</UL>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-57975503983559322142011-11-22T12:40:00.000-05:002011-11-27T14:10:08.989-05:00Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1Overall Rating: # # # (3 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # 1/2 (2.5 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: # # # 1/2 (3.5 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Comments:<br /><br />(Michele) -- I admit, I loved the books, and I have seen all the movies so far. The movie was exactly what I expected: it's a romance story! You people who think it's a vampire story are sadly mistaken. Get over it! Try NOT to compare it to vampire stories...it's a different type of story; it's a ROMANCE! I enjoyed it! - 3.5 buckets.<br /><br />(Merlin) I know it's not cool to like the Twilight series, and there are quite a few issues with it - but I did enjoy reading the books (for the most part) and like the movies, since they're pretty faithful to the books. This particular movie was more of the same... teenage angst with some supernatural twist. - 2.5 buckets.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-43187761646091144992007-08-26T14:30:00.000-04:002007-08-29T10:22:00.873-04:00War<p>Overall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)</p><p>Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)</p><p>Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)</p><p>Comments:</p><p>(Merlin) Two action greats with great presense in the same movie? cool... Jason Statham & Jet Li? Awesome! This movie was a great movie with intense action, cool characters, incredible plot twists, and great acting. Gimme more like this one!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-63275467890143599482007-08-21T12:45:00.000-04:002007-08-29T10:22:39.568-04:00StardustOverall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) A very interesting concept fantasy world-meets-reality piece. Really great characters played to the hilt by topnotch actors really make this movie shine. ( *chuckle*) Especially good performances by Michelle Pfeiffer as the Witch Lamia, Peter O'Toole as the dying king, and OMG the funniest and most counter-typecast role ever for Robert DiNero.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-87306808332483488052007-08-20T12:00:00.000-04:002007-08-29T10:30:52.429-04:00Grand Canyon (IMAX)Overall Rating: # # # (3 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # (3 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) Very cool visuals of the Grand Canyon, from flying through to riding the rapids. Plot was a bit odd, without really going anywhere.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-86280610917319092682007-08-05T15:45:00.000-04:002007-08-10T11:28:01.132-04:00The Bourne UltimatumOverall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) This Bourne delves into the origins of Jason Bourne and has some slick commentary on today's paranoia society. More incredible action with interesting plot twists.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-36644753025645596192007-08-04T11:30:00.000-04:002007-08-10T14:49:30.981-04:00Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixOverall Rating: # # # # # (5 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # # (5 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) We saw both the regular version and the IMAX experience of this movie... Can you say Awesome? I thought this, the latest in the Harry Potter series, was the best so far. Incredible effects, great acting (nods to Imelda Staunton and Helena Bonham Carter especially as Dolores Umbridge and Beatrix Lestrange respectively), and a much darker feel to this movie really make it stand out. I have to comment on the incredible casting in these movies... they've nailed it over and over. I can't think of a person miscast, or someone better in a part. Sirius Black, Severus Snape, Hagrid, the list goes on and on.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-19206559888679482902007-06-28T19:00:00.000-04:002007-08-09T15:20:45.897-04:00Live Free or Die HardOverall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) This movie was a blast to watch. More Brucey goodness. Great one-liners and over-the-top action that we've come to expect from these movies. Really interesting plotline, with our favorite smouldering anger actor from Deadwood - Timothy Oliphant as the bad guy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-59978314603122894892007-06-22T16:45:00.000-04:002007-08-10T09:57:51.890-04:001408Overall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) You can really tell this is based on a Stephen King short story. There are several moments that obviously come right from the story as they have that King-esque feel. (Once described as touching a corpse through a sheet) Very intense, with moods from intense sadness, to total creep-out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-87414716919606037002007-06-10T12:45:00.000-04:002007-08-10T10:07:20.613-04:00Oceans 13Overall Rating: # # # (3 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # (3 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) The third installment of this series is really just more of the same. Some interesting twists and sub-plots. If you liked the other two, you'll enjoy this one. Nothing really spectacular.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-20550439149077324192007-05-20T16:00:00.000-04:002007-08-10T10:13:26.112-04:00Shrek the ThirdOverall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) More Shrek fun. Awesome animation, some pretty neat plotlines and incredible voice acting make the third installment another joy to watch.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-12078162471896395962007-05-08T18:55:00.000-04:002007-08-10T10:01:32.671-04:00Lucky YouOverall Rating: # # # (3 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # (3 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) Cute romance-in-Vegas, redeemed gambler story. Drew and Eric have some good chemistry and it was overall a pretty good drama.