Movies Update: Daniel Craig forms new bonds.

Plus, a movie about political turmoil that sparked even more in reality.

View in browser|nytimes.com November 29, 2024 By Kellina Moore Hey movie fans! Still in a haze of tryptophan? One great way to recover is by feasting on cinema. I'll be finishing up my yearly viewing of the perfect Thanksgiving movie, "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" and my new cranberry sauce classic, the slasher from last year, "Thanksgiving." Next on my wish list-watch list for the upcoming holidays is "Queer," directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Daniel Craig as William Lee, a lonely soul yearning for the affections of a younger man. It may seem like an atypical role for the cool and collected Bond star, but in an interview with Kyle Buchanan, Craig said the character is closer to his own sensibilities than some might think. "I know lots of tough men in this world who are vulnerable," he said, "and I like to portray that in movies. That truth is interesting to me." In her review, the critic Manohla Dargis wrote, "Guadagnino does some very nice things in "Queer," including employing obvious soundstages and beautiful miniatures that play with the realism and that underline Lee's otherworldly sensibilities." Another true gift of a film was delivered this week, "The Seed of the Sacred Fig." The director, Mohammad Rasoulof, made the movie in secret because of Iran's strict censorship laws. Having been sentenced to eight years in prison, Rasoulof fled Iran under treacherous conditions, finished the film in Germany and premiered it at the Cannes Film Festival to accolades in May. The movie follows a family in Tehran as tensions rise over their differing opinions of the Iranian government, putting the circumstances of the movie's production and its plot in direct conversation. "'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' asks us to enter a family's story, but also to acknowledge that we are part of it," the critic Alissa Wilkinson wrote in her review. "We're extras in the background, no matter how far away we are." With so much to see in theaters, you may be pondering the perennial question: Should I sit through the credits? Wilkinson has answers for you, exploring the merits of being both a "stayer" and a "leaver." Whatever you watch, and whether or not you stay until the last name rolls by — enjoy the movies! Yannis Drakoulidis/A24 Critic's Pick 'Queer' Review: The Seductive, Damaged Charm of Daniel Craig The star kills off his Bond to inhabit a dissolute American expat in Luca Guadagnino's handsome adaptation of the William S. Burroughs novella. By Manohla Dargis Disney 'Moana 2' Review: It Doesn't Rock the Boat In this benign sequel, the Disney princess continues her seafaring ways and remains admirably uninterested in finding a prince. By Natalia Winkelman Neon Critic's Pick 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' Review: When the World Is a Prison Mohammad Rasoulof's powerful drama about the authoritarian Iranian government breaks a fourth wall, with consequences. By Alissa Wilkinson Erik Carter for The New York Times The Projectionist With 'The Piano Lesson,' Danielle Deadwyler Goes Even Deeper After breaking through with "Till," the actress delivers another formidable performance. Still, when it comes to Hollywood, she'd rather keep some distance. By Kyle Buchanan and Erik Carter CRITICS' PICKS Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures Critic's Pick 'Gladiator II' Review: Thumb's Up! Denzel Washington's performance shows skill, intensity and absolute confidence in Ridley Scott's pleasurably immersive epic about ancient Roman fighters. By Manohla Dargis Sideshow/Janus Films Critic's Pick 'Flow' Review: A Cat's Life A cat, a dog and a capybara embark on an epic adventure in this earnest and refreshingly unconventional animated film. By Calum Marsh ANATOMY OF A SCENE Universal Pictures Anatomy of a Scene Watch Ariana Grande Swing From a Chandelier in 'Wicked' The director Jon M. Chu narrates the musical scene, also featuring Cynthia Erivo, where Grande performs the song "Popular." By Mekado Murphy MOVIE REVIEWS Hulu 'Nutcrackers' Review: Christmas With a Crank Ben Stiller stars in a tonally bumpy comedy with genre roots in Hallmark territory. By Alissa Wilkinson Anthony Platt/HBO/Warner Bros. 'Sweethearts' Review: Friends Without Benefits Two college freshmen conspire to simultaneously dump their exes in Jordan Weiss's unremarkable debut feature. By Jeannette Catsoulis Diego Romero/Outsider Pictures 'Reinas' Review: Memories of Lima The political turmoil of Peru in the 1990s serves as the backdrop for this intimate domestic drama about growing up and learning to let go. By Beatrice Loayza Disney/Apple Corps 'Beatles '64' Review: They Wanted to Hold Their Hands This documentary, directed by David Tedeschi, comes up with a solid compendium of the band's arcana from their first trip to the United States, when fans went wild. By Ben Kenigsberg NEWS & FEATURES Melanie Lambrick Ask A&L Should I Sit Through the Movie's Closing Credits? The film has ended, but the names of the many people who worked on it are rolling across the screen. Do you stick around? By Alissa Wilkinson Crocs; Mattel; Starbucks; Stanley Critic's Notebook 'Wicked' and the Merchandising Juggernaut That Eclipses 'Barbie' The new movie's tie-ins are the logical endpoint for a Broadway show that always intended to be huge. By Esther Zuckerman Paramount Pictures How 'September 5' Recreates a Historic News Broadcast The drama chronicles the 1972 Munich Olympics attack from ABC Sports' point of view, a perspective that resonates today. But the film arrives at a fraught time. By Annie Aguiar Evan Agostini/Invision, via Associated Press My Ten Lucy Liu Thinks It's Important to Make a Mess Sometimes "That's how creative things happen," said the actress, one of the stars of the holiday film "Red One." By Kathryn Shattuck Paramount Pictures, via Everett Collection The Great Gags From 'Airplane!' and More With the death of Jim Abrahams, one third of the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker writing and directing trio, a look at some of the funniest moments from their key films. By Esther Zuckerman STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS Jimmy Chin/National Geographic Family and Friends in Town? Here's What to Watch Based on the Mood. Whether you're with hanging out with children or adults, want to laugh or tuck into an adventure, here are some specific selections to stream. By Maya Salam Well Go USA Five Action Movies to Stream Now This month's picks include a martial arts face-off, a hijacked plane and killer zombies. By Robert Daniels Ron Simmons Looking for Quality Indie Cinema? Try Ovid. The streaming service is a great place for independent films off the beaten path. By Jason Bailey Drafthouse Films/Participant Media Three Great Documentaries to Stream Picks this month include two films about life under troubled governments and one about life under a demanding filmmaker. By Ben Kenigsberg 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 Movies Update, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. 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