FREEZE FRAMES

* JACQUOT - Agnes Varda has been one of France's most respected and versatile filmmakers for more than 30 years, capable of applying her style to fiction, documentary, and projects that fall somewhere in between. Her late husband, Jacques Demy, was a similarly renowned director who specialized in stylized musicals like ``The Umbrellas of Cherbourg'' and ``The Young Girls of Rochefort.'' Varda's new picture is a tribute to him, telling the story of his life in nostalgic and highly romantic terms, punctuat ed with sensitively chosen clips from major and minor Demy films. The movie is too consistently mellow to be convincing as realistic biography, and its length will seem excessive to spectators who aren't infatuated with Demy and his work. Its portrait of a small-town childhood is often irresistible, though, and its visits with Demy in his last months of life are poignant. Originally known as ``Jacquot de Nantes.'' (Rated PG)

* MADE IN AMERICA When she learns she's an adopted daughter who began life as a test-tube baby, a young black woman decides to hunt down her biological father, and the trail leads to a man who's not only white but a loudmouthed creep, as well. Whoopi Goldberg has some feisty moments, and Nia Long is fine as her inquisitive daughter. Ted Danson has little to contribute but a lot of goofy mannerisms, though, and the movie's sheer vulgarity prevents even the more gifted performers from making much impressio n. The only admirable aspect of the comedy is its insistence on the stupidity of racial prejudice. American moviegoers must be desperate to hear that message if they're willing to sit through so much ridiculous horseplay in order to receive it. Richard Benjamin directed from Holly Goldberg Sloan's screenplay, loading the soundtrack with fashionable pop music. (Rated PG-13)