Freeze Frame Archiv

Filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón can go ahead and make space on his mantle for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar he’ll receive for “Roma,” a fond recollection of his childhood in Mexico City. Newcomer Yalitza Aparicio leads the film as Cuarón’s beloved nanny, Cleo, an indigenous woman with more than her share of problems. There isn’t much of a plot to speak of, but it’s a heartfelt and beautifully photographed black-and-white cinematic memoir. “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is a wildly imaginative, energetic animated Marvel epic that finally captures Spider-Man's cheeky humor. This is as close to a comic book come to life as you're likely to ever see on the big screen. Involving and fun, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is the best animated film of 2018. Olivia Coleman's splendid performance as Queen Anne is the best thing about “The Favourite,” an over-directed period piece that plays like an 18th century version of "All About Eve." Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz are also fine as two ladies of the court who employ Machiavellian means as they vie for the queen’s favor. It’s a nasty battle of wits and wills. “Mortal Engines” is an oddball cinematic spectacular based on Philp Reeve’s sci-fi novel. In a steampunk post-apocalyptic future, a movie gets…

A strong performance by Wilem Defoe is the main attraction of the eccentric biopic "At Eternity's Gate," the story of the last days in the life of Vincent Van Gogh. Filmmaker Julian Schnabel is also a renowned artist, so this ambitious arthouse entry may have special appeal to aesthetes.   While lofty pretentions aren’t a bad thing, Schnabel’s instance on herky-jerky camera work and glacial pace gets a little tiring. Individual scenes work beautifully, particularly a conversation Van Gogh has with a priest, played by Mads Mikkelsen, who must decide whether or not to release the troubled artist from an asylum.   But “At Eternity’s Gate” may be a bit too affected for its own good.   The most acclaimed operatic diva of her time is the subject of the documentary "Maria By Callas." Footage from TV interviews and home movies allows Callas to tell her own story. Callas' letters are read by famed soprano and KC native Joyce DiDonato. The film covers her insulated youth, her rise to fame, the heat of the spotlight and her on-and-off romance with Aristotle Onassis. “Maria by Callas” is intriguing even for non-opera fans.   Ron Perlman plays an aging hit man in "Asher,"…

Fans of Japanese anime will find much to love in "Mirai," a beautifully produced epic that takes on grandiose philosophical ideas in the guise of a simple family film about the importance of sibling ties. Problem is, its themes will probably fly over the heads of most kids. The movie has received rapturous reviews in many circles, but to my mind, it concentrates a bit too much on pushing its viewpoint without breathing enough life into its characters. Part of this is due to the flat nature of the animation that makes facial expression an afterthought. "Mirai" is for older kids and adults only. Small children aren't really the demographic. They'll probably be confused and bored. "Mirai" is an animated arthouse effort that has plenty to offer for audiences with lots of patience and an affinity for thoughtful, abstract ideas. “The Guilty” is a riveting Danish thriller about a police officer confined to an emergency dispatch room as a disciplinary action. He desperately tries to help a caller who turns out to be a panicked kidnap victim in imminent danger. Essentially a one-man show, all of the action in “The Guilty” takes place in two rooms at the emergency dispatch…

The strange story of the rise-and-fall story of 1988 Presidential candidate Gary Hart should have been a riveting political drama. "The Front Runner" is workmanlike and well-acted but lacks the dramatic arc that would have made it a winner. Hugh Jackman stars as the Democratic contender who was riding high until he challenged journalists to follow him around if they thought he was doing anything wrong. They did…and it became clear that he was having an affair. Jackman and Vera Farmiga are fine as the Harts and the writing is intelligent, but the movie is pretty much a one-note affair and just isn't as gripping as it should be.   Need a feel-good movie for your holiday viewing? Look no further than "Green Book." Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen are terrific in the true story of African-American concert pianist Dr. Don Shirley and his Italian-American driver from the Bronx, Tony Lip.  They experience some severe ups and downs on a tour the Deep South in 1960. While the movie doesn’t dig too deep, the actors are extremely appealing. They start out on an antagonistic note but ultimately ingratiate themselves to one another and then, to the audience. Oddly, the…

KC native screenwriter Gillian Flynn might finally get the Oscar love that eluded her for "Gone Girl." "Widows" is a fierce and gritty heist movie that is also a potent, beautifully acted social drama with powerhouse performances from Viola Davis and Daniel Kaluuya. It's disturbing, realistic and easily one of the best movies of the year. If “Ocean’s 11” had had a social conscience, it would have been “Widows.”   The second in the Harry Potter prequel series is pretty much what you'd expect. "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" is a beautifully produced but rambling adventure with dark overtones. Johnny Depp returns as an evil wizard who gives Eddie Redmayne and the other good wizards a run for their money. The multiple plot threads aren't woven together successfully, but there's enough movie magic to please most fans.   Mark Wahlberg's family comedy "Instant Family" is a pleasant surprise, based loosely on director Sean Anders’ own experiences. This story about foster parenting and adoption has more meat on its bones than most movies in this genre and manages to be a genuinely touching experience.   An outstanding cast and thoughtful execution make "Boy Erased" a winner. It tells the true…

