We Bought A Zoo

1 Paw

Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

I dragged my husband to this one. "But it's got Thomas Haden Church in it," I reasoned.

I hate it when he's right. My list of takeaways after sitting through this piece of poo...

- Writer/director Cameron Crowe, the cheesiest of cheeseballs, is incapable of making a good movie.

- Ridiculous plot devices (there are two particularly deplorable ones in this film) insult the audience and make me angry.

- I love Matt Damon (Benjamin Mee), but he needs to make a good movie again, soon.

- Scarlett Johansson (Kelly Foster), though nice to look at, is a pretty horrible actress.

- Thomas Haden Church (Duncan Mee) and John Michael Higgins (Walter Ferris), no matter how good, can't save a stinker.

- Colin Ford (Dylan Mee) is the latest in a long line of child actors who can't act.

- Who is the real artist behind Dylan's sketches? They are incredible.

- The older I get, the more the idea of a "zoo" bothers me.

- I wonder what it's like to live in the southern California countryside.

- This was a bad way to end a year's worth of trips to the movies (53, to be exact).

Bonus Bones: 10

Thank God for the multiple scenes featuring Leon, the well-trained beagle.

Hugo

3 Paws
Seen recently at Marcus 20 Grand Cinema

I love secret spaces. My grandmother's house had a narrow, somewhat hidden staircase off the kitchen that led to the upstairs, and I've been hooked ever since. Maybe that's why I'm so drawn to Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield), the wide-eyed muppet who looks like he was plucked from the set of an Oliver Twist adaptation.

It's not just Hugo's unconventional home inside the walls of a Paris train station that's appealing, though. It's the depth of the story, the talent of the actors (Ben Kingsley kills as George Melies and Sacha Baron Cohen surprises as the Station Inspector) and the magic dust that Martin Scorsese sprinkles in each scene that make the film an instant classic. Cynics, however, might prefer a screening of Melancholia.

A quick word about 3D - enough of it, already.

Bonus Bones: 30
10 bones for the police dog (who wouldn't love partnering with Sacha?), and 10 bones each for the long-haired dachshunds who find love with a little help from their friends.

Young Adult

2 Paws
Seen recently at Rave Motion Pictures Westroads 14

I'm a Juno hater. The 2007 critical darling from writer Diablo Cody (born Brooke Busey, by the way) was waaaaaaaay too pretentious for my taste. Why, then, would I subject myself to her latest effort? Because I didn't want to miss the chance to see Patton Oswalt (Big Fan, Ratatouille) on the big screen in a somewhat meaty role.

There's something very real about Oswalt's performances. He definitely delivers as Matt Freehauf, Charlize Theron's picked-on high school classmate who - back in the day - became infamous for being the target of a heinous act. Theron (Mavis Gary) manages some nice moments as well, but the heavy-handed script eventually pulls her under (beware the numerous mani-pedi scenes - I was somewhat traumatized by them).

A big thank you, though, to the casting director for populating Gary's small Midwestern hometown with people, not stereotypes (i.e., we don't all chew tobacco and watch Hee Haw reruns).

Bonus Bones: 5
I spent most of this film feeling for sorry for Dolce - a stuffed animal would work just as well for Gary.

Margin Call

2.5 Paws
Seen recently at the Dundee Theatre (still musty, still open)

I don't know 'nothin 'bout investment banks. I do know a good little movie when I see one, and Margin Call - a thriller that examines the actions of one such outfit's chain of command during the early stages of the country's latest financial meltdown - is on the mark.

The film's 107 minutes is packed with gem performances - Stanley Tucci, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons and even Zachary Quinto (the new Spock) - think Glengarry Glen Ross in a high stakes Wall Street investment bank setting.

The scene stealer, though, is Kevin Spacey as the good guy who knows better but (spoiler alert) bends to the will of the evil magnate because, well, it's easier on his wallet. Spacey seems to have turned into Gene Hackman overnight - his look, his ability to convey a lot without doing a lot. It reminds me that it's time to watch Hoosiers again.

Bonus Bones: 5
Get ready - Ella is a heartbreaker.

The Muppets

3 Paws

Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

I was a freshman in high school when "The Muppet Show" debuted on television. The music and drama nerd in me loved the variety show format, the hecklers in the balcony and the guest hosts who appeared each week.

You could argue that such innocent fun has no place in today's troubled and sophisticated world. But I think you'd be wrong, and so must actor/writer Jason Segel, who stars as Gary. If the film's 97% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes web site is any indication, we're not alone.

"The Muppets" has a lot to offer - a plot that ties the past to the present, a series of crazy musical numbers, a despicable villain (Chris Cooper can do it all), a smattering of cameo performances from recognizable actors, and an ending that's as satisfying as watching George Bailey find Zuzu's petals in his pants pocket. It's okay, all you Joe Cools out there - let your muppet flag fly.

Bonus Bones: 10

Ralph the piano-playing dog has a few good moments on screen, and there's a long-nosed one who tries to order pizza while working the phones during the telethon.

The Descendants

3 Paws

Seen recently at Film Streams

Omaha has the heart of a small town. It wears its love for native filmmaker Alexander Payne on its sleeve, as evidenced by the genuine excitement surrounding the pre-Thanksgiving premiere of his latest effort at Film Streams (where he also happens to serve on the independent theatre's board of directors).

I count myself among the Payne faithful because I like the quiet realism of his films. On that note, "The Descendants" doesn't disappoint. The heavy Oscar hype that preceded its release, though, made it a bit difficult to live up to its billing.

The relationship between Matt King (George Clooney) and his daughters was more than enough to hold my attention. I found the Hawaiian land baron plot line somewhat distracting, as I did the casting of Shaggy (Matthew Lillard) as the 'other man.' I couldn't help wonder where the Scooby van was every time he spoke - zoinks.

It's going to be pretty hard to top "Sideways."

Bonus Bones: 3
If you look closely, you'll see three dogs in the background of several shots.

Real Steel

1.5 Paws
Seen recently at 20 Grand Cinema

Child actors come in two categories - great and awful. Dakota Goyo (Max Kenton) is part of the latter. He reminds me of Jake Lloyd, the young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Both overact and come off as shrill, unrealistic preteens.

I wish the bad news stops there, but it doesn't. Evangeline Lilly (Bailey Tallet) is another unfortunate casting choice. She's too young for Hugh Jackman's Charlie Kenton, and she does nothing to make us believe she's grown up in a boxing gym. If it were up to me, I would have given that part to Maria Bello (The Cooler, A History of Violence), who would have lent a sense of credibility to the film.

