Movies Update: ‘Doctor Strange’ and More

Plus, the best places in New York to see movies.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story May 6, 2022 By Mekado Murphy Movies Editor Hey, movie fans! Well it seems that blockbuster season may really be back. The latest film in the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," is exploding onto (many, many) screens this weekend and, at least in this universe, is poised to open big. Our writer and Marvel fan Sarah Bahr wrote about what you need to know heading into the film. Though the critic A.O. Scott noted that it might not be strange or mad enough, arguing that its surprises are "likely to elicit whoops and giggles of fan gratification rather than gasps of genuine wonder." If you're seeking something smaller, yet topical, there's the French film "Happening," about a young woman trying to obtain an abortion in the early '60s when the procedure was illegal in France. In her Critic's Pick review, Manohla Dargis wrote that the director Audrey Diwan "shows you a part of life that the movies rarely do." "By which I mean," Dargis continued, "she shows you a woman who desires, desires to learn, have sex, bear children on her terms, be sovereign — a woman who, in choosing to live her life, risks becoming a criminal and dares to be free." On streaming this week, you'll find the buddy comedy "The Takedown" (on Netflix); the teen dramas "Along for the Ride" (Netflix) and "Inbetween Girl" (on demand) and the new Sheryl Crow documentary "Sheryl" (on Showtime). Enjoy the movies! Marvel Studios 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' Review: Nothing Out of the Ordinary Benedict Cumberbatch returns for some more mystic Marvel mumbo-jumbo, though Sam Raimi manages to inject a sense of horror every now and then. By A.O. Scott IFC Films Critic's Pick 'Happening' Review: An Abortion Story, an Existential Drama In this powerful French movie set in the early 1960s, a young woman struggles to obtain an abortion when the procedure was criminalized. By Manohla Dargis Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT CRITICS' PICKS Film Movement Critic's Pick 'Reflection' Review: Through a Looking Glass of Horrors The film, set against the backdrop of fighting in the Donbas region in 2014, would be bracing and haunting even if it weren't so timely. By Ben Kenigsberg Paul Calver/Saban Films Critic's Pick 'Shepherd' Review: Solitary Assignment An island of ghosts and an ocean of guilt plague a grief-stricken widower in this moody horror movie. By Jeannette Catsoulis Utopia Critic's Pick 'Inbetween Girl' Review: Portrait of the Artist as a Young Woman Mei Makino's coming-of-age drama depicts an artsy, biracial high school student grappling with the guilt of sleeping with another girl's boyfriend. By Beatrice Loayza MOVIE REVIEWS Momentum Pictures 'All My Puny Sorrows' Review: Every Day, a Little Death A sister tries to persuade a sibling that her life is worth living. By Teo Bugbee Sarah Shatz/HBO Documentary Films 'Spring Awakening: Those You've Known' Review: Rock 'n' Roll High School This film about the hit 2006 musical is a sure-handed blend of making-of explainer, theater-kid scrapbook, and jukebox documentary. By Nicolas Rapold Gravitas Ventures 'In a New York Minute' Review: Love or Freedom? This drama from Ximan Li teases time in telling the stories of three Chinese women living in a city that tempts promise but delivers frustration. By Lisa Kennedy Dark Star Pictures 'Human Factors' Review: Paranoia is the Family Business This thriller, about the invasion of a fractured home, is elevated by a talented cast but hampered by a stubbornly intellectual tone. By Amy Nicholson Showtime 'Sheryl' Review: The High Highs and Low Lows of Pop Stardom This documentary about Sheryl Crow depicts a musician whose work ethic did not allow a lot of time for frivolity. By Glenn Kenny Emmanuel Guimier/Netflix 'The Takedown' Review: Mismatched Detectives on the Case This film from Louis Leterrier tries to pay tribute to classic 1980s buddy-cop movies, but not even Omar Sy can't salvage it. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Cinema Guild 'In Front of Your Face' Review: Clumsy Interactions, Pensive Revelations This film is a minor addition to the South Korean director Hong Sangsoo's continuing investigation of human embarrassment. By Ben Kenigsberg Emily V. Aragones/Netflix 'Along for the Ride' Review: Becoming a Kid Again A Netflix adaptation turns a best-selling novel by Sarah Dessen about a perfectionist teenage girl into a slick and breezy, Instagram-friendly story. By Lena Wilson Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT NEWS & FEATURES Todd Heisler/The New York Times New York's Movie Theaters, From Art-House to Dine-In Our critic's favorite spots to see new releases (with a cocktail in hand), international revivals and cult classics on 70-millimeter film. By Ben Kenigsberg IFC Films In France, a Film Has Women Sharing Their Stories of Abortion Following the release of "Happening," about an illegal abortion in 1963, the country's contemporary stigma around the procedure is facing scrutiny. By Laura Cappelle Rozette Rago for The New York Times Wayne Wang Still Isn't Satisfied On the 40th anniversary of his breakthrough drama, "Chan Is Missing," the auteur says a new generation of Asian American filmmakers must make more challenging work. By Brandon Yu STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS Warner Bros. Five International Movies to Stream Now This month's picks include an Argentine heist thriller, a whimsical Palestinian romance, a German period drama and more. By Devika Girish Netflix 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 Netflix The Best Movies and TV Shows Coming to Netflix in May Here are the most promising new and returning titles for U.S. subscribers this month, including a new season of "Stranger Things." By Noel Murray Rafy/Sony Pictures Classics Watch These 12 Titles Before They Leave Netflix in May A ton of movies and TV shows are disappearing for U.S. Netflix subscribers next month. These are the ones worth catching before they're gone. By Jason Bailey Amazon Studios The Best Movies and TV Shows Coming to HBO Max, Hulu, Apple TV+ and More in May Looking for something new to watch? Here's a roundup of the most promising titles coming to most major U.S. streaming services (except Netflix) this month. By Noel Murray 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. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018