FREEZE FRAMES

January 2, 1987

EL AMOR BRUJO - ``Love, the Magician'' is the English-language title of this musical melodrama, which uses both dance and dialogue to tell its steamy story of romance, jealousy, and death among the Andalusian gypsies. This completes a trilogy of dance movies by Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saura, who directed ``Blood Wedding'' in 1981 and ``Carmen'' two years later. Antonio Gades did the choreography and plays a leading role. The music is taken from Manuel de Falla's work, climaxing with the inevitable ``Ritual Fire Dance.'' (Rated PG) KING KONG LIVES - And gets a girlfriend, and gets killed. Again. The original ``King Kong'' was thrilling, and the '70s remake was witty. But this trite sequel should put a stop to the series, even if a baby Kong does get born at the end. Veteran action specialist John Guillermin directed. (Rated PG-13) MOTHER TERESA - Informative and sensitive documentary about the charitable activities of this Nobel Peace Prize-winning nun in India, the United States, and elsewhere. Although the picture moves at a lively clip, filmmakers Ann and Jeanette Petrie don't hesitate to linger for long, touching moments on the silent but profound communication that can take place between a needy individual and an unselfish helper. (Not rated) NATIVE SON - A young black man half-accidentally kills a white woman, burns her body, sends a ransom note to her parents, and lands on death row after a furious flight from the police. Despite his violent actions, he is portrayed as less culpable and condemnable than the society that molded him and the racism that has warped his character into a tragic, twisted shape. The film is less fiery, complex, and convincing than Richard Wright's controversial 1940 novel, partly because it softens the details of the protagonist's short-lived criminal career. The cast also includes too many celebrity faces that interrupt the naturalistic mood of this otherwise modestly scaled production. Yet the story and its antihero, Bigger Thomas, still pack quite an emotional wallop; and the issues of racism and oppression are as urgent now as ever. Directed by Jerrold Freedman from Richard Wesley's screenplay. (Rated PG) THE GOLDEN CHILD - The title character is a sort of heavenly visitor in the form of a little Tibetan boy, and when the forces of evil get their clutches on him, Eddie Murphy comes to the rescue. The story is stilted, and Murphy is so lackadaisical he seems to be on vacation. There's a bit of snappy filmmaking, though. And while some of the special effects are nasty, others are downright cute. (Rated PG-13) THE MORNING AFTER - After a night of drinking, an alcoholic wakes up in bed with a corpse, and fears she may have killed the man herself. Jane Fonda plays her role with great conviction, but the screenplay is so crude and the filmmaking so lumpy that she never has a chance. Neither does Jeff Bridges, as the ex-cop and ex-drunk who helps her, or the rest of the ill-used cast. Sidney Lumet, in a slump ever since ``The Verdict,'' directed. (Rated R) RATINGS: Films with ratings other than G may contain varying degrees of vulgar language, nudity, sex, and violence.