The only thing that stopped me from wishing I'd skipped it altogether was Atom, the robot Max rescues from the scrap heap. There's something very human about his bright blue eyes and Tin Man-like face. It turns out that - just like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree - all it needed was a little love.

Bonus Bones: 0
No dogs, not even a futuristic robot version of one.

Martha Marcy May Marlene

1 Paw

Seen recently at the Dundee Theatre (still musty, still open)

Creepy. But I'm not buying it.

A note to any relative of mine who may be reading this - if I ever call you, hysterical, not quite sure which U.S. state I'm in after having gone AWOL for two years, please come and get me and take me to a hospital immediately or, at the very least, to your family physician.

People who are as disturbed as the lovely Elizabeth Olsen (Martha) need medical attention, not one of your dresses so they look like they belong when you throw a little gathering for friends at your tony weekend retreat.

If you can get past the plot faults, which is difficult to do upon reflection, the acting is on target. John Hawkes (Patrick) of Winter's Bone fame (how do you forget a character like Teardrop?) makes you squirm in your seat. And Olsen looks like she has a promising career ahead of her - Mary Kate and Ashley should leave the acting to their little sister.

Bonus Bones: 0

No hounds - perhaps they're too instinctual to be lured into cult life.

The Adventures of Prince Achmed

3 Paws
Seen recently at Film Streams

I wish I had met Prince Achmed when I was younger.

This 1926 marvel from Lotte Reiniger, part of a local Silents in Concert series at one of Omaha's independent cinemas, is the oldest surviving animated feature film (at least that's what Wikipedia tells me). Wikipedia also explains how the film was made - it features a silhouette animation technique invented by the director that involves manipulating cardboard cutouts and thin sheets of lead under a camera.

It has everything a kid could want - faraway lands, fantastical creatures and a happy ending. The adult in me, which surfaces from time to time, was drawn to the warmth of its color tinting, the delicate beauty of its intricately garbed characters and the simplicity of its story telling structure.

The best part of the experience for me? The witch saves the day.

Bonus Bones: 0
No dogs, but the flying horse - complete with up and down levers - was pretty satisfying.

Tower Heist

2 Paws

Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

Why is it that some actors are hell bent on tackling an accent they can't pull off? Ben Stiller's Josh Kovacs would have been much less annoying if he wasn't trying to sound like a wise guy. Then there's the premise. I'm sure there's room for social commentary in comedy, but this we-hate-you-Bernie-Madoff script is a bit too preachy for my taste.

That being said, there are some bright spots. We all know Eddie Murphy has range (as evidenced by his Oscar-nominated Dream Girls role), but he may be at his best when he's being funny, which he definitely is here. (He would have made a must-see Oscars host.) Matthew Broderick (Mr. Fitzhugh) has made a pile of bad film choices, so it's nice to see a glimpse of the comic charm he demonstrated as Ferris Bueller oh so many years ago. And the under-appreciated Tea Leoni turns in a great bar scene as a special agent who's had a few too many (someone please get her a decent script).

It also gets props for its Thanksgiving Day Parade footage.

Bonus Bones: 5

Look for sweet little Lucy who's in need of a walk during the elevator scene.

The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975

2 Paws

Seen recently at Film Streams

I'm in the midst of reading "Writing, Directing and Producing Documentary Films and Videos." Author Alan Rosenthal contends that in order to make a good documentary, you need "a strong narrative thrust and a tale that can be recounted in the most compelling, dramatic way possible."

Goran Olsson, the director responsible for editing together footage shot by a group of Swedish journalists who documented the Black Power Movement in the United States, might have benefitted from a quick perusal of Rosenthal's book prior to beginning his work. The footage itself was indeed compelling - I headed straight for my laptop after leaving the theatre to read more about Angela Davis (where is the biopic chronicling her life?). However, the strong narrative thrust was absent.

I don't know much about Swedish culture, but perhaps thrusting isn't their forte.

Bonus Bones: 0

No puppies - not even snarling police dogs, which you would expect given the content.

50/50

3 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

I had no interest in seeing a buddy movie about two guys dealing with cancer (childhood visions of Brian's Song danced in my head). Nor did I have any interest in seeing yet another film starring Seth Rogen, whose one-note acting talent is more palatable in much smaller doses.

I stand corrected. This film is smart, funny, real, heartbreaking and life affirming. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is nothing short of charming as the cancer-stricken Adam, and Rogen manages some nice moments as his lumbering sidekick (the finding-the-book-in-the-bathroom scene was almost too much for my available Kleenex supply). Serge Houde makes the absolute most of his few scenes as Adam's father, and Angelica Huston's turn as Adam's mother makes me wish someone would drop a few great 'middle-aged woman' scripts by her door.

If you don't like to sniffle in public, you might want to wait and watch this one in the darkness of your living room.

Bonus Bones: 10
Bryce Dallas Howard's Rachel manages to do one good thing by bringing home Skeletor, played by a pair of pups named Denver and William. Watch for the street scene in which Skeletor meets Marlow the Wonderdog (played by Marlow the Wonderdog).

Love Crime (Crime d'amour)

2 Paws
Seen recently at the Dundee Theatre (still musty, still open)

This is what happens when mean girls grow up.

Kristin Scott Thomas (Christine) and Ludivine Sagnier (Isabelle Guerin) are quite a pair - not exactly BFF material. We're not given any idea why Christine is the way she is, although judging by her clothes, her car and her crib, she's used it to her economic advantage. In contrast to Christine, we get some sense that Isabelle's behavior stems from her upbringing or an undiagnosed mental illness - most people don't gather up and rinse out their breakfast dishes in precisely the same pattern of movement day after day.

This is an odd little film - the absence of a soundtrack for most of the 104-minute running time is unnerving, and the corporate world that writer/director Alain Corneau has created is just plain strange - what the hell do these people do for a living?

It kept my attention, though, and now I've got some great tips on how to deal with an evil boss.

Bonus Bones: 0
Not a chien to be seen.

The Ides of March

1.5 Paws

Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

An A-list cast does not an A-list movie make.

