Friday, November 5, 2021

Movies Update: ‘Eternals’ and More

Plus, movies for the holidays.
Author Headshot

By Mekado Murphy

Movies Editor

Hey, movie fans!

Those seeking another dose of Marvel need wait no longer. "Eternals" has arrived. And our critic has some good things to say about it. "The actors are the movie's great superpower and give it warmth, even a bit of heat," Manohla Dargis writes.

If you prefer royalty to superheroes, the Princess Diana film "Spencer" may be more your speed. But don't expect "The Crown." Pablo Larraín's film is an often-dark, genre-hopping journey into Diana's psyche. In his Critic's Pick review, A.O. Scott calls it "an allegory of powerlessness, revolt and liberation."

And speaking of Critics' Picks, our writers anointed several films opening this week with that distinction. Among them are the personal documentary "North by Current"; the coming-of-age drama with an Indigenous star, "Beans"; the open relationship rom-com "Mark, Mary & Some Other People"; and the Syrian refugee documentary "Simple as Water." That's an eclectic bunch.

Additionally, Halloween just ended so it means time to begin decking the halls! Holiday movies will be here before you know it. We caught up with some of the stars of this season's films, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Meryl Streep and Aunjanue Ellis. We look at why so many movies this season are in black-and-white and we provide a list (that we checked at least twice) of the offerings rolling out in the next couple of months.

Enjoy the movies!

Article Image

Marvel/Disney

'Eternals' Review: When Super Franchises Walk the Earth!

A pleasing cast and the director Chloé Zhao, who won a best picture Oscar for "Nomadland," give Marvel's latest a steady heartbeat.

By Manohla Dargis

Article Image

Neon

critic's pick

'Spencer' Review: Prisoner of the House of Windsor

Kristen Stewart stars as an anguished, rebellious Princess Diana in Pablo Larraín's answer to "The Crown."

By A.O. Scott

Article Image

Robbie Lawrence for The New York Times

Benedict Cumberbatch and the Monsters Among Us

The actor is earning some of the best reviews of his career for his turn as a vicious bully in "The Power of the Dog." Here's what it took to become that seething cowboy.

By Roslyn Sulcas

Article Image

Niko Tavernise/Netflix

Meryl Streep for President

Meryl Streep explains how she prepared to play a fictional (and not especially competent) U.S. president in Adam McKay's apocalyptic satire "Don't Look Up."

By Dave Itzkoff

ADVERTISEMENT

MOVIE REVIEWS

Article Image

David Lee/Netflix

'The Harder They Fall' Review: A New Look for the Old West

Jeymes Samuel's film is a bloody horse opera with a charismatic cast.

By A.O. Scott

Article Image

Apple TV+

'Finch' Review: Three for the Road

Tom Hanks, a dog and two robots take a post-apocalyptic road trip in this unexciting drama from Apple TV+.

By Jeannette Catsoulis

Article Image

Kino Lorber

'Hive' Review: In the Aftermath of War, a Survivor Finds Herself

In a tough, taut drama, the director Blerta Basholli explores the lives of women whose husbands went missing in the Kosovo War.

By Manohla Dargis

Article Image

Ryan De Franco/HBO

Review: 'This Is Not a War Story,' Nor Does Coming Home Mean Peace

This poignant drama directed by and starring Talia Lugacy follows a traumatized Marine as she tries to connect with a group of fellow veterans at home.

By Beatrice Loayza

Article Image

Netflix

'A Cop Movie' Review: When a Uniform Is a Costume

This strange and ambitious Mexican film plays like a combination of "Cops," "F for Fake" and "When Harry Met Sally."

By Ben Kenigsberg

Article Image

Gravitas Ventures

'Isolation' Review: Dispatches From a Different Pandemic

In an anthology of nine short films made during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, people around the world fight to survive.

By Lena Wilson

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

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

Connect with us on:

twitter

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

LiveIntent LogoAdChoices Logo

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018

No comments:

Post a Comment