Freeze Frame: “Napoleon” (R), “Wish” (PG), “Saltburn” (R), “Dashing Through the Snow” (PG), “Leo” (PG)

“Napoleon,” Ridley Scott’s historical epic about the infamous French emperor, comes up a bit short. Joaquin Phoenix mumbles his way through this visually spectacular, often funny, but dramatically lackluster extravaganza. This Napoleon is a petulant and childish ruler cuckolded by his wife Josephine, played by Vanessa Kirby. His megalomania is strangely missing in this entertaining, but uninspired saga.

The latest Disney animated fantasy “Wish,” slavishly follows the template of other Mouse House fairy tales. All of its ideas are all plucked from those other memorable stories. A wizard king holds hostage the wishes of his nation’s people. A young girl wishes on a star to try to free them. It’s tuneful and well animated, but “Wish” only wishes it were as good as previous Disney classics.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Emerald Finnell’s pitch black social comedy “Saltburn” is about as pleasant as a bout of nausea. Barry Keoghan is excellent as an Oxford student who worms his way into spending time at a wealthy fellow student’s family estate…but nothing is as it seems. While it’s whip smart and wickedly daring, “Saltburn” is also excessively repellant and depressing.

Lil Rel Howery and Ludacris star in the Disney+ comic fantasy, “Dashing Through the Snow.” Ludacris plays a yuletide cynic and Howery plays a chap who may or may not actually be the real Santa. It’s all pretty standard fare, but a likable cast and upbeat spirit make it a genial option for holiday family viewing.

Adam Sandler provides the voice of a talking lizard in the Netflix animated comedy, “Leo.” It’s about an elementary school pet who inadvertently changes the lives of the kids in the classroom. “Leo” combines a sweet-natured story with Sandler’s patented juvenile humor. It’s silly, but sincere.

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