Freeze Frame

It may seem absurd, but I’m not monkeying around. The franchise update of “The Planet of the Apes” series that began in 2011 may be the best Hollywood franchise reboot ever. The third installment, “War for the Planet of the …

It may seem absurd, but I’m not monkeying around. The franchise update of “The Planet of the Apes” series that began in 2011 may be the best Hollywood franchise reboot ever. The third installment, “War for the Planet of the Apes,” is a visually spectacular and riveting drama that focuses on the ongoing confrontation between two species vying for world domination.   Director Matt Reeves uses special effects the way that they should be used, to help drive a compelling story. Andy Serkis, aided by the work of a crack team of computer animators, is terrific as Caesar, the intelligent chimpanzee who became the reluctant leader of the ape rebellion. When a human colonel, played by Woody Harrelson, kills his wife and young son, Caesar goes on quest for revenge.   Like all good sci-fi, there is depth to this story. It’s layered with sly social commentary and deals with themes that seem downright biblical.  The only downside to this involving entry is its extensive length.   Apes may not really be intelligent, but the filmmakers behind “The War for the Planet of the Apes” know their audience is.   “Wish Upon” is the latest in a long line of…

Okay, so just who needs yet another reboot of the Spider-Man franchise? After all, this is the third time the story has been reworked since 2002. Well, I guess we do since “Spider-Man: Homecoming” is arguably the best Spider-Man movie, …

Okay, so just who needs yet another reboot of the Spider-Man franchise? After all, this is the third time the story has been reworked since 2002. Well, I guess we do since “Spider-Man: Homecoming” is arguably the best Spider-Man movie, …

Okay, so just who needs yet another reboot of the Spider-Man franchise? After all, this is the third time the story has been reworked since 2002. Well, I guess we do since “Spider-Man: Homecoming” is arguably the best Spider-Man movie, yet.   British actor Tom Holland from “The Impossible,” plays Peter Parker, the awkward high school nerd who wants nothing more than to become a member of The Avengers. The well-meaning teen aims to please, but Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey, Jr., realizes he just isn’t ready. Our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man attempts to prove him wrong when he’s confronted with a challenge from super villain, The Vulture, played by Michael Keaton.   Naturally, the screenwriters have provided plenty of challenges for our young superhero-in-training.   The movie is well over two hours long, but that time is filled to the brim with action, humor and spectacular production values that have improved significantly since 2002. Keaton is excellent as a man driven to the brink and he provides plenty of menace for our young hero.   But the movie belongs to Holland who hits all the right notes as the naive but gifted kid with a lot of growing up…

Decadent, violent, profane…and wildly entertaining, “Baby Driver” is a zippy heist film fueled by a kinetic soundtrack that should appeal to both Baby Boomers and Millennials. Ansel Elgort plays a skilled getaway driver who uses music to help him concentrate …

Decadent, violent, profane…and wildly entertaining, “Baby Driver” is a zippy heist film fueled by a kinetic soundtrack that should appeal to both Baby Boomers and Millennials. Ansel Elgort plays a skilled getaway driver who uses music to help him concentrate and overcome tinnitus. Things get sticky when he crosses his fellow thieves, played by Kevin Spacey, Jon Hamm and Jamie Foxx. In the case of “Baby Driver,” style provides a high-octane boost over substance.   Fans of Gru and The Minions should enjoy “Despicable Me 3,” which is actually the fourth installment in the franchise. Gru meets his long lost twin brother Dru and they decide to commit one last dastardly crime. While not quite up to the level of the previous films, it’s still a clever and likable animated farce.   Director Sophia Coppola brings a very restrained tone to her remake of the old Clint Eastwood Civil War drama, “The Beguiled.” Coin Farrell plays a wounded Union deserter who is cared for by Nicole Kidman at her small Southern girls boarding school. Jealousy and sexual tension are the result. It’s modestly effective, but perhaps a bit too low key for its own good.   Veteran cowboy actor Sam…

Just how does one transform $260 million into something pretty much worthless? Just ask director Michael Bay, who spent all that dough on the latest Hasbro Toys come to life extravaganza, “Transformers: The Last Knight.” It’s not that you can’t …

Just how does one transform $260 million into something pretty much worthless? Just ask director Michael Bay, who spent all that dough on the latest Hasbro Toys come to life extravaganza, “Transformers: The Last Knight.” It’s not that you can’t see where the money was spent. After all, the movie provides two hours and forty-eight minutes of special effects overkill that undoubtedly employed a lot of computer animators. But the end result is a mind-numbing mix of robot battles, insipid dialogue and borderline racist and misogynistic hokum that feels totally out of step with the times.   Mark Wahlberg is back as inventor Cade Yeager, who, as it turns out, is the chosen one in an epic battle between Earth’s protectors and the Transformers’ home pseudo-planet. By the time the final conflict comes around, you might be wishing for both to blow up.   The movie’s only saving grace is a slumming Sir Anthony Hopkins who mostly manages to retain his dignity as he collects his check.   The fifth “Transformers” installment isn’t the worst movie ever made, but it may be the biggest waste of money.   Also opening this week, “Ripped” is a stoner sci-fi comedy starring Faizon…

The raunchy ‘girls gone wild’ comedy “Rough Night” wastes a talented cast on an effort that tries to be the female equivalent of “The Hangover.” Scarlett Johansson’s friends plan a wild bachelorette party in Miami but, in a coke-induced haze, …