Freeze Frame: “Birds of Prey” (R), “Les Miserables” (R)

Margot Robbie’s bat-swinging performance as the Joker’s girlfriend Harley Quinn was probably the best thing about 2016’s comic book movie, “Suicide Squad.” Her character takes center stage in the latest entry in the extended DC Universe, “Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).” Essentially an R-rated girl gang movie, “Birds of Prey” is about the efforts of Harley and a group of female vigilantes to save a girl who swallowed a diamond from evil Gotham City crime lord, Black Mask, played by Ewan McGregor.

“Deadpool” seems to be the obvious inspiration for this broad action comedy, so “Birds of Prey” is irreverent, rude and, tongue-in-cheek with plenty of violence played for laughs. A little of this cheeky attitude goes a long way, but Robbie has created a memorable character. Her bat-swinging doesn’t hit a homer but produces a solid double.

The French film “Les Miserables” that won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival is not based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel, but it shares some that’s classic’s social themes. This harrowing contemporary film is a semi-autobiographical story based on incidents in the life of filmmaker Ladj Ly (LAHGE Lee), demonstrating that some things in France haven’t changed much in 150 years. It focuses on the ongoing tension between the police, the poor populace and the criminal underworld that often erupts into violence. Ly’s unflinching approach gives “Les Miserables” an unsettling but compelling drive.

Also opening this week, Elijah Wood stars in the bloody comic thriller, “Come to Daddy.” He plays a man who attempts to reconnect with his estranged father after 30 years…but things don’t go so well. “The Song of Names” is a drama about a Polish-Jewish violin prodigy who is a refugee in WWII London. Tim Roth and Clive Owen star.

Share This Episode