Freeze Frame

KKFI 90.1 FM Kansas City Community Radio
  • 0,0 (0)
  • FILMES HISTÓRICOS
  • SEMANAL

Freeze Frame is a weekly show reviewing the latest movies from Hollywood’s best to independent and arthouse movies.

  1. HÁ 14 H

    Freeze Frame: "Reminders of Him" (PG-13), "Undertone" (R), "War Machine" (R)

    "Cohorts," the loyal followers of bestselling author Colleen Hoover, have been anxiously awaiting the cinematic adaptation of her latest novel, "Reminders of Him." They likely won't be disappointed. Maika Monroe gives a strong performance as a young woman recently released from prison after serving time for involuntary manslaughter. She returns to her hometown in hopes of meeting her daughter who was taken from her at birth and begins a romantic relationship with bar owner Tariq Withers. “Reminders of Him” is as predictable, calculated and manipulative as you might expect, but the committed cast is solid. Bring the Kleenex. The horror entry "Undertone" is billed as "The Scariest Movie You'll Ever Hear." That's because the gimmick is its unique audio approach. Nina Kiri plays one of the hosts of a podcast about the paranormal. She begins losing her grip on reality when listening to ghastly audio mysteriously sent to her co-host. "Undertone" is the very definition of "slow burn"...but in this case it's too slow. Granted, “Undertone” builds to a creep-inducing climax but takes too long to get there. Take an Army training drama and throw in invading Transformer-style robots from outer space, and you have the new Netflix action thriller, "War Machine." Alan Ritchson from TV's "Reacher" plays an Army Staff Sergeant training for an elite Army Ranger regiment. During a training exercise, an alien machine begins killing off the recruits. The whole thing is pretty silly and there's a lot of R-rated carnage. Still, there may be just enough action and mayhem in "War Machine" to appeal to your inner 13-year-old.

    2min

  2. 6 DE MAR.

    Freeze Frame: "Hoppers" (PG), "The Bride!," (R), "Protector" (R)

    Even second-rate Pixar is better than most other animated features. The latest offering from the renowned studio is "Hoppers," a unique sci-fi fantasy about a rebellious girl whose mind is transplanted into a robotic beaver in an attempt to save a pristine glade from the bulldozers of shortsighted developers. Excellent animation, sharp voice work and a thoughtful screenplay elevate “Hoppers,” which should hop right to the top of the U.S. box office. The pro-environmental message comes through loud and clear, but the kids will only care about the wacky characters and zippy action. It may be a bit too scary for the younger kids, but "Hoppers" still has the warmth family audiences crave. As the saying goes, you're only as good as you dare to be bad. Give writer/director Maggie Gyllenhaal credit because she dared, but "The Bride!," her gonzo take on "The Bride of Frankenstein," is a cinematic horror...and not in a good way. Credit also to the brave, powerhouse performances from Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley, but their efforts are in service of a mismatched conglomeration of ideas that are as patchy as Bale's stitched-up monster. Don’t get hitched to this bride. Milla Jovovich, cinema's queen of backside kickers, is back in "Protector," a truly terrible action movie that plays like a gender switch on Liam Neeson's "Taken." Milla plays a former Special Ops soldier with a very particular set of skills whose daughter is kidnapped by human traffickers. It's sleazy, bloody with klutzy dialogue that even skilled actors couldn't save. Plus, it’s got a climatic twist that produces more groans than surprises. Protect your wallet and skip "Protector."

    2min

  3. 27 DE FEV.

    Freeze Frame: "Pillion" (R), "Dreams" (R), "The Bluff" (R)

    If you don't know what the term BDSM refers to, then the comic drama "Pillion" may not be for you. Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling star in the very...I repeat, very...adult story of a dominant biker and his submissive partner. While it's well written and smartly acted, much of the content of this R-rated movie pushes it close to the NC-17 designation. Still, for open-minded viewers, the unconventional romance “Pillion” is an empathetic portrait of an unusual relationship. Oscar-winner Jessica Chastain stars in the dark and unpleasant drama, "Dreams." She plays a socialite having a steamy affair with a much younger, very talented Mexican ballet dancer played by Isaac Hermandez. The fact that he's an illegal alien is only one of the numerous problems this couple faces.The immigration theme in “Dreams” is top-of-mind, but the movie is undermined by unlikeable characters and...here we go again...some unusually graphic sex scenes. The Amazon Prime movie "The Bluff" is a throwback action swashbuckler starring Priyanka Chopra and Karl Urban set in waning days of Caribbean piracy, the late 19th century. Chopra plays a former pirate known as Bloody Mary hiding out with her family on one of the remote Cayman Islands A rival pirate played by Urban, once her mentor, seeks her out. When he discovers her whereabouts, he takes revenge on her for stealing his stolen treasure. This ain't your Disney pirate adventure, folks. "The Bluff" is a violent R-rated thriller that delivers the action but suffers a bit from its sketchy dialogue and bloody, over-the-top mayhem.

