Freeze Frame: “Megalopolis” (R), “My Old Ass” (R), “Apartment 7A” (R), “Lee” (R)

Francis Ford Coppola remains one of the world’s greatest filmmakers. That’s true even though his latest effort, “Megalopolis,” is a colossally pretentious mess. Adam Driver stars in a high-concept sci-fi fable about a conflicted genius whose concept of a utopian city conflicts with those who prefer the status quo. Dangling plot threads intermingle with occasional sparks of brilliance in an over-the-top and utterly unhinged cinematic experiment. “Megalopolis” is a mega disappointment.

Who would have thought that a coming-of-age comedy with the terrible title “My Old Ass” would be this good? Maisy Stella plays an 18-year-old who, on a mushroom trip, meets her 39-year-old self, played by Aubrey Plaza, who offers her younger self some questionable advice. While the movie is very profane and edgy, it’s also funny, heartfelt and touching. “My Old Ass” is a welcome surprise.

The 1968 horror classic “Rosemary’s Baby” gets a prequel that no one was asking for. “Apartment 7A” is a Paramount+ offering starring Julia Garner as a dancer who falls under the influence of a coven, led by KC native Dianne Weist. The actors are excellent, and the filmmakers work hard to recapture the creepy feel of the original. But “Apartment 7A” is bedeviled by a sleepy pace.

A terrific central performance by Kate Winslet is the main attraction of “Lee,” a biopic about the life of famed WWII combat photographer Lee Miller. It focuses on her headstrong opposition to the era’s misogyny as well as facing the horrors of war. Beautifully shot and thoughtful, “Lee” is a fitting celebration of a remarkable life.

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