REEL TALK: MOVIES RATED BY THINGS THAT DON’T WORK

THE DICTATOR | “IT’S MY BIRTHDAY, CAN I HAVE A FREE SHOT?”

The Dictator is the third film in Sacha Baron Cohen’s Guy-With-A-Funny-Accent series. Ostensibly based on Saddam Hussein’s romance novel Zabibah and the King, he plays the dictator of a fictional Middle Eastern nation who considers a mispronounced word in a vaguely Arabic accent to be a punchline. If enough press releases say that Sacha Baron Cohen is a consistent comic genius … it must be true, right? [R | Wide Release, Wed 5.16.12]

BERNIE | PEEING IN PANTS TO GET OUT OF DRUG TEST.

Based on the true story of funeral director Bernie Tiede, a well-liked and affable funeral home director from Carthage, Texas who befriended a local, wealthy elderly woman, then murdered her when she became too controlling. He is currently serving a life sentence for the murder and embezzlement of up to $3 million. Did we mention that this is the latest comedy from Richard Linklater and Jack Black? That too. [PG-13 | Kendall Square Cinema, Fri 5.18.12]

THE COLOR WHEEL | JUST THE TIP

The Color Wheel is the latest film from independent writer-director-actor Ross Perry. It tells the story of a bickering brother and sister who have to take a road trip to help her move after she breaks up with her professor/boyfriend. The trailer makes it seem as though a respectable amount of care and effort went into it, and there’s a scene where the lead actress wears a Who Farted? shirt while reading the Bible. Sold. [NR | Brattle Theatre, Fri 5.18.12]

MANSOME | CAPITALISM

Morgan Spurlock became an instant legend in the documentary world with Super Size Me, a crossover hit that affected real, positive change in the world and raised the level of public discourse. His series 30 Days forces closed-minded people what it’s like to live in someone else’s shoes for a month. His latest, Mansome, makes fun of guys who like to be well-groomed, and he asks his new celebrity friends to make fun of them too. Way to go, Spurlock. [NR | Wide Release, Fri 5.18.12]