Freeze Frame: “The Phoenician Scheme” (PG-13), “Bring Her Back” (R), “Lulu is a Rhinoceros” (TV-Y7)
Update: 2025-05-29
Description
The quirky black comedy "The Phoenician Scheme" is the most "Wes Anderson-y" Wes Anderson movie yet. Benicio del Toro leads an all-star cast in the story of a corrupt 50's era businessman who recruits his estranged nun daughter, played by Mia Threapleton, into a bizarre money-making enterprise. The supporting cast includes Michael Cera, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Scarlett Johansson and Benedict Cumberbatch. Every frame exudes Anderson's patented stagey, idiosyncratic style. Those open to his unique cinematic vision should find something to enjoy in “The Phoenician Scheme.” Skeptics, however, will shrug.
The Australian film "Bring Her Back" is a grisly horror entry about a troubled woman who exploits brother-and-sister orphans in an attempt to supernaturally resurrect her deceased daughter. Sally Hawkins is excellent as always as the creepy foster mother and the jump scares are there for genre fans in this well-directed chiller. It’s the second effort from sibling filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou, the follow-up to their 2022 horror hit, “Talk to Me.” Much of it works, but the ugly, over-the-top body horror elements in “Bring Her Back” serve no dramatic purpose other than to give viewers a prolonged case of the creeps.
The 47-minute Apple TV+ animated musical fantasy "Lulu is a Rhinoceros" is aimed squarely at the youngest movie demographic. Based on a popular picture book by Allison and Jason Flum, it's the story of a dog who sees herself as a rhino whenever she looks in the mirror. She attempts to get others to see her the same way. The movie’s theme about tolerance may fly over the heads of the kiddies, but "Lulu is a Rhinoceros" is a harmless distraction.
The Australian film "Bring Her Back" is a grisly horror entry about a troubled woman who exploits brother-and-sister orphans in an attempt to supernaturally resurrect her deceased daughter. Sally Hawkins is excellent as always as the creepy foster mother and the jump scares are there for genre fans in this well-directed chiller. It’s the second effort from sibling filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou, the follow-up to their 2022 horror hit, “Talk to Me.” Much of it works, but the ugly, over-the-top body horror elements in “Bring Her Back” serve no dramatic purpose other than to give viewers a prolonged case of the creeps.
The 47-minute Apple TV+ animated musical fantasy "Lulu is a Rhinoceros" is aimed squarely at the youngest movie demographic. Based on a popular picture book by Allison and Jason Flum, it's the story of a dog who sees herself as a rhino whenever she looks in the mirror. She attempts to get others to see her the same way. The movie’s theme about tolerance may fly over the heads of the kiddies, but "Lulu is a Rhinoceros" is a harmless distraction.
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