Movies Update: The Oscars’ Diversity Rules and More

Plus, the 50 best movies on Netflix right now.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story September 11, 2020 By Mekado Murphy Movies Editor Greetings movie fans! Here’s what’s happening this week. First, “Tenet” finally opened in North American theaters. It made an estimated $20.2 million over the long weekend, including preview screenings. Brooks Barnes reported on what those numbers may mean for future studio releases trying to open theatrically during the pandemic. (Hint: “Wonder Woman 1984 has been moved to Christmas). Next, the academy further explained its diversity rules for the best picture Oscar. Kyle Buchanan wrote that those new rules might be a little too safe but may make an impact in an unexpected way. And more new movies are out this week, available mostly at home. Manohla Dargis recommends “Buoyancy,” about the hardships endured by a Cambodian teenager who runs away from home. And HBO has a couple of comedies on offer: the monologue collection “Coastal Elites” featuring Issa Rae, Bette Midler and others; and “Unpregnant,” with Haley Lu Richardson. Or if you’re looking for a documentary, you have plenty of topics to choose from this week, with films about Jimmy Carter, dogs in space, Black youth, voter suppression and social media ills among your options. Enjoy the movies. Netflix   The Oscars’ New Diversity Rules Are Sweeping but Safe Although the initiative is meant to encourage major changes, the best-picture qualifications aren’t as strict as they may seem. By Kyle Buchanan Kino Lorber   Critic’s Pick ‘Buoyancy’ Review: Enduring Horrors on the Sea, and Struggling to Survive In this sobering, moving drama, a Cambodian teenager runs away from home and is sold into slavery on a Thai fishing boat. By Manohla Dargis Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS The 50 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now. Movies upon movies await, and you don't even have to drill down to find them. By Jason Bailey The 50 Best TV Shows and Movies to Watch on Disney+ Right Now The Disney streaming platform has hundreds of movie and TV titles, drawing from its own deep reservoir classics and from Star Wars, Marvel and more. These are our favorites. By Scott Tobias Watch These 15 Movies Before They Leave Netflix This Month From blockbusters to beloved indies, a lot of great movies are leaving the streaming service by the end of September. These are the ones not to miss. By Jason Bailey MOVIE REVIEWS Courtesy The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library   ‘Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President’ Review: A Musically Enlightened Commander in Chief Bob Dylan, Rosanne Cash, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks and more celebrate the 39th U.S. president in this documentary. By Glenn Kenny Netflix, via Associated Press   ‘The Social Dilemma’ Review: Unplug and Run This documentary from Jeff Orlowski explores how addiction and privacy breaches are features, not bugs, of social media platforms. By Devika Girish Amazon Studios   ‘All In: The Fight for Democracy’ Review: Electoral Collage This documentary, with snapshots and stories of voter suppression yesterday and today, carries an urgent message: Vote! By Ben Kenigsberg Lisa Tomasetti/Quiver Distribution   ‘I Am Woman’ Review: Singing Against Sexism Unjoo Moon’s film is a superficial hustle through the career of Helen Reddy and the recording of her most famous song. By Jeannette Catsoulis Icarus Films   ‘Space Dogs’ Review: No Dogs Go to Heaven This documentary uses the lives and legends of Moscow’s street dogs to present a brutal vision of humanity and nature. By Teo Bugbee HBO Max   ‘Unpregnant’ Review: Friendship Is a Long and Winding Road Former besties reunite for a road trip in this teen buddy comedy, which is the second movie this year to feature young women crossing state lines to obtain an abortion. By Natalia Winkelman Black Boys Film/Peacock   ‘Black Boys’ Review: Young Lives in the Balance This documentary addresses the dehumanization of Black boys by attempting the reverse: reconstructing them to show they are worth the care they are denied. By Maya Phillips HBO   ‘Coastal Elites’ Review: Confined Confessions This collection of monologues written by Paul Rudnick initially for the stage, has been adapted for the screen. By Amy Nicholson Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT NEWS & FEATURES A Director Turns an Immigrant Into a Modern-Day Jesus Milo Rau has retold the Passion of Christ through the story of migrant workers in Italy fighting for rights and citizenship. By Eleanor Stanford Kevin Spacey Accused of Sex Offenses Against Teenagers in New Lawsuit One of the accusers, Anthony Rapp, the actor, has spoken before of an encounter with Mr. Spacey when he was 14, but Mr. Spacey said he did not recall it. By Julia Jacobs Tilda Swinton Has Made the ‘Ultimate Lockdown Film’ The actress discussed what she had learned during the coronavirus pandemic and how that had informed her new movie, “The Human Voice,” directed by Pedro Almodóvar. By Eleanor Stanford Virtual New Yorker Festival Will Host Chris Rock and Elizabeth Warren This year’s lineup will also include Dr. Anthony Fauci and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, in addition to Yo-Yo Ma and other entertainers. By Sarah Bahr CRITICS’ PICKS Netflix   Critic’s Pick ‘#Alive’ Review: From Great Graphics, to Graphic A laid back gamer is homebound with no food, no weapons, and zombies knocking at the door in this spirited Korean twist on siege movies. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Renan Ozturk/Illumine   Critic’s Pick ‘Gather’ Review: The Struggle to Remain Sovereign This documentary wonderfully weaves personal stories with archival footage that contextualizes the continued violence against Native Americans. By Lovia Gyarkye Watching Get recommendations on the best TV shows and movies to watch. Sign up How are we doing? We’d love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to moviesupdate@nytimes.com. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT 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. 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