Movies Update:

'Da 5 Bloods' and More

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story May 22, 2020 By Stephanie Goodman Film Editor Hi, film fans! Movies aren’t just my job; they’re my passion. On days off or on vacation, you’ll find me in a multiplex or art house. So it’s a strange holiday weekend indeed when you can’t go to the theater (in New York City at least). But much to my joy, there have been plenty of new films and film news. Our reporter Reggie Ugwu spoke with Spike Lee about his June Netflix action-adventure-drama, “Da 5 Bloods,” about Vietnam War veterans. He talked about his interest in the psychology of African-American soldiers who served there; his fears and concerns during the pandemic; and one of the biggest disappointments of his career. No spoilers here. We also got word that the new streaming service HBO Max is heeding fans’ call to #ReleaseTheSnyderCut and will put out Zack Snyder’s version of “Justice League” next year. That’s the 2017 superhero film that Snyder started and Joss Whedon completed. But our columnist Kyle Buchanan explains that releasing a new version comes with a lot of caveats. Meanwhile, if it seems like you’re running out of things to watch in your living room, have we got some ideas! Anuj Shrestha   Your Weekend Watch With Tony And Manohla When Barbra Streisand and Ryan O’Neal Went Screwball Our critics and readers packed up their plaid valises and fled the doldrums of the present for the loony-tune streets of San Francisco circa 1972 and “What’s Up, Doc?” By Manohla Dargis and A.O. Scott Andre D. Wagner for The New York Times   Spike Lee and the Battlefield of American History With his new film, the peerless American filmmaker — self-isolating and reflective in New York — unsettles past and present conflicts. By Reggie Ugwu Alexander Coggin for The New York Times   Steve Coogan Reaches the End of ‘The Trip’ He plays a version of himself in the movie series, which is ending with “The Trip to Greece.” In reality “I’m not quite as precious as I come across. But there’s certainly a lot of truth in it.” By Kathryn Shattuck Magdalena Wosinska for The New York Times; Rozette Rago for The New York Times   Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani on the Real Challenge of ‘The Lovebirds’ The actors say their new Netflix movie, which starts where most rom-coms end, needed to acknowledge their characters were people of color. By Mekado Murphy Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS Katelin Arizmendi/Lens Pictures   Beyond The Algorithm 9 Movies to Stream When You’ve Watched Everything Else Running low on options? Take a chance on offbeat selections. By Jason Bailey via Criterion Collection   12 Great TV Series by Film Directors Before they tried their hands at TV, they had already developed signature styles as film directors. These are the best of the series currently streaming. By Scott Tobias Sony Pictures Classics, via Everett Collection   Best in Show: Watch Fred Willard’s Most Memorable Roles The actor and his trademark cheerful obliviousness enlivened sitcoms, mockumentaries and talk shows, real and fictional, over a five-decade career. By Jennifer Vineyard IFC   Lynn Shelton Movie Moments A look back at the writer and director’s films, and where to watch them. By Mekado Murphy MOVIE REVIEWS Skip Bolen/Netflix   ‘The Lovebirds’ Review: It’s a Turkey In spite of the talents of Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani, this rom-com caper never takes flight. By A.O. Scott Andy Hall/IFC Films   ‘The Trip to Greece’ Review: Men of Twists, Turns and Familiar Jokes In their final “Trip” movie, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon retrace Odysseus’ journey with laughs, vocal imitations and nonsense. By Manohla Dargis Good Deed Entertainment   ‘Lucky Grandma’ Review: Mean Streets of Chinatown In Sasie Sealy’s darkly funny mafia thriller, the veteran actress Tsai Chin exudes cool. By Devika Girish Brian Douglas/Lionsgate   ‘Survive the Night’ Review: Droning Through a Home Invasion As bored as Bruce Willis has looked in recent movies, you can’t expect him to muster much interest in this home invasion thriller. By Ben Kenigsberg Neon   ‘The Painter and the Thief’ Review: An Unexpected Friendship In this Norwegian documentary, the artist Barbora Kysilkova finds her muse in the man who stole her paintings. By Kristen Yoonsoo Kim Aimee Spinks/Bleecker Street   ‘Military Wives’ Review: Unlikely Choir, Familiar Frictions The director of “The Full Monty” goes for that inspiring feeling again. By Glenn Kenny Greenwich Entertainment   ‘Nothing Fancy’ Review: Mexican Food Through British Eyes This documentary is an admiring visit with Diana Kennedy, who has devoted her life to researching and cooking traditional Mexican food. By Jeannette Catsoulis Nerdbombers and Span Productions   ‘Kate Nash: Underestimate the Girl’ Review: A Star Who Fell to Earth A new documentary, about the British singer-songwriter’s struggle to reassemble her pop career, is a frank depiction of the life of a workaday musician. By Teo Bugbee Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT NEWS & FEATURES Warner Bros. Pictures   ‘Justice League,’ Recut by Zack Snyder, Will Come to HBO Max The 2017 superhero film replaced its director during a turbulent production, but fans’ cries to #ReleaseTheSnyderCut have been heard. By Kyle Buchanan Stuart Isett for The New York Times   Lynn Shelton on Overcoming Her Darkest Moment on Set In an interview in March for a book, the filmmaker spoke about her despair while shooting “Your Sister’s Sister,” and how she ultimately dealt with it. By Michael Dunaway Jordan Perry   With Movie Theaters Closed, Marquees Go Viral As businesses across the country remain shuttered, movie theater marquees offer jokes and advice to those wandering by. By Julia Carmel CRITICS’ PICKS KimStim   Critic’s Pick ‘Joan of Arc’ Review: The Saint Is Revisited in Song Bruno Dumont’s movie features a young actress as the saint in her later years — along with the French pop singer Christophe. By Glenn Kenny Saban Films   Critic’s Pick ‘Villain’ Review: Brothers in Harm An aging ex-con is forced into old ways in this superior crime thriller. By Jeannette Catsoulis How are we doing? We’d love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to moviesupdate@nytimes.com. 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