History is filled with good political drama (Munich, Three Days of the Condor, name your favorite here), and although The Ides of March looks and sounds like a good one (they got the cinematography right), it's just not. The problem? The script. Maybe it's just me, but I'm tired of Hollywood's portrayal of women on screen. In Ides, you're either a doting sap (Jennifer Ehle's Connie Morris), a hooker with a heart of gold (Evan Rachel Wood's Molly Stearns) or a harpie shrew (Marisa Tomei's Ida Horowicz).

We all know power corrupts the well meaning as well as the weak. You don't have to be a Washington insider to experience it - just watch politics at the local level. So, writer/director George Clooney, if you're not going to reveal some new truths, at least give us a plot line that's worth our ticket investment, plus popcorn.

Bonus Bones: 0

The campaign trail is no place for the furry and four-legged.

Moneyball

2 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

When did Brad Pitt turn into Robert Redford?

I'm not obsessed with Mr. Jolie and his brood (although it seems many are), so I don't track his every move. Thinking back, the last film I really liked him in was 1992's A River Runs Through It, which was directed by - hmmmm - Robert Redford.

As baseball gm Billy Beane, Pitt's contemplative moments on screen - especially when he looks to the side - are quintessential Redford (think Three Days of the Condor or Jeremiah Johnson). I was so distracted by the similarity that it interfered with my enjoyment of the film, which tells a great story and features a sweet performance by Kerris Dorsey (Casey Beane).

If I were calling it from behind the plate: the lame performances by the veteran scouting squad, strike one; the flashback overkill (we get it, already), strike two; and that damn visor, strike three.

Bonus Bones: 0
We're in the midst of a dog drought re: recent releases. I may have to settle for a tailless dolphin if things don't change soon.

Drive

2.5 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

I loved the Eighties. I had big hair (my bangs barely cleared the interior roof of any car), I cut the crap out of my sweatshirts, and I saw Flashdance multiple times during its 1983 run.

Judging from the Risky Business-like feel of the opening sequence, the hot pink type font of the credits and the quilted satin jacket worn by Ryan Gosling's nameless character, director Nicolas Winding Refn is also a fan. He also likes spare dialogue, gruesome violence (beware the elevator scene) and casting actors against type.

I loved seeing the always cuddly Albert Brooks (spoiler alert) stab some street garbage in a particularly sensitive body part - in a pizza joint, no less. I also loved the duality of Gosling's driver. He was both touching and creepy - a rather unsettling mix of emotions, which makes watching what he does all the more compelling.

I hope he decides to keep acting a bit longer, despite his comments to the contrary.

Bonus Bones: 0
No dogs - not even a single mutt with a brief cameo - in this Hollywood tale of woe.

Point Blank

2.5 Paws
Seen recently at Film Streams

If you have asthma, you might want to skip this one.

It's just plain hard to catch your breath from the get-go. We're barely introduced to Samuel Pierret (played with ferocity by Gilles Lellouche) before he's plunged into a bizarre scenario reminiscent of the mess Harrison Ford's Dr. Richard Kimble found himself in in the 1993 version of The Fugitive.

Paris may be the city of light, but director Fred Cavaye purposely turned it off, creating a gray and grimy city that serves as the perfect backdrop for the film's rotten apple storyline. The acting was solid across the board, especially the muted performance turned in by Roschdy Zem, the film's 'good' bad guy. And, just when you think it's over, there's a skosh more to come, which makes for a very satisfying ending.

As my husband says every time we see a good foreign film with mass market potential: "I wonder who'll be cast in the American version."

Bonus Bones: 0
No police dogs, no dogs lounging underneath tables in sidewalk cafes while their owners sip between ciggie puffs - no dogs.

The Debt

1.5 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

The queen has no clothes.

Don't be lured, as I was, into thinking this film was going to be a top-notch thrill ride based on the acting chops of its two supposed leads (bait and switch, by the way) - Oscar winner Helen Mirren (Rachel Singer) and Oscar nominee Tom Wilkinson (Stephan Gold).

Wilkinson is a no show, and Mirren's accent flickers in and out like your car radio on a drive through western Nebraska. The only nice thing I can say about Mirren's Singer is that she wears her scar well.

There were a few bright spots - the mod squad clothing of 1960s East Berlin during the flashback sequences and the performances of Marton Csokas (young Stephan Gold) and Jesper Christensen (Doktor Bernhardt/Dieter Vogel). Csokas is intense and appealing on screen - I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of him in the future. And you can't get any creepier than Christensen's version of a Nazi war criminal - I hope his grandkids don't watch this one.

Bonus Bones: 0
No dogs, which is just as well - they probably would have been shot or stabbed.

Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life

3 Paws

Seen recently at the Film Forum, NYC

I, being the unsophisticate that I am, had no idea who French singer Serge Gainsbourg was before I took my seat in one of the musty theaters at the Film Forum, one of New York City's shrines to independent cinema (they get extra bonus points for selling T-shirts with dogs on them - I bought one, of course).

Turns out it didn't matter. I was captivated (although at times confused) from beginning to end. I normally wouldn't recommend slightly sinister muppet-like creatures as plot devices, but they worked in this case. I was immediately won over by the irrepressible charm of Kacey Mottet Klein, who played a young Lucien Ginsburg before time and circumstance changed his name.

The charm faded as the character aged on screen. By the end of the film, I felt nothing but sadness for the man the little pistol had become. If despair truly fuels the creative process, the artist had more than his fair share of raw material.

Bonus Bones: 20
Aaaaaah the French. There were four - count 'em four - dogs in this one. One of them even had his own death scene.

Salvation Boulevard

1 Paw

Seen recently at the Dundee Theatre (still musty, still open)

It was one of those perfect summer evenings when we set off for the old Dundee Theatre - warm but not humid, breezy but not tornadic. That, we reasoned, was why the joint was empty when we arrived - it was just too nice to be indoors.

Oh, if that were only the reason.

How is it that a group of solid actors (Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Marisa Tomei, Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear) can fail so miserably on screen? Did they need the money? Were they under the influence of mind-altering drugs during negotiations? Did they forget to watch the dailies?

Director George Ratliff's execution of this awkward tale of a mega church gone awry until a well-meaning pothead regains his sanity is neither smart nor funny. Maybe his pitch to Kinnear went something like this - "Think Little Miss Sunshine with a religious twist." A nation full of prayers couldn't salvage this boulevard.

Bonus Bones: 0

Even the dogs knew better than to sign on for this one.

Terri

2.5 Paws
Seen recently at Film Streams

Warning: if you had a traumatic high school experience, this film may cause flashbacks. I think everyone feels like a loser in grades nine through 12, although some kids are better at hiding it than others. Terri (played with a quiet dignity by newcomer Jacob Wysocki) doesn't even bother trying to hide it, which makes his character all the more sympathetic.

