FREEZE FRAMES
ALIEN3 - Sigourney Weaver and a couple of aliens crash-land in a spacebound prison colony, where the inmates seem pretty scary even though they all claim to be religious now. The action scenes don't make much impression, despite their brutal violence and lavish effects. But the basic situation of the story is interesting, and Charles Dance gives an engaging performance as the prison doctor. Directed by David Fincher. (Rated R) THE HAIRDRESSER'S HUSBAND - As a child he vows to marry a beautiful hairdresser someday, and as a grownup he does just that, with surprising results. Obsession has been a favorite theme of French filmmakers for ages, and director Patrice Leconte gives it unexpected twists in this sometimes erotic comedy, which plays like the jaunty flip side of "Monsieur Hire," his previous picture. (Not rated) MONSTER IN A BOX -
Spalding Gray's latest movie-monologue tells of his adventures while trying to write his first novel. As usual in his talkathons, Gray waxes irreverent on any number of subjects and themes, from illness and religion to his own quirks and foibles. While it's often very funny, this monologue is also more complex and more disconcertingly dark than some of its predecessors. That doesn't mean it's more profound, though, and there are moments when you wish you could raise your hand and argue with the star. Nic k Broomfield directed. (Rated PG-13)
