animated

FREEZE FRAME: “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” (R), “Despicable Me 4” (PG), “Maxxxine” (R)

Eddie Murphy’s patented cheeky persona is the saving grace of the otherwise graceless Netflix sequel, "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F." Murphy returns to the role 40 years after the initial hit action comedy and his adventures play like they were stamped out of a template. The nostalgia factor kicks in...

Freeze Frame: “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” (PG-13), “Poor Things” (R), “The Iron Claw” (R), “Migration” (PG), “Rebel Moon” (PG-13)

Jason Mamoa returns for possibly the last time as the aquatic DC superhero in "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom." There's over $200 million worth of eye candy in the story of our hero's attempt to save the world from Black Manta and global warming....and about $5 worth of originality in the screenplay. It's...

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...

FREEZE FRAME: “The Northman” (R), “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once” (R), “The Bad Guys” (PG)

The medieval Viking legend of Amleth, the inspiration for Shakespeare's "Hamlet," becomes a dark big screen extravaganza in "The Northman." Alexander Skarsgård takes the title role of a prince who spends years seeking revenge on his uncle who killed his father, married his mother, and stole his kingdom. Director Robert Eggers lacks...