This is an odd little film set in an odd little place, but the subtlety of the performances makes it worthwhile viewing. John C. Reilly is one of my favorites working today, and he never seems to disappoint, no matter the role. The big surprise for me was Creed Bratton's turn as Uncle James, Terri's guardian (or is Terri his uncle's guardian?). I'm used to Creed's deadpan delivery on episodes of "The Office" and was compelled by the depth of his acting talent.

Another warning: watching the skinny kid (Bridger Zadina) pull his hair out in tiny clumps is, well, a bit stomach turning, so you may want to skip the concession stand before finding your seat.

Let's hope kids aren't that mean in real life.

Bonus Bones: 0
A dog would have helped Terri cope, but then again, after seeing what he did to those mice...

The Trip

3 Paws

Seen recently at Film Streams

Are all funny people sad on the inside?

Steve Coogan (of 24 Hour Party People fame - if you haven't seen it, Netflix it) reminds me of Bill Murray on film - hilarious, a bit madcap and capable of some heartbreakingly quiet moments.

The Trip is part buddy movie, part travelogue (featuring glorious cinematography of the English countryside) and part Food Network special. In many ways, it's the British equivalent of Sideways - two middle-aged guys weaving their way through stunning landscapes, all the while revealing themselves via their conversations and habits. The trailers focus on the duo's ability to impersonate A-list actors - which is laugh out loud, no doubt. It's what isn't said, though, that stayed with me after I left the theater.

In the words of Harry Potter: brilliant.

Bonus Bones: 2

Two country dogs make a brief appearance as Coogan meanders down a quiet road on foot.

Captain America: The First Avenger

3 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

There's a lot that's wrong with this country (political gridlock, obsession with celebrity death, conversion therapy), but this film reminded me about all that's right with it. The United States is a place where second chances are given, where boldness is revered, where the hope that anything is possible hasn't been stomped out - at least not yet.

I didn't know Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, got his start as a soldier, but it didn't matter. The script stood on its own, and the tone was absolutely perfect. It's one of the most inspiring "little guy does good" stories I've seen in some time. I knew Chris Evans (Steve Rogers) could be funny on film, but I didn't know he could be so compelling.

The supporting cast was four-star: Tommy Lee Jones (Colonel Chester Phillips) makes the most of his screen time by not overselling his one-liners, Hugo Weaving (the Red Skull) is an eerily good bad guy and Stanley Tucci (Dr. Abraham Erskine) gives the film its heart.

I love my country, but I'm not a flag waver. I felt like one for the 124-minute running time, though.

Bonus Bones: 0
A Super Dog or a Private Puppy would have been nice - even an evil Nazi mongrel, perhaps - but no go.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

2 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

I've muggled my way through all seven books and films, and here's my take on the last offering:

The Good
- I loved the fact that scrawny 'ole Neville (Matthew Lewis) stepped up and became a leader, giving hope to shy kids with ferocious overbites around the world.
- I enjoyed seeing Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) smootch it up.
- I was once again amazed at the production values.

The Bad

- The humor and charm of the series was lost, leaving the viewer with 130 raging minutes of Braveheart-like bloodshed and a final battle scene that looks like it was stripped from the original Star Wars script (Luke and Darth Vader did it better).
- I could have lived without the final scene at the train station - even though it's straight out of the book - because it was tough to buy the intrepid trio as married with children.

The Ugly

- Now that the series is over, who's going to employ all those fabulous British actors, some of whom seem older than Hogwarts itself?

Bonus Bones: 1

When all of Hogwarts is running up and down those crazy staircases, if you look quickly, you'll see an aristocratic dog in one of the moving portraits.

Beginners

3 Paws
Seen recently at the Dundee Theatre (still musty, still open)

What can I say about Arthur, the most expressive dog to hit the silver screen since the debut of the original Benji in 1974? Appearing in almost every scene, he reminds dog lovers of the reasons we have them in our homes - the loyalty, the lack of judgement, the love of even the simplest of things.

But the funny thing is, this film isn't about Arthur. It's about the choices we make in life and the joy that comes when we embrace who we really are and leave our fears behind. Christopher Plummer (Hal) may have turned in his most brilliant performance to date, and there have been plenty of them, dating way back to his turn as the stern, sexy Austrian in The Sound of Music. The entire cast was able to convey so much with so little dialogue, which also speaks to a great script and great directing.

I spent most of the film's 105-minute running time with a lump the size of a tennis ball in my throat, but it was a good lump, if you know what I mean.

Here's to good dads - gay and straight, ailing and robust - everywhere.

Bonus Bones: 50
Cosmo, aka Arthur, has done the man's best friend moniker proud.

Larry Crowne

2 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

Okay, so you'll have to set a few things aside if you want a shot at enjoying this one. Number 1: the relationship between Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts) and her husband, Dean (played by a skinny Bryan Cranston). There's no way she would suffer this fool, unless they're both hiding something we don't see on screen. Number 2: the main plot driver. There's no way a large retail outlet would "downsize" a Navy veteran and productive employee just because he didn't go to college (thus making him ineligible for the management track). Number 3: There's absolutely no way a gang of Scooter-riding 20-somethings at a community college would take a 50-something under their wing (although the world would be a better place if they did). Most of the folks who attend community college are juggling a job or two on the side and who knows what else.

If you can do all that, then there's something utterly charming about the way Larry Crowne moves through his quiet, ordinary life, even with his bad haircut and bad shoes. I know Tom Hanks has Oscar hardware for his dramatic performances (I forgive him for Forrest Gump), but I think he's at his best in a romantic comedy, playing the guy you can relate to, the guy you're REALLY pulling for, the guy who gets the girl - the right girl - in the end.

Bonus Bones: 3
Three small neighborhood mutts make a brief appearance during the final garage sale scene.

Page One: Inside the New York Times

2 Paws
Seen recently at Film Streams

My takeaways after viewing this year-in-the-life documentary:
- Every newsroom needs a David Carr.
- Citizen bloggers are not, and never will be, journalists.
- Humor is one of the best tools to have in your professional arsenal.
- Most print reporters would make great candidates for a What Not To Wear episode.
- New York Times executive editor Bill Keller bears a striking resemblance to the actor Mitch Ryan (the rich dad in the sitcom Dharma & Greg).
- Office space that includes four walls and a door is a perk, so if you have it, enjoy it.
- Nerds have a valued place in today's professional workplace.
- Reader interest (and that means you, people) plays a far greater role in what gets covered and where it's placed than I'd care to admit.
- All professional conventions, no matter where they are held, promise two things: bad lighting and lame content.
- I will be a newspaper reader until the day I die (or until newspapers do, whichever comes first).

