Reel Rhino's Weekend Preview

Sorry Charlie!  It seems life will go on
without you :-(

Allow me to digress, before I get into the weekend movie report… First of all, everyone can calm down…the collective prayers of the public have been answered!

Chuck Lorre, creator of Two and a Half Men, revealed this week that he has a plan that will allow the show to continue forward….without his eminence, Sir Charles Sheen, that is.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

I know you were all so very worried. Tornadoes are killing hundreds, but at least we will still have our favorite sitcom.

The early report is that the reboot will involve Jon Cryer, but not much else is known. Why not just change the name to One and a Half Men, and just keep it going as is?

I just had to get that off my chest. I am not a fan of Two and a Half Men. I do not watch Two and a Half Men. If they made it into a movie, then I would probably watch, in principal only. But for now, no thank you.

Enough of this nonsense. For those of you able to tear yourself away from the pageantry of the Royal wedding, please read on. Get on with it, Rhino? What does the weekend hold in store?

New Movies Opening This Week:

Who doesn't love the badass Reservoir Dogs-esque
"Posse Walk"

Fast Five - Wow. What a creative name. I actually find the Fast series to be good mindless fun, and but for the over the top cheeseball lines, I think these movies are completely watchable. Grab your popcorn, set your brain to cruise control, and enjoy. If you’re a boy who likes girls, a girl who likes boys, a boy who likes boys, or a girl who likes girls…you should be happy. There is enough eye candy here to satisfy everyone. I am actually a fan of Vin Diesel’s and the Rock’s alike. For a good see also, please check out The Rundown, one of my favorite movies of all time. Peter Berg is a talented visual director and Seann William Scott is funny in this non-Stifler role. A really good sign is that this flick sits at 78% fresh at Rotten Tomatoes, with 85 tallies in the bag. With last week’s lackluster offerings, maybe this will be the proper start to the summer movie season?

Prom - Tweens of the world rejoice. This will be the movie that the girls love and the boys dread. Or maybe I am interjecting my own memories of dread, when it comes to the prom. I didn’t really strike my stride for romance until my college years, and my prom was little more than a series of awkward moments, followed by an all-night party of drinking one Zima and brushing against my dates bum once by accident. Oh Joy. Nope, this is a must miss for the ol’ Rhino. 50% at RT right now with 34 votes counted. God help us if Rotten Tomatoes counted High School Newspaper critics.

Hoodwinked Too! Hood VS. Evil - If you haven’t seen the 2005 film, Hoodwinked, the film to which this is a sequel, you probably aren’t alone. This is a shame, because as fractured fairy tales go, Hoodwinked is an enjoyable romp through some of our favorite children’s tales. From the buzz around this effort, things have taken a turn for the ugh. First sign things have gone wrong, Hayden Panettiere has taken over the role played with great skill in the original, by Anne Hathaway. Oh, lament. Hayden Panettiere you just goat roped Scream 4 and now this. I think I have solved some of the mystery behind why this was even made. Other than an indie dramedy last year, Cory and Todd Edwards, the brothers who were the brains behind the original film, have done seemingly nothing. Just as desperation can fuel greatness, it can also fuel mediocrity or worse. Sorry Edwards…it’s not fair of me to judge as I haven’t seen the film, but it doesn’t look good for you this go around.

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night - This is perhaps the film being released this weekend that has me the most curious. Let me lead by saying I was a huge fan of Darren Lynn Bousman’s 2008, REPO! The Genetic Opera. How does it relate to this movie? I have no clue. But what I am trying to say is that I appreciate and enjoy original and creative films, certainly which includes Repo. Dylan Dog is based on an Italian comic, featuring a paranormal investigator named….drumroll…Dylan Dog. The titular character is played by Brandon Routh, who for his wooden delivery, I find charming and enjoyable. I especially liked his turn as Super Vegan, Todd Ingram, in last years Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, which pulled in the #3 spot on my top films of 2010. The first strike against Dog may be this….movies with colons in the title are rarely worth the extra ink for each dot in the colon. Even worse of course, are titles with semi-colons. So the question is this…is Dylan Dog doing what so many films (Repo included, unfortunately) have tried? That is the false generation of cult status through creative marketing and titling. I don’t know if that is the case, but I for one am looking forward to finding out. Superman he may not be (I also liked that film as well!), but with a strong supporting cast (Peter Stormare, Taye Diggs, and Sam Huntington), I think it may have a chance. If nothing else, I have a feeling that at least I will be entertained. Final note of warning. Dylan Dog did not screen for critics, so there is no Rotten Tomatoes score to offer as a preview. Not screening films is reserved for the extreme upper echelon and for those studios who fear that they may be delivering a stinker. Again, I hope this not to be true, but all ye have been warned.