Shakespeare said it best. "Brevity is the soul of wit." The classic 1966 animated TV version of Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by Chuck Jones proves that Shakespeare was right. “The Grinch” was perfect at 26 touching minutes. While the new computer-generated adaptation is pleasant enough, at 86 minutes, it seems a bit padded. Benedict Cumberbatch provides the voice of the Grinch and other voice talent includes Pharell Williams, Rashida Jones, Angela Lansbury and Keenan Thompson. It comes from the filmmakers behind the “Despicable Me” franchise and they know how to do cute, attempting to flesh out the run time of the story with kid-friendly humor. The visuals are dynamic and its heart is in the right place...even if the heart of this Grinch is two sizes too small. Actor Paul Dano makes his directorial debut in an austere adaptation of Richard Ford's melancholy novel, "Wildlife." It tells the sorrowful story of the deterioration of a marriage from the perspective of the couple’s 16-year-old boy son. Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal are excellent as the bickering parents as is young Ed Oxenbould as the perplexed boy. Dano also adapted the screenplay along with his partner, Zoe Kazan. “Wildlife”…

This is what "Bohemian Rhapsody" is NOT: The definitive biopic about Freddie Mercury of Queen. This is what it IS: A very entertaining overview of the British rock band that features a powerhouse performance by Rami Malek. It skims the surface, but in an engaging way. Disney's gargantuan reworking of the famous fairytale and ballet, "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" takes a lot of liberties with the original story. There's plenty of spectacle and dazzle, but very little dance or movie magic. The remake of the cult classic 1977 Italian horror film "Susperia" is a pretentious and tedious experience. Director Luca Guadagnino probably thinks his hollow and grisly horror flick is high art. It ain't. Even the presence of Tilda Swinton in multiple roles can’t save it. Tiffany Haddish is hilarious as a recent parolee who makes life difficult for her uptight corporate-climbing sister in Tyler Perry's first foray into R-rated comedy, "Nobody's Fool." This outrageous movie is often funny, but Haddish mostly disappears in the movie's final 20 minutes and the mirth comes to a screeching halt. Melissa McCarthy takes an unusual dramatic turn in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” the true story of Lee Israel, a noted…

A game cast isn't quite enough to keep the submarine thriller "Hunter Killer" afloat. Gerard Butler plays Captain Joe Glass, the square-jawed leader of an American nuclear sub that is called upon to fulfill a unique mission: To save the leader of Russia from an internal military coup. There are so many improbabilities in "Hunter Killer" that audiences are forced to suspend disbelief more than for a Harry Potter movie. And why did Gary Oldman choose to follow up his Oscar-winning role as Churchill with this goofy enterprise? As a military thriller, the submarine flick "Hunter Killer" is sub-par. The one good thing you can say about the goofy spy spoof sequel "Johnny English Strikes Again" is that it's more believable than "Hunter Killer." British comic Rowan Atkinson, best known as Mr. Bean, returns as a bungling secret agent in this sequel to his 2003 comedy. English is called upon to save the world from an evil computer entrepreneur who's bent on world domination. Peter Sellers in "The Pink Panther" movies is the obvious template for this character, but "Johnny English" lacks the inspired lunacy of those comic hits.   “Free Solo” is a documentary about mountain climber Alex Honnold and his…

It’s been 40 years since the masked killer Michael Meyers slashed his way into movie infamy in the horror classic “Halloween,” but there was one victim who got away. After decades in an asylum, Michael escapes to finally finish things with Laurie Strode in the reboot of “Halloween.” Jamie Lee Curtis returns as Laurie and Nick Castle is back as Michael. Filmmaker David Gordon Green’s film dispenses with storylines from all nine of the other bloody sequels and remakes but retains the grisly elements for fans of this violent, morally dubious genre. While the reimagined version doesn’t add much that’s new, the revamped “Halloween” is creepy, unnerving and considerably better than any of the other follow-ups.   “The Oath” is a pitch-black comedy that takes a poke at America’s deep political divide. Comedian Ike Barinholtz wrote, directed and stars in this edgy farce about an insufferably self-righteous liberal whose rigidly right-wing family members come over for Thanksgiving dinner just as the President requires every citizen to sign an oath of loyalty to him. The caustic banter between these relatives quickly devolves into violence. The strong cast includes Tiffany Haddish, John Cho and Carrie Brownstein who make the grating dialogue a…