Bonus Bones: 2
Two Times staffers were shown spending quality time with their pups (David Carr's yellow lab got the most air time).

Buck

2 Paws
Seen recently at the Dundee Theatre (still musty, still open)

Fascinating subject matter, faulty execution.

If there are any Robert Redford fans still alive out there (we're getting pretty long in the tooth, as is Bob, who was interviewed for this documentary), this is the story of 'Buckshot' Brannaman, the real horse whisperer. Traumatized by a violent father during his early childhood years, Buck uses his pain to become an extraordinary horseman, one whose only training tools are his touch and a pair of flag sticks.

I think I would have appreciated this one more if I knew anything about horses. But I don't, so Buck's Vulcan mind meld tactics with his equine brethren were somewhat lost on me. I wonder if the horse people in the crowd were in awe of what they were seeing - I spotted one cowboy hat, several pairs of boots and some pretty big belt buckles in the lobby before finding a seat.

Spoiler alert: there is no whispering.

Bonus Bones: 3
Buck's wife - who is introduced pretty far into the film - has three dogs who get a few moments of screen time, but not many. I expected more from a horse guy.

Incendies

2 Paws
Seen recently at AMC Oakview Plaza 24

Oh my.

Although it's billed as a mystery, Incendies is more like a slow-motion ride into the depths of a family's unspeakable horror. And yes, just when you think it can't get any worse, it does.

Now don't get me wrong - I'm a big fan of strong female characters who triumph despite overwhelming odds. Nawal Marwan, played with gut-shot intensity by Lubna Azabal, is strong beyond measure, but hers is - at best - a story of endurance. Perhaps that's all you can hope for in a world as bleak as hers.

Make sure it's not the last thing you see before you go to bed.

Bonus Bones: 0
I'm not sure if even a dog could have helped Nawal cope.

Super 8

3 Paws

Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

I think I'm one of the few people in the 50 states who didn't see E.T. when it opened in theatres waaaay back in 1982. I was in college and was busy, ummmmm, doing college things.

I almost made the same mistake twice, because the trailer for this 2011 version was anything but super. Sure, the film was about an unearthly monster of sorts. But it was also about so much more - a town that made you want it to be yours, an eclectic group of engaging kids with - dare I say it - more heart than the Harry Potter crowd - and a simple message about the power of empathy that even those with the hardest of hearts would have a hard time dissing. Heck - even the hot town drunk (Ron Eldard, the blonde paramedic from ER who pined for Julianna Margulies in season two) got a second chance.

If you were a kid in the '70s, this film is a must see. Just download "My Sharona" from iTunes and listen to it on your way to the theater and back. Summer doesn't get any better than that.

Bonus Bones: 20

There was a dog with a name - Lucy, a lost and found board with dozens of dog pics and a gas station scene in which the sheriff got buzzed by a scruffy pack (obviously much smarter than their owners) headed out of town for safer pastures. 

X-Men: First Class

2.5 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

If you want to make a pretty darn good movie, no matter the plot, cast a pair of small (in physical size only) actors from the British Isles in the lead roles. James McAvoy (Charles Xavier) and Michael Fassbender (Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto) make equally compelling arguments for good and evil, respectively. If hard-pressed, though, I'd give the nod to good.

I loved the film's Twiggy-like costuming (here's to the '60s), the Hugh Jackman cameo and the questions it answers about how the characters we know from X-Men (2000) came to be. I also loved getting to know Beast and Banchee - I'd want them on my team if I had to fight Kevin Bacon's Sebastian Shaw.

I didn't love the fact that the main female mutant - Jennifer Lawrence (Raven/Mystique) - was obsessed with her appearance. Teens need a better female comic book role model out there, people. Neither did I love it when Kevin Bacon donned the Magneto helmet. I think my Footloose memories of him were too strong to make me believe what he was selling, although he was pretty damn scary in the concentration camp section of the film.

All in all, not too shabby for summer blockbuster fare.

Bonus Bones: 1
The Nazi guard dog made the most of his few moments on film.

Midnight in Paris

2.5 Paws

Seen recently at Rave Motion Pictures Westroads 14

Thank you, Owen Wilson, for making a movie that made me like you as an actor again. Thank you, Paris, for being a cinematic showstopper (it looked a lot different on screen than it did the time we got off the train there, left the station in search of our 'tour guide' and saw a woman holding her baby over a sewer grate to, well, pee). Thank you, costume designer whose name I do not know, who must have had a blast and a generous wardrobe budget. Thank you, Woody Allen, for not starring in your own film and for bringing to life an impressive collection of the world's all-time great artists and writers (all of whom seemed to have a hell-bent penchant for partying.....hmmmmm). Thank you, Adrien Brody, for your hysterical turn as Salvador Dali - I'll never think of the rhinoceros the same way again.

Thank you, most of all, to the idea embedded in the script. As Dorothy so eloquently said from her Kansas sickbed: "If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard, because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with. Is that right?"

Bonus Bones: 5

Look quickly for a big brown one in the opening credits and a Two Face black/white one in the restaurant scene. Gotta love them French.

The Hangover Part II

2 Paws

Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

Has there ever been a sequel that's better than the original? If you time travel back to 1974, The Godfather: Part II came close, but no cigar.

It wasn't even close in this case, but II was still mildly entertaining. Bradley Cooper? Appropriate in the original, I'm so over him in the sequel. Ed Helms? Sympathetic in the original, a bit less so in the sequel. Zach Galifianakis? Hysterical in both. Mike Tyson? A nice surprise in the original, a bit embarrassing in II. Jeffrey Tambor? Short-changed in the sequel. Ken Jeong (Mr. Chow)? It's hard to believe this guy is a real doctor turned comedian/actor, but he's funny each time out of the gate, bitches (loved his "Time in a Bottle" rendition in the elevator). The requisite hooker? Sweet in the original, a bit freaky in the sequel. The script? Tighter in the original, predictable in the sequel. The setting? A good call in both cases.

I guess it's worth a trip to the theatre - especially to see the beauty shots of Thailand on the big screen, but it might make more sense to stay home and rent the original.