Last Week’s Top Ten

1. Rio

2. Madea’s Big Happy Family

3. Water for Elephants

4. Hop

5. Scream 4

6. African Cats

7. Soul Surfer

8. Hanna

9. Insidious

10. Source Code

My predictions from last week were slightly off. I’m not too upset as I feel I was in the right ballpark, but just off the foul pole. I was 2 for 5 with all five I picked actually hitting the top five!

My Box Office Predictions from Last Week:

1.Hop (#4)

2.Madea’s Big Happy Family (#2 — Yeah!)

3. Rio (#1)

4. Water for Elephants (#3)

5. Scream 4 (#5 — Yeah!)

So I offer this to you. I am making my predictions below, and I invite you to do the same. Add your picks to the comments below or e-mail them to me at ReelRhino@gmail.com.  If anyone nails a 5 for 5, you get to pick a review for the following week.  It's kind of like a year long Oscar pool!  Here are my picks:

My Box Office Predictions for this Week:

1. Fast Five

2. Madea’s Big Happy Family

3. Rio

4. Prom

5. Water for Elephants

Now it’s time to get real, folks. You may or may not know, but I, Reel Rhino, am a Michael Bay apologist. If Bay were here right now, he’d tell me to piss up a rope…he’d tell me he’s more than enough without me in his corner.  He would be right.

Michael Bay is a visual genius. Of course this is my opinion and many feel his visual style is too intense and overpowers the stories.

Michael Bay made my boyhood dream a reality.

He gave me…check that, he gave the world… GIANT F***ING ROBOTS FIGHTING.

That was the mantra on the set of the first Transformers film. Now my love of Bay began long ago. Long before I took a shine to the more refined side of film. That admiration has stuck with me all along, from his early days with one of my favorites, Armageddon, up to his last pre-TF film, The Island, his first flop, but also the first film he Directed not under the wing of Jerry Bruckheimer, but instead under the wing of Steven Spielberg. That’s quite a wing to be under, folks.

Bad Ass Banner of Fan Fave SHOCKWAVE.

A boy and his car. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen diverged quite sharply from the model of the first things. The plot got muddled, the action got crazy, and for all its shortcomings, I remain a fan.

With this long winded defense of his excellence, Dr. Bay, I offer you the must see video of the week:

Transformers: Dark of the Moon Theatrical Trailer

Until next time, take care.

Reel Rhino

WIN WIN - A Reel Rhino Review

(See the trailer for this near the bottom of the page.)
I saw this film on the day it reached its high theater count, with 388 screens nationwide carrying the picture.  This is an injustice.  This film has made approximately $5.5 million, which given its severe limited release and stark advertising run, is not half bad. 

This film demands to be seen and far too few people have since its release on March 18th.  $5.5 million in 35 days.  There are some big budget blockbusters that do that amount in 35 minutes.  It is a shame, because I promise this flick will entertain, at-or-better than most "blockbusters."

WIN WIN suffers from The-King's-Speech-Syndrome.  This is a new term, but not a new concept, in which a film is rated R, but at its core lives a more tame, family-friendly picture than the rating suggests.

Like The King's Speech, the problem is the Eff-Bomb.  You see in a PG-13 film, the filmmaker is granted a single Effer.  In both The King's Speech and Win Win, there are scenes in which the "tasteful" use of the word F***; makes for a great bit of comedy that fits perfectly with the storytelling.

I forgive The King's Speech film company for choosing to water down the F-scenes to make a PG-13 version for re-release in theaters.  That too is a film that demands to be seen.

I don't image the same will happen with Win Win, but the fact remains, this is a movie to behold!  95% on Rotten Tomatoes; Metascore of 75/100; and a 7.9 of 10 on IMDB as of this writing.  Critics and fans alike agree...this is a great film.

I am in that mass who takes this opinion of unconditional praise.  Win Win is a pure 5 of 5 Horn movie for my tastes, and I think it will be for yours as well.

Sadly, most folks are going to have to wait until this film hits video and on-demand before having the opportunity to see it.  With a dwindling per/screen average, this movie is on its way out.  I am only glad to say I was able to see it in the theater.

You still have a chance!  Make you move...shoot the leg!

