Freeze Frame

The horror thriller "Don't Move" was shot in Kansas City and was written by James "Murr" Murray from the TV series "Impractical Jokers." Lyndsy Fonseca, rapper Russ and KC's own Rob Riggle star in the story of a church camping trip that goes terribly wrong when the campers get lost in the Ozarks and encounter a giant killer spider. It's a well-produced chiller that should appeal to the midnight movie crowd. The aggravating and overlong wartime thriller “The Fix” is burdened with so many head-scratching inconsistencies it’s hard to know where to start. In this improbable tale, Zachari Levi stars as a CIA agent who, after an operation in Afghanistan goes disastrously wrong, seeks redemption by going on a rescue mission set up by his one-time mentor, Liam Neeson. “The Fix” desperately needs repair. The Angel Studios thriller "Runner" is not to be confused with the current Amazon Prime thriller "The Runner." Alan Ritchson plays a high-risk delivery man who races against time with organ escort Owen Wilson to get a liver to a little girl in desperate need of a transplant. But bad guys are trying to steal the organ for a mobster's transplant.  "Runner" is essentially a mindless series of violent and generic chase scenes that somehow managed to escape an "R" rating. To say that filmmaker Tyler Perry is prolific is like saying water is wet. The Netflix comic drama "Why Did I Get Married Again?" is his 30th movie and the third in the series that began in 2007. This time out, the bickering couples reunite for a destination wedding. Not Janet Jackson this time, but it does have Lake Como. It’s silly, soapy and sappy.

In the Apple TV action comedy "Mayday," Ryan Reynolds plays a Navy pilot shot down in Soviet territory during the Cold War. An ex-KGB agent and America-lover, played by Kenneth Branaugh, works to help Ryan avoid certain death and escape the country. “Mayday” is mindless and silly but is a lively and amusing buddy flick bolstered by its charismatic stars. Virginia Woolf wrote her 1919 novel, "Night and Day" while recovering from a nervous breakdown. She despondently described the book as "flat" and a "complete failure." The new cinematic version, "Virginia Woolf's Night and Day," isn't a complete failure, but it is a bit flat. Haley Bennett is fine as a young Victorian woman who wants to be an astronomer at a time when women aren't allowed advanced education. “Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day” is well-meaning, well-produced…and a little dull. Fine performances by Dakota Fanning and Jake Johnson help elevate the low-key love triangle "The Sun Never Sets." It’s from cult mumblecore filmmaker Joe Swanberg. A loving couple decides to take a brief break in their relationship, but things get complicated when an ex-boyfriend shows up. You may be compelled to yell, "Hey, get a counselor," but “The Sun Never Sets” is a thoughtful comic drama that avoids most romantic drama cliches. The Amazon Prime action thriller "The Runner" is not to be confused with the action thriller "Runner" that opens in theaters next Friday. In "The Runner," Gal Gadot plays a lawyer who, while on a morning run, learns her son has been kidnapped and she’s blackmailed into killing a witness in a murder trial. Gadot gives it her all in a cliched and overly familiar potboiler.

Every great filmmaker gets one Mulligan. Ridley Scott's futuristic thriller "The Dog Stars" is his. Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin star in a poorly paced and overly familiar post-apocalyptic nightmare about survivalists who face grisly dangers after a flu pandemic. There are impressive individual sequences, but “The Dog Stars” plays like scenes cobbled together instead of a cohesive whole. The hybrid cartoon and live action farce "Coyote vs. Acme" wants to be "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" but is a bit closer to "Space Jam." Wile E. Coyote and his lawyer Will Forte sue Acme Corporation for defective products used in Coyote’s endless pursuit of the Road Runner. While there are more laughs in a typical 7-minute Looney Tunes short, "Coyote vs. Acme" is a likable low-key poke at corporate America. If you're one of the people who thought Barney the Dinosaur was a little creepy, the horror flick "Buddy" should send a shudder up your spine. In this tongue-in-cheek creep fest, a malevolent unicorn character lures children into its TV realm to absorb their souls. While satirical, “Buddy” goes full-blooded horror and provides just enough chills for the midnight movie crowd. The gloomy Netflix thriller "The Whisper Man," based on a novel by Alex North, wants to be "Silence of the Lambs," but can't quite emulate that classic's impact. Robert De Niro plays a former cop who tries to help his son Adam Scott recover his son who is kidnapped by a serial killer. Michael Keaton is an imprisoned murderer who is manipulating everything from behind bars. The cast is fine, but “The Whisper Man’s” overall impact is lessened by some head scratching lapses in logic.