Oscar-winning director Damien Chazelle goes from “La La Land” to outer space with “First Man.” Ryan Gosling plays the ultra-reserved astronaut Neil Armstrong and Claire Foy is his devoted wife, Janet. It’s beautifully produced, but like Armstrong himself, “First Man” is emotionally aloof.   “Bad Times at the El Royale” is half of a great movie. This slick and violent grindhouse exploitation flick is involving and features a great cast, but it wears out its welcome in the bloated second half. It’s overdone and overlong but will be a guilty pleasure for some.   Amandla Stenberg gives a star making performance “The Hate U Give,” a YA offering about an African American teen walking a tightrope between her poor black neighborhood and the upscale white prep school she attends. This social drama has a lot more meat on its bones than most teen movies.   “Colette” is a decadent biopic about the infamous French writer. Keira Knightley plays the author of the semi-autobiographical novels about her bohemian lifestyle that scandalized early 20th century Paris. “Colette” may lack inspiration, but it’s never dull.   “Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween” is a sequel to the 2015 hit horror movie for kids inspired by…

There are two words that best describe the fourth big screen version of the old Hollywood chestnut, “A Star is Born”: Oscar bait. Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga are impressive in this tragic romance about an alcoholic musician on the downslide and his protégé who’s on the rise. Cooper directed and co-wrote this update, his first foray behind the camera. He also provides his own songs. In her movie debut, Lady Gaga displays solid acting chops to go along with her radio-ready original music. Even though you know the outcome, the story is still affecting thanks to the realistic treatment and the chemistry between the stars. “A Star is Born” doesn’t just refer to Lady Gaga, it also refers to Cooper as a talented budding filmmaker.   A Spider-Man supervillain gets his own feature film in Marvel’s “Venom.” Tom Hardy plays an investigative reporter who becomes the unwitting host for an alien parasite that provides him with amazing shape-shifting abilities, super strength and an intense hunger for human organs. When the Venom parasite starts making small talk with his host, however, the movie becomes unintentionally funny. The tone of this movie shifts shape more often than the title character. While…

The themes in the animated goof “Smallfoot” may be a bit heavy-handed, but it’s still a modestly amusing musical lark. Channing Tatum provides the voice of Migo, a giant yeti living in an isolated village atop a hidden mountain in Nepal. He’s banished when he claims to have seen a smallfoot…that is, a human… which is believed to be mythical. The voice cast includes Common, Zendaya, LaBron James and James Cordon. The mixture of slapstick humor and social commentary doesn’t always work, but “Smallfoot” has its small charms.   If you think actress Emma Thompson can do no wrong, you’ll find more ammo for your argument in “The Children Act.” This sturdy British drama is about a judge, played by Thompson, whose marriage to professor Stanley Tucci is on the rocks. At the same time, she’s presiding over a touchy trial that pits the healthcare of a minor against the concept of religious freedom. The story has an air of artificiality, particularly in the pivotal relationship between the judge and a 17-year-old boy involved in the case. But Thompson ably carries the film on her very British shoulders.   The potentially incendiary comic combo of Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish…

“The House with a Clock in its Walls” is an atmospheric PG-rated horror movie for kids based on John Bellairs’ novel. Jack Black and Cate Blanchett star in this story about witchcraft, a young kid and a particularly spooky house. Fans of “Harry Potter,” “Goosebumps” and “Lemony Snicket” will find much that’s familiar here, but this adaptation isn’t quite as successful as any of them. Plus, “The House with a Clock in its Walls” is likely too scary for very young kids. Blanchett and Black are fun together, though.   Are you in the mood to be hammered with bubblegum philosophizing in an emotionally manipulative multigenerational drama? When then, “Life Itself” is the four-hankie weeper for you. Written and directed by Dan Fogelman, the creator of TV’s tearjerker, “This is Us,” “Life Itself” has an outstanding cast that includes Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde and Anette Bening in a tale about love, loss and the human condition. These fine actors lend some gravitas to the proceedings, but the story is so packed with tragedy that it seems downright sadistic. Also, one of the characters drones on about her thesis on “The Unreliable Narrator.” It’s as if Fogelman were going for self-parody,…

“The Predator” is the fifth entry in the popular alien huntsman series. Writer/director Shane Black offers lots of chaotic violence as well as a good deal of jokey humor. Jacob Tremblay, who may be the best child actor working today, plays a kid genius who becomes an alien target. Fans of the series, yes. Others, no.   A highly controlled and nuanced performance by Glenn Close is the main attraction of “The Wife.” Jonathan Pryce plays an author who is invited to Sweden to accept the Nobel Prize. On the trip, his relationship with his wife hits the skids when a biographer threatens to expose the truth about their relationship. A great cast makes the most from an iffy premise.   Also opening this week, “A Simple Favor” is a modern film noir entry about a mommy blogger, played by Anna Kendrick, who tries to discern why her friend, played by Blake Lively, has disappeared.   “White Boy Rick” tells the strange but true story of a teenager, played by Richie Merritt, who gets mixed up with crack in the 1980s, first as an informant and then as a dealer. Matthew McConaughey plays Rick’s dad.   “Pick of the Litter”…