Freeze Frame

“The Light Between Oceans” comes tantalizingly close to being a great movie. Sadly, its missteps derail the efforts of an impeccable cast and a stunning production. Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander play a troubled Australian lighthouse keeper and his dutiful …

“The Light Between Oceans” comes tantalizingly close to being a great movie. Sadly, its missteps derail the efforts of an impeccable cast and a stunning production. Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander play a troubled Australian lighthouse keeper and his dutiful wife who face an ethical dilemma when a baby washes ashore in a rowboat. This slow moving but involving drama turns into a soap opera that becomes almost too painful to watch. “The 9th Life of Louis Drax” is a bizarre art film that combines elements of mystery, thriller, romance, psychological drama and sci-fi. Jamie Dornan plays a doctor who falls for the mother of a young boy in a coma. This intriguing movie loses its footing in the final reel when it is undone by its own absurdities. “Morgan” is a sci-fi thriller that hopes to be another “Ex Machina.” The directorial debut of Luke Scott, son of Ridley, stars Kate Mara as a corporate investigator who tries to determine if an artificially created super human poses a threat to humanity. It’s sufficiently creepy, but ultimately predictable. What do you get when you combine Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey and acclaimed director Gus Van Sant of “Good Will Hunting” fame?…

There are times while watching “Don’t Breathe” that you probably won’t. Yes, it’s yet another sordid, R-rated horror flick, but it’s an exceptionally well made edge-of-your-seat chiller. Three young and foolish thieves break into the house of a blind man, …

There are times while watching “Don’t Breathe” that you probably won’t. Yes, it’s yet another sordid, R-rated horror flick, but it’s an exceptionally well made edge-of-your-seat chiller. Three young and foolish thieves break into the house of a blind man, thinking they’ll make off with easy money. Their victim, however, is a former military man who turns the tables on them. Smart and original, “Don’t Breathe” may very well take your breath away. Barak Obama’s 1989 first date with future wife Michelle is the focus of “Southside With You,” a likable, nicely acted romance. TIka Sumpter and Parker Sawyers give appealing performances as the sharp lawyer and the brash intern who pursues her. Like the first couple themselves, “Southside With You” has an easygoing charm. The infamous words “No mas” get some cinematic context in “Hands of Stone,” a biopic about celebrated Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran. Edgar Ramirez plays the troubled welterweight, Robert Di Niro is Ray Arcel, his astute trainer, and Usher Raymond portrays his nemesis, Sugar Ray Leonard. It plays a bit like a mash-up of every boxing movie you’ve ever seen, but benefits from a solid cast and sincere approach. “Eat that Question: Frank Zappa in His…

In terms of spectacle and emotional power, few films have equalled the 1959 epic, “Ben-Hur.” Although the new version big screen version is adequate for the uninitiated, it pales by comparison. Jack Huston steps into the role that won Charton …

In terms of spectacle and emotional power, few films have equalled the 1959 epic, "Ben-Hur." Although the new version big screen version is adequate for the uninitiated, it pales by comparison. Jack Huston steps into the role that won Charton Heston an Oscar, a Jewish aristocrat who is betrayed by his Roman best friend during the days of Jesus in Jerusalem. Purists may balk at some of the changes the filmmakers have made in the story, but visually, the new version delivers. It may be too early to talk about Oscars, but we may well be mentioning the modern Western "Hell or High Water" at awards time. Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine and Ben Foster star in this terrific Texas bank robbery flick that may have the best screenplay of the year. It's a social commentary and character study disguised as a thriller. Every frame of "Kubo and the Two Strings" is work of art. The visuals for this stop-motion animated tale about magic in ancient Japan are deserving of the term "stunning." The story may be too intense and tangled for the very young, but older kids and adults should enjoy its opulent pleasures. "War Dogs" tries to do for…

Disney goes back to the well for yet another reimagining of one of their family film classics. This time, it’s “Pete’s Dragon,” a sweet but by-the-numbers remake of the 1977 adventure that featured a goofy, cartoon dragon. The story has …

Disney goes back to the well for yet another reimagining of one of their family film classics. This time, it’s “Pete’s Dragon,” a sweet but by-the-numbers remake of the 1977 adventure that featured a goofy, cartoon dragon. The story has been updated, the musical numbers have been jettisoned in favor of a more realistic treatment and the dragon is now the best that computer imagery can offer. It may be a bit too intense for the very young, but it’s a likable popcorn flick. “Sausage Party” is an animated comedy that is definitely not for the family. Seth Rogan and Kristen Wiig are among a large ensemble of gifted actors who give voice to raunchy, R-rated grocery store food items. Every dirty food-related double entendre is exploited until the filmmakers run out of ideas. Then it devolves into a supermarket orgy. There are some funny moments, but not enough sustenance for a feature-length movie. Meryl Streep once again proves she can do no wrong in the lightweight true story, “Florence Foster Jenkins.” Streep stars as the worst singer of the first half of the 20th century. No one would be honest with because she was a wealthy patron of the…

DC Comics attempts to expand its universe with the highly anticipated superhero thriller, “Suicide Squad.” While involving, it never quite lives up to its promise. Viola Davis plays a U.S. intelligence big wig who assembles a team of dangerous incarcerated …

DC Comics attempts to expand its universe with the highly anticipated superhero thriller, “Suicide Squad.” While involving, it never quite lives up to its promise. Viola Davis plays a U.S. intelligence big wig who assembles a team of dangerous incarcerated super villains. Her aim is to train them as a military team to use as a last ditch option just in case other super villains invade the Earth. Naturally, the plan backfires and the team members have to clean up Viola’s mess. The terrific, diverse cast includes Will Smith as the assassin Deadshot, Jared Leto as The Joker, Jay Hernandez as firestarter El Diablo, Karen Fukuhara as super samauri Katana and Margot Robbie as wacko Harley Quinn. I, for one, wouldn’t mind seeing Robbie in a stand-alone Harely Quinn movie. Writer/director David Ayer who helmed the action features “End of Watch” and “Fury,” has amped up the violence, so it’s surprising that this exercise in mayhem got away with a PG-13 rating when it obviously deserves an “R.” While it’s just as dark as “Batman V Superman,” Ayer has injected “Suicide Squad” with some shots of welcome humor to lighten the bleak atmosphere. This DC effort hasn’t quite captured the…