The formative years of famed gastronome Anthony Bourdain are the focus of the drama “Tony.” Dominic Sessa plays the callow and self-centered 19-year-old in a highly fictionalized tale loosely adapted from Bourdain’s bestselling autobiography “Kitchen Confidential.” It may not be authentic, but a sharp cast and thoughtful script make “Tony” a full flavored coming-of-age drama. The wacky cinematic experiment “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” is a blood-soaked love letter to slasher films with a lesbian twist. Hannah Einbinder stars as a filmmaker who tries to recruit a reclusive scream queen, played by Gillian Anderson, to come out of retirement for a slasher reboot. Filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun’s grisly opus is very imaginative but ultimately becomes excessively self-indulgent. From the other end of the cinematic universe comes the beautifully produced but lightweight family fantasy, “The Magic Faraway Tree.” Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy lead the cast in the story of a struggling urban family that moves to the country where the kids discover a whimsical magic land inside the titular tree. It plays a bit like the poorer cousin of “The Wizard of Oz” and “Willie Wonka,” but “The Magic Faraway Tree” provides an adequate juvenile distraction. All you need to know about the movie "Mutiny" is that it stars Jason Statham. That means it's a thriller packed with action and not too much logic. Statham plays a billionaire's bodyguard who gets framed for his boss' murder. He winds up on a cargo ship breaking up a human trafficking ring. Don't ask. "Mutiny" is silly but mostly delivers the action goods.

The intriguing historical drama "The Brink of War" focuses on the 1986 Reykjavik nuclear disarmament talks between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. Jeff Daniels and Jared Harris portray the Cold War leaders and J.K. Simmons plays Secretary of State George Schultz. First time filmmaker Michael Russell Gunn speculates about what the dialogue between these philosophical opponents may have been like. He reportedly interviewed Schultz and was granted access to some of the Secretary’s transcripts. While it isn't dramatically riveting, it’s well-acted and surprisingly timely. “The Brink of War” is a thoughtful and involving history lesson. Adam Sandler's daughter Sophie gets her chance in the spotlight in the Netflix comic drama, "Don't Say Good Luck." Sophie plays a sophomore who gets the lead in her high school’s production of the musical “Waitress.” Things get complicated as her mom, played by Melanie Lynskey, struggles with recurrent cancer. “Don’t Say Good Luck” is lightweight and a bit soapy, but the sincere performances and general good vibes make it a poignant and uplifting tale. The Netflix horror entry "The Last House" attempts a new twist on the alien invasion genre. Wagner Moura and Greta Lee play a married couple who gets trapped with their two kids when a strange rainfall seals them in their home. They struggle to survive while never quite understanding just what’s going on. There will undoubtedly be many moments when you will ask, "Hey, what about..?" The screenwriters don't cover their bases which undermines the proceedings. Director Louis Leterrier pumps up the action in the final scenes, but “The Last House” is still a slow-moving sci-fi thriller.

The high concept rom com "One Night Only" has an original premise, but sketchy execution. In a future where premarital sex is outlawed, one night a year is left open for singles to hook up. Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner play singles looking for a brief encounter, but circumstances keep throwing them together and pulling them apart. There are a few clever moments but "One Night Only" can never overcome its inherent phoniness. The twisted and blood-soaked horror comedy "Ice Cream Man" is morally repugnant. But for Spat Pack filmmaker Eli Roth, the king of ‘torture porn,’ that's kinda the point. The treats served up by a mysterious vendor in a small town turns the kids into homicidal zombies. The crazed and foul-mouthed kids DO hideous things they're not nearly old enough to SEE on the big screen and an army of makeup artists create the grisly mayhem. “Ice Cream Man” lands a few twisted laughs, but you may feel like taking a shower afterward. The Apple TV sports comedy series "Ted Lasso" starring KC favorite son Jason Sudeikis is back for season four. The first episode which was shot here in town highlights several local landmarks. Ted's former British employers come to town to try to persuade him to return to England and coach a women's soccer team. Fans of the series know exactly what kind of cheeky humor to expect, and season four serves it up in welcome fashion. Just seeing award-winning British actress Hannah Waddingham become obsessed with Gates BBQ sauce is reason enough to tune in. The documentary "Cookie Queens" focuses on four girls undergoing the joys and pressures of Girl Scout cookie sales season. It's sweet but lighter than a thin mint.

Is it possible to find something fresh in a superhero series as long in the tooth as Spider-Man's? Well, thanks to solid acting, thoughtful pacing and some terrific action set pieces, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" is an involving and peppy popcorn flick. In an attempt to save his friends and loved ones from harm, Peter Parker had Dr. Strange cast a spell so that no one would know him. But the arrival of a mysterious nemesis with telekinetic powers complicates matters, getting the Hulk and Punisher involved. Sadie Sink is excellent as a troubled character, but to identify her would be a major spoiler. Let's just say the Avengers Universe is expanding. "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" shows that Marvel still has gas in the tank thanks to sharp direction and thoughtful production. Despite its title, the Amazon Prime thriller "The Devil's Mouth" is not a supernatural horror flick. It's a survival drama where a group of dimwitted college friends decide to swim in a notoriously dangerous cave in Thailand. Naturally, they choose the most difficult route and encounter...you guessed it...a ravenous shark. Kathryn Newton leads the cast in this predictable drama that is so cliched and annoying that you might just find yourself rooting for the shark. Thank heaven for Snoopy. His adventures in the Apple TV animated offering "There's No Place Like Home, Snoopy," are more believable than those of the kids in "The Devil's Mouth." During a yard sale, Charlie Brown's sister Sally inadvertently sells Snoopy's doghouse. As the Peanuts gang tries to figure out how to return it, they all learn a lesson about what home really means. It's a short, sweet and funny family outing.