    2min

  4. 20 DE FEV.

    Freeze Frame: "How to Make a Killing" (R), "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert (PG-13), "Man on the Run" (R)

    The black comedy thriller "How to Make a Killing" is inspired by the classic 1949 British film, "Kind Hearts and Coronets." But this version isn't quite sure what it wants to be. Glen Powell stars as an heir to a vast fortune who's been disowned by his callous family. He plots to bump off all his relatives who stand in the way of his inheritance. The audience is challenged to root for a guy who's obviously ethically challenged and Powell's charisma is a big help in that department. It's modestly funny, but the tone shifts in “How to Make a Killing” are so jarring that it may give audiences a case of whiplash. As a companion piece to his 2022 hit "Elvis," director Baz Luhrmann offers his first documentary, the concert film, "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert." Using previously unseen footage stored in a Kansas salt mine, Luhrmann creates a hybrid film that mixes concerts, rehearsals, press conferences and backstage footage into a riveting showcase. For the uninitiated, “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” demonstrates why Presley was such a dynamic and popular performer. Paul McCartney's traumatic post-Beatles years are the focus of the involving Amazon Prime documentary, "Man on the Run.” It serves as a companion to McCartney's new book about his time with Wings. Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville skillfully sorts through a ton of footage to assemble a thoughtful look at both the considerable misfires as well as the tremendous successes McCartney experienced in the 1970s. Interviews with McCartney, his family as well as folks like Mick Jagger, Chrissie Hynde and Sean Lennon, make “Man on the Run” an enlightening and entertaining overview.

    2min

  5. 13 DE FEV.

    Freeze Frame: "Crime 101" (R), "Goat" (PG), "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die" (R)

    "Crime 101" is a slick and engaging thriller featuring Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, and Mark Ruffalo. Hemsworth portrays a jewel thief who is emotionally conflicted and determined to complete one final heist. Guided by a personal code of ethics, his character refuses to harm anyone and targets only insurance companies with his schemes. The film's impressive supporting cast includes Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro and Nick Nolte who all contribute to the film’s strong ensemble dynamic. Bart Layton, a British documentary filmmaker, brings surprisingly taut and effective direction, allowing "Crime 101" to remain engaging even when the plot stretches believability. “Crime 101” is an entertaining action throwback. The animated sports comedy "Goat" is from producer Steph Curry, who also lends his voice to one of the characters. The story centers on a young goat who dreams of competing in "Roarball," an intense and dangerous version of full-contact basketball. The film boasts a talented voice cast, including Caleb McGlaughlin from “Stranger Things,” David Harbour, Jennifer Hudson, Jelly Roll, and Gabrielle Union. "Goat" is a predictable, but family-friendly bit of escapism. "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die" is a high-concept, sci-fi comedy that combines the time-loop antics of "Groundhog Day" with the energy of "Terminator." Sam Rockwell stars as a time traveler who repeatedly journeys back from the future, attempting to save humanity from the impending threat of artificial intelligence. Director Gore Verbinski seems to draw inspiration from the eccentric style of the Oscar-winning “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” The result is a smart and wildly imaginative film, even if it sometimes struggles with pacing and knowing when to wrap things up.

    2min

  6. 6 DE FEV.

    Freeze Frame: "The Moment" (R), "Dracula" (R), "Solo Mio" (PG), "The Wrecking Crew" (R)