Yes, that is a wrestling term, because this is (to some extent) a wrestling movie.

WIN WIN

I saw this movie Friday on a whim at the tail end of a visit from my folks. My dad is a kamikaze when it comes to early departures, and since he and my mother hit the road early, I was out the door as well for the bargain $5 show at AMC.

Win Win was written and directed by Thomas McCarthy. McCarthy is perhaps best known for his acting works as Dr. Bob from the Meet the Parents series, among his many roles. Honestly, as I hit IMDB to see his stats, I hadn’t realized that this Thomas McCarthy, whose additional work was The Station Agent and The Visitor, was so prolific. He wrote and directed both previously mentioned films. This guy has talent! He even has a “story by” credit on Pixar’s UP!

This is a wonderful film and I loved every minute of it. I do give some preference to Paul Giamatti as I do believe he is a treasure of modern cinema. But his slightly subdued everyman role is wholly believable here. His wife is played by Amy Ryan, who for all her beauty, is equally talented at becoming everywoman.  She and Giamatti transform into your neighbors, your friends, and your family.

Win Win is an indie drama built around the spine of a sports film, loaded with comedic wit. I have never been a huge fan of Greco-Roman wrestling.  Of course there was Vision Quest in the 1980's, but otherwise, when it came to wrestling, I was always more of a WWF guy.  As far as the wrestling goes in this film, you will want more.  The hunger that you have for a stronger ending to the wrestling story will be satiated by the resolution of the drama.

This is a great film.

The story centers around an attorney (Giamatti) who is struggling in his practice.  He has a client who is in the early stages of dementia and is about to become a ward of the state, as his only daughter cannot be found. Giamatti’s Mike Flaherty offers to become Guardian to old man Leo Poplar, but for the wrong reasons. The well-off Poplar has a stipulation that an administration fee of $1500 a month will be collected by the Guardian.

Leo Poplar is played by Burt Young. You know, Paulie from Rocky, Burt Young. I loved him in this film. It is a small role, but Young played it like a master. I was moved by his performance, which was accentuated by his very convincing old man looks.

Flaherty tells Poplar that the judge stipulated that he is required to live in an assisted living home, when in fact it was arranged so that Poplar could have lived in his own home.

To seal his deal, Flaherty runs by Poplar’s house to turn off his water to make sure his pipes don’t freeze.

When he gets there, there is a boy sitting on the steps of the house. The boy, Kyle (Alex Shaffer), is looking for his grandfather, Leo. Flaherty obliges him with a visit to see Gramps.  Since Kyle is traveling alone and needs a place to stay, Flaherty takes him in.

Kyle’s mother (Melanie Lynskey) is in drug rehab, and Kyle is a lonely boy. Flaherty moonlights from his law practice as a wrestling coach, a former wrestler himself. Kyle asks Mike if he can practice with the team, and we learn fast that Kyle is a great talent on the mat. 

This is the first movie for Alex Shaffer.  The filmmakers wanted a fresh face and they got it.  Shaffer has a dry, deadpan delivery that just works.  Also, he's a former championship high school wrestler.  He probably still would be, except for a broken L-5 vertebrae.  When asked in an interview if he will be able to keep wrestling, he said no, but probably will anyway.  His minimalistic approach works with double success as when he does get excited about something, it has that much more impact.

Mike has an entertaining assistant coach in Jeffrey Tambor, who as an accountant shares an office building with Mike's law practice.  Mike's close friend is played by Bobby Cannavale.  Cannavale is a love him or hate him kind of a guy with his Jersey accent and look-at-me macho attitude...I for one, love him. 

Kyle's past as a troubled youth seems to melt away when he is tossing other young men around the gym. This is where the sports movie kicks in.

This film is insanely witty and well-paced. The drama picks up towards the end, but for the seemingly weighty content, it never becomes a downer. I found this to be “feel good” from start to finish.

McCarthy is a genius and this film completes the writer-director’s trifecta of excellent films.  Make this your weekend choice if you can. I think Hop will take the weekend, but for my money, this would be my pick.

Win Win: 5 of 5 Glorious Horns

Old Man Rhino Sees THE CONSPIRATOR

I'm not sharing this fact seeking praise, but it is my birthday.  Yes, yes...Happy Birthday to me!

I share it only to make you aware of my yearly tradition of treating myself to a movie and in most instances, a day off from work, on the anniversary of the day of my birth.

Oh let all rejoice!

My folks are in town this year for the big day and more than my birthday, they are excited to again be able to spend time with their grandson....Jackson. 

