Movies Update: 'Rocketman,' 'Ma' and More

Plus, the #MeToo horror of "The Perfection"

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Kyle Buchanan Pop Culture Reporter Hey, movie fans! It's your faithful Carpetbagger, back from Cannes. The wide releases this week are an eclectic bunch: You've got a creature feature in "Godzilla: King of the Monsters," Octavia Spencer terrorizing high schoolers in the horror movie "Ma" and Taron Egerton singing his little heart out as Elton John in "Rocketman." Netflix is also debuting the Ali Wong/Randall Park romcom "Always Be My Maybe," as several documentaries bow in limited release, including "XY Chelsea," "Echo in the Canyon" and "For the Birds." I spent the last two weeks on the Côte d'Azur with the indomitable Manohla Dargis, and as far as I'm concerned, this was one of the best editions of the Cannes Film Festival in recent memory. I'm eager for you all to see three of the masterpieces that premiered there — Pedro Almodóvar's "Pain and Glory,"  Céline Sciamma's "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" and Bong Joon-ho's fearsomely entertaining Palme d'Or-winner "Parasite" — and I know there will be plenty to say about other entries like the surreal Robert Pattinson/Willem Dafoe two-hander "The Lighthouse" and Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood," which is sure to be one of the most discussed films of the year. So if the movies out this week don't quite scratch your itch, never fear: There's a lot to look forward to, and we'll start getting some of it very soon.

'Rocketman' Review: The Fantastical Tale of Elton John, Survivor, Rock God, Camp Icon Taron Egerton in effect plays both the Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper parts of "A Star Is Born" in the musical retelling of Elton John's life. David Appleby/Paramount Pictures By A.O. SCOTT Taron Egerton brings understated flamboyance and flamboyant understatement to his portrayal of the former Reginald Dwight.

Movie Reviews 'Godzilla, King of the Monsters': For Once, the Title Says It All By GLENN KENNY Ghidorah, Mothra and even Kong make appearances in this film, which is firmly in franchise territory. 'Ma': Octavia Spencer Serves Up Liquor, Terror and a Killer Performance By A.O. SCOTT A psycho-revenge thriller from the director of "The Help"? Why not! Just don't expect a coherent story line. 'Always Be My Maybe': Romance, Food and Fame Through a Sitcom Lens By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS Ali Wong and Randall Park struggle to find chemistry in this romantic comedy with an appealingly diverse cast. Critic's Pick In 'Leaving Home, Coming Home,' Robert Frank Recounts His Career By GLENN KENNY In Gerald Fox's documentary, the photographer looks back at his life and work. 'XY Chelsea': A Whistleblower Out of Focus By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS This hazy profile of Chelsea Manning features more glamour shots than psychological insights. 'Domino': All Voyeurism, All the Time By GLENN KENNY In Brian De Palma's new film, a personal revenge story line is subsumed by horrific visions of television-friendly acts of terror. 'Echo in the Canyon': Capturing a California Musical Moment By HELEN T. VERONGOS Stars from bands of the 1960s and beyond share their memories of a time and place that made lasting changes in popular music.

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Anatomy of a Scene Watch Octavia Spencer Take a Dark Turn in 'Ma' The Oscar-winning actress shows a new side in this scene, narrated by the director Tate Taylor.

News & Features What if They Made a Dirty Rom-Com About People Who Looked Like Them? By DEVIN GORDON Asian-American couples don't get to have sex in Hollywood movies. Randall Park and Ali Wong wrote "Always Be My Maybe" anyway. The 'Booksmart' Conundrum: Are Women Not Allowed to Fail? By CARA BUCKLEY Poor box office the first weekend led to controversy over the Olivia Wilde-directed comedy. But as it heads into Week 2, is it being held to an unfair standard? Mothra: Yin to Godzilla's Yang By ROBERT ITO The Japanese movie monster is a force for good, even shooting streams of goo. For her first American appearance, her Toho Studios roots are evident. The #MeToo Horror of 'The Perfection' By JULIE BLOOM The creators of the bonkers Netflix movie about female cellists and their male teacher explain their thought process: each plot twist was a feminist statement. Disney C.E.O. Warns Georgia Abortion Law Would Make it 'Very Difficult' to Film in the State By DANIEL VICTOR The company's chief executive, Bob Iger, said it would be "very difficult" to continue filming in the state if the law was carried out.

Streaming 'Fox and His Friends': Fassbinder's Tale of Bad Romance By J. HOBERMAN The prodigiously talented German film director cast himself as a working-class hustler who wins the lottery but loses his head to love. 'Joy': In Austria, a Nigerian Woman Finds a Life Without Hope By BEN KENIGSBERG The name of this Netflix feature is the precise opposite of its mood.

Critics' Picks 'For the Birds' By TEO BUGBEE What makes the film stand out is its editing, which carefully builds a story from multiple perspectives. 'The Fall of the American Empire' By GLENN KENNY A philosopher faces a dilemma in Denys Arcand's film packed with pointed social and political commentary.

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