For audiences that love action and hate dialogue, "Motor City" might be the movie for you. Alan Ritchson stars in this over-the-top crime thriller set in 1970s Detroit. There are only about four lines of dialogue in this entire story of a man who escapes from prison to seek revenge on a drug dealer who framed him. Ben Foster and Shailene Woodley co-star in a plot propelled by classic music of the era. The whole affair gets increasingly ridiculous as it progresses and that finale is unintentionally funny. Still, "Motor City" has just enough absurd thrills to rev the engines of undemanding action fans. Maybe all you need to say about the Netflix action comedy "72 Hours" is that it stars Kevin Hart. Fans take note. Others beware. Hart plays a forty-year-old promotional exec who goes on a bachelor party weekend in Miami with some 20-somethings to see how young people behave. Teyana Taylor and some SNL stars are wasted in support. The humor is raunchy, and the script is devoid of even a moment of realism. Still, it generates a few low-brow laughs, but not enough to justify its length.... that just seems like 72 hours. The script for the Apple TV comedy "The Dink" plays like one that Will Ferrell would have rejected 20 years ago. In this coarse sports comedy, Jake Johnson plays a former tennis bad boy who is reduced to coaching pickleball at his father's struggling tennis club. Mary Steenburgen co-stars as an older pickleball player Jake takes a shine to. Its farcical approach occasionally serves up a laugh, but it never manages to make it to 11.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan's larger-than-life cinematic style is well suited for Homer's "The Odyssey," and his adaptation of the epic tale sails impressively onto the silver screen. Big ideas and big themes dominate the big screen in this ancient horror story. Matt Damon leads a strong ensemble as Odysseus, the morally conflicted king of Ithaca who must face down demons of all sorts as he questions his bloody role in the Trojan Wars, embarks on an ill-advised adventure, angers the gods...and just wants to go home. A notable cast aids Nolan's vision that puts an emphasis on violent conflict, symbolizing Odysseus' inner turmoil. The acting honors go to Robert Pattinson as the duplicitous, scheming Antonius and Smantha Morton as the wily witch Circe. While it's guilty of some clunky dialogue and a few minor missteps, "The Odyssey" is an impressive old school Hollywood spectacle that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible. The Hulu sports drama "They Fight" is the kind of movie that you root for. It's a true story, its inspirational themes resonate, and the cast is fine. Problem is, the execution is so bland and conventional, that the story never ignites as it should. Based on a 2017 documentary of the same name, "They Fight" is about a boxing coach recently released from prison, played by Andre Holland, who works with a group of Washington DC adolescents. Wendell Pierce runs a gym that gives Andre a chance to see if he can redeem himself and inspire the kids toward a championship. It's well intentioned, but the sluggish story fails to score a knockout.

So, what does the term "live-action version" really mean? In the case of Disney's remake of their 2016 animated musical hit "Moana," it means there are some real actors on screen along with a whole lot of computer-generated animation tweaked to look realistic. Same songs save for one. Dwayne Johnson is back as demigod Maui, and we have a new Moana nicely played by Cathrine Laga'Aia. Otherwise, it closely resembles the original. Somehow, that's not enough. What worked as a cartoon just seems too labored in 'live action.' “Moana” fans, stick with the original. The edgy sex comedy "The Invite" is the polar opposite of Disney. It’s an English language adaptation of the 2020 Spanish hit, that was sarcastically titled, “Sentimental.” Seth Rogan and Olivia Wilde play a bickering couple whose marriage is ready to derail. To spice things up, Olivia invites the swingers from upstairs, played by Penelope Cruz and Edward Norton, to come down for dinner. Naturally, things quickly get awkward. It's essentially a razor-sharp stage play, ably directed by Wilde, that provides a great cast with a decadently funny vehicle. But the constant quarreling is a bit hard to stomach. Warning: “The Invite” is not for the easily offended. Amy Goodman, host of the daily news program “Democracy, Now” that airs here on KKFI, is the subject of the film documentary “Steal This Story, Please!” Goodman and the filmmakers will be in town for screenings and Q&A sessions on July 17th and 18th at the Glenwood Arts Theater in Overland Park. Info is available at KKFI.org or fineartsgroup.com.

