Movies Update: 'Star Wars,' 'Cats' and More

Plus, how Hollywood is depicting men in trouble.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story December 20, 2019

By Kyle Buchanan

Hey, movie fans!

I’m still recovering from this week’s doubleheader of major new movies, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” and “Cats.” I’m especially amazed that not long after seeing “Cats,” I’m able to type a coherent newsletter for you: I came out of that theater so discombobulated that I’ve been struggling to speak and think normally again. For hours after the “Cats” press screening, the English language looked more to me like Wingdings.

Will you be seeing either of those two new films this week? If so, leave enough time to recover. Or perhaps you’ll be checking out some of the other offerings, like the Brazilian drama “Invisible Life” — a Critics’ Pick — and “Togo,” a new Disney Plus film with Willem Dafoe and some very good sled dogs. (I’m going to assume it’s counterprogramming for “Cats.”)

Lucasfilm/Disney   ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ Review: Revolution No. 9 Resistance is futile. Rey, Finn and Poe are back; so is Kylo Ren. No spoilers here. By A.O. Scott Universal Pictures   ‘Cats’ Review: They Dance, They Sing, They Lick Their Digital Fur Tom Hooper’s movie is not a catastrophe. It’s not even an epic hairball. By Manohla Dargis

Continue reading the main story

ADVERTISEMENT

MOVIE REVIEWS Bruno Machado/Amazon Studios   Critic’s Pick ‘Invisible Life’ Review: Sisterhood Is Stronger Than Patriarchy Two sisters living in 1950s Brazil are kept apart by their father but can’t be spiritually separated. By Glenn Kenny Vertical Entertainment   ‘She’s Missing’ Review: Gone Girl An ominous atmosphere of impermanence marks this story of a New Mexico waitress who embarks on a perilous search for her vanished friend. By Jeannette Catsoulis

ANATOMY OF A SCENE Wilson Webb/Columbia Pictures   Anatomy Of A Scene How ‘Little Women’ Throws a Dance Party Greta Gerwig narrates a scene from her new adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott novel, featuring Saiorse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet. By Mekado Murphy

NEWS & FEATURES Sam Ward   Critic’s Notebook Men Are in Trouble and Hollywood Wants to Help From “The Irishman” to “Frozen 2,” male characters are working on their issues and feelings in stories about masculinity. But their solutions often leave out women. By Manohla Dargis Amazon Studios   Up and Away: ‘The Aeronauts’ and Hot-Air Balloons in the Movies The cinematic possibilities of this whimsical mode of travel are sky-high. We offer a closer look. By Amy Nicholson Clockwise from top left, Tess Mayer for The New York Times; Johannes Eisele/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images; Ana Cuba for The New York Times; George Darrell; Erik Tanner for The New York Times; Ben Gabbe/Getty Images   The Biggest Breakout Stars of 2019 Music, movies, television, theater, art and dance: Here’s who broke away from the pack this year. By Maya Salam Wilson Webb/Columbia Pictures   How Greta Gerwig Built Her ‘Little Women’ The director’s inspirations soar beyond Louisa May Alcott’s novel. By Amanda Hess Peter Mountain/Netflix   Reporter’s Notebook Reading the Signs When a Couple of Papal Pals Get to Talking “The Two Popes,” Netflix’s Roman Catholic buddy picture, while fictional, is a fascinating peak at figures who have long intrigued a close watcher of the Vatican. By Daniel J. Wakin Clockwise from top left: El Deseo and Sony Pictures Classics; Netflix; A24; Warner Bros.   The Carpetbagger The Oscars Will Soon Face a Best-Actor Bloodbath Only five men will be nominated, but with at least a dozen solid contenders, including big names like Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, who will make the final cut? By Kyle Buchanan

Continue reading the main story

ADVERTISEMENT

CRITICS’ PICKS A24   Critic’s Pick ‘Uncut Gems’ Review: Adam Sandler’s Punch-Drunk Hustle In the Safdie brothers’ new movie, Sandler plays a jewelry-store owner and compulsive gambler running for his life. By Manohla Dargis Claire Folger/Warner Bros   Critic’s Pick ‘Richard Jewell’ Review: The Wrong Man Clint Eastwood’s take on the frenzied aftermath of the Olympic Park bombing is flawed and fascinating. By A.O. Scott

How are we doing?

We’d love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to moviesupdate@nytimes.com.

Like this email?

Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up here.

Continue reading the main story

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Movies Update from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The Times |Get The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your Email|Privacy Policy|Contact Us The New York Times Company 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018