TheMovieRhino's stats
- Review count647
- Helpfulness votes412
- First reviewNovember 16, 2008
- Last reviewMay 26, 2012
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.9
Overall rating
2
/
5
Little Big Soldier is Not Worth The Fight ....
PostedAugust 8, 2011
I had high expectations for Little Big Soldier, and, perhaps, that was part of the problem ... but not all of the problem. The one redeeming piece that might have "saved" the film for me would have been enjoying some Jackie Chan intricate fight scenes .... but the director and cinematographer edited these scenes poorly .... so that much of the JC magic is lost. Choppy editing, quick cuts at inappropriate times offset Chan's talented movements. There is a lot of dialogue in this film (too much I think) and the English translation on screen seemed to not be able to keep up with it. A disappointing jade-inlaid rhino horn down.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Rise OTPOT Apes Is a Hairy Good Time!
PostedAugust 8, 2011
Rise of the Planet of the Apes is the best "Planet of the Apes" incarnation sine the original move! It took a long time to create the definitive POTA origination story and movie ... but this top notch movie makes it worth the wait! Amazingly effective CGI and stop-motion work by the "star" of the movie - Andy Serkis - as the first mutated ape, Caeser. The story moves briskly along and all of the elements are done well - dialogue, cinematography, score, special effects, plot and pacing - all done to near perfection. It takes a masterful film-maker to bring such life and energy to a franchise as old and oft played with as POTA. Director Rupert Wyatt and his entire cast and crew do themselves proud. Sitting around the house watching old stale summer TV shows? It's time to make like a banana ... and split! Pound your chest, grab the nearest vine and swing down to your nearest cineplex to check out the latest offering of "evolution gone full circle". A jungle rhino horn up.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Cowboys & Aliens - will Lasso your Inner ET...
PostedAugust 1, 2011
Cowboys & Aliens - You have to wonder why this has not been done before in a high budget big screen production? Of course you should not expect a complicated piece of Elizabethan prose with a title like "Cowboys & Aliens" - what you should expect is an action movie with old west characters trying to deal with metallic, electronic things and creatures beyond their dusty town imaginings. We get this in spades from director Favreau and his acting ensemble led by Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Sam Rockwell and Olivia Wilde. It's six-shooters vs. lasers, flying vs. galloping, horses vs. saucers ... you get the idea. C&A is a spirited romp that will keep you engaged for all of it's nearly 2 hours. A dusty - but effective - rhino horn up.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Conan O'Brien Can't Stop is Rivetingly Funny...
PostedJuly 31, 2011
The Conan O'Brien documentary - Conan O'Brien Can't Stop is a mesmerizing "expose" of the entertainer as a driven, obsessive, mega-insecure human being. While we might "reap the benefits" of his entertaining, creative persona we also have to wonder "where does he go from here"? On face value this is funny stuff behind the scenes with the Coco crew and their inventive shenanigans. Very well done. We can only hope that Conan, in time, will get the therapy he needs. "Can't Stop" should be submitted to the therapist beforehand - on background. A red-spiked rhino horn up.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Crazy Stupid Love is a Crazy Funny Movie....
PostedJuly 31, 2011
.... in a dark humor, dripping with irony and "impossible twists", almost European-film kind of a way. The premise and all of the "connect-the-dot" interactions are impossible, of course, but that is okay - we just need the framework created so that the characters can engage. The film is chock full of "love lessons" and relationship "tutorials" .... but it does this with twists and turns, interesting characters and the karmic lessons found in experiencing "what goes around comes around". Interesting to watch throughout my only complaint is that it could have been a bit edgier - a bit more dangerous and interesting - if only it stayed a little darker in the last 30 minutes. I think I would like that movie better. A fun go and worthy of a theater viewing. A rhino horn up.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
We can all use "A Little Help" ....
PostedJuly 25, 2011
... although it is often a good thing to make one's own decisions and to forge ahead .....less influenced by the critics and suggestions that surround us all... than by what our hearts and personal experience tell us. This "truth" is at the center of "A Little Help". Jenna Fischer is irresistible and proves, once again, her competence as a high-end actress. She has a bright and long future in movies - if that is where she chooses to traverse. Cannot wait for her to spread her wings in larger and more daring roles. She is really good! This movie will make you laugh and think at the same time. You will cheer for the lead characters and shake your head "no" - at the same time. You will feel hope and despair - all at the same time. Life is complicated and many of life's best moments are the small ones that many take for granted. A rhino horn up.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
The Drummond Will - English Dk Humor at it's Best!
PostedJuly 25, 2011
In "The Drummond Will" you will experience English dry, dark humor at it's finest. The film is enhanced by Director Butterfield's decision to use Black & White (vs color). The B & W allows us to experience the movie with more nuance than it otherwise would have had. An intriguing take on the old theme of what happens when 2 brothers (with opposite personalities) find a large satchel of money, after their father's funeral, in the hands of another old man "hiding" in a cupboard in their father's meager home. The premise is already loaded with humorous possibilities. Irony, twists, turns, mysteries and perplexities ensue and we get to ride along for the adventure ... and, eventually, the moral. A tip of the hat to the entire crew and cast. A fun and entertaining ride. Alongside my afternoon tea a rare rhino horn up.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Troll Hunter is a Big Small-budget Movie!
PostedJuly 25, 2011
TheMovieRhino likes nothing better than finding creative gems that were made on a shoestring budget but have a huge impact! Troll Hunter is just such a film. This inventive unique film endeavors to take trolls seriously and, in doing so, I was smiling the entire film .... sometimes laughing .... sometimes cringing .... but always involved and entertained. Finally - and explanation for those rock formations we all stumble upon when trekking through a forest. Those aren't rocks - they are the final remains of trolls! An enjoyable romp from start to end. Troll hunter is worth seeking out when it comes to your area .... and/or look for it to rent or buy. A slime-covered rhino horn up.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Captain America 3D - A Great Movie - Better in 2D
PostedJuly 25, 2011
A giant salute and a big thanks to director Joe Johnston for not falling into "the trap" of trying to make a superhero movie just like every other superhero movie. Captain America: The First Avenger is a near masterpiece in film-making regardless of the genre. Casting, acting, dialogue, editing, cinematography, pacing, script and musical score are all A-one! The Captain has been one of my favorite characters since I read the story of his return in Avengers #4 back in the early 60's. This patriotic film is a return to a more simple time and Johnston and his "howling film-makers" do an amazing job of creating magic on the screen - succeeding in transporting us to a 1940s World War II panorama. Recommend seeing CA:TFA in 2D as the 3D was added post-production and it does darken and wash out some of the detail. There are 3 scenes where the 3D is effective and one had me actually ducking my head - but overall it is not worth the negatives. A star-spangled, red, white & blue rhino horn way up."
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Captain America is a Super Superhero Movie!
PostedJuly 25, 2011
A giant salute and a big thanks to director Joe Johnston for not falling into "the trap" of trying to make a superhero movie just like every other superhero movie. Captain America: The First Avenger is a near masterpiece in film-making regardless of the genre. Casting, acting, dialogue, editing, cinematography, pacing, script and musical score are all A-one! The Captain has been one of my favorite characters since I read the story of his return in Avengers #4 back in the early 60's. This patriotic film is a return to a more simple time and Johnston and his "howling film-makers" do an amazing job of creating magic on the screen - succeeding in transporting us to a 1940s World War II panorama. Recommend seeing CA:TFA in 2D as the 3D was added post-production and it does darken and wash out some of the detail. There are 3 scenes where the 3D is effective and one had me actually ducking my head - but overall it is not worth the negatives. A star-spangled, red, white & blue rhino horn way up.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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