This was an important visit...this was the visit in which my parents were given their names.  Of course they have their given birth names...names that are so important throughout most of our lives.  But there are few nicknames we receive in our lives than the monikers granted us by those little children in our lives. 

It has been decreed...my mother...aka Grandma, shall forthwith be known by my son and any all subsequent grandchildren as:

MEEMAW

She was the first to receive her name and my father excitedly awaited his.  In pretty short order, Jackson decided MEEMAW was pretty easy to run with, so he made the logical jump...my dad, Jack's Grandpa, shall forthwith be known as:

MEEPAW

Now while these may sound like names that would have graced the character list in DELIVERANCE, I like it.  Good to have you, Meemaw and Meepaw!

THE CONSPIRATOR

This film is the story of the lone female defendant, who stood trial for her alleged part in the assassination of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln.  John Wilkes Booth is so frequently the name associated with the killing of the Commander in Chief who led our nation during the Civil War and ultimately was able to bring an end to slavery. 

Several books in more recent history have expanded on the story surrounding the conspirators and the manhunt that followed the killing of the President.  This version, compiled and written by James D. Solomon and Gregory Bernstein, presents most of the common info known about the killing, with a more clear window into the post-assassination getaway plan and subsequent apprehension.

The female, Mary Surrat (Robin Wright), was a local boarding house owner.  Her home and her son are both implicit in the plot leading to the death of President Lincoln, but the question is: Was she involved?

She is assigned counsel by the Senator of Maryland, Reverdy Johnson (Tom Wilkenson), who makes it very clear that regardless of what a person has been accused, that that person is deserved of a fair trial and competent counsel.

The fair trial is pretty tricky as Secretary of War Edwin Stanton (Kevin Kline) declares that Surrat is to be tried by Military tribunal along with the more clearly involved conspirators, meaning the case will completely be presided over by military officials.

You can guess where their allegiances lie and those associated with the trial are pushing for a speedy resolution to help the nation heal.

The question of this film is one of Constitutional rights.  Are the rights of citizens lost to the powers that be in times of war?

Surrat's counsel, Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy) begins this journey a decorated war hero for the Union.  He doesn't want to represent Surrat, but is basically forced to do so by Senator Johnson.  Aiken was a lawyer before the war and while his allegiance to the North is unwavering, we come to see him as a soldier for justice above all else.

This film unfolded slowly and we are given bits of information along the way that sway us to and fro in terms of the viewer's opinion of Mary Surrat.

The supporting cast is vast with Evan Rachel Wood, Alexis Bledel, Justin Long, Norman Reedus, Danny Huston, and Stephen Root.  Justin Long seems a bit out of place, but for his scenes, he holds his own.  I think he will find a place along side the likes of Nic Cage and Bruce Willis in terms of versitility, but it will take time to see Justin and not think of Randy St. James...heehee...(see also: Zack and Miri Make a Porno).

I knew going in that the film would be a competently presented effort with Robert Redford at the helm.  Redford is a consummate professional who has been in or behind the scenes for many great movies.

While this film didn't blow me out of the water, perhaps for its oppressive themes, it was a well-told and meaningful story that shines a light on an event in history that has been told one particular way for many years.  Not that the story we know is incorrect.  John Wilkes Booth did shoot and kill President Abraham Lincoln...it's just that we really haven't delved into the finer points of that story.

Though the story is Mary Surrat, so much more is learned about this tragedy from our past.  Redford is a noted liberal and he allows politics to bleed into much of his work (see also: Lions for Lambs).  There is a message of tyranny and governmental oppression that given the circumstances, was not an unsurprising reaction.  But in Redford's delivery, there is a complete film that but for the unsettling resolution, will leave most movie goers satisfied.

The Reel Rhino tries to be apolitical in his movie reviewing efforts, so Redford's politics aside, he is a powerful force in the movie making industry.  He deserves both praise and recognition for his efforts in the film community and as a stellar example of green filmmaking.  The Sundance Festival is truly a great yearly gathering and Redford is alone to thank for its creation.  Kevin Smith, Quintin Tarantino, and countless other filmmakers got their humble beginnings at Sundance.

All this aside, I got my Birthday movie.  Yippee....

4 of 5 Horns from The Reel Rhino....

MeeMaw and MeePaw...glad you could be here to celebrate with me...I love you both and my wife and son, for making this a great birthday.

And to the rest of you, until later...take care.

