Freeze Frame: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (PG-13), “The Boogeyman” (PG-13)

While it’s long, frenzied and slings more plot webs than it can reasonably control, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is an impressive, visually extravagant sequel to the 2018 Oscar-winning animated feature “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” Teenager Miles Morales is back as the new Spidey in a mind-bending adventure that pits our hero against fellow Spider-people who live in dozens of alternate universes. The filmmakers have some interesting ideas and the visual artistry to bring them to life. Be forewarned, however, that the movie is two hours and twenty minutes in length and ends in a cliffhanger. Yes, the third installment in this franchise from another Marvel Universe will be called “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” and it’s due to arrive in theaters in March of 2024. For the fans, it’s still not too much. Perhaps better than any other superhero adaptation, this series captures the feel and energy of a dynamic comic book. Fanboys will be in web heaven.

“The Boogeyman” is a horror thriller based on a 1973 short story by Stephen King. Chris Messina plays a recently widowed therapist whose daughters, well played by Sophie Thatcher and Vivien Lyra Blair, are the targets of a malevolent supernatural entity that is drawn to their sorrow. Kansas City native David Dastmalchian is capably creepy in the role of a desperate patient with a dark story to tell. Director Rob Savage opts for a slow burn, creepy atmosphere and jump scares in place of bloody gore, so the movie stays in PG-13 territory. If you’re a horror buff, you’ve seen it all before. Nevertheless, “The Boogeyman” is a well-made and effectively spooky entry for fans of the genre.

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