Freeze Frame

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 provides the conclusion to a trilogy that also includes “Unbreakable” from 2000 and 2017’s “Split.” As you might expect, the results are a mixed bag.   Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson return from “Unbreakable” and James McAvoy reprises his brilliant role as a man with multiple personalities in “Split.” Shyamalan’s complicated plot amounts to a thesis on comic book superhero origins. It requires an inordinate amount of time and dialogue to explain, turning the actors into narrators instead of characters. Even though the movie is overlong, there’s little real character interaction.   While “Glass” isn’t bad, it just a disappointing conclusion to an ambitious premise that became too convoluted for its own good.   For patient viewers, the Korean film “Burning” offers many rewards. A sure thing for an Oscar nomination for…

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 the genuinely scary creepfest, "A Quiet Place." It's a skillfully made and truly scary sci-fi opus.   8) BLACKKKLANSMAN (R) “BlacKkKlansman” tells the remarkable true story of a black police officer who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan. Director Spike Lee’s comic drama is oh-so relevant in contemporary America.   7) SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDERVERSE (PG) “Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse” is a wildly imaginative, energetic animated Marvel epic that finally captures Spider-Man's cheeky humor.   6) THE GUILTY (R) “The Guilty” is a riveting Danish thriller about a police officer at an emergency call center who desperately tries to help a caller who turns out to be a kidnap victim. 5) EIGHTH GRADE (R) “Eighth Grade” is a poignant, realistic and beautifully acted look at the angst of adolescence that will transport…

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 operative who was, arguably, the most powerful Vice President of all time.   Oscar-winning actor Christian Bale does an uncanny impression as the enigmatic Chaney, Amy Adams is his pushy and ambitious wife, Lynne, Sam Rockwell plays a clueless George W. Bush, Steve Carell is the conniving Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Tyler Perry is repressed Secretary of State Colin Powell.   Like “The Big Short, “Vice” is smart, episodic and often darkly funny. But “Vice” isn’t as successful, partly because Cheney is a very guarded, somber and emotionally cool individual, not a magnetic lead. “Vice” delivers its point of view with a sledgehammer, so it’s unlikely to win any hearts and minds. If you already dislike Cheney, “Vice” will reinforce your point of view. If you like Cheney, “Vice” will strike you…

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 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 …