TheMovieRhino's stats
- Review count647
- Helpfulness votes412
- First reviewNovember 16, 2008
- Last reviewMay 26, 2012
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.9
Overall rating
5
/
5
No doubt that this is a movie to see if....
PostedDecember 14, 2008
See this well-acted movie if you are over 21, enjoy complex, historical morality tales and enjoy seeing Streep, Hoffman and Adams at the top of their game. This is not a "perfect movie" (as if such a thing exist....) but on the strength of the acting alone by the top 3 leads it gets my 5 star rating. While I never attended Catholic school I was 11 years old in 1964 which is the time the film is set in. I have a feeling that the older you are the more you will appreciate this movie and all of the intertwining nuances. See it for the acting more than the story.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+1point
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Overall rating
4
/
5
A+ movie with a C- ending....
PostedDecember 13, 2008
This near-great adult movie is very entertaining and just misses 5 stars because of the contrived ending. Gritty, dark, tense, complex, layered action drama simply gives in too easily and neatly in the end as if it is refusing to go down the path it knows it would have in the fictional world painted for us in the first 90 minutes. Still gets a high mark due to the acting prowess of Norton, Farrell & Voight. They are all really good in this movie. Shut your eyes in the last 20 minutes and imagine how the movie should be ending - or think about it after. Worth a theater viewing.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
W - biased - but watchable with a caveat
PostedDecember 13, 2008
Full disclosure - We have been and still are GWB supporters. This is a well acted and edited movie. Here is the caveat: If you are looking for an historically accurate, fleshed out, & balanced portrait of GW Bush you will either be wasting your time in this movie or have your head filled with nonsense....on the other hand if you are expecting to be entertained, understand Stone's penchant for liberal propaganda & are able to read between the lines a bit I think you will be surprised at this take on GWB and perhaps even come away with some new-found empathy & respect for our president. I liked the movie & still like & respect GW Bush.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Educates & Entertains - a Ron Howard Masterpiece!
PostedDecember 13, 2008
Opie does it again. Like Apollo 13 Ron Howard crafts a true story for the screen perhaps better than any other director - living or dead - period! His primary 2 front-line actors, Langella & Sheen, are pitch perfect as they channel their respective historical adversaries. This tale is like a political "heavyweight boxing match" where we witness professional sparring, jabs, counter punches, rope-a-dopes, clenching, etc..... and after a long fight it ends with the underdog winning on points in a lopsided final round when the champ (& superior fighter) just cannot raise his tired arms any longer. Bravo to this 5 star gem by Ron Howard! Don't miss it on the big screen.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
2
/
5
Stay still - Don't go see this plastic movie.
PostedDecember 13, 2008
I saw the whole movie but did not stay for the credits (I usually do)...thereby missing any listing for some of the consultants they had to have used for this movie - like Al Gore, Bridget Bardot and PETA. Michael Rennie must be rolling in his grave. Nothing to fear Mr. Rennie as I never tire watching the original but found myself tiring often in this ridiculous remake. Bad CGI, bad acting, bad plot, bad dialogue, bad pacing, bad editing....just bad. Apparently Hollywood will continue to make bad remakes of great classics and the question will continue to be....why?
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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-2points
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Overall rating
5
/
5
In love with In Bruges!
PostedDecember 13, 2008
Wow - what a pleasant surprise! The story is unpredictable and fascinating. Everything had a great flow and the flick is jam-packed with twists and turns and enjoyable quirkiness! This is an adult movie for people that can appreciate dark humor done well. I have a hard time understanding the "bad" reviews unless they are coming from someone expecting a typical Colin Farrell movie and role. His character in this movie is much more dimensional and complex. Farrell does such a great job I forgot he was an actor. See this wonderful movie - if you are over 21.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Wild about this movie! See it!
PostedDecember 10, 2008
Know from the outset that I am not a big Sean Penn fan. I hate to admit it but I am sure that I let some of Penn's ridiculous political stands color by perception of his work. All that said this movie is a masterpiece. Sean Penn has great director skills and they are all on display here. With all of the mysterious driving forces behind the main character's journey and the great cinematography and scope of the movie it would be easy for Penn to paint an aura around him ....but he does not. Penn really leaves us all to our own take, w/o prejudicing us, and I respect that a lot. I felt envy, pride, fear, pity and most of all sadness for Christopher McCandless. Thank you Sean Penn.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Eye Hard - See This Movie!
PostedDecember 10, 2008
Bruce at his Best. From Moonlighting to the silver screen - Willis shines. By now many people have seen this 20 year old flick one way or the other and I've yet to find anyone that didn't have a positive response. Willis imbues the main character with just the right amounts of bravado, humor, vulnerability and passion. Here is the movie that made him a star. If you have not seen it (maybe you've been trapped on a desert island for the last 20 years) see it. The movie holds up well.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
American Beauty of a Movie!
PostedDecember 8, 2008
For me this is the movie that made Kevin Spacey a "Hall of Fame" actor. Subtlety and complexity are captured to a tee in Spacey's nuanced performance in this dreamy flick. If you have never seen this 10 year old movie it is worth a look. For classic collections it is a necessary addition.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Classic Tim Burton - Funny, Weird, Original...
PostedDecember 8, 2008
A Tim Burton masterpiece. Keaton is cast perfectly as the title character (who knew?). No one combines horror and comedy like Burton. He is often scrumptiously original and this flick is one of (if not the) best. This 20 year old movie holds up well today and is worth renting for a viewing. You may want to own it if you have a collection. Long live Tim Burton!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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