Take Two: “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget” (PG)
The folks at Aardman Studios took 23 years before they released a sequel to their popular animated comedy, "Chicken Run," now on Netflix.
Freeze Frame: “Blue Beetle” (PG-13), “Strays” (R), “Landscape with Invisible Hand” (R), “The Monkey King” (PG)
"Blue Beetle" is the latest superhero movie from the DC Comics universe that's notable mainly for its Hispanic cast and production staff. Xolo Maridueña from "Cobra Kai" plays a young man whose body is invaded by an alien scarab giving him powers he uses to take down an evil corporate entity. Susan Sarandon...
Take Two: “My Father’s Dragon” (PG)
The Netflix children's movie "My Father's Dragon" employs traditional, hand-drawn animation to tell the fantastical story of a boy and a dragon who try to save a sinking island.
Take Two: “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” (PG)
"Marcel the Shell with Shoes On" is a whimsical stop-motion animated mockumentary that is based on three award-winning short subjects. Jenny Slate ("Gifted") provides the voice of the titular character.
Take Two: “The Bad Guys” (PG)
The animated comedy "The Bad Guys" is a sendup of heist movies featuring anthropomorphic animals who have to decide whether or not to go straight.
Freeze Frame: “Lotawana” (Not rated), “Flee” (PG-13)
KC based filmmaker Trevor Hawkins delivers an impressive feature film debut with “Lotawana,” a movie that he wrote, produced, and directed, shot at Lake Lotawana, Missouri. Now available on video on demand, it’s a skillfully made character study about an aimless man, played by Tom Blubaugh, who lives off grid...
Freeze Frame: “Black Beauty” (NR), “The Croods: A New Age” (PG), “Superintelligence” (PG), “Happiest Season” (PG-13), “The Christmas Chronicles 2” (PG), “Uncle Frank” (R)
The updated Disney+ adaptation of the classic children’s novel “Black Beauty” takes many liberties with the original plot. Kate Winslet provides Beauty’s voice and Mackenzie Foy is the girl who loves her. While this version of “Black Beauty” is uninspired and the filmmaking is sometimes clumsy, it’s still a harmless,...
Freeze Frame: “Freaky” (R), “Fatman” (R), “Ammonite” (R), “The Life Ahead” (PG-13), “Wolfwalkers” (PG)
“Freaky Friday” meets “Friday the 13th” in the bloody R-rated horror comedy, “Freaky.” Vince Vaughn plays a deranged serial killer who supernaturally switches bodies with a mousey teenager. While “Freaky” doesn’t quite live up to its wacky promise, Vaughn milks his dual role for all its comic worth. Mel Gibson plays...
