FREEZE FRAME: “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2,” “Remember”

The much-heralded superhero smack down has finally arrived. “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” is action-packed and visually striking. Problem is, it’s just not much fun. Ben Affleck dons the cowl as the Dark Knight and Henry Cavill returns as the Man of Steel in director Zach Snyder’s grim and brooding saga that serves as an introduction to D.C. Comic’s Justice League. Thanks to some manipulation by bad guy Lex Luthor, played by Jesse Eisenberg, the superheroes are pitted against one another in a titanic battle. While somewhat engaging, “Batman v Superman” lacks both the depth of the Dark Knight movies and the sense of fun and adventure that marked the earlier Superman movies. It’s workmanlike, but never really flies.

It’s taken Nia Vardalos 14 years to come up with a sequel to her smash hit romantic comedy, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Hardcore fans of the original may get some satisfaction out of seeing the wacky family reunion, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.” However it’s mostly an awkward retread that plays like an extended sitcom episode. The cast is appealing, but even Windex can’t clear up this muddled enterprise.

Oscar winners Christopher Plummer and Martin Landau star in “Remember,” a dark and unnerving drama about elderly Holocaust victims who plot to assassinate a former Nazi concentration camp guard. Problem is, Plummer’s character is suffering from dementia and Landau’s is confined to a wheelchair. Director Atom Egoyen elicits fine performances from his stars, but the plot of “Remember” has way too many implausible elements to be truly effective.

Also opening this week, “Knight of Cups” is the latest esoteric art film from the enigmatic filmmaker Terrance Malick. Christian Bale stars as a hedonistic Hollywood director experiencing an existential crisis. Cate Blanchett and Natalie Portman co-star.


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