RR

Sidney Lumet: RIP (1924-2011)

Al Pacino presenting Sidney Lumet with his Honorary Academy Award
at the 2005 ceremony.

Sidney Lumet passed away last week.  His passing is a huge loss to the filmmaking community.  He was an inspiration to countless in the film industry and even more in the admirers of his works.

A few years ago, I made a break from my steady diet of current films and blockbusters.  I made this shift in movie watching by taking in some of the classics of Lumet.

The first was Serpico, a great film and true story of Frank Serpico, a police officer in New York, who went undercover to expose widespread corruption in the police force.  What a fantastic film, including a wonderful turn by a young Al Pacino. 

Pacino and Lumet would work together again in 1975 on Dog Day Afternoon, again a retelling of a true tale, this time surrounding a bank heist in New York, that ended badly, but became a live media sensation as the heist shifted to a hostage situation.

Lumet's body of work is vast, and through his 2007 film, Before The Devil Knows You're Dead, Lumet averaged a film a year.  What is amazing is that nearly every film through his career was either critically acclaimed or well-recieved by general audiences.

Lumet was a visionary.

Sidney Lumet was nominated for four Best Acievement in Directing Oscars...he won none.  In 2005, the Academy recognized his work with their Honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievement.  It was well-deserved.

If you ever have the chance, read his book, MAKING MOVIES.  It is must-read for anyone who has even a passing interest in the movie industry.  Lumet's book along with William Goldman's Adventure in the Screen Trade, stand as great works in the written word on film.

Lumet's daughter Jenny has blossomed into a filmmaker as well, having written the 2008 film, Rachel Getting Married.  Directed by Jonathan Demme, this film was extremely enjoyable, also due in part to the wide range of Anne Hathaway.  I am glad the Lumet flag will continue to fly. 

Lumet will be missed and I was saddened to learn of his passing.  I do think that some time in the future, a more proper retrospective will be penned in his honor by me...for now, just this quote from Al Pacino in Total Film, August 2010:

"If you put it on film, Al, it's a movie."

Lumet's life was making movies...I for one, and happy he walked this path.  He was an inspiration to who knew him.

Thanks Sidney.  Rest in Peace, your legacy will carry on.



YAWN 4...Oops, I mean SCREAM 4 REVIEWED

(ReelRhino Note: John...I know you are a huge Neve Campbell fan.  We enjoyed Screams 1-3 when we were fellow travellers back in the day.  You hung on every word of Party of Five and nearly lost your mind when Wild Things was released.  I hope that you can forgive me for the disparaging review that is to follow, but Neve brought her B-game here.  Peace and love my brother from another mother.)

Scream 4 was supposed to be something wonderful. The master, Wes Craven, supposedly back at what he does best with characters that he knows so well. Kevin Williamson again the scribe, writing again revitalizing the series that he and Craven together created.

Such was not the case.

Scream 4 opened very strong. The first 10 minutes of the film feature several cameos and a sequence that could perhaps define the term “meta.” I think that Williamson realized this as well and liked the thought so much that he actually worked the term “meta” into the script as a joke later in the film.

The joke didn’t take.

The cameos are worthwhile, but I think to some extent, pandering to a bigger box office draw.  Anna Paquin will draw the True Blood and The Piano (heeheehee) crowd and Kristen Bell the Veronica Mars, Gossip Girl and loads of other geek friendly fare...hey, I can call the name because I'm in the crowd!

Williamson's meta joke missing the mark was exemplary of so many of the problems with the humor...just missing something or another.  I am sad to say that much of it was timing, which falls in part to the actors. Courtney Cox and David Arquette have both been extremely entertaining and funny in the past, but not here. But wait, Reel Rhino, why should these folks being funny even matter…this is a horror film!

Comedic undertones were a huge part of the first three films of this series and this combination of laughs and scares is what has made these movies so successful…up until now. 

We join the action in Scream 4 with the return of the iconic Sindey Prescott (Neve Campbell) to the iconic town of Woodsboro. She is in town for her book release, a story of survival and creating a new sense of being in the aftermath of tragedy.

Campbell is subdued throughout the film, even in the moments of terror that she experiences that one would think should result in some kind of a rise. Perhaps she (Prescott) is jaded to the thought of having a knife lunged towards her. Perhaps it is her continued ability to place so perfectly escape kicks, just barely eluding that dastardly villain, Ghostface Killer.

But for this returning cast, none of the primaries, Campbell, Arquette, or Cox, gave anything of substance to this film.

