Movies Update: ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ and More

Plus, a dose of "Reality."

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story June 2, 2023 By Mekado Murphy Movies Editor Hey, movie fans! Are your Spidey senses tingling? It might be because the new animated sequel "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" has arrived, with plenty of Spider-Men (and Women) swinging through it. Our critic Maya Phillips is on board for the second go-round, writing that it "achieves the challenging task of building a sequel that not only replicates the charms of the first film but also expands the multiverse concept." (Check out some of the film's visual inspirations here.) If instead you want to turn on the dark, there's a new horror movie, "The Boogeyman," out, based on a short story by Stephen King. But the critic Jeannette Catsoulis writes that it is "as murky in plot and payoff as in setting." Also out in limited release is the acclaimed drama "Past Lives," about two childhood friends who reconnect as adults. In her Critic's Pick review, Manohla Dargis writes that the filmmaker Celine Song "draws you into her characters' worlds seamlessly." (Read a profile of the movie's star, Greta Lee.) If you're looking for something intriguing to watch at home, Max has the new film "Reality," about the former U.S. Air Force linguist who pleaded guilty to leaking a top-secret report on Russian hacking. Amy Nicholson calls the docudrama "gripping." Enjoy the movies! Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Animation CRITIC'S PICK 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' Review: Worlds Wide Web This charming sequel to the 2018 animated movie expands the multiverse concept, without shamelessly capitalizing on fan service. By Maya Phillips A24 CRITIC'S PICK 'Past Lives' Review: Longing for a Future Celine Song's film debut, starring Greta Lee, follows two childhood friends who share a wistful kind of love across two decades and two continents. By Manohla Dargis Janus Films 'Lynch/Oz' Review: The Yellow Brick Road to 'Blue Velvet' A documentary explores how "The Wizard of Oz" figures into the director David Lynch's surreal filmography. By Manohla Dargis Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT CRITICS' PICKS HBO Films CRITIC'S PICK 'Reality' Review: An Unusual Suspect A new docudrama starring Sydney Sweeney as Reality Winner is gripping, even as it strips a true story of its political context. By Amy Nicholson MOVIE REVIEWS 20th Century Studios 'The Boogeyman' Review: Monster Hash A bereaved family is plagued by a supernatural killer in this frustratingly coy horror movie. By Jeannette Catsoulis Yellow Veil Pictures 'Falcon Lake' Review: Pack Water, Sunscreen and Palo Santo Death and desire are bunk mates in this coming-of-age drama set around a lake cabin in Quebec. By Beatrice Loayza Emmanuelle Jacobson-Roques/Blue Fox Entertainment 'Rise' Review: Step, Repeat, Recover The French filmmaker Cédric Klapisch's feel-good dance film follows a professional ballerina returning to the stage after an ankle injury. By Natalia Winkelman Christian Mantuano/Gravitas Ventures 'Padre Pio' Review: A Movie in Need of a Miracle That Never Comes In this film directed by Abel Ferrara, Shia LaBeouf gives viewers a contemporary version of the saint — that is, one who curses a blue streak. By Glenn Kenny Guy Sahaf/Greenwich Entertainment 'Concerned Citizen' Review: He Cares a Lot An Israeli's guilt over an act of police brutality he indirectly caused is the crux of this drama from Idan Haguel. By Ben Kenigsberg Aleksandar Letic/Screen Gems/Sony Pictures 'The Machine' Review: A Hard-Partying Comedian Pays for His Sins In a movie extrapolated from one of his stand-up bits, Bert Kreischer is dragged to Russia to face a gory but still comedic reckoning. By Glenn Kenny Universal Pictures/Peacock 'Shooting Stars' Review: Brotherly Love and Basketball While hard to justify, this fictionalized portrayal of a young LeBron James and his high school team's rise is buoyed by five young actors. By Brandon Yu Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT NEWS & FEATURES Chantal Anderson for The New York Times How to Be a Star by Not Giving Your All She's known for playing offbeat characters in "Russian Doll," "High Maintenance" and "Girls," but Greta Lee is winning raves for her restrained performance in "Past Lives." It almost didn't happen. By Robert Ito Sony Pictures The Inspirations Behind 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' The directors of this sequel discuss their diverging influences, from Leonardo da Vinci to the movie "Say Anything." By Carlos Aguilar Giles Keyte/Disney Daveed Diggs and Awkwafina Discuss 'The Little Mermaid' An interview with the actors, who have big claws and wings to fill as the voices of Sebastian and Scuttle in the latest live-action version of the movie. By Leah Greenblatt Hipgnosis Ltd The Album Art Studio That Made Pink Floyd's Pig Fly The filmmaker Anton Corbijn's documentary "Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis)" tells the tale of the London design company devoted to crafting the perfect LP sleeve. By Mark Yarm STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS MGA, Inc. Stream These Three Great Documentaries This month's selections include a look at a political activist's life, a reconsideration of a controversial Israeli thesis and a portrait of an author and his editor. By Ben Kenigsberg Mubi Five International Movies to Stream Now This month's picks include a dreamlike documentary from Brazil, a wry comedy from Quebec and a thriller set in the aftermath of Kosovo's bloody civil war. By Devika Girish Disney+ Five Children's Movies to Stream Now This month's picks include an outer space road trip, a reimagining of "Peter Pan" and a nautical adventure based on a true story. By Dina Gachman Michael Gibson/Paramount Pictures Stream These 9 Shows and Movies Before They Leave Netflix in June An eclectic mix of titles are leaving the service for U.S. subscribers by the end of the month. Catch them before they're gone. By Jason Bailey DreamWorks Pictures 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 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. 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