Rhinoceros Eyes

The movie follows a young man who lives in a prop store; he is the one who goes to fetch every obscure prop that a film maker or theater worker could want. From the first minute, strange props are being requested and our protagonist knows exactly where each one is in the store. His employers are a crew of misfits and hangers on who don't seem to find any of it strange, even when a detective shows up to investigate the theft of odd props; the thought that a real policeman would waste his time looking for these worthless items is a laugh in itself.

In any case, the film is funny in that bizarre, otherworldly type of way. It's not the normal comedy, that's for sure. No one in the movie has a normal reaction to anything, and predictability is thrown out the window. You never know where this will go next, from talking dolls to fanboy detectives, strangeness is the word of the day.

It all hangs together, from one scene to the next, without losing it's basic deadpan portrayal. None of the characters see anything strange going on, and that's one of the most enjoyable parts of the movie.

If you like your comedy bizarre, this one's for you. Fans of Fargo, Svidd Neger, any of the Kaurismaki movies, or cult films like Repo Man will enjoy this.

This movie is a definite psychological thriller. You really have to think about it. I just recently finished watching it and I thought that Michael Pitt's performance was classic. He did such a good job. Gale Harold as well made an amazing performance. Who knew that boy could dance? Although it's definitely a thinker and it's like you have to be in a certain mood to watch it, it's definitely worth the money. There's really not anything like it out there. One of a kind. The timing and the camera angles were perfect. It was clear and sharp. If you like thriller and suspense movies then this is one for you. It gets you to the point of confusion and wonder. Almost like as if you need to pay close attention or you'll miss it. I loved it and I think you will too.

Having just seen Rhinoceros Eyes, I want to tell fans of indie drama and horror to run, not walk to see this film if it comes anywhere near your town!

The film is a coming of age story about Chep (Michael Pitt), a reclusive young man with an unfortunate past, living in a prop shop...and in a fantasy world fueled by cinema and the props he surrounds himself with. Supporting characters include his boss (Matt Servitto of Sopranos fame), his love interest, and "the cop". Interesting characters float in and out of the story in a way that never fails to entertain and disturb.

I was reminded of films like Donnie Darko, and Repulsion; but Rhinoceros Eyes is its own entity. It is a creepy and frightening as it is funny and quirky. This film has some excellent camera work, and plenty of the symbolism indie film fans love to talk about afterwards. While the FX are reminicent of 70's childrens shows, this film is chilling, disturbing and fascinating all at once.

Maybe I should say it again, See This Film!

This is a seriously cool psyched out movie. Like some hybrid of Cronenberg Lynch and.well someone else with a great sense of humor. As someone once said to Cronenberg `you gotta take this movie to a shrink'. Rhino eyes is a case in point. The film is almost like some kind of psychological case study. Theres Chep - his ego, alter ego and ID - Masks, talking animated objects, a can-can dancing geriatric amputee and men dressed as Gorillas .

Michael Pitt is totally captivating as Chep who practically lives in a prophouse, eats, drinks and sleeps the place. When femme fatale Fran enters his life and sends him on expeditions to get more strange props for her, he starts discovering as the audience that theres a dangerously fine line between what's real and what's not. Then a cop starts investigating and pushes the reality/fanasty factor to stratispheric heights.

The whole thing plays like some ironic version of Homers Odessey journeyed inwards into the workings of the mind.

Awesome. The cinematography is amazing and makes the whole fantasy/reality thing work on so many levels. If you liked Donnie Darko, you' love Rhino. Oh yeah, and it's funny funny. I said that already, right!!

As one of the 6 films I had a chance to see at the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival, it would have to be at the bottom of my list of recommendations. Slow doesn't begin to describe this somewhat "inspired" tale of a prop-shop worker named Chep (Pitt). Chep himself is a bit slow and experiencing some fantastical delusions. I felt like most of the movie, revolving around the search for some bizaar props, was filmed in ultra slo-mo. The dialouge was poorly timed, the acting was so muted it became painful (with the exception of supporting player Victor Ertmanis as "Sweets") to watch and the end so anti-climatic and directionless, I wondered how I would get those 90 minutes of my life back. I have read it compared to "Donnie Darko" and after seeing it, the only way that comparison works is that both carry a emotionally tortured lead characters. Pitt seems to summon more of a Giovanni Ribisi in "The Other Sister" (quietly endearing), than Jake Gyllenhaal in "Donnie Darko" (emotionally complex).

Without being to harsh, Paige Turco as the object of Chep's affections is a total casting zero. It's not terrible, but not memorable. Hopefully first time director Aaron Woodley will step back a bit from his attempts to be so "indie profound" in his next project.