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-83813769141680245782007-05-05T13:15:00.000-04:002007-08-10T10:20:46.854-04:00Spiderman 3Overall Rating: # # # # + (4 1/2 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # + (4 1/2 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) In this season of sequels, this movie stands out. With probably the best plotline from the comic introducing Venom and the alien symbiote, this movie explores Spidey's darker side and temptation. I had never been a big fan of Sandman, but they do such a great job with him in this that you can't help but to think how cool an (almost-anti-)villan he is. Overall a great continuation of a great series.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-64049974962737645682007-04-28T14:30:00.000-04:002007-08-10T10:31:22.801-04:00NextOverall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) This Nicolas Cage action/thriller came out pretty well. An interesting concept and some amazing effects combine with some cool plot twists to create an entertaining movie. Time well spent, and would make a great TV series.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-25760434687700602092007-04-20T19:00:00.000-04:002007-08-10T10:44:12.866-04:00FractureOverall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) Intense thinking thriller with great performances by Anthony Hopkins & Ryan Gosling.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-8389936703473554132007-04-06T06:45:00.000-04:002007-08-10T10:48:45.744-04:00ShooterOverall Rating: # # # + (3 1/2 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # + (3 1/2 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) Fun assassination thriller with some interesting plot twists. Mark Wahlberg plays the "down-home-oh-gosh-ma'am" sniper with a heart against Danny Glover's shadow government conspirator. The whole thing works suprisingly well, with the requisite ass-kicking of the baddies.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-47658333707982394772007-03-11T19:20:00.000-04:002007-08-10T14:40:50.389-04:00300Overall Rating: # # # # # (5 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # # (5 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) AMAZING visuals in an ultracool retelling of the battle of Thermopylae in ancient Greece. Based on a Frank Miller graphic novel. Not a perfect historical recreation, but an incredibly entertaining film that pulls you in and doesn't let go.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-78194807646104033272007-02-28T18:30:00.000-05:002007-08-10T10:54:40.554-04:00BreachOverall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) An intense drama based on real events, this movie's excellence is based on Oscar-worthy performances by Chris Cooper and Ryan Phillippe. Chris Cooper excells as the Cold War Soldier gone bad, and Ryan does a great job of portraying the stress and angst of "betraying" the idolized-yet-undeniably-bad pivotal figure of Robert Hannsen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-90452347981307204682007-02-07T18:50:00.000-05:002007-08-10T15:52:23.739-04:00Children of MenOverall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) An incredibly intriguing concept movie with great acting. Clive Owen is incredible, as is Julianna Moore. Michael Caine plays a delightfully different role for him as a total hippy dude, and pulls it off with pinache. Well worth watching.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-60963918718341072942006-12-29T18:20:00.000-05:002007-08-10T15:00:10.494-04:00Blood DiamondOverall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) Very intense drama set in the chaotic backdrop of Africa and the trade in illegal "blood diamonds" to finance terror and genocide. Amazing performance by Djimon Hounsou. Be prepared for heart-rending drama.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-57294436503920624732006-12-17T13:00:00.000-05:002007-08-10T14:43:31.439-04:00EragonOverall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) Pretty good adaptation of a great book. Entire plotlines left out due to time constraints, but overall a good beginning, hopefully more to come.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-10457794673298092412006-11-18T16:00:00.000-05:002007-08-10T15:15:11.113-04:00Casino RoyaleOverall Rating: # # (2 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # (2 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) The newest Bond flick could have been great... but isn't. Setting it at the "beginning" of Bond's career when he first gets double-o status, but yet in modern times really makes the film fall on it's face as far as I'm concerned. Also missing the classic bond themes of awesome gadgets (sadly lacking) and amazing cars (a Ford Probe for heaven's sake??) really disappoint. There ARE some really cool fight/action scenes and I do like Daniel Craig as Bond and there's some great interplay with him and Eva Green, but overall a definite disappointment.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-27797853576102401032006-11-17T18:20:00.000-05:002007-08-10T15:50:47.990-04:00Happy FeetOverall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) An animated movie with singing and dancing penguins.. How could you go wrong?<br />Cute movie and fun to watch. Robin Williams steals the screen with both of the characters he voices.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-45382084490851124272006-10-22T15:45:00.000-04:002007-08-10T15:15:47.240-04:00The PrestigeOverall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) VERY cool drama/suspense based on a rivalry between two magicians in the late 1800's. Excellent preformances by the cast, and a mind-boggling twist at the end make this a great flick.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-40835733118640448792006-10-10T17:05:00.000-04:002007-08-10T15:07:49.190-04:00Open SeasonOverall Rating: # # + (2 1/2 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # + (2 1/2 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) I was pleasantly suprised by how much I laughed at this animated buddy-tale. Some truly hilarious moments (Elliott's attempt at a lullaby comes to mind) make this a fun watch.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13845971.post-7370876897273670542006-10-07T12:30:00.000-04:002007-08-10T14:57:05.071-04:00The DepartedOverall Rating: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Merlin's Grade: # # # # (4 Buckets o' Popcorn)<br />Michele's Grade: (? Buckets o' Popcorn)<br /><br />Comments:<br />(Merlin) Classic mobster/undercover cop drama. Great performances make this movie intense and belivable. Jack does it again as the Mob boss.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0