As we are introduced to this world, Dewey is now Sheriff and Gale, his wife. Dewey demonstrates the same level of grace, or lack thereof, that he had in the previous entries. Gale demonstrates a great impatience with living in a small town. I think that Cox and Arquette are again an item off-screen, but there was little chemistry between them on-screen. There was certainly nothing coming close to the believable awkwardness that made them an enjoyable and unlikely pair from the first set of films.

There is a new generation of high school students, the main character of which, Jill Roberts (Emma Roberts), is Sidney’s Cousin. We get also Hayden Panettiere of Heroes fame, a hip young actress, sporting a not-so-flattering short hairdo that is millimeters away from 100% pure mullet. Roberts and Panettiere are just two of the fresh faces that populate this new version of Woodsboro.

The faces are new, the story is not.

Other than adding Twitter, Facebook, streaming video, and non-stop texting by all of the younglings, this is the same old story, rehashed.

I was bored by this movie.

One of my chief complaints is that while red herrings were a plenty, there was barely a single time that someone dropped into perceived peril, that they weren’t actually engaged and/or killed by our villain.

How can you build suspense if you don’t juke right at least once, but actually drive left for the hoop?

At various points throughout the film, as the previous entries have done, the movie-geek world was called upon in practice as well as in dialogue. It was continuously referred to that with a new series, the stakes are higher and the outcome would be crazy.

Crazy? Really?

I would argue just the opposite. Craven offered us nothing new but a little bit of technology. And how does that make this so fresh? I mean if you did everything the same as in 1996, you would essentially have created a period horror film. Of course kids are going to be texting…that isn’t enough to woo me into loving this film.

Generally speaking, the ending was watchable, but I think only because with all of these films, you have little to no legitimate foreshadowing to guess how it will end.

I mean for all intents and purposes, at the end of any of these films, they could make the killer Glenda the house maid, who was otherwise until the moment of the reveal, an unseen character. A few lines of witty dialogue would explain it.

Worry not, movie goers, I didn’t just spoil the ending for you, but rather I am pointing out a weakness of horror films today.

I love horror done right. This is not horror done right.

More specifically, I was shocked at how wooden Emma Roberts came off throughout the film. I have enjoyed her previously, see also: It’s Kind of a Funny Story and Lymelife, both indie dramedies. She has talent; it just wasn’t featured properly here. I don’t think Auntie Julia hasn’t done much horror; maybe it isn’t in the blood. Papa Eric has done a few genre flicks, but they weren’t scary for the right reasons. Perhaps the young Roberts should stick to indie cinema?

You know what I did like, though, was Marley Shelton.  She played #1 Deputy Judy Hicks and besides being one fine looking Deputy, she was also just the right amount of campy fun for a horror movie.  She last bedazzled me with roles in the double feature of Grindhouse: Planet Terror by Robert Rodriguez and a smaller part in the Tarantino directed half of the flick, Death Proof.  She was stellar there and she is something resembling stellar here.

As a final note, while this R-rated film still lacked the "T-and-A."  that is a welcomed benchmark for designating truly great horror (tongue…meet cheek), Craven did manage to ratchet up the blood and gore. It was really waster though, as pretty much everything was wide of the mark.

I give this movie a 1.5 Horn rating, out of 5 Horns possible. Not so great considering the generally positive reviews it has received so far. I think by week’s end, that RT score will fall…just overnight it slid from 63% to the not-as-fresh score of 58%.

Here’s hoping there is something better in store for Reel Rhino this weekend. I need to wash this film from the forefront of my movie mind.

Disagree with me…let me hear about it…comment below. Rhino’s have thick skin…I’ll survive.

My plans to also catch Robert Redford's THE CONSPIRATOR were dashed by a sold out show...something I haven't had to worry about in quite some time.  I think that is a good sign for the theater business, but a bum deal for me.  I saw Born to Be Wild instead, the Morgan Freeman narrated IMAX documentary, and for as short as it was...40 minutes...it was pretty awe-inspiring.

That's all for now...until later...take care.

RR

Bieber's Never Say Never - REDUX - Watch the Video!

(This is my previous post, redux...I forgot to mention Glee and perhaps my favorite bit of Bieber-fific content...the video at the bottom of this post is ridiculously great.  If you choose not to read or re-read this post, check out the video...The Key of Awesome on You Tube has some great posts...this one is no different.  And yes Sommar, this also means your glorious program photo makes yet its third appearance here on Reel Rhino!)

Yep...this actually happened!