Looking for a holiday weekend flick to get the kids out of the blazing heat? You could do a lot worse than "Minions & Monsters," the third installment in the "Minions" prequel series and the seventh installment overall in the "Despicable Me" franchise. This time out, circumstances find the Minions in 1920s Hollywood, and they decide to make a monster movie. The pacing and animation are solid in this episode that has a lot of inside jokes for parents who are movie buffs. "Minions & Monsters" delivers exactly the kind of goofy family fun you'd expect. Just in time for the July 4th celebrations, Angel Studios offers the historical drama "Young Washington." Relative newcomer William Franklyn-Miller portrays the founding father in a respectful but underwhelming look at his life before the American Revolution. Washington's ambitions and his strategic blunders in a skirmish with the French are the focus of this well-mounted but superficial biopic. The supporting cast includes familiar faces who bring a gravitas that Franklyn-Miller's performance is missing. Best thing you can say is that "Young Washington" is an easily digestible history lesson. Is the third time the charm for Millie Bobby Brown in the Netflix comic mystery, "Enola Holmes 3?" Light, bright, and easy to digest, “Enola Holmes 3” is a tongue-in-cheek sequel that presents yet another mystery for the sister of Sherlock Holmes, appealingly played by Brown. This time out, Sherlock, played by Henry Cavill, is kidnapped while attending Enola's wedding in Malta. A sprightly feminist YA offering “Enola Holmes 3” floats along nicely thanks to a solid production and an appealing cast.

While newcomer Millie Alcock soars as the new punk "Supergirl," her movie never quite flies. Giving her a personality that contrasts with her strait-laced cousin Superman was a smart choice, but the filmmakers aren't quite able to pull all the elements together. Still, the eye candy is first-rate, and the action sequences are well-staged. Maybe the best thing you can say is that "Supergirl" is a serviceable intro to a welcome new character in the DC Universe. Scott Eastwood plays a soldier caught behind enemy lines during the Battle of the Bulge in director Rod Lurie's solid WWII flick, "Lucky Strike." While it covers familiar territory, “Lucky Strike” is a mostly effective tale of survival, heroism and the hellish nature of war. Whenever she's on screen, Angelina Jolie's strong performance propels the drama "Couture." Problem is, she's not on screen enough. Jolie plays a filmmaker working in Paris for Fashion Week when she discovers she's got breast cancer. The other stories involving peripheral characters fall flat. For a movie about fashion, "Couture" is surprisingly lacking in style. A strong cast and an interesting premise are swamped in director Julian Schnabel's colossally pretentious Netflix drama, "In the Hand of Dante." Oscar Isaac plays a writer recruited by mobsters to authenticate and then steal a manuscript of Dante's "Divine Comedy.” In an intersecting parallel story, Isaac also plays Dante himself as he struggles to write his masterpiece. While intriguing, the movie is profane, ugly, violent and saddled with laughable dialogue. Gerard Butler's performance as a murderous thug is a creepy standout in “In the Hand of Dante,” a head-scratching misfire.

Can the folks at Pixar continue to extract gold from the "Toy Story" mine after over thirty years? As "Toy Story 5" deftly demonstrates, the answer is definitely, "Yes." This time out, the focus is on cowgirl Jessie and how she and the other old school toys are threatened by high tech devices. As we've come to expect the folks at Pixar spend most of their efforts on creating a compelling and heartfelt story. Take some tissues because "Toy Story 5" has the smarts and the feels. You won't find any Merry Men in the excessively dark, violent and dour revisionary drama, "The Death of Robin Hood." Hugh Jackman stars as an aging and tired Robin Hood who, as it turns out, was a selfish bandit who robbed from the rich…and kept it. After numerous injuries, all he wants to do is die, but a nun at a rural sanctuary played by Jodie Comer insists on nursing him back to health. Despite a great cast and atmospheric production, “The Death of Robin Hood” is brooding, bloody and boring. “Peter Asher: Everywhere Man” is an involving documentary about the life of the pop star who arrived in the U.S. as part of the 60s British Invasion duo Peter and Gordon and stayed to become a phenomenally successful record producer steering the careers of superstars like Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Carol King and many others. Asher tells his own story through a unique live concert mixed with extensive film clips as well as observations from his many famous pals, including mentor Paul McCartney. “Peter Asher: Everywhere Man” is a snappy pop music time capsule.

Kansas City's channel 4 news gets invaded by aliens in the wild new Stephen Spielberg sci-fi opus "Disclosure Day." Emily Blunt plays a KC meteorologist, and Josh O'Connor is a cybersecurity expert who each experience a psychic connection to an alien intelligence, putting them at odds with a shady non-government agency. The actors are fine, the suspense is palpable, and the camerawork and action sequences are masterfully executed. It all gets too literal when it could have benefitted from being more ambiguous. Still, "Disclosure Day" is very entertaining and shows that Kansas City is out of this world. It's very telling when the best thing you can think of to say about a movie is, "Well, it could have been worse." Such is the case with the Netflix rom com, "Office Romance." Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein of "Ted Lasso" fame star as a testy airline CEO and her awkward legal counsel. As the title suggests, they embark on an ill-advised affair. There's not a believable moment in Goldstein's vulgar script. “Office Romance” is an old-fashioned movie that relies on raunchy elements to make it seem contemporary. Bad idea. The Norwegian language monster flick “Kraken” is now available on digital platforms like Apple TV and Amazon Video. It’s not to be confused with the 2025 Russian monster flick of the same name. In this surprisingly effective little sci-fi opus, a marine biologist tries to figure out if the experimental techniques used by a salmon farm in a Norwegian fjord are responsible for some mysterious deaths. It’s derivative and takes a while to get going, but “Kraken” is a slickly produced Scandinavian take on the Kaiju genre.

