Freeze Frame: “Roma” (R), “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (PG), “The Favourite” (R), “Mortal Engines” (PG-13)

Filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón can go ahead and make space on his mantle for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar he’ll receive for “Roma,” a fond recollection of his childhood in Mexico City. Newcomer Yalitza Aparicio leads the film as Cuarón’s beloved nanny, Cleo, an indigenous woman with more than her share of problems. There isn’t much of a plot to speak of, but it’s a heartfelt and beautifully photographed black-and-white cinematic memoir.

“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is a wildly imaginative, energetic animated Marvel epic that finally captures Spider-Man’s cheeky humor. This is as close to a comic book come to life as you’re likely to ever see on the big screen. Involving and fun, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is the best animated film of 2018.

Olivia Coleman’s splendid performance as Queen Anne is the best thing about “The Favourite,” an over-directed period piece that plays like an 18th century version of “All About Eve.” Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz are also fine as two ladies of the court who employ Machiavellian means as they vie for the queen’s favor. It’s a nasty battle of wits and wills.

“Mortal Engines” is an oddball cinematic spectacular based on Philp Reeve’s sci-fi novel. In a steampunk post-apocalyptic future, a movie gets swallowed whole by its own gargantuan production design. There isn’t a moment in this spectacle that is the least bit interesting. “Mortal Engines” is the first novel of a quartet. Let’s hope they leave this overwrought opus a solo.

Also opening this week, “The Mule” is the latest drama from filmmaker Clint Eastwood. He stars in the true story of a 90-year-old man who becomes an unwitting drug runner. “Once Upon a Deadpool” is a PG-13 re-edited version of this year’s earlier R-rated Marvel hit, “Deadpool 2.”

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