TheMovieRhino's stats
- Review count647
- Helpfulness votes412
- First reviewNovember 16, 2008
- Last reviewMay 26, 2012
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.9
Overall rating
5
/
5
Crazy About The Crazies - See it!
PostedFebruary 27, 2010
My expectations were low for this one and that, no doubt, enhanced the experience for me. The story, plot, dialogue and pacing are big winners in this film about "how things can go really bad when mankind decides to play God". As "crazy" as the premise is (we hope) .... everything in the movie felt organic and - dare I say it - "believable". Loved the Iowa setting and the last 30 minutes slogging towards Cedar Rapids. I will not spoil the surprise at the end BUT make sure you stay through the first half of the credits! A great take on a fairly common horror movie theme. You would be "nuts" to miss "The Crazies"....so ignore your recent lobotomy and scurry down to the local cineplex for some whacko movie therapy.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Oscar Nominated Animation Shorts 2010 Are Fun!
PostedFebruary 23, 2010
A really nice variety anthology of animated shorts! 8 total - The 5 nominated shorts for 2010 + 3 quality additions. 2 of the add-ons I had seen previously but were well worth seeing a second time in theater. Some of the "pan in & zoom out" shots are unbelievable re their accuracy, perspective & detail! Worth seeking out & seeing in a theater. Thank you Harkins Valley Art Theater in Tempe AZ for bringing the 2010 Oscar nominated shorts to the Phoenix area!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
2010 Oscar Live Action Shorts are Worth a Viewing!
PostedFebruary 22, 2010
Thank you Harkins Valley Art Theater for bringing the 2010 live action Oscar nominated shorts to a Phoenix area theater! These shorts represent a nice variety by young directors world-wide. The Door, The New Tenants & Instead of Abracadabra are 5 star shorts. Kavi & Miracle Fish are 4 star. All are worth seeing. My Oscar winner guess is: The Door....with The New Tenants a close second. If you can find this anthology playing near you do not miss it.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
No Gamble Here - Bet You Will Like St John of LV!
PostedFebruary 21, 2010
The Movie Rhino just loves quirky, well-made, well-acted, low budget independent films .... and Saint John of Las Vegas meets all of the criteria! Original, funny, unusual, odd, unpredictable, well-acted modern day farce starring Steve Buscemi in a role he was born to play. Too bad few will see this marvelous flick! See it - if you can in a theater .... and if you miss it - be sure to rent it when it comes out in DVD. If you are an adult with an appreciation for quirky, dark humor and you get a kick out of Steve Buscemi playing off-beat characters .... the odds are .... you will like this movie. This is not a crap shoot!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Shutter Island Stands Out in a Sea of Mediocrity!
PostedFebruary 21, 2010
Mood, atmosphere, cinematography and acting are all top-notch in this psychological suspense thriller! Scorsese applies his deft touch and considerable skills and presents us with an entertaining, dark tale of obsession and madness. While I have never read the book .... this movie version's only weak spot comes in the way it often "telegraphs its punches" which dilutes the impact in the second half and the third act. DiCaprio, Kingsley, Ruffalo and the rest of the cast do such a great job with their characters we remain enthralled to watch what we know is coming. It's winter - so put on your "padded jacket" and run to your nearest sanitarium .... I mean theater .... to catch this one. Listen to "that voice in your head!" See it!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
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5
A Light-hearted Movie That is Predictable Yet Fun!
PostedFebruary 15, 2010
A 91 minute light romantic comedy that is fun and breezy. You will find yourself often smiling .... and, occasionally chuckling .... with one or two guffaws. From the film title and movie poster you get the gist of what you will be experiencing .... so, if you go to this flick expecting something deep, retrospective and intense then you need to get a wiring check. It simply "is what it is". I did not expect much and it exceeded my expectations. I felt like I was "cleaning my palette" after seeing The Wolfman, etc. A fun diversion worth a look .... perhaps at a dollar theater or a rental in a few weeks. Arrivederci....
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
The Lightning Thief Delivers The Goods !
PostedFebruary 14, 2010
We were pleasantly surprised by "...Lightning Thief". We were, no doubt, aided by low expectations (caveat) and we never read the books. We were impressed by all of the special effects & CGI! The story, which is obviously directed towards teenagers and younger kiddos, moved right along. We never felt bored. Enjoyable characters were well-cast and all of the actors did splendid work. It takes a director with a deft touch to create a movie that satisfies a broad range of the movie-going public .... especially when the film is based on literature written for teenagers & younger! Director Chris Columbus succeeds in doing just that! While not a masterpiece "...Lightning Thief" is a solid, entertaining movie that most will enjoy!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
2
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5
The Wolfman Misses By A Moon!
PostedFebruary 13, 2010
The Wolfman is a howling shame. I had high hopes...but instead of the movie striking awe and fear ... it lived down to my worst fears. Director Johnston did well in capturing the atmospheric visuals .... and there is some good acting from Hopkins and Weaving .... and a smattering of good Wolfman metamorphosis effects ..... but that is where the "happiness" ends. The story is dis-jointed, pulled out like taffy, diluted and just not very good. The original Lon Chaney version was much better. Del Toro's acting is the worst I have ever seen from him. What was he thinking? The CGI is often "cartoony" and that is just unacceptable post-Avatar. The movie felt way too long! Hold on to your horror movie investment dollars until the next full moon!
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
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5
The Last Station is a film all adults should see!
PostedFebruary 7, 2010
Mirren, Plummer, Giamatti & McAvoy are all pitch-perfect in this gorgeous film about the last year of Tolstoy's life. There is not a weak spot in this movie. McAvoy impresses and rises to the occasion in the company of some of actings finest thespians! Add to the acting some of the best scenic cinematography in any movie over this last year or so - mix in an excellent script & dialogue and you have a movie that would have made TheMovieRhino's 2009 Top20 list had the Rhino been able to see it earlier. A film that all adults should see in a movie house - if at all possible! Bravo to all!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Hal Holbrook Shines in "That Evening Sun"!
PostedFebruary 6, 2010
There is no finer character actor living today than Hal Holbrook. "That Evening Sun" just underlines this fact! This is not to say that there are not some mature actors who match his seasoned skills .... but nobody beats him. In this intriguing tale of a man in his last winter days fighting for a "toe-hold" in the loves and passions of his past - director Scott Teems allows the story and camera to unfold naturally. This story could have taken so many "hollywoodized" turns into a "happily-ever-after" ending but, to Teems credit - and to our pleasue - he keeps a tight grip on the last 45 minutes of the movie. It is in this ending we can fully empathize and see ourselves and the common dilemmas of life in which we are all immersed! See it!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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