With movies like “Once,” “Begin Again” and “Sing Street,” Irish filmmaker John Carney has found a way to make movie musicals relevant for contemporary audiences. His latest effort is "Power Ballad." Kansas City's Paul Rudd stars alongside Nick Jonas in the story of a struggling wedding singer who bonds with a pop star. When the former boy band member steals a song from his friend, things get dicey. Rudd is as good as he's been in years, and Jonas is solid in a role tailor made for him. “Power Ballad” is a rousing crowd-pleaser that's filled with catchy music. If you are familiar with the phrase, "By the power of Grayskull," then the clunky action fantasy "Masters of the Universe" might be nostalgic for you...but that's really all it's got going for it. In this update of the 80s adventure cartoons based on the line of Mattel toys, Nicholas Galitzine plays an annoyingly uncertain He-Man, Jered Leto provides the petulant voice of Skeletor and Idris Elba is wasted as a washed-up warrior. The movie’s tongue-in-cheek approach never works. “Masters of the Universe” lacks the power. The Wayans Brothers are back with yet another ultra raunchy horror movie parody. Despite its title, "Scary Movie" is actually “Scary Movie 6,” the latest installment in the franchise that started 26 years ago. It reunites many of the movies' familiar cast members including Marlon and Shawn Wayans and a few dozen other Wayans, Regina Hall and Anna Faris. Sadly, the Wayans have officially run out of ideas for “Scary Movie” and try to fill the gap with repetitive and aggressively offensive material. Now that's scary.

When JFK asked Dwight Eisenhower why the Normandy invasion was a success, Eisenhower replied, "Because we had better meteorologists than the Germans." That's the crux of the new WWII historical drama, "Pressure." In this taut movie, Andrew Scott plays a brilliant British meteorologist who butted heads with Eisenhower, played by Brendan Fraser, over the timing of the D-Day invasion. “Pressure” is an involving look at the herculean behind-the-scenes efforts of unsung heroes. Can the popularity of standup comic Nate Bargatze translate to the big screen? If the juvenile family comedy "The Breadwinner" is any indication, the answer is...we'll see. Bargatze takes on a Mr. Mom-type role as an inept dad left temporarily in care of the household. There are more laughs in five minutes of Bargatze's standup routines than in this entire movie. The new thriller "Tuner" is gimmicky, but the gimmicks work. Leo Woodall plays Niki, a piano tuner with super-sensitive hearing. Criminals figure out how to manipulate Niki into using his talents to crack safes. Well-acted, smart and involving, "Tuner" is a surprisingly gripping sleeper. The Apple TV movie "Propeller One-Way Night Coach" marks the directorial debut of actor and aviation enthusiast John Travolta. The story is based on a children’s book Travolta wrote in 1997 about a young boy on his first airplane trip from New York to Hollywood on a TWA Constellation in the 1960s. The film was partially shot in KC as the actual Connie is, of course, housed in KC alongside the TWA museum. The lightweight story tends to drift off into the ether, but it's a harmless bit of travel nostalgia.

If you're a fan of the Disney+ TV series, "The Mandalorian," then you'll probably find enough to like in the big screen edition, "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu." The story plays like a few TV episodes folded into one and ballooned onto the big screen. That’s because the movie version was apparently an afterthought. Still, there's plenty of action, visual razzle dazzle and cute aliens to spare in “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” but if you're looking for involving human drama, that’s in a galaxy far, far away. Eccentric filmmaker Boots Riley has so many creative ideas that his latest film "I Love Boosters" can barely hold them all. That's both a good thing and a bad one. Keke Palmer and Demi Moore lead a terrific cast in a wacky, surreal and profane comic sci-fi social critique about a gang of shoplifters who confront an unethical billionaire fashion designer. The movie's design elements are fantastic, but the plot elements and themes are way too scattershot. Still, the game cast gives "I Love Boosters" a boost. You don't have to be a fan of the Amazon Prime "Jack Ryan" series to enjoy the new movie "Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War." In fact, you don't really need to know anything about the show or the novels. John Krasinzki, who also produced and co-wrote the screenplay, is back as Ryan, a now former CIA agent. who gets pulled into a caper involving a rogue operative group in London that threatens to undermine both the US and British spy operations. “Jack Ryan: Ghost War” has the action elements genre fans love and manages to create a bit of tension despite the overly familiar plot elements.

