Movies Update: ‘Coming 2 America’ and More

Plus, a talk with Daniel Kaluuya

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story March 5, 2021 By Mekado Murphy Hey, movie fans! So how about those Golden Globes? The virtual ceremony was a little bit glitchy in parts. We looked at its best and worst moments and offered some notes on how (and how not) to stage a pandemic-era awards show. This week there's an eclectic array of movies on the major streamers. On Amazon, there's "Coming 2 America," the high-profile sequel to the 1988 Eddie Murphy hit. (Watch a narrated scene from the movie and read a chat with its leads.) On Disney+ is the animated "Raya and the Last Dragon." (Read an interview with its star voice, Kelly Marie Tran.) On Netflix is "Moxie," a teen drama directed by Amy Poehler. On the freshly minted Paramount+ is a new SpongeBob offering. And Hulu has the time-loop action comedy "Boss Level." Also, movie theaters (or a selection of them) are reopening in New York City this weekend at limited capacity. Theatrical offerings include the Eddie Huang basketball film "Boogie" (read an interview with Huang) and the Doug Liman-directed sci-fi film "Chaos Walking." Enjoy the movies! Quantrell D. Colbert/Paramount Pictures/Amazon Studios 'Coming 2 America' Review: Comedic Royalty More than 30 years later, Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall reunite for a return trip from Zamunda to New York. By A.O. Scott NBC The Best and Worst of the Golden Globes Amid deeply moving moments (like the speech by Chadwick Boseman's widow), there were technical difficulties and the strange sight of long-distance hosts pretending to be on the same stage. By The New York Times Erik Carter for The New York Times How Daniel Kaluuya Makes His Characters Come Alive The "Get Out" and "Judas and the Black Messiah" actor combines deep preparation and a hunger for spontaneity. "I don't think I'm entitled to your attention." By Reggie Ugwu Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT CRITICS' PICKS Sony Pictures Classics Critic's Pick 'The Truffle Hunters' Review: In Dogged Pursuit of Culinary Gold An enchanting documentary about men and their best friends combing the northern Italian forests for an unlikely delicacy. By A.O. Scott Icarus Film Critic's Pick 'Lost Course' Review: When a Village Fights Back A 2011 revolt in Wukan, China, is the subject of a sobering, sprawling documentary. By Ben Kenigsberg Magnolia Pictures Critic's Pick 'Stray' Review: Nothing but a Hound Dog Elizabeth Lo's thoughtful documentary uses the stray dogs of Istanbul to comment on the human condition. By Jeannette Catsoulis MOVIE REVIEWS 'Raya and the Last Dragon' Review: Fool Me Once A new Disney princess from Southeast Asia battles factionalism and her own trust issues. By Beatrice Loayza 'Moxie' Review: Rebel With a Cause Amy Poehler directs this Netflix high-school drama inspired by the relics of punk feminism. By Jeannette Catsoulis 'Boss Level' Review: Game Never Over Frank Grillo gets to die another day — again and again and again — in the time-loop action comedy. By Elisabeth Vincentelli 'Boogie' Review: There's No Laughing in Basketball Hoop dreams intertwine with Chinese-American identity in this coming-of-age drama from Eddie Huang. By Teo Bugbee 'The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run' Review: Still Square This new franchise installment, "Sponge on the Run," wants to be clever in nodding toward genre conventions. But its execution is poor. By Maya Phillips 'Chaos Walking' Review: Just Thinking Out Loud Daisy Ridley plays the only woman to arrive on a planet full of men, whose thoughts are visibly on display, in this sci-fi thriller. By Glenn Kenny 'Adam' Review: Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship A widow welcomes a pregnant stranger into her home in this sentimental story mostly told unsentimentally. By Ben Kenigsberg 'The Walrus and the Whistleblower' Review: The Fight to Free a Friend An animal trainer turned activist strives to end sea mammal captivity in this documentary that could use a sharper frame on its subject. By Natalia Winkelman Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT ANATOMY OF A SCENE Quantrell D. Colbert/Paramount Pictures/Amazon Studios Anatomy of a Scene Watch Eddie Murphy's Return to Queens in 'Coming 2 America' The director Craig Brewer narrates a sequence featuring the star alongside Arsenio Hall, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan and Jermaine Fowler. By Mekado Murphy NEWS & FEATURES Tracy Nguyen for The New York Times Kelly Marie Tran: 'I'm Not Afraid Anymore' The actress has left the "Star Wars" bullies behind to star as Disney's first Southeast Asian princess in "Raya and the Last Dragon." She says, "I'm finally asking for the things I want." By Sarah Bahr Silviu Ghetie/Micro Film Critic's Notebook A Dirty Winner at a Lonely Berlin Film Festival The Romanian director Radu Jude's "Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn" took the top prize in an online-only edition that lacked the magic of in-person moviegoing. By Jessica Kiang Brad Ogbonna for The New York Times Eddie Huang: Filmmaker Was on His List of Things to Do Even Before Chef He discusses his debut drama, "Boogie"; what moving to Taiwan showed him about America; and what it was like to work with Pop Smoke, a star of his movie. By Brandon Yu Glen Wilson/Warner Bros Critic's Notebook 'Judas' Is the Latest Political Movie to Punt on Politics Both "Judas and the Black Messiah" and "BlacKkKlansman" are rooted in issues of radicalism vs. the system, but the dramas rely on morally opaque characters that undermine the stories. By Maya Phillips 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 Best Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now New films, and classics, just keep coming, but you don't have to drill down to find the finest selections to stream. We'll do the heavy lifting. You press play. By Jason Bailey Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT 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. 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