Freeze Frame

“Sicario: Day of the Soldado” is a sequel to the acclaimed drug war drama from 2015. The follow up is equally grim and cynical, this time adding the element of human trafficking along the southern border to the mix. James …

“Sicario: Day of the Soldado” is a sequel to the acclaimed drug war drama from 2015. The follow up is equally grim and cynical, this time adding the element of human trafficking along the southern border to the mix. James …

“Sicario: Day of the Soldado” is a sequel to the acclaimed drug war drama from 2015. The follow up is equally grim and cynical, this time adding the element of human trafficking along the southern border to the mix. James Brolin’s amoral federal agent recruits the reluctant Benicio Del Toro to stage a Mexican kidnapping aimed at starting a war between cartels. The screenplay crackles with sharp dialogue, but the violent story takes some turns that stretch credibility to the limit. Still, it’s provocative and edgy. One of the rarest cinematic genres is movies adapted from TV commercials. In the goofy comedy “Uncle Drew” NBA star Kyrie Irving dons old age makeup and takes on some young bloods in a basketball tourney. He’s joined by Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Nate Robinson, Chris Webber and Lisa Leslie, all under a ton of latex. It’s all very gimmicky and predictable, but more entertaining than it has any business being. “Mountain” is an involving documentary that combines stunning visuals, poetic narration and an elegant orchestral score to explore man’s fasciation and obsession with conquering rugged peaks. Filmmaker Jennifer Peedom uses drones and body cameras to capture climbers, bikers, hang gliders, skiers and all…

If you haven’t witnessed the marketing blitz for “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” I hope you get your TV, radio and internet service back soon. The fifth film in the popular series should take in a monstrous haul at the box …

If you haven’t witnessed the marketing blitz for “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” I hope you get your TV, radio and internet service back soon. The fifth film in the popular series should take in a monstrous haul at the box office but doesn’t quite live up to the quality of the last outing. Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and the special effects magicians all return to save the resurrected dinosaurs from a volcanic eruption that threatens to wipe out their island. While certainly watchable and visually spectacular, the Jurassic plot elements may be getting a bit long in the tooth. Was the real Fred Rogers the kindly, affable, empathetic fellow he appeared to be on his long-running PBS kids’ show “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood?” Oscar-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville’s documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” shows that indeed he was. The movie focuses on the Presbyterian minister’s back story, his motives and his passion for kind-hearted, morally instructive children’s programming. Even those who weren’t fans of his show may be surprised by just how moving this loving portrait actually is. For those who watched as kids, it’s nostalgia heaven. “American Animals” is an intriguing hybrid movie, part documentary, part dramatic re-enactment. This…

The remake of the classic 70s blaxploitation flick “Superfly” replaces gritty with glossy. Trevor Jackson plays an ultra-smooth Atlanta drug dealer who tries to arrange one last big score and get out of the game. This violent crime drama is …

The remake of the classic 70s blaxploitation flick “Superfly” replaces gritty with glossy. Trevor Jackson plays an ultra-smooth Atlanta drug dealer who tries to arrange one last big score and get out of the game. This violent crime drama is slick and competently made but adds nothing new or notable and looks more like a music video than a movie. The score has a few snippets of Curtis Mayfield’s great songs from the original. Low-key charm is not a quality that’s valued much in an age of special effects-heavy blockbusters. But it’s the very thing that propels the comic father-daughter drama “Hearts Beat Loud.” Nick Offerman plays an irresponsible man who wants his daughter, played by Kiersey Clemons, to be in a pop band with him. She wants to go off to medical school. “Hears Beat Loud” is sweet-natured and has an appealing pop score. Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms, Hannibal Buress and a spunky cast seem to be enjoying a vacation with the goofy comedy “Tag.” They play lifelong pals who’ve carried on a game of tag once a month for 26 years. While it’s modestly fun, it never seems credible even though it was based on a…

Flip the script, make the con men con women, but keep the cheeky feel. That seems to be the thought process behind the comic heist spin-off, “Ocean’s Eight.” Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and a bevy of talented actresses fill the …

Flip the script, make the con men con women, but keep the cheeky feel. That seems to be the thought process behind the comic heist spin-off, “Ocean’s Eight.” Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and a bevy of talented actresses fill the …

Flip the script, make the con men con women, but keep the cheeky feel. That seems to be the thought process behind the comic heist spin-off, "Ocean's Eight." Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and a bevy of talented actresses fill the roles but aren't really challenged by the material. Still, they seem to be having fun. Anne Hathaway, doing something of a self-parody as a vacuous actress, has the only meaty role. Jodi Foster and Sterling K. Brown lead an impressive cast in the dark and violent sci-fi crime thriller, “Hotel Artemis.” In a riot-torn near future LA, gunshot victims visit a secret private hospital for criminals only. It’s well produced, but this grindhouse-style entry doesn’t quite nail the electric pace it sorely needs. Filmmaker Paul Schrader examines the twin themes of faith and environmentalism in the thoughtful drama “First Reformed.” Ethan Hawke plays the parish pastor of a 250-year-old New England church who tries to balance his beliefs and his despair when one of his parishioners commits suicide. Hawke is very good, as is the supporting cast that includes Amanda Seyfried and Cedric the Entertainer, and newcomer Van Hansis. Schrader poses probing questions that aren’t easily answered, framed within an…