Freeze Frame: “The Front Runner” (R), “Green Book” (PG-13)

The strange story of the rise-and-fall story of 1988 Presidential candidate Gary Hart should have been a riveting political drama. “The Front Runner” is workmanlike and well-acted but lacks the dramatic arc that would have made it a winner. Hugh Jackman stars as the Democratic contender who was riding high until he challenged journalists to follow him around if they thought he was doing anything wrong. They did…and it became clear that he was having an affair. Jackman and Vera Farmiga are fine as the Harts and the writing is intelligent, but the movie is pretty much a one-note affair and just isn’t as gripping as it should be.

Need a feel-good movie for your holiday viewing? Look no further than “Green Book.” Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen are terrific in the true story of African-American concert pianist Dr. Don Shirley and his Italian-American driver from the Bronx, Tony Lip.  They experience some severe ups and downs on a tour the Deep South in 1960. While the movie doesn’t dig too deep, the actors are extremely appealing. They start out on an antagonistic note but ultimately ingratiate themselves to one another and then, to the audience. Oddly, the movie comes from director Peter Farrelly, best known broad comedies like “Dumb and Dumber,” but makes a welcome change of pace here. “Green Book” is a funny and touching crowd-pleaser.

Also opening this week, “Ralph Breaks the Internet” is the follow-up to the 2012 Disney animated hit “Wreck-it Ralph.” “Creed II” is the sequel to the 2015 hit from the Rocky universe, “Creed.” Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone return. “Robin Hood” is yet another adaptation of the action chestnut. Taron Egerton and Jamie Foxx star. And finally, “Border” is a Swedish chiller about a border agent with strange abilities.

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