The new horror entry "Obsession" falls into the 'be careful what you ask for, you may get it' genre. This effective little chiller is about a man who buys a supernatural toy that grants him a wish. He wishes that a girl he has a crush on would fall madly in love with him. Emphasis on the "madly." Her obsession with him quickly escalates into violence. Well-acted by relative newcomers Michael Johnston and Inde Navarette, “Obsession” is a creepy tongue-in-cheek bit of midnight movie exploitation. The political drama "The Wizard of the Kremlin" is an interesting bit of historical fiction. It involves the rise of Vladimir Putin from KGB insider to Russian tsar. Paul Dano plays a theatrical artist who uses his skills as a spin doctor to rise from obscurity and become Putin's morally conflicted deputy chief of staff. Jude Law is appropriately chilling as Putin. Based on a novel by political essayist Giuliano da Empoli and directed by Olivier Assayas, “The Wizard of the Kremlin is thoughtful and well produced but never manages to build any dramatic momentum. Even if you're not a fan of comic actor Martin Short, you'll probably find a lot to like in the Netflix documentary, "Marty, Life is Short." Director Lawrence Kasdan has assembled a loving tribute to his longtime friend, using a vast library of home videos and film clips, plus interviews with Short's many famous showbiz pals. Short, who is enjoying a late career resurgence in popularity thanks to "Only Murders in the Building," has endured more than his share of tragedies and triumphs. Thanks largely to Short's sunny approach to sarcasm, "Marty, Life is Short" is a funny and touching overview.

Pop phenom Billie Elish joins forces with Oscar-winning filmmaker James Cameron to present a cinematic adaptation that captures her 2024-25 concert tour, "Billie Elish - Hit Me Hard and Soft." Since Elish doesn't employ choreography or elaborate costumes, Cameron uses dozens of swooping, acrobatic cameras and clever editing to add additional visual dazzle. The backstage footage is minimal, but interesting. It could have used a bit more of that. For the uninitiated, “Billie Elish – Hit Me Hard and Soft” provides context for Eilish's enormous popularity. For fans, it's pure catnip. "The Sheep Detectives" is a sweet-natured family-friendly comic whodunit based on the popular novel “Three Bags Full” by Leonie Swann. Hugh Jackman plays George, a reclusive shepherd who lives with his beloved flock in rural England. He reads them mystery novels at night. When George is found murdered, it's up to his loyal sheep to help the thick-headed humans solve the mystery. The realistically animated sheep are voiced by an all-star cast that includes Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Patrick Stewart, and Bella Ramsey. While it tries a bit too hard to be heartwarming, “The Sheep Detectives” is a harmless and likable popcorn flick. The title of the Netflix comic drama "Remarkably Bright Creatures" doesn't describe its narrator, an octopus named Marcellus. It's his description of two lonely human beings whom he helps heal some emotional wounds. Two-time Oscar winner Sally Field stars alongside Lewis Pullman in the gentle story of a lonely aquarium cleaning lady and a troubled stranger she takes on as an assistant. While it's manipulative and predictable, a strong cast keeps “Remarkably Bright Creatures” afloat.

George Orwell's classic totalitarian critique "Animal Farm" gets a dumbed-down animated big screen incarnation. Yes, the pigs take over the farm, but the metaphors don't fly. The all-star voice cast includes Seth Rogan, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin and Woody Harrelson but their efforts are for naught. Screenwriter Nicholas Stoller and director Andy Serkis deserve some credit for trying a new approach, but this so-called modernized version of “Animal Farm” isn't for adults who revere Orwell or for kids who couldn’t care less. Here's one that won't be shown on airlines anytime soon. "Jaws" meets "Airport" in "Deep Water," the story of a loaded passenger flight that crashes into -you guessed it- shark infested waters. Aaron Eckhart and Sir Ben Kingsley are the captains who accidentally serve up a smorgasbord for hungry carnivores along with the typical disaster movie cliches. If the premise sounds familiar, another movie called “No Way Up” came out two years ago with a nearly identical plot. While it’s overly familiar, director Renny Harlin's opus “Deep Water” is impressively filmed. It ain’t deep, but disaster movie fans won’t mind. Producer John Lasseter may no longer be at Pixar, but his creative fingerprints are all over the wildly imaginative Netflix animated fantasy, "Swapped." Michael B. Jordan and Juno Temple provide the voices of a mammal and a bird who magically swap bodies in a fantastical woodland area. Their experiences change their perspectives, proving that differences are good and that working together makes life better for everyone. It's smart and beautifully animated. "Swapped" is a family film in the best sense, providing thoughtful entertainment that can be enjoyed by all age groups.

