Tag - movie reviews

Freeze Frame: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” (PG-13), “Meg 2: The Trench” (PG-13), “Shortcomings” (R), “Dreamin’ Wild” (PG)

After nearly 40 years, countless comics, five TV series and four feature films, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles just keep mutating. The farcical animated feature "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem" is probably the best of the lot. Cowabunga! The inventive animation technique and clever voice work add some zip to...

Freeze Frame: “Haunted Mansion” (PG-13), “Theater Camp” (PG-13), “Earth Mama” (R), “The Beanie Bubble” (R), “Happiness for Beginners” (PG-13)

The second time isn't the charm for Disney's "Haunted Mansion." This movie based on the Disneyland attraction is, at best, an adequate timewaster for older kids. Director Justin Simien has made some very good movies, but he's clearly out of his element here. The cast is capable, yet this musty...

Freeze Frame: “Barbie” (PG-13), “Oppenheimer” (R), “They Cloned Tyrone” (R)

Who knew that "Barbie" could be the victim of an existential crisis? Margot Robbie is perfectly cast in Greta Gerwig's wacky and wildly imaginative comedy about Mattel's superstar doll. It's the kind of movie that the term 'meta' was coined for. It throws darts at consumerism and male patriarchy by...

Freeze Frame: “Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One” (PG-13), “The Miracle Club” (PG-13), “Bird Box Barcelona” (R), “Sound of Freedom” (PG-13)

Tom Cruise is back, this time battling Artificial Intelligence in the zippy action thriller, "Mission Impossible-Dead Reckoning, Part One." The seventh entry in the franchise has stilted dialogue that sounds like it was written by A.I., but who cares? Logic isn't the attraction here. Energetic action set pieces abound in...

Freeze Frame: “Joy Ride” (R), “The League” (Not rated), “The Out-Laws” (R), “The Lesson” (R)

In the shameless and unapologetically bawdy comedy “Joy Ride,” Ashley Park, Stephanie Hsu, Sherry Cola and Sabrina Wu play Asian-American friends who go on a trip to China where everything goes awry. It's goofy, energetic and the cast is very appealing, but "Joy Ride" will either bring you joy or...