Freeze Frame: “Chasing Chasing Amy” (Not rated), “Anora” (R), “Here” (PG-13), “Hitpig!” (PG)

Kansas City filmmaker Sav Rodgers’ documentary “Chasing Chasing Amy” is a story of how Kevin Smith’s 1997 film “Chasing Amy” saved Rodger’s life. Traumatized by bullies at school, Rodgers found solace repeatedly viewing what was at the time, a rare LGBTQ movie. Rodgers shares the perspectives of the “Chasing Amy” creative team and social influencers to create an illuminating look on the impact of art on life.

There is a time and place for an NC-17 rating and clearly the big winner at this year’s Cannes Film Festival deserves it. But the comic drama “Anora” somehow got by with an “R” rating. In Sean Baker’s sly and edgy social critique, Mickey Madison plays a sex worker who courts trouble when she impulsively marries a client, the childish son of a Russian billionaire. “Anora” is smart, well-acted and often very funny. It’s also very profane and graphic, so be forewarned.

Robert Zemeckis’ multi-generational drama “Here” is a unique experiment utilizing all the new technological bells and whistles…but with mixed results. Tom Hanks and Robin Wright lead the cast in the story of one spot on Earth where the camera sets fixed for centuries, showing overlapping narratives of those who lived there. “Here” is sweet but gimmicky and not nearly as profound as it was hoping to be.

In the animated kids’ flick “Hitpig!” Jason Sudeikis provides the voice of a porcine bounty hunter who tracks escaped animals. Based on characters created by Berk Breathed, it’s a loud and manic farce that plays like they were making it up as they went along. “Hitpig!” is well-meaning but relentlessly chaotic.

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