The grisly body horror flick "Lee Cronin's The Mummy" owes a lot more to "The Exorcist" than Boris Karloff or Brendan Fraser. A little girl goes missing and, eight years later, she's discovered to be alive and possessed by an ancient Egyptian demon. There are some effectively scary moments, but the movie is overlong and over reliant on gruesome makeup effects. Writer/director Lee Cronin had success reviving the “Evil Dead” franchise, but this one should have remained buried. Let's hope it’s a wrap on this version of The Mummy. If you want to see two brilliant actors go toe-to-toe, the sly comedy "The Christophers" is the movie for you. Sir Ian McKellen and Michaela Cole star in the tale of a once famous painter now living as a virtual hermit who makes a little cash doing personalized Cameo videos. The painter’s estranged children hire a woman to pose as his assistant and forge his unfinished paintings so that they can sell them upon his death. James Corden and Jessica Gunning are effectively churlish as the offspring. Director Stephen Soderberg continues to expand his reach with “The Christophers,” a funny, smart and engaging movie. It's good to try to find something positive in even the worst movies, but there's nothing remotely redeeming in the criminally atrocious Amazon Prime comedy, "Balls Up." Mark Wahlberg and Paul Walter Hauser play employees of a condom company who ruin a World Cup soccer game in Brazil and go on the run from angry fans. Not only is it not funny, but it’s also intended to offend. “Balls Out” is certainly successful on that count. Director Peter Farrelly should have his Oscar for "Green Day" revoked.

Liam Neeson ("Taken") stars in a revival of the 80s absurdist franchise, "The Naked Gun," playing the son of the detective originally played by Leslie Nielson.

Can Austin Butler carry a movie outside of "Elvis?" If the comic thriller "Caught Stealing" is any indication, the answer is ‘Yes.' Butler is fine as a baseball washout who […] The post Freeze Frame: "Caught Stealing" (R), "The Roses" (R), "The Thursday Murder Club" (PG-13) appeared first on KKFI.

In the grisly, over-the-top vampire comedy "Renfield," Nicholas Cage plays Dracula and gets to chew the scenery as well as a lot of jugular veins. Nicholas Hoult plays his reluctant servant Renfield […] The post Freeze Frame: "Renfield" (R), "Mafia Mamma" (R), "Suzume" (PG), "How to Blow Up a Pipeline" (R) Copy appeared first on KKFI.

In the grisly, over-the-top vampire comedy "Renfield," Nicholas Cage plays Dracula and gets to chew the scenery as well as a lot of jugular veins. Nicholas Hoult plays his reluctant servant Renfield […] The post Freeze Frame: "Renfield" (R), "Mafia Mamma" (R), "Suzume" (PG), "How to Blow Up a Pipeline" (R) appeared first on KKFI.

“The Dig,” a warm and moving tale inspired by true events. Carrie Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes star in Simon Stone’s adaptation of John Preston’s novel about one of the most important archeological discoveries in British history. In 1939, group of enthusiastic amateurs unearth an Anglo-Saxon treasure on a remote rural estate…but it’s the filmmakers who […]

The well-made and disturbing Netflix drama “The White Tiger” is based on the award-winning picaresque novel by Aravind Adiga. Set in modern India, the sprawling story is a scathing indictment of business and political corruption as well as the inequities of the Indian caste system. The story is seen through the eyes of a low […]

On the night that Muhammad Ali defeated Sonny Liston for the heavyweight boxing crown in 1964, he met up with NFL running back Jim Brown, pop music superstar Sam Cooke and civil rights activist Malcom X. The film “One Night in Miami” is a fictionalized account of that event. Kingsley Ben-Adire, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge […]

Are you a fan of the sweeping melodramatic Hollywood romances of the 1950s that often show up on Turner Classic Movies? If so, then “Silvie’s Love” is right up your alley. Tessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha star in the story of a rocky romance between a wannabe TV producer and a jazz sax player. “Silvie’s Love” […]

As we begin a new year, it’s time to look back at the best movies of 2020. Here’s the cream of the year’s cinematic crop.   10) End of Sentence (Not rated) John Hawkes and Logan Lerman star in a sweetly sentimental comic drama about the attempted reconciliation of an estranged father and son.   […]

The folks at Pixar continue to show their golden touch. “Soul” is a Disney+ feature that again demonstrates that animation can be a powerful way to tell a compelling story that would be difficult for live action. Jamie Fox voices the lead character, a jazz piano player who is accidentally transported to the pre-life realm […]

The folks at Pixar continue to show their golden touch. “Soul” is a Disney+ feature that again demonstrates that animation can be a powerful way to tell a compelling story that would be difficult for live action. Jamie Fox voices the lead character, a jazz piano player who is accidentally transported to the pre-life realm […]

The valedictory performance from the late Chadwick Boseman may well earn him an Oscar. He’s dynamic as a troubled trumpet player in the Netflix adaptation of August Wilson’s acclaimed play, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” It tells the tragic story of an ill-fated blues recording session in 1927 and touches on themes of racism, sexism, faith […]

Meryl Streep, James Cordon and Nicole Kidman headline Ryan Murphy’s energetic adaptation of the wacky Broadway musical, “The Prom.” They play narcissistic theater folk who decide to take up the cause of a small-town lesbian teenager for the sake of publicity. It’s overlong and it’s message as subtle as a sledgehammer, but a great cast […]

