Star Trek Into Darkness

2 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

Here's the not-so-secret secret to a good reboot - it's got to be as good or better than the original "boot." I absolutely love Chris Pine - he's the perfect version of a 2013 James T. Kirk. I also have to give it up for the always hilarious Simon Pegg as Scotty and John Cho's take on Sulu. And you can never go wrong with a tribble appearance.

But the mashup of roles (nobody will ever top Leonard Nimoy's "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one" speech) came up a little bit short for me. And although I think Benedict Cumberbatch (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) is one of the most talented actors working today, there is just no way to out-Khan Ricardo Montalban, the biggest, baddest, most charismatic villain to terrorize the galaxy ever. I miss his chest-baring jacket and giant Klingon necklace.

Bonus Bones: 1
Look for the giant, cuddly dog in the opening sequence. Other than that, there are no dogs in space.

Iron Man 3

Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema
3 Paws

Robert Downey Jr. is an Oscar nomiee for his role in Chaplin (1992), but he's a lot more fun to watch in his third outing as Tony Stark, the man behind the iron suit.

Who wouldn't want to hang out with this guy? He's insanely smart, he's funny, he dresses well, and he attracts great people who are able to cut through his layers of bravado to the man who lies beneath. I don't know what the comic book crowd thinks, but I enjoyed seeing a vulnerable Iron Man, one who's willing to accept help from a young small-town loner (Ty Simpkins in a breakout role) who accepts the hero at face value.

There's also lots of noise and lots of things that blow up, if that's your thing. And the villains in this one - if you wait it out - deliver in true blockbuster fashion.

Bonus Bones: 0
I guess he doesn't have time for a pet.