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“Fifty Shades Freed” (R) – Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) has made an honest woman of Anastasia Steele (Dakota Fanning), and they settle into married bliss, which is not necessarily a paradise of perfection. Threats lurk. Insecurities arise. Jealousy strikes. Despite their billions of dollars and their charmed, exacting existence, the Greys have dangers to deal with that have nothing to do with handcuffs or whips. Even Christian cannot exert control over the past, which has its own punishment to mete out. If you tolerated the pain of the first two films, this is much the same. If you just don’t have the time to invest in this culmination of a masterpiece trilogy (and who would blame you), here it is in capsule form: big wedding, sexy time, material delights, danger, sexy time, turmoil, danger, sexy time, the end.
Scene from “Batman Ninja” (Warner Bros. photo)
“Batman Ninja” (PG-13) – Fans of anime and comic heroes and villains will delight in “Batman Ninja,” a stunningly drawn extension of the DC hero universe. Batman is transported back in time to feudal Japan, where it is revealed that the Joker and other villains – Harley Quinn, Two-Face, the Penguin, Poison Ivy, etc. – are battling it out to rewrite history with themselves at the center. Batman must rebuild (without the technological delights of his home base) as a warrior ninja. He will fight alongside Catwoman, Robin and other allies to break the criminals’ hold on history and bring themselves home to Gotham. The DVD set includes both the Japanese version and the rewritten American version, which is slightly different.
“Human Flow” (NR) – Filmed by Ai Weiwei in 23 different countries, this Netflix original demonstrates the breadth and diversity of people who have been displaced from their homes by war, famine, instability and other unlivable conditions in the course of a year. A mother leaves her home to wander with her children through unfamiliar lands; others board a ship crossing treacherous waters only to arrive at an uncertain shore where, at best, more adversity is expected. This film does not pretend to be unbiased. It comes down hard on the side of opening our eyes to what is happening right now to our fellow man. It’s haunting to watch, but a necessary view for those of us sitting in the good seats.
“Paradox“ (NR) – Director Wilson Yip (of “Ip Man” fame) brings his brand of deadly choreographed fighting to “Paradox,” starring Louis Koo as Lee, a Hong Kong cop whose daughter, Chi (Hanna Chan), goes missing while on vacation. Lee sets out to find her in the gritty underbelly of Thailand. There, he is assisted in his search by his Thai counterpart Tak, played by Tony Jaa, and the two must weave through a web of corruption and intrigue to rescue the innocent girl.
New TV Releases
“Dear White People” Season 1
“Bunnicula” Complete First Season
“Midsomer Murders: County Case Files”
“Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” Season 4
(c) 2018 King Features Synd. Inc.
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