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.