Not exactly the best role models, I guess

With the end of the traditional TV season, my movie-watching has picked up a bit. I mean, you can watch only so many "Law & Order: reruns before screaming at the TV, "No, not him! It's, like, the third red herring this episode, you idiots!"

We'll have some post devoted to just one movie before long, but here's a roundup of a few flicks from different eras and genres.

Now I'm back to thinking this guy simply isn't my cup of tea: "Sleeper"

I'm sure I've waxed more than once about Woody Allen and my mixed, at best, feelings for his work. All of the neurotic stuff of the late '70s, the '80s and the '90s, you pretty much can keep. But the early, straight-up funny stuff is all right, and I've been pleasantly surprised by more recent fare such as "Match Point" and "Melinda and Melinda."

I thought "Sleeper" would fall into the OK category, since it came before "Annie Hall," "Manhattan," et al. No question it's a comedy, usually grouped in with "Bananas," "Take the Money and Run" and "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask)." Alas, the story of Woody being frozen in the 1970s and waking up 200 years later didn't do much for me.

I guess some of the slapstick and sight gags were all right, and Diane Keaton was kind of cute and seemed to be having fun. But Woody is still Woody, and even though some of the sci-fi satire works, the New York nebbish schtick doesn't. When "My brain! It's my second favorite organ!" is one of his more tolerable lines, an 89-minute running time seems a lot longer.

(On the plus side, check out the recommendations on the IMDB page for "Sleeper." Yeah, I'll right on that Woody Allen-Sly Stallone double feature.)

Who was that masked man? More importantly, who cares?: "V for Vendetta"

You may recall my post on this after seeing it in the theater. In a nutshell, not bad, but something of a letdown. I also said that I could feel differently after a second viewing.

I didn't.

The plot: In a future totalitarian regime in England, a guy in a Guy Fawkes mask -- slits for eyes, big painted smile, straight-hairded wig -- wreaks havoc with explosives and knives. A lithe Natalie Portman becomes a sidekick of sorts. John Hurt screams a lot as the top dictator. Stephen Rea asks questions as an investigator.

The problem: Well, it's just kind of boring. Good-looking, I'll grant you. But mostly a lot of talkie-talkie and not enough kaboom. True, this might be considered "intelligent," especially compared with the typical Michael Bay crapfest. But as much I liked the "V for Vendetta" comic book, it just didn't translate all that well to the big screen. And dammit, I still couldn't hear what Hugo Weaving was saying under that mask half the time.

Before one guy went old school and the other crashed weddings ... : "Bottle Rocket"

I won't say it's an absolute, but anyone who claims to be a fan of any Wes Anderson movie and anything featuring one of the Wilson boys really needs to see this movie. It had been a long time since I had, and it took on a new dimension after having seen several other works by these three guys.

"Bottle Rocket" was the first work of note by Messrs. Wes, Luke and Owen, and it's quite quirky -- almost terminally. Still, I generally liked the goofy tale of would-be criminals bumbling somewhere in the West. We start with Luke Wilson checking out of the loony bin and joining up with his friend -- not brother -- played by Owen Wilson. Owen fancies himself an apprentice to a bigshot heist leader and enlists Luke, as well as others along the way, in his schemes. Alas, Luke comes across a lovely Latin maid at a hotel and pines for her more than the thrill of a life of crime.

No question this is by the guy who graduated to "Rushmore" (which is better), "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" (which aren't). It's also fun to see the very young Wilson boys -- with unfortunate hair, to boot. Luke's dangles almost to his shoulders, while Owen is practically high and tight, which makes his weird nose even more noticeable. Maybe that's why he had tape on it.

That said, Owen is pretty funny here, and the nutty adventures and breezy feel of the movie work well. Can't remember what I thought the first time around -- seems there was a "that's it?" feeling -- but now that the Wilsons are actual stars, this is a must-see just for the "before they were big" factor. And the hair.