Hand 1: Never, EVER slowplay pocket Aces. Maybe if you flop a monster, but usually you want to play them near-full steam ahead. (But not recklessly.)

Pot the flop, 2/3 pot turn.

Hand 2: I have no problem folding here. I wouldn't be worried about villain having a 4, I'd imagine high pocket pair (probably QQ) or a boat with 77. That or the obvious flush, but people usually play flushes slowly because everyone's scared of them.

POT THE FLOP! You have a hand that can't take too much heat or pressure.

As played, if a blank hits on the river, check/call any reasonable bet and expect to be beaten.