Bonus Bones: 1/2 a bone

The monkey was cute, but she was no dog - I hope no other monkeys watching picked up her bad habits. I think I saw a white puppy in one of the street scenes, but then, well, Bangkok took him.

Certified Copy (Copie Conforme)

1 Paw
Seen recently at the Dundee Theatre (still musty, still open)

Please pardon my pea-sized intellect, but I didn't get it. Worse than that, I didn't care that I didn't get it. I just wanted it to be over. So, apparently, did the three people behind us who almost made it through to the end before giving up. (That left a whopping four of us in the theater, by the way.)

Were they strangers who've just met? Were they married and then estranged? These, I'm told, were the questions writer/director Abbas Kiarostami wanted us to wrestle with. I've got another question for ole' Abbas: are you kidding me? William Shimell (James Miller) came off as a whiny aristocrat who likes nothing more than the sound of his own voice. Juliette Binoche (Elle) was just as off-putting in a shrew-like, nut-job sort of way (I particularly hated the lipstick scene in the restroom.)

It reminded me of when my mom took me to see a Carroll (Iowa) production of "Our Town" - while I was in grade school, mind you. My short life was somehow not enriched by sitting through all three acts.

Bonus Bones: 0
No dogs walking the centuries-old streets of Tuscany? I seriously doubt it.

Thor

3 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

Every kid needs a Heimdall. This extraordinary keeper of the watch, whose loyalty and fierceness leave you wide-eyed and breathless, is my favorite Thor character. There's a whole lot more about the film to enjoy, though, even if you aren't a comic book nerd.

Where oh where did they find Chris Hemsworth? With his long blonde mane and towering physique, he looks like an All-Star wrestler ready for make-believe battle on the mat. In the end, it's his charm and humor that win over the audience. Anthony Hopkins sports a series of the greatest eye patches I've ever seen, including one that's part of his head armor. His Odin lends an air of substance to the film that might not be there if another actor had attempted the role. The casting of Clark Gregg (I just saw him in an old Sex and the City episode where he was one of Miranda's speed dates who lied about being an emergency room doctor) as Agent Coulson was a stroke of genius. He's got just the right look and right amount of sarcasm to pull off the one-liners.

The female characters, on the other hand, are mostly throw-a-ways (surprise, surprise). Be sure to sit through the credits for a glimpse of what's next for this guy and his hammer.

Bonus Bones: 2
Pay attention to the pet shop that Thor enters in search of a horse. There's a quick shot of an adorable pen of puppies, but if you blink, you'll miss it.

Fast Five

2 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

Preposterous plot, predictable dialogue, funky soundtrack. Mountaintop Jesus, slum huts, sweaty populace. Beautiful cars, unsafe driving, spectacular crashes. Big guns, big guns, big guns. Bald heads, bulging biceps, tight T-shirts. Feminine objects, long legs, white teeth. Endearing cast, family values, goodness prevails.

I must confess it was fun to watch in a pre-summer blockbuster sort of way. It left me with one question, though: could it have been any louder?

Bonus Bones: 0
Not a hound to be found, which is probably a good thing, considering all those bullets flying around.

Bill Cunningham New York

3 Paws
Seen recently at Film Streams

"On The Street" is my favorite feature in the Sunday Styles section of the New York Times. I love looking at the crazy combos the big city folk come up with, wishing I had the attitude necessary to leave the house dressed like that. As soon as I saw the trailer for this documentary, I couldn't wait to get a glimpse of the life of Bill Cunningham, the man behind the photos. Be careful what you wish for.

Although I have a soft spot in my heart for all eccentrics, I wasn't prepared for the concern I now felt for this elderly stranger I'd just gotten to know. Is he going to get hit by a speeding taxi while pedaling to his next assignment? Is he adjusting to life after being removed from his long-time residence in a Carnegie Hall studio with no kitchen or bathroom? Has fashion been enough?

I wish I owned one of his hats.

Bonus Bones: 2
Look for the black one on the street early on and the lounging one in the background of one of the interviewee settings. The lounger makes several appearances.

The Lincoln Lawyer

1 Paw

Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

I've never been a big Matthew McConaughey fan, and his performance as Mick Haller in this crime drama did nothing to change my opinion. My likes were limited to his car, his driver's outfit and William H. Macy's hair.

Everything else, including the film's title, is on the lame side. I guess if you're testifying in court in Los Angeles these days, it's okay to make impassioned speeches proclaiming your innocence instead of limiting your responses to the questions posed to you by counsel. McConaughey's tortured soul turn, complete with man crying, didn't ring the least bit true. He was much better as a defense attorney in the film version of John Grisham's "A Time to Kill." That being said, maybe it's director Brad Furman's fault, or maybe it's John Romano's Mattlock-like screenplay. In this one, there's plenty of blame to go around.

Bonus Bones: 2

Frank Levin (William H. Macy) had a dog, which was featured briefly in two scenes. It's just as well we weren't allowed to get too attached to him.

Win Win

3 Paws
Seen recently at the Dundee Theatre (still musty, still open)

I'm no celebrity stalker, but I do love the glitz and glam of Hollywood on occasion. You could find evidence of neither in Win Win, which is the secret of its success. You can't get any more ordinary than Mike (Paul Giamatti) and Jackie (Amy Ryan) Flaherty, who are just doing their thing, family style, in New Jersey until a whopper of an unethical decision on Mike's part brings a newcomer into the household.

The storyline, if you think too much about it, won't hold up after one watching. The performances - all across the board - do. It's a little too early to talk 2011 Oscar nominations, but 71-year-old Burt Young has set the bar pretty high as far as supporting actors go. Contrary to popular belief among those who finance films, you don't always have to blow things up or cast your lead from the pages of People's 50 Most Beautiful People list to get American butts in movie theatre seats. We'll show up for Burt.

Bonus Bones: 0
Nada, zip, zilch - not even a four-legged cameo.

Hanna

2 Paws

Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

I don't have kids, but if I did, I'd like a Hanna - minus all the killing. She's a younger, darker version of Jaime Sommers, one of my early television heroines. Saoirse Ronan (Hanna) is mysterious, magnetic and other worldly - it looks like someone plucked her straight from one of the Lord of the Rings film sets. Maybe it's her name, or maybe it's the country she comes from. Here's hoping she makes wise film choices going forward so her 15 minutes of fame last a while.

