Freeze Frame: “Deadpool 2” (R), “Book Club” (PG-13), “Anything” (R), “Disobedience” (R), “Let the Sunshine In” (R)

Shamelessly raunchy, unapologetically profane and completely irreverent, Marvel’s R-rated 2016 superhero parody “Deadpool” became a surprise box office smash. The equally obscene sequel doesn’t quite match it, but with a zippy pace, well-staged action and Ryan Reynolds’ cheeky performance, “Deadpool 2” comes close. Marvelites will relish the movie’s self-referential humor, cocky attitude and energy. For hardcore fans, “Deadpool 2” is dead on.

The sex lives of women of a certain age get the lighthearted sitcom treatment in “Book Club.” Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen play friends who are inspired to spice up their love lives when they read “Fifty Shades of Grey.” It’s all very cardboard and cliché, but a great cast makes it seem better than it is.

Strong performances from Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams and Alessandro Nivola propel the thoughtful drama, “Disobedience.” Weisz plays a worldly photographer who returns to her stifling Orthodox Jewish community upon the death of her father. She rekindles a lesbian romance with McAdams, the wife of a young rabbi. It’s slow moving but builds to an emotional payoff.

John Carroll Lynch and Matt Bomer star in “Anything,” a well-meaning but fitful drama about a widower and his relationship with the troubled transvestite next door. Lynch is fine but much of the story never quite rings true.

Julianne Binoche stars in the oh-so-French character study, “Let the Sunshine In.” Binoche can’t seem to make an emotional connection with her many lovers. This very talky drama from filmmaker Claire Denis depends on Binoche’s charisma to get past a lot of self-pity and navel gazing.

Also opening this week, “Show Dogs” is a family comedy about a human detective and his pooch pal who work a case undercover at a dog show. “Pope Francis – Man of His Word” is a documentary about the pontiff from renowned German director Wim Wenders.


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