TheMovieRhino's stats
- Review count647
- Helpfulness votes412
- First reviewNovember 16, 2008
- Last reviewMay 26, 2012
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.9
Overall rating
2
/
5
Wildness - yes / Worth Seeing - no
PostedOctober 18, 2009
I have read the book & I love author Sendak. Better to get the book and read it with your child. Spike Jonze obviously had a huge challenge: How do you take such a small book and make it into a full-length live action motion picture? Some media does not translate well to the big screen and this is one example of that weak conversion. I give the movie 2 stars for the attempt, the creature effects (reminded me a bit of an advanced version of HR Puffenstuff from years ago on TV) and the cinematography. There's just not enough "there" there.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Entertaining Action Thriller - Worth Your Movie $
PostedOctober 17, 2009
An interesting action thriller where we find Gerard Butler playing a high tech version of the old Charles Bronson's Death Wish character. While there are many "leaps of logic" the movie zips right along and carries us into the motivations of our main character early on through the murder of his wife and child. This horrific event, so graphically portrayed on-screen, brands us with empathy and liberates our conscience so we can root for revenge and retribution. Good acting here by Butler and Foxx and the rest of the seasoned cast. Crisp editing, above average cinematography and decent dialogue adds to the enjoyment.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
The Boys are Worth Spending Some Time With....
PostedOctober 12, 2009
An honest, dimensional movie about grief, happiness, loss, competition, empathy, selfishness, love and over-coming. Clive Owen shows us range we have not seen before and he is very good! The rest of the actors are adequate to good. The story is interesting and the cinematography and scenery is outstanding! This movie is an homage to any and all parents that find themselves partner-less and forced to change their lives and take on dual roles caring for their children. A movie for the older crowd even though it is PG-13. Kudos to all. Nicely done. See it!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
2
/
5
Back Away From Couples Retreat....
PostedOctober 11, 2009
The bad far outweighs the good in this over-long movie. First the good: About 15 minutes total of Vince Vaughn riffs and 10 minutes of Favreau at his narcissistic best. The bad: That's just not enough to see this flick which is simply a manipulation of ridiculous events to string together some of these Vaughn / Favreau spasms of humor....and the humor is not always that funny. Skip this one - save some money - maybe rent it down the road for a buck or two.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Bright Star is a Smouldering Feast to Behold!
PostedOctober 11, 2009
Director Campion nails the atmosphere and time period perfectly in this nuanced tale of unrealized love and passion. All feels genuine here helped along by an eye for detail and environment. My only complaint is the lack of a thematic score. I just kept thinking there was often a place for a background score that would have added to some of the pathos, helped liven it up a bit and thread the whole tapestry together with a bit more emotion and edge. A treat none-the-less. See it!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Make this flick part of your movie-going activity
PostedOctober 11, 2009
Small-budget, original & well-made. If you like original horror movies that draw you in and keep you transfixed you do not want to miss this one. From the internet hype and preview I admittedly went with reluctance and was pleasantly surprised by the 99 minutes on the big screen. The "reel" stars of this one are the hand-held camera and the premise itself. The movie moves along at a near-perfect pace and builds tension in spite of what we all know is enfolding. Kudos to Director Peli and his "organic cast". Superb, atmospheric, suspenseful, fun with one of the best "last 5 minutes" in a film this year!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Whip it is Worth it - See it!
PostedOctober 5, 2009
Excellent acting, editing, pacing, dialogue and cinematography make Whip it a film you should see in a theater. Kudos to Drew Barrymore in her directorial debut! Nice work! The key success ingredient here is the cast which is pitch perfect. We see Page, Harden, Wiig, Barrymore and all of the cast in top form. Everyone works in their role and they are all believable. These folks had fun making this move and it shows ....we have fun watching it! The only knock is the predictability of it all and that is probably an unfair criticism considering how well it is put together! See Whip it!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
3 different movies - in tone & quality
PostedOctober 5, 2009
The Invention of Lying can be broken into 3 parts. The first is the weirdest, funniest & best part. This is where we are introduced to a world where no one can tell a lie. What is on our minds we blurt out to others without regard for feelings or repercussion. Very funny stuff. Here the film is a 5 star movie. Part two we find the main protagonist trying to cope with his new-found ability to lie. There are negative consequences to lying and keeping lies in place (duh). This is less funny but there are still a few chuckles. 3 stars. Finally we get to part three. This is the sad end to an original tale where we witness an effort to cram the originality of the idea into a standard romantic-comedy template. 1 star. Average overall - 3 stars.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
2
/
5
Fame is mostly Lame - Skip this lesser version
PostedOctober 4, 2009
What are the reasons to re-make a movie? 1) You want to make it better the second time 2) You want to develop a different "take" the second time .... This new version of the classic movie Fame does not succeed in either area. There are a few nice performance sequences and if you put them all together the movie is maybe 20 minutes long. The movie simply does not give us enough in originality, drama, acting, pathos, memorable music, memorable dance, etc. Fame flames out and falls flat. Cannot recommend seeing or renting this one. Disappointing! Skip it!
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Sit Back, Relax & Let your Head Explode....
PostedOctober 3, 2009
....okay - that doesn't make a lot of sense....but Zombieland is what it is.....an original tale - full of funny, weird quirkiness - told well. Zombies in Zombieland are not really the focus of the movie. Here Zombies are simply the "natural disaster" that forces our unlikely quartet of lead characters together into a post-apocalypse family just doing their best to "get along"....and kill a few zombies along the way - often in creative and grotesque ways. Humor and sheer craziness are woven throughout the 81 minute tale. Don't fight it - just go with the flow - and Zombieland may just bring your fall 2009 movie-viewing experience "back to life". A "no-brainer" - see it!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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