FREEZE FRAMES

A weekly update of film releases GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH - The mischievous critters are back, and as in their first adventure, the lovable one named Gizmo is outnumbered by a lot of nasty cousins. The filmmakers, including writer Charlie Haas and director Joe Dante, are a smart and creative bunch, so it's no surprise that the story has bursts of hilarious satire, much of it aimed at a self-involved capitalist who resembles Donald Trump and Ted Turner, among other famous entrepreneurs. The fantasy scenes are too long and repetitious for comfort, though, and often more yucky than entertaining. You might call it ``E.T. Meets Hieronymous Bosch.'' (Rated PG-13)

HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER - Exactly what the title promises. Chicago filmmaker John McNaughton's direction has flashes of cinematic brilliance, but there's a disturbing lack of purpose to its clinically told and horrifyingly violent tale. (Not rated)

WITHOUT YOU I'M NOTHING - Music and comedy from Sandra Bernhard, whose humor is daring and unpredictable, almost to the point of surrealism, even when it's not particularly funny. There are plenty of surprises, but don't expect good taste to be one of them. The monologues are sometimes as raunchy as they are outspoken. John Boskovitch directed. (Rated R)