Freeze Frame

Producer James Cameron and director Robert Rodriguez team up to adapt the Japanese manga comic “Alita: Battle Angel.” In a dystopian future, a cyborg with a human brain is brought back to life to become the hero in a game of super Rollerball. While it’s an impressive visual spectacle, the story plays like a smorgasbord […]

When “The LEGO Movie” debuted in 2014, it took audiences and critics by surprise…and the box office by storm! While the sequel “The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part” lacks the freshness of the original, there’s still plenty of creativity and animated razzle dazzle on display. The LEGO universe has descended into dystopia and must contend with invaders from the cute but deadly DUPLO world. There’s ple...

“Cold War” is one of the best European films of the year and is, rightfully, a contender for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. This bittersweet tale is about the on-and-off romance between a young singer and her choir director …

“Cold War” is one of the best European films of the year and is, rightfully, a contender for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. This bittersweet tale is about the on-and-off romance between a young singer and her choir director that begins in 1950s Communist Poland and makes memorable pit stops in other parts of Europe over a period of years. It’s artfully directed by Pawel Pawlikowski, feature...

The films from writer/director M. Knight Shyamalan are always a crap shoot. When he finds his stride, as he did with “The Sixth Sense” and “Signs,” his movies create an effective and otherworldly atmosphere. When he loses his grasp, as …

The films from writer/director M. Knight Shyamalan are always a crap shoot. When he finds his stride, as he did with “The Sixth Sense” and “Signs,” his movies create an effective and otherworldly atmosphere. When he loses his grasp, as with “The Last Airbender” and “The Happening,” it’s hard to believe that it’s the same filmmaker. His latest thriller is “Glass,” a dark comic book movie that provi...

It’s time to take a look back at the movie year. Here is my list of the ten best movies of 2018. (Scroll down to see my list of the WORST films of the year!)   10) HEARTS BEAT LOUD …

It’s time to take a look back at the movie year. Here is my list of the ten best movies of 2018. (Scroll down to see my list of the WORST films of the year!)   10) HEARTS BEAT LOUD (PG-13) “Hearts Beat Loud” is a charming, low-key comic father-daughter drama that’s sweet-natured and has an appealing pop score.   9) A QUIET PLACE (PG-13) Director/star John Krasinski delivers something original with...

Looking for a cheery comedy for the holiday season? How about a movie featuring the warm and loveable former Defense Secretary and George W. Bush Vice President Dick Cheney? “Vice” is an offbeat political black comedy from the mind of …

Looking for a cheery comedy for the holiday season? How about a movie featuring the warm and loveable former Defense Secretary and George W. Bush Vice President Dick Cheney? “Vice” is an offbeat political black comedy from the mind of writer/director Adam McKay, the guy behind the 2015 satiric civics lesson “The Big Short.” As you might guess, “Vice” is a scathing take down of the Republican opera...

The 1964 classic “Mary Poppins” was practically perfect in every way. Although Disney’s cheery sequel, “Mary Poppins Returns” is nearly a slavish remake, Emily Blunt is delightful. “Mary Poppins Returns” goes down nicely with or without a spoonful of sugar. Jason Momoa is a likably lunky lead in “Aquaman.” Sadly, he has to battle a […]

The 1964 classic “Mary Poppins” was practically perfect in every way. Although Disney’s cheery sequel, “Mary Poppins Returns” is nearly a slavish remake, Emily Blunt is delightful. “Mary Poppins Returns” goes down nicely with or without a spoonful of sugar. …

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 …

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 phot...

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 …

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 g...

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 …

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 viewp...

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 …

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 w...

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 …

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...

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. …

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 o...

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 …