Oscar winner Cate Blanchett seemed to phone it in as the stereotypic government bad seed with a syrupy southern drawl. I did get a kick out of her ruthless attention to dental hygiene, though. The other star of the film was its score. I felt like I was watching a series of great music videos from back in the day when MTV actually showed music videos instead of bad reality television. (Remember a-ha's Take On Me?)

Bonus Bones: 5

The wolf pups were cute, the guard dog in one of the pivotal chase scenes represented, and viewers even got a brief history lesson (complete with visual) about Laika, the first dog in space.

Jane Eyre

3 Paws
Seen recently at Film Streams

I hate good movie trailers. All too often they get your hopes waaaaaaay up until you're finally seated in the darkness with your popcorn, where said hopes are then bashed all to hell before you're 15 minutes in. The trailer for Jane Erye - with all of its darkness and intrigue and clash of wills - seemed too good to be true. It wasn't.

If you're a fan of great filmmaking, make it a point to work this one into your schedule. Those Bronte sisters sure could put pen to paper, and director Cary Joji Fukunaga's take on one of the world's most popular books was gripping, spooky and just plain inspiring. I'll be on the lookout for more from Mia Wasikowska (Jane) and Michael Fassbender (Rochester), who - both separately and together on screen - were so compelling I was afraid to move for fear of missing something.

It has transfixed me quite.

Bonus Bones: 5
Not only was there a dog in this movie, but he had a name. Here's to Pilot, Rochester's friend and companion in times good, bad and more than a little bit cuckoo.

Source Code

2 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

Note to all writers, directors and producers currently involved in script negotiations: people love a good character. He or she doesn't have to be heroic good - evil also works (think Severus Snape or Martin Burney in "Sleeping with the Enemy") - just someone you care enough about to find out how things end up for them.

Jake Gyllenhaal's Colter Stevens is one of those characters. I loved him the minute he showed up on the train, dazed and confused and full of questions that didn't seem to have any answers. So is Christina Warren, Colter's modern-day Mary Tyler Moore-ish traveling companion who eventually becomes the object of his self-imposed "mission."

I can't say I loved the plot, a ghoulish remix of the "Groundhog Day" premise, a stomach-turning military experiment and any number of "we must stop the terrorist before he strikes again" flicks. Sandwiched in between all the billows of smoke, though, are some great moments, scenes filled with a simple humanity that made me downright weepy.

I never really did figure out what the source code was. I was too busy worrying about how far our real military would go in meeting a stated objective.

Bonus Bones: 0
I guess dogs aren't allowed on commuter trains in Chicago.

Rango

2 Paws

Seen recently at Rave Motion Pictures Westroads 14

This is no movie for kids. I don't think the mom, dad and passel of youth who sat in front of us knew that going in, based on the amount of time different configurations of them spent in the lobby during the screening. A lot of it was creepy and downright gross - who needs to hear about conjunctivitis while they're eating Jujubes? The cast of characters reminded me of a cross between those in that famous bar scene from Star Wars and the townspeople in the George Bailey-less section of It's A Wonderful Life, just dirtier. (I didn't get the shout-out to Chinatown until it was pointed out to me.) I also thought Bill Nighy was miscast as the voice talent for Rattlesnake Jake - perhaps James Earl Jones and Alan Rickman were busy with other projects.

It's a must-see for those who admire the art of animation, though, and the owl Mariachi band was - yes, I'm going to say it - a hoot.

Bonus Bones: 0

I guess the desert is too hot for dogs.

The Adjustment Bureau

2 Paws
Seen recently at Rave Motion Pictures Westroads 14

Great hats, great building architecture, great chemistry between the two leads. Not so great - the hokey plot (I would have preferred magic beans as a transport device), the hokey performance by the guy from Mad Men (who also dated Carrie Bradshaw in several Sex in the City episodes - he's the one who wanted Carrie to, well, relieve herself on him), the hokey ending. I'd like to see Matt Damon and Emily Blunt meet again in a better film. Better yet, I'd like to see Nebraska produce a political candidate with the brashness and honesty of Damon's David Norris. He or she would get my vote.

Bonus Bones: 0
No dogs? In a city of more than eight million? I don't think so.

Cedar Rapids

3 Paws
Seen March 12 @ Rave Motion Pictures Westroads 14

Aaaaaaah, Cedar Rapids. I think I went to a party there once when I was in college, but the details are a bit sketchy now. With a film title like this, I was prepared for a series of sight and sound gags based on the usual Midwestern stereotypes - we dress funny, we're confounded by the miracle of modern transportation, we view the world as black or white, no in-between hues allowed.

Truth be told, there was a bit of that. But it didn't matter, thanks to a cast of characters that make you feel better about the world and your place in it. It was like "Rudy" minus the football stuff. You just don't get any better than John C. Reilly, who can gross you out, make you laugh and get you all verklempt in the same scene. I dare you not to love Ed Helm's Tim Lippe, and Isiah Whitlock Jr.'s Ronald Wilkes is a scene stealer - look for him when they retrieve Tim from (insert stereotypic redneck accent here) one a' them dangerous backwoods Iowa house parties. The film was filled with lots of great one-liners - I'll be using the "I'm from Omygod, Nebraska" one from here on out. Chalk one up for the rubes.

Bonus Bones: 0
People without dogs in the Midwest? Nah.

Unknown

2 Paws
Seen Feb. 25 @ Marcus Midtown Cinema

I've been in Liam Neeson's corner ever since his turn as a homeless deaf mute accused of murder in "Suspect" (which stars Cher and a young Dennis Quaid - worth a rainy Saturday afternoon viewing.) In my advancing years, I like the fact that an older, smarter guy kicks ass and takes names, which Neeson's character - Dr. Martin Harris - most certainly does from beginning to end. It's not the type of film that holds up to serious scrutiny after leaving the theater, as the plot is more than a bit Austin Powers-like. But it sure is fun to watch in the moment.

Neeson's co-star, Diane Kruger of "Inglourious Bastards" fame, is endearing as an illegal who does what she can to make a buck and better her situation. Bruno Ganz is mesmerizing in his few moments on screen as an investigator with an interesting past who helps Neeson get to the bottom of who he really is. January Jones wears clothes well, but she turns in another Fembot performance as Neeson's partner - perhaps that's what she was going for.

Bonus Bones: 1
If you're really paying attention, you'll notice someone walking a black dog when Dr. Harris tries to check into a rather seedy-looking hotel his first night after leaving the hospital.

