TheMovieRhino's stats
- Review count647
- Helpfulness votes412
- First reviewNovember 16, 2008
- Last reviewMay 26, 2012
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.9
Overall rating
3
/
5
Country Strong - Movie Not So Much.....
PostedJanuary 10, 2011
Really had high expectations for "Country Strong". Perhaps this is part of the reason for my disappointment in the full and finished on-screen product. The movie seemed long and even tedious at times. I wanted to be surprised and enjoy some textured layers of character development and, at least for me, this did not happen. The movie, the songs and the acting is okay ... sometimes better than okay. The problem lies primarily in the story and script itself. Many will like this movie, some will like it a lot .... I cannot help feeling it could have been a whole lot more than it was. We now know that Paltrow can sing and we already knew that McGraw can act (.... he gets better every time). Both actors need to stretch themselves so we can see their full potential.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Rabbit Hole Will Transfix You ...Maybe Change You!
PostedJanuary 3, 2011
To describe the many layers of human emotion and coping that are unearthed and displayed in "Rabbit Hole" would take a review that would read like a psychology textbook. This near-perfectly filmed and acted drama is living proof that a picture is worth a thousand words. With sparse dialogue, clean cinematography and crisp editing the director has sculpted an ultimate tribute to the complexities of human grief, forgiveness and coping. Nicole Kidman has never been better and should be Oscar nominated (good shot at winning). Mesmerizing from start to finish. A movie that should be seen by all adults who like a taste of serious dramatic film-making to "clean their palettes" after gorging on holiday animated movies, sci-fi blockbusters, gross-out comedies and re-cycled installments of previous hit films. Thank you and kudos to all of the risk-takers that participated in this well-crafted movie!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
1
/
5
You Don't Want To Know "How Do You Know"....
PostedJanuary 2, 2011
The entire movie glides along the surface skipping over it's potential like a flat stone skipping over a pond. How Do You Know really deserves less than one star if for no other reason than the volume of wasted potential from it's experienced cast and crew. Most of the blame must be placed at the feet of writer-director James L Brooks but the actors bought into this "under-achievement in film-making" at some point so they get their fair share of the responsibility. This comedy may be an effort in minimalism - a minimum of laughs, plot, pathos, believability, likability, chemistry, etc. How do we know? We sat through all painful 116 minutes of it .... hopefully saving you from making the same mistake!
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
2
/
5
Recommend You Avoid This "Tourist Trap"
PostedDecember 27, 2010
Hard to believe that you can take Depp, Jolie and many excellent supporting actors and mix them into what purports to be a "suspense thriller" and it falls flat with a "thud" - yet, here it happens! I cannot remember when I last saw either of the two lead actors more 2 dimensional and "cardboard-like". Likely we should blame the director for this. Surely the vast majority of viewers guessed the "twist ending" early on. Just not much here other than the exotic local of Venice. The remaining exciting and interesting bits could be bundled together in a 10 minute video re-cap .... which might be worth sitting through. Film-makers, worth their "salt" should have "sparrowed" us this flop and "crofted" a much better tale - one that "wood" have given us much more "bang bang" for the buck!
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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1of 1voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
The King's Speech Will Have Everyone Talking!
PostedDecember 27, 2010
Simply put - The King's Speech is a perfect movie (at least as perfect as a movie can be when made by imperfect beings)! This true story is fascinating and intricately told, allowing us to understand the motivations and nuances surrounding the events. The work by all of the lead actors is mesmerizing as they inhabit and disappear into the characters they portray - spot on! The cinematography, dialogue, editing, pacing, score and sound work could not be better. There is nothing more enjoyable - in a movie about an historical event that few are aware of - than to learn much about the event while being immensely entertained! The King's Speech hits all the right notes fluidly and without the slightest "cinematic stammer"! Don't miss it!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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1of 1voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
Tron Legacy 3D Hits the Target Most of the Time...
PostedDecember 27, 2010
Tron Legacy 3D is worth seeing and has several great CGI effects that are notable. The actors all do a decent job with what they are given. The primary weaknesses are in the protracted length of the film, several jumps in plot logic and the occasionally stilted dialogue. Bridges is great in his dual roles and the effects team does a masterful job with Bridges younger self, the world of Tron (in general) and many "Tronic" effects. Worth seeing on the big screen for the full Tron-world impact!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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1of 1voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
True Grit is True Grist for the Mill - Well Done!
PostedDecember 27, 2010
The Coen brothers have done themselves and their fans proud with this re-telling of the old west epic tale True Grit! The Coens demonstrate admirable discipline by sticking to the original book and incorporating much of the best found therein. Steinfeld is astonishingly good in the role of the 14 year old girl seeking justice and revenge on the man she knows killed her father. She is so good that she nearly overshadows the masterful acting by Bridges, Damon, Brolin and the rest of the A-one veteran cast. There is certainly a bright future in cinema in store for Miss Steinfeld! Enjoyed every bit of this True Grit - the dialogue, cinematography, pacing, acting, editing, sound, music score - everything was about as close to perfect as one can expect. The original True Grit did not get in the way of this one and we can enjoy both movies for their unique vision and strengths. A very loud hale and hearty kudos to all involved.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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1of 1voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
The Fighter Will Knock You Out! See it!
PostedDecember 19, 2010
The Fighter is jam-packed with Oscar-caliber performances! This amazing movie lives up to and exceeds the hype! Christian Bale absolutely should get the male best supporting Oscar for his work and the same goes for often under-recognized Melissa Leo (best actress in a supporting role). I would not be disappointed to see The Fighter win best picture. There is a lot of competition this year for that honor.... so who knows? What an amazing story! Director Russell somehow squeezes every bit out of it and manages to fit all of it together in a perfectly paced movie of less than 2 hours! Everyone involved should be very proud of this one. An instant classic! A real-life "Rocky" for the real world. Kudos to everyone!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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1of 1voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Rare Exports is a Rare Import - See it!
PostedDecember 19, 2010
What a hoot! Very well done, original, surprising, dark humor take on the "mystery of Christmas and jolly old St. Nick"! Reminded me of "Creepy and Eerie illustrated horror magazine stories from the sixties and seventies" with a little of the best funky horror satire (think "Motel Hell" and EC comics from the fifties). Enjoyed every bizarre morsel of this unusual movie. For adults - and if you are one - don't miss it. Go out of your way to locate this Norwegian masterpiece in a theater near you. The last 10 minutes are some of the best last 10 minutes in any movie this year!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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1of 1voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
Narnia's Newest Chapter is Worthy ...but....
PostedDecember 19, 2010
....this one seems so much like the others that it felt flat and tired at times. I'm very good at compartmentalizing movies and the new dynamic of the ship, the dragon and lots of ocean voyaging was different and enjoyable. The "behind the curtain" Christian message is always worthwhile. As family films go this is certainly a high quality movie. My hope is, if the series continues, that they try a director that can bring some maturing camera angles, better dialogue and crisper script and editing. Otherwise I fear the series will lose many of its followers. Nice 3D.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.