    First world problems plague a pop star in the unpredictable mockumentary "The Moment." Charlie XCX plays a fictionalized version of herself in the story of her preparations for a concert and tour. While not a comedy per se, it pokes fun at the whole "Brat" phenomenon and satirizes pop stardom. “The Moment” is an interesting experiment more than a satisfying movie and features surprisingly little music. Those sensitive to flashing light, steer clear. French director Luc Besson offers his offbeat take on "Dracula." Caleb Landry Jones is impressive as the cursed vampire who spends centuries searching for his lost love. Besson's opulent, operatic approach is visually engaging, but the movie is overlong and peppered with unintentionally funny moments. "Dracula" doesn't exactly suck, but it isn't a full-blooded horror, either. Perhaps the best thing you can say about the Angel Studios romantic comedy "Solo Mio" is that it's harmless. Kevin James plays a middle-aged schoolteacher who travels to Rome with his fiancée, only to be jilted at the altar. Will he ever find love again? Everything about the script is utterly phony, but the photogenic Italian scenery gives "Solo Mio" a minor boost. The main things wrecked in the Amazon Prime action comedy "The Wrecking Crew" are cars, motorcycles, helicopters, property...and logic. Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa play estranged half-brothers who are forced to work together to solve the mystery of their father’s death. The action is relentless, and the Hawaiian scenery is "nani." But the lapse of plot coherence in “The Wrecking Crew” wrecks any real sense of peril.

    2min

  7. 30 DE JAN.

    Freeze Frame: "Shelter" (R), "Moses the Black" (R), "Wonder Man" (TV-14)

    The latest Jason Statham thriller "Shelter" provides exactly what you'd expect. It's packed with over-the-top action and ridiculous implausibilities. Statham is a disgraced special ops agent hiding out on a remote Scottish island who's forced back into action to protect an innocent preteen girl, well played by Bodhi Ray Breathnach. The action gets more elaborate and sillier as the movie progresses, but director Rick Roman Waugh puts the pedal to the metal and doesn’t let logic get in the way. Don't roll your eyes too much while watching “Shelter,” or you'll miss some decent stunt work. Omar Epps and Wiz Khalifa lead the cast of the morose and violent crime drama "Moses the Black." Serbian writer/director Yelena Popovic attempts to juxtapose a modern story about a Chicago gang leader recently released from prison with that of the martyred Ethiopian saint from the fourth century. Epps is saddled with the responsibility of staring endlessly into void while supposedly seeing visions of the saint who turned from a life of crime to a life of asceticism. “Moses the Black” is bleak, awkward and as subtle as a sledgehammer. Just when you think that you might not be able to bear another Marvel TV offering, Disney+ presents the unique and involving 8-part series, "Wonder Man." Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays a struggling actor who is saddled with superpowers that are hard to control. He must hide his outlawed abilities in order to make it in Hollywood. Ben Kingsley plays a fellow actor who may or may not offer support. Often funny and refreshing, "Wonder Man" is a knowing and engaging satire of both Hollywood and superhero cliches.

    2min

  8. 23 DE JAN.

    Freeze Frame: "Mercy" (PG-13), "H is for Hawk" (PG-13), "In Cold Light" (R), "Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man" (TV-MA)

    Artificial Intelligence is once again the antagonist in the sci-fi thriller, "Mercy." Set in the crime-ridden near future, Chris Pratt plays a detective on trial for his wife's murder. He has 90 minutes to convince an A.I. judge, played by Rebecca Ferguson, of his innocence. While it gets a bit goofy and stretches credibility to the limit, “Mercy" gets to its over-the-top climax in an entertaining manner. The gentle British drama "H is for Hawk" is based on an acclaimed memoir. Claire Foy plays naturalist Helen Macdonald who spent a year training a goshawk. She used the experience to cope with the death of her father and her own clinical depression. “H is for Hawk” is relatable, thanks to Foy's performance, but never quite soars. Another strong performance from Maika Monroe can't save the depressing crime thriller, "In Cold Light." Monroe plays a drug dealer recently released from prison who wants back in the game but comes into conflict with mobsters and crooked cops. Good guys are hard to find here. "In Cold Light” is a little too cold and a little too calculated. The two-part HBO Max documentary "Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man" is a funny, loving and sometimes critical look at life of the legendary comedian and filmmaker from director/interviewer Judd Apatow. Brooks, who is both revered and reviled for his low-brow comedies like "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein" is a natural performer who may not always be candid in his interviews, but he's always entertaining. A lineup of famous comics shares their adoration, and some family members share their criticism. Overall, “Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man” is a worthwhile overview of a remarkable life.

    2min
Ver tudo (296)

Sobre

Freeze Frame is a weekly show reviewing the latest movies from Hollywood’s best to independent and arthouse movies.

Informações

  • Criado por
    KKFI 90.1 FM Kansas City Community Radio
  • Anos de atividade
    2013 - 2026
  • Episódios
    296
  • Classificação
    Livre
  • Copyright
    © KKFI 90.1 FM Kansas City Community Radio
  • Site do podcast
    Freeze Frame