The Reel Rhino is a humble animal. This past Academy Awards, some 12 contestants, myself included, took a run at the title. I hosted an Oscar Pool, and while I as host, came in a paltry 6th of 12, I offered as a prize a chance for the winner to pick a movie that I would review.

Perhaps I was hasty in including some choice pictures of our winner, Mrs. Kristin, as she ultimately chose what I perceived as a slightly vindictive, if not smart-ass, choice of flick for me to review…

JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER

Out of the gate, I was irritated that for the limited opportunities I get to break away to go to the movies, that I would have to waste a day at the theater on the Biebs.

Wow Sommie…all I can say is…thank you!

I was absolutely blown away at how compelling this film was, from a variety of perspectives.

This was the first ever G-rated offering from the folks at MTV Films and boy did they play this thing just right.

At 1 hour 45 minutes, compare this for a second to the sickly short effort by the Jonas Brothers, which came in at a little light for my $ at 76 minutes. Yes, I did see the Jonas Brothers movie...I did to see what a concert movie of this type would look like. I did it for you folks.

Now I guess comparing the Jonas Brothers film to Bieber is an unfair comparison, as most of the Jonas’s flick was 3-D concert footage. The Biebs flick, is very much a documentary. It is a documentary that is so well made, I feel confident in saying that at the very least, this feature will make the documentary short list for next year's Academy Awards.

You can call me crazy all you want, but this is an excellently composed film that shows this superstar’s truly meteoric rise to fame and fortune. I hope that the Academy will be able to look past the pop sweetness of this thing and see the respectable, wholesome, and entertaining center of this film.

The first quarter of the movie focuses on Justin Bieber’s early years, which is hilarious as he is now only recently turned 17 years old. As a young child, he demonstrated a knack for playing drums. It turned out that there would likely be no instrument that he couldn’t conquer.

The film shows his knack for melody and rhythm, both through instruments as well in his voice.

Justin lived away from much of his family and wanted a means for sharing his songs. It was this obstacle that opened the door for him to start his walk towards stardom. His mother began posting his songs on YouTube so that long-distance relatives could see his talents. As with all things viral, his presence soon became known worldwide and he was climbing the ladder of success.

While I think the motto of Never Say Never is a tad bit corny, it apparently fared well as the fight theme from the Karate Kid remake. And I guess as I praise this film for its positive message, I shouldn't condemn this positive message he is trying to convey. Bieber and Jaden Smith even come together to collaborate at the big Madison Square Garden gig, that the film is building towards throughout the movie.

This movie highlights the essence of self-made stardom. Granted once he teetered on the edge, the free fall was easy. Many of those with two X chromosomes will tell you why...ladies find this kid irresistible. And that would be ladies of all ages, as Never Say Never awkwardly showed us.

I may not like his music, although some of it is passable for my tastes, I look up to Bieber for what he was able to do in such a short while, on his road to fame. He is as humble as stars come and his story is both great in general, and tells well in the feature film format. He has become a part of our popular culture...you really haven't made it until you get a guest spot on C.S.I., right?

And what of Bieber's music being the subject of a Glee episode?  I for one was a much bigger fan of that as the offering of super sugary pop fare, but I am a self-admitted Gleek...yep, you heard it here from the source, so it must be true.  Glee is a fantastic show that is a bit over-dramatic, giving it a parody-feel, with real heart.  If you haven't tried Glee yet, go back to the beginning and give it a whorl.  Perhaps it all stems from my super secret fantasy of being a part of a spontaneous dance number some day, but that is a bit of discussion for another day.

That first quarter of the flick was riveting and the rest was damn good as well, taking us on an adventure with his boyhood entourage, meeting his family, and surviving a strained vocal chord scare.
 

I say all of this straight-up, no sarcasm…this movie was fabulous. I am not a Justin Bieber fan, but I respect and enjoyed this film.

I don’t care what it does to my street cred (did I even have any?), I recommend seeing this movie. More so, I recommend seeing this movie in the theater, in glorious 3-D, if the opportunity presents itself.

This was a 5 of 5 Horns film, so says the Reel Rhino. Don’t believe me, see it for yourself. Just remember not to bite off your nose to spite your face (I hate that phrase!)....but it's true here...don't pre-judge. Give this a chance.

Thanks again Kristin, you opened my eyes to something I can honestly say I wouldn’t have seen in a million years.

That, my friends, is the power of cinema.

