Movies Update: Tainted love at the cinema

Plus, more on the "Emilia Pérez" saga.

View in browser|nytimes.com February 7, 2025 By Mekado Murphy Hey, movie fans! The studios are getting a jump-start on Valentine's Day with a couple of love-themed releases. Sort of. One of the movies is about a former assassin, the other involves a serial killer. Ready for romance? Ke Huy Quan stars in "Love Hurts," which follows a real estate agent trying to put his killer-for-hire past in the rearview, until he's dragged back in by a former associate (Ariana DeBose). Sparks (and stunts) fly. But the critic Ben Kenigsberg found the proceedings a bit thin, writing, "The plot is a barely-there thread of random incidents designed to string together action scenes in which Quan, banishing any thoughts of his own past playing Data from "The Goonies," demonstrates an impressive facility for martial arts." And in "Heart Eyes," two young people (Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding) fall for each other while working on a project. At the same time, they become the target of a killer who wears a mask with red glowing hearts for eyes. In his review, Erik Piepenburg wrote that the two actors didn't seem to be feeling the love: "Holt and Gooding have the chemistry of strangers whose speed date is speed tanking." Our critics suggest that you watch the rom-com thriller "Companion" instead. As awards season continues, so does the saga surrounding one Oscar nominee, "Emilia Pérez," which has 13 nods including best picture, international feature and actress. Our Projectionist, Kyle Buchanan, has an update. Plus, I spoke to Walter Salles, the director of the other film in the Oscar lineup that has nominations for best picture, international feature and actress, "I'm Still Here." Salles took me through a harrowing scene from his film. Read below about more releases in theaters and on streaming this week, and enjoy the movies! Cinema Parallel/MoMA 'The Fishing Place' Review: A Village Under Suspicion Rob Tregenza's latest film, set in a German-occupied Norwegian village, follows a housekeeper dispatched to spy on a priest. By Manohla Dargis IFC Films 'Armand' Review: When a School Is a Trap Renate Reinsve stars in a drama about an insular community that is intermittently interesting. By Alissa Wilkinson Mario Anzuoni/Reuters The Projectionist 'Emilia Pérez' and the New Era of Online Oscar Scandals As Karla Sofía Gascón's resurfaced social media posts upend the campaign for the year's most-nominated film, what happens now? By Kyle Buchanan CRITICS' PICKS Warner Bros. Pictures Critic's Pick 'Companion' Review: Girl, Corrupted A lakeside getaway becomes a battleground for couples in this fast, furious and exceptionally fun horror-comedy. By Jeannette Catsoulis Bleecker Street Critic's Pick 'Love Me' Review: A Romance Six Billion Years in the Making Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun star in a marvelously inventive sci-fi romance that spans eons yet pokes at a simple question. By Alissa Wilkinson MOVIE REVIEWS Allen Fraser/Universal Pictures 'Love Hurts' Review: A Valentine Full of Action Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose play reunited former associates from a criminal outfit. Sparks don't exactly fly. By Ben Kenigsberg Christopher Moss/Screen Gems and Spyglass Media Group 'Heart Eyes' Review: Love Is in the Air, Along With a Machete Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding meet cute, then meet killer in this rom-com masquerading as a horror movie. By Erik Piepenburg Aubin Pictures/7th Sun Productions/Film Forum Documentary Lens 'Paint Me a Road Out of Here': Faith Ringgold's Gift to Prisoners In this documentary, the artist depicts what a more just and beautiful world might look like. By Alissa Wilkinson Spencer Pazer/Netflix 'Kinda Pregnant' Review: The Belly of the Beast Amy Schumer plays a jealous best friend who fakes her own pregnancy in this Netflix comedy filled with dopey men and miserable women. By Natalia Winkelman Gianni Fiorito/A24 'Parthenope' Review: Goddess Worship Directed by Paolo Sorrentino, this decadent drama about a beautiful young woman is a one-sided meditation on art, desire and spirituality. By Beatrice Loayza Patrick Redmond/Mubi 'Bring Them Down' Review: Sinister Revenge in Rural Ireland Christopher Abbott and Barry Keoghan are beleaguered sheep farmers at war in this gory drama. By Glenn Kenny ANATOMY OF A SCENE Alile Onawale/Sony Pictures Classics Anatomy of a Scene How a Family's Life Is Upended in 'I'm Still Here' The film's director, Walter Salles, narrates a sequence from his film, which is nominated for best picture. Its star, Fernanda Torres is nominated for best actress. By Mekado Murphy NEWS & FEATURES Adali Schell for The New York Times He Helps Angelina Jolie and Timothée Chalamet Sing Onscreen Eric Vetro is the go-to vocal coach for movies as different as "Maria," "A Complete Unknown" and "Wicked." Jolie says, "Eric helped me to find my voice." By Tomris Laffly Andrea Gjestvang for The New York Times Ingmar Bergman's Grandson Has a Prizewinning Movie of His Own With his debut feature, "Armand," Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel wants to step out of his revered grandfather's shadow. (Though the movie still contains a secret tribute.) By Carlos Aguilar STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS Nickelodeon/Paramount+ 5 Children's Movies to Stream Now This month's picks include a film based on a popular Nickelodeon show and a sequel to a beloved DreamWorks western. By Dina Gachman Mubi Five International Movies to Stream Now This week's picks include an unconventional Lithuanian love story, a small-town Slovakian horror movie, and more. By Devika Girish Ben King/Netflix, via Associated Press The Best Movies and TV Shows Coming to Netflix in February This month's new arrivals include an insightful docudrama about a fraudulent wellness blogger and a rare TV role for Robert De Niro. By Noel Murray Prime The Best Movies and TV Shows Coming to Disney+, Amazon, Max, Apple TV+ and More in February The third seasons of "Yellowjackets" and "The White Lotus" arrive, along with "Clean Slate" and "Win or Lose." By Noel Murray 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. 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