Disney plays around with its own fairytale tropes with the lighthearted comic fantasy, “Godmothered.” Jillian Bell plays a fairy godmother-in-training who is called upon to save the motherland by granting the wish of a jaded TV journalist, played by Isla Fisher. Bell is perfectly cast as the bungling but good-hearted fairy. While this Disney+ offering […]

The updated Disney+ adaptation of the classic children’s novel “Black Beauty” takes many liberties with the original plot. Kate Winslet provides Beauty’s voice and Mackenzie Foy is the girl who loves her. While this version of “Black Beauty” is uninspired and the filmmaking is sometimes clumsy, it’s still a harmless, winsome distraction for kids.   […]

Gary Oldman stars in David Fincher’s outstanding showbiz drama, “Mank.” Filmed in glorious black-and-white, “Mank” showcases the difficulties that infamous alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz experienced while writing Orson Welles’ classic, “Citizen Kane.” It’s a shrewd, top-notch Hollywood biopic that crackles with great dialogue. “Mank” is pure Oscar bait.   “Hillbilly Elegy” is a disappointing, […]

“Freaky Friday” meets “Friday the 13th” in the bloody R-rated horror comedy, “Freaky.”  Vince Vaughn plays a deranged serial killer who supernaturally switches bodies with a mousey teenager. While “Freaky” doesn’t quite live up to its wacky promise, Vaughn milks his dual role for all its comic worth.   Mel Gibson plays Santa Claus…you heard […]

Kevin Costner and Diane Lane play a retired couple who attempt to rescue their grandson from a rural North Dakota family in the harrowing drama “Let Him Go,” based on a novel by Larry Watson. Leslie Manville memorably chews the scenery as the cultish family’s domineering matriarch. Violent and a bit lurid, “Let Him Go” […]

If you took a typical Hallmark Channel Christmas romantic comedy and added in plenty foul language and crude sexual banter, you might come up with something like the off-putting Netflix offering, “Holidate.” Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey star in the story of two singles who decide to use one another as a non-intimate date on […]

“Rebecca,” a Netflix remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic suspense drama is a handsomely produced but uninspired adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s novel. Armie Hammer and Lily James star in this dark gothic romance that checks all of the appropriate boxes but can’t match the 1940 Best Picture Oscar winner, which can be seen for free […]

Oscar-winning filmmaker Aaron Sorkin offers one of the year’s finest movies, “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” This surprisingly timely drama covers the infamous case in which peace activists were tried for allegedly inciting riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Sasha Baron Coen, Eddie Redmayne and Mark Rylance are part of a great cast […]

Bill Murray re-teams with “Lost in Translation” filmmaker Sophia Coppola for the disarming comedy, “On the Rocks.” Rashida Jones plays a woman who fears her husband, played by Marlon Wayans, may be cheating on her. Her pushy ne’er do well father, played by Murray, manipulates her into spying on her spouse. There’s a lot more […]

The life of feminist icon Gloria Steinem is given the art house treatment in Julie Taymor’s overambitious biography, “The Glorias.” Four actresses play Steinem in various stages of her life, including Oscar winners Alicia Vikander and Julianne Moore. While it’s illuminating and relevant, the film skims the surface while indulging in some unnecessary and pretentious […]

If nothing else, you’ll have to admit that the comic drama “Kajillionaire” is not the same old thing. This quirky and gentle movie stars Evan Rachel Wood as an emotionally stunted young woman who works as a petty scam artist with her parents, Richard Jenkins and Debra Winger. Things get complicated when they invite a […]

Pop superstar and Kansas City native Janelle Monáe stars in “Antebellum,” a bizarre horror entry with significant social overtones. Monáe plays a slave on a plantation in the Civil War South…or is she a renowned author living today? This well acted but enigmatic film doesn’t make much sense until the final scenes when the film […]

“The Broken Hearts Gallery” is a cute, maybe too cute romantic comedy for millennials that exists in an otherworldly rom-com dimension. Geraldine Viswanathan plays a young woman who saves mementos from her many failed romances and turns them into a gallery exhibit. Can she ever find true love? What do you think? The cast is […]

Christopher Nolan’s mind-boggling sci-fi action thriller “Tenet” begs to be seen on the big screen. It also begs to have subtitles. While it’s involving and visually dazzling, the confounding time-inversion plotline is further muddled by an obtrusive soundtrack and heavy accents. John David Washington and Kevin Branagh do an impressive job of navigating their tricky […]

  “The Personal History of David Copperfield” is a fanciful reimagining of Charles Dickens’ classic novel. Dev Patel takes the title role in this quirky adaptation, an offbeat but fresh, exuberant and mostly comic take from writer/director Armando Iannucci, the man behind TV’s “Veep.” Purists may balk, but many viewers will be captivated by this […]

Oscar winning filmmaker Kevin Willmott’s drama “The 24th” is a harrowing depiction of the intolerable racism that led to the 1917 mutiny of an all-black US infantry division. Trai Byers leads a solid cast in this true story that ably illuminates a dark episode in American history.   Russell Crowe’s bloodcurdling performance fuels “Unhinged,” a […]