Freeze Frame

From "8 1/2" to "Day for Night" to "Ed Wood," some very entertaining movies are movies about making movies. You can add "The Disaster Artist" to that distinguished list. James Franco directs and stars in "The Disaster Artist," a behind-the-scenes film about the making of one of the worst movies of all time, the 2003 drama, "The Room." Franco gives perhaps the best performance of the year as Tommy Wiseau, a bizarre, enigmatic character who wrote, produced, directed and starred in "The Room," which is an incoherent dramatic mess. Franco gonzo performance is sure to garner an Oscar nomination, but he’s abetted by a terrific supporting cast that includes his brother Dave Franco, Seth Rogan, Zac Efron, Josh Hutcherson, Alison Brie and a number of stars who play themselves. While "The Disaster Artist" is a very funny look at "The Room" and its oddball cast, it is also a loving, empathetic portrait of a person who pursued his dream in spite of having no talent. And that brings us to "The Room," which has become a cult favorite at local theaters. Tommy Wiseau's movie is supposed to be a drama about a banker with an unfaithful girlfriend, but is unintentionally…

Although filmed in North Carolina, Martin McDonaugh’s bitterly funny comic drama “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri” has a very dark “show me” attitude. Frances McDormand is an instant Oscar front-runner playing a woman who posts billboards to prod Sheriff Woody …

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s “The Avengers!” Er, no, it’s “Justice League.” The DC cinematic universe plays catch up with Marvel by finally getting its superhero coalition to the big screen. Thankfully, it’s a competent offering, written and partially directed by Joss Whedon, the man who gave us the big screen version of […]

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s “The Avengers!” Er, no, it’s “Justice League.” The DC cinematic universe plays catch up with Marvel by finally getting its superhero coalition to the big screen. Thankfully, it’s a competent offering, written and …

Kenneth Branagh’s take on the classic Agatha Christie whodunit “Murder on the Orient Express” is like its namesake: Luxurious, workmanlike…and just a bit stodgy. Branagh plays Belgian detective Hercule Poirot who is pressed into service when a gangster, played by Johnny Depp, is murdered on a train traveling from Istanbul to London. The long list […]

Kenneth Branagh’s take on the classic Agatha Christie whodunit “Murder on the Orient Express” is like its namesake: Luxurious, workmanlike…and just a bit stodgy. Branagh plays Belgian detective Hercule Poirot who is pressed into service when a gangster, played by …

Although filmed in North Carolina, Martin McDonaugh’s bitterly funny comic drama “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri” has a very dark “show me” attitude. Frances McDormand is an instant Oscar front-runner playing a woman who posts billboards to prod Sheriff Woody Harrelson into investigating the rape and murder of her daughter. Sam Rockwell may also be an awards contender for his portrait of a racist cop. Smart, extremely disturbing and vividly told, “Three Billboards” is one of the year’s best films.   “Last Flag Flying” is a respectable and well-acted drama from filmmaker Richard Linklater about three Vietnam Vets played by Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston and Laurence Fishburne, who go on a road trip to bury Carell’s son, a soldier killed in the Iraq War. While it’s meandering and quirky, the cast hoists this flag with aplomb.   “The Man Who Invented Christmas” tells the story of how Charles Dickens came to write “A Christmas Carol.” Dan Stevens gives a stagy performance as Dickens, but Christopher Plummer is just right as his imaginary Scrooge. It’s a sweet, low-key movie bonbon that never quite rings true.   “Novitiate” chronicles a young woman’s spiritual struggles to be come a nun in 1964. Melissa…

Is the third time the charm for “Thor?” The latest installment in the Marvel Universe to have the God of Thunder front and center is indeed the best of the three. A goofy, tongue-in-cheek action adventure that relies a lot …

Is the third time the charm for “Thor?” The latest installment in the Marvel Universe to have the God of Thunder front and center is indeed the best of the three. A goofy, tongue-in-cheek action adventure that relies a lot on quirky comedy, “Thor: Ragnarok” is an eye-popping extravaganza that should please most fans, even though it’s a notch below many other Marvel entries.   Chris Hemsworth returns as the Asgardian price who finds himself exiled on the other side of the universe without his hammer. Meanwhile, his evil sister Hela, played with wicked relish by Cate Blanchett, is intent on destroying Asgard.   While it’s predictable and offers nothing new, “Thor: Ragnarok” has all of the elements in place for a lightening strike at the box office.   So, how do you follow up the raunchy 2016 comedy hit "Bad Moms?" With "A Bad Mom's Christmas" of course. Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn reunite for another look at contemporary parental challenges, this time with meddling grandmothers to contend with. The stars are fine, but they deserve better material than the simple, foul-mouthed script provided by the writing/directing team behind “The Hangover.” The cast seems to be having…

“Suburbicon,” a twisted collaboration between director George Clooney and the Coen Brothers, is a satiric poke in the eye to the idea of an idyllic 50s American suburbia. This pitch black comedy stars Matt Damon and Julianne Moore in a violent tale of murder and racism. In spite of its interesting sociological subtext, it never […]