If you take nothing else from this review, know this: the Reel Rhino makes good on a bet made, no matter the cost to pride or self-respect. It reminds me of something wise I heard once…never gamble what you are truly afraid to lose.

And before I close the book on the Biebs, check out this parody video from You Tube by The Key of Awesome...it is simply...awesome.

Until next time…take care.

RR

Reel Rhino Oscar Prize Review - JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER

Yep...this actually happened!

The Reel Rhino is a humble animal. This past Academy Awards, some 12 contestants, myself included, took a run at the title. I hosted an Oscar Pool, and while I as host, came in a paltry 6th of 12, I offered as a prize a chance for the winner to pick a movie that I would review.

Perhaps I was hasty in including some choice pictures of our winner, Mrs. Kristin, as she ultimately chose what I perceived as a slightly vindictive, if not smart-ass, choice of flick for me to review…

JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER

Out of the gate, I was irritated that for the limited opportunities I get to break away to go to the movies, that I would have to waste a day at the theater on the Biebs.

Wow Sommie…all I can say is…thank you!

I was absolutely blown away at how compelling this film was, from a variety of perspectives.

This was the first ever G-rated offering from the folks at MTV Films and boy did they play this thing just right.

At 1 hour 45 minutes, compare this for a second to the sickly short effort by the Jonas Brothers, which came in at a little light for my $ at 76 minutes.  Yes, I did see the Jonas Brothers movie...I did to see what a concert movie of this type would look like.  I did it for you folks.

Now I guess comparing the Jonas Brothers film to Bieber is an unfair comparison, as most of the Jonas’s flick was 3-D concert footage. The Biebs flick, is very much a documentary. It is a documentary that is so well made, I feel confident in saying that at the very least, this feature will make the documentary short list for next year's Academy Awards.

You can call me crazy all you want, but this is an excellently composed film that shows this superstar’s truly meteoric rise to fame and fortune.  I hope that the Academy will be able to look past the pop sweetness of this thing and see the respectable, wholesome, and entertaining center of this film.

The first quarter of the movie focuses on Justin Bieber’s early years, which is hilarious as he is now only recently turned 17 years old.  As a young child, he demonstrated a knack for playing drums. It turned out that there would likely be no instrument that he couldn’t conquer.

The film shows his knack for melody and rhythm, both through instruments as well in his voice. 

Justin lived away from much of his family and wanted a means for sharing his songs. It was this obstacle that opened the door for him to start his walk towards stardom. His mother began posting his songs on YouTube so that long-distance relatives could see his talents. As with all things viral, his presence soon became known worldwide and he was climbing the ladder of success.

While I think the motto of Never Say Never is a tad bit corny, it apparently fared well as the fight theme from the Karate Kid remake. And I guess as I praise this film for its positive message, I shouldn't condemn this positive message he is trying to convey.  Bieber and Jaden Smith even come together to collaborate at the big Madison Square Garden gig, that the film is building towards throughout the movie.

This movie highlights the essence of self-made stardom. Granted once he teetered on the edge, the free fall was easy.  Many of those with two X chromosomes will tell you why...ladies find this kid irresistible.  And that would be ladies of all ages, as Never Say Never awkwardly showed us.

I may not like his music, although some of it is passable for my tastes, I look up to Bieber for what he was able to do in such a short while, on his road to fame.  He is as humble as stars come and his story is both great in general, and tells well in the feature film format.  He has become a part of our popular culture...you really haven't made it until you get a guest spot on C.S.I., right?

That first quarter of the flick was riveting and the rest was damn good as well, taking us on an adventure with his boyhood entourage, meeting his family, and surviving a strained vocal chord scare.

I say all of this straight-up, no sarcasm…this movie was fabulous.  I am not a Justin Bieber fan, but I respect and enjoyed this film.

I don’t care what it does to my street cred (did I even have any?), I recommend seeing this movie. More so, I recommend seeing this movie in the theater, in glorious 3-D, if the opportunity presents itself.

This was a 5 of 5 Horns film, so says the Reel Rhino. Don’t believe me, see it for yourself.  Just remember not to bite off your nose to spite your face (I hate that phrase!)....but it's true here...don't pre-judge.  Give this a chance.

Thanks again Kristin, you opened my eyes to something I can honestly say I wouldn’t have seen in a million years.

That, my friends, is the power of cinema.

If you take nothing else from this review, know this: the Reel Rhino makes good on a bet made, no matter the cost to pride or self-respect. It reminds me of something wise I heard once…never gamble what you are truly afraid to lose.

Until next time…take care.

RR