Freeze Frame: “Rebecca” (PG-13), “The Witches” (PG), “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” (R), “Synchronic” (R), “Over the Moon” (PG), “Friendsgiving” (R)

“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 at any time on YouTube.

“The Witches” is yet another remake, this one based on Roald Dahl’s scary children’s story. Anne Hathaway and Octavia Spencer lead the cast in this tale of a boy who discovers that a coven of witches plans to turn kids into mice. Hathaway’s over-the-top performance is bound to creep out the kiddies in this capable if overstuffed production.

After fourteen years, Sacha Baron Cohen returns as a faux Kazakhstani TV reporter

in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.” In this shocking mockumentary, Borat ambushes the clueless Rudy Giuliani among others. It’s shameless, irreverent and uneven, but succeeds in lampooning contemporary hypocrisy.

Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan star in the philosophical sci-fi entry, “Synchronic.” Mackie plays a paramedic, dying of cancer, who discovers that a street drug enables the user to travel through time. While this thoughtful film raises interesting questions, it’s a bit too dark and brooding for its own good.

“Over the Moon” is a colorful animated musical adventure from Oscar-winner Glen Keane. A Chinese girl builds a rocket to the moon in an attempt to meet a goddess. It’s all very sweet, but the convoluted storyline may make it too confusing for its target audience.

“Friendsgiving” is an annoyingly coarse R-rated ensemble comedy about dysfunctional Hollywood types who assemble for a last-minute holiday fete. Malin Ackerman and Kat Dennings lead the talented but wasted cast. The actors were apparently having a really good time, but “Friendsgiving” is no party for viewers.

Your local art house theaters are offering online viewing options for a number of  intriguing movie titles. More information is available at nelson-atkins.org, Screenland.com, fineartsgroup.com and drafthouse.com.

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