Barney's Version

3 Paws
Seen Feb. 18 @ AMC Oakview Plaza 24

This is an odd little movie that's hard to pidgeonhole. Once I stopped trying to figure out what I was watching, I was totally sucked in by Paul Giamatti's performance. If you really love (or loved) your dad, despite any shortcomings you think he may have (or have had), you'll be moved by the depth of Barney's love for his father, played by Dustin Hoffman in one of his best supporting roles to date. Fans of the television show "Felicity" (come on, I admit it, and I know there are others out there like me) may recognize Boogie - played by Scott Speedman - as an older, drugged out version of Ben, the guy Felicity follows to NYC to college. I'll pretty much follow Giamatti down any film road he takes, but I'd really like him to be a ruthless badass some day soon.


Bonus Bones: 3
Three dogs make the briefest of street appearances, one when Barney picks up a strung-out Boogie in the city before the two head for Barney's country house so Boogie can dry out, and two when Barney and Miriam are enjoying a walk through Central Park.

Somewhere

2 Paws
Seen Feb. 11 at Film Streams

It's hard to feel sorry for a rich celebrity with relationship issues, especially when he exhibits the type of behavior we've come to associate with Charlie Sheen. I didn't much care for Stephen Dorff's Johnny Marco, although it was fun to watch him stumble through the bizarre activities that are the norm for Hollywood types. (I want one of those giant cat statues from the Italian awards ceremony.) Things got much better with the appearance of Cleo, Johnny's daughter. Elle Fanning is part muppet, part princess, part puppy - who wouldn't want her around to make their day better?

I was expecting a greater emphasis on the hotel itself - the place that's been home to artists, writers and actors for decades - the place where John Belushi died. The Benicio del Toro cameo was nice, but I wanted more. The open ending - the kind intellectuals like because they can interpret it for you - was abrupt and unsatisfying. Nice try, Sofia, but it made me want to power up Netflix and watch "Lost in Translation."

Bonus Bones: 1
A cute puppy - perhaps a yellow lab or golden retriever - makes a brief appearance during the pool scene. Note to Johnny: dogs make great companions, buddy.

127 Hours

3 Paws

Seen Feb. 4 at Aksarben Cinema

I try to avoid gore at all costs, in life and in the theater. That's why, despite how much I like the work of James Franco, I passed on seeing this film right away when it came out. Peer pressure and a bunch of Oscar nominations eventually changed my mind, and I convinced myself I could cover my face with my hands when it came time for Aron Ralston to, well, you know.

Ooof. I can't say I enjoyed it, but I'm glad I went. Interestingly enough, I was more creeped out by the claustrophobic nature of the canyon walls than I was by the amputation itself. Franco did Ralston proud, especially in the sequences where he's filming 'goodbye and thank you' messages for his family and friends. If I ever go hiking in Moab, I'm taking an engineer with me.

Bonus Bones: 0

Plenty of desert critters, but not a dog to be found. Strange - doesn't every outdoor type from Colorado have a four-footed friend to share adventures with?

I Love You Phillip Morris

2 Paws
Seen Jan. 29 at Film Streams

I have to admit I'm not a huge Jim Carrey fan. His constant mugging, jarring movements and shout-speak are a bit too much for my delicate sensibilities. All three were present in Carrey's version of con man Steven Russell, although he also attempted to pull off some quieter moments - not sure they worked, though. I think I would rather have seen a documentary on Russell - it was hard to get past the star power of Carrey and Ewan McGregor to focus on the unbelievable story. Watch for the reference to former President George W. Bush in the closing text - it should make all Democrats snicker a bit.

Bonus Bones: 2
Two different sets of Miniature Pinschers (this breed guess is based on my home school learnin' via the annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show broadcast each February) make brief appearances after Russell moves to Florida to start his new life. If I'm wrong on the breed, please let me know.

Another Year

3 Paws
Seen Jan. 28 @ AMC Oakview Plaza 24

This film isn't for everyone, as evidenced by the series of adult couples who groaned and gabbed their way through the first third before announcing to the audience that they were leaving because, well, they were depressed as hell and just couldn't take it any more. (A quick note on movie-going etiquette - it's perfectly fine to get up and leave, but don't be obnoxious about it. Wait until you're out in the lobby before you start ranting. Better yet, wait until you get home and then blog about it.)

Watching Mike Leigh's quiet character study of a thoroughly engaging British couple - Tom and Gerri - and the walking wounded who populate their lives during the course of a year was difficult yet worth the effort. If you're moved by actors who truly disappear behind their on-screen personas, no matter how steeped in despair these personas are, see it. It was like spying on someone through their kitchen window - I felt guilty yet compelled to continue.

Bonus Bones: 0
If there was ever a movie character who could have used the unconditional love of a dog, it's Mary, Gerri's co-worker and the couple's frequent houseguest. No pups present, though. Is that a British thing?

Country Strong

1 Paw

Seen Jan. 7 @ Aksarben Cinema

Wow. What was the director thinking? (What was I thinking, for that matter - I saw the trailer.) A soap opera story line, incredibly trite dialogue and cringe-inducing performances, especially on the part of Tim McGraw and Leighton Meester. Even the extras were lame. The only bright spot in the film is the voice of Garrett Hedlund. Maybe he should book a gig with Ted Williams, the radio-jock-turned-homeless-man who shot to international fame last week and is now considering job offers from Oprah, the Cleveland Cavaliers and others. Also - what was going on with McGraw's hair? He's a good looking guy who doesn't need whatever the wardrobe/costume folks were trying to sell there. You'd be better off staying home, cranking up your favorite country CD and watching Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew on VH1 with the sound off.

Bonus Bones: 1
Look for the country mutt outside the bar in the opening scene, but look fast - he comes and goes quickly.

The King's Speech

3 Paws

Seen Jan. 1 at Rave Westroads

Happy New Year! We kicked off 2011 by seeing one of the best films of 2010 - perhaps the best. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush put on an acting clinic, and it was great to watch Helena Bonham Carter turn in a smart, solid performance without a witch hat. (See how many Harry Potter characters you can spot in this stellar British cast). It's the kind of movie-going experience that renews your faith in the potential of humans - the audience clapped when it was over, which is a rarity in Omaha. It also made me long for the days when hats were a staple in everyone's wardrobe.

Bonus Bones: 10

Five bones each for the two Corgis that followed the family - including the eventual Queen of England and her sister - around the palace.