Movies Update: American auteurs are going to Cannes

Plus, what is the "Chicken jockey!" trend?

View in browser|nytimes.com April 11, 2025 By Stephanie Goodman Hi, movie fans! The Cannes Film Festival doesn't start until May 13, but we got a preview of the annual event this week when organizers released the lineup of films in competition. Among the 19 titles in this initial announcement — there may be more surprises in store — were several from American auteurs, including Wes Anderson, Ari Aster, Kelly Reichardt and Richard Linklater. And outside the competition, expect some Hollywood star power in the form of Tom Cruise, who will unveil the next "Mission: Impossible," and Robert De Niro, who will receive the honorary Palme d'Or, a lifetime achievement award. Of course this is an international event, and the filmmakers from around the world include Julia Ducournau, whose "Titane" won the top prize in 2021, the Dardenne brothers and Joachim Trier, the Scandinavian director behind "The Worse Person in the World." Presiding over the jury will be the French actress Juliette Binoche, who last year wowed our critics in "The Taste of Things." Speaking of movies our critics love, Manohla Dargis recommends "Warfare," Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza's tough film about an American platoon in Iraq, and "One to One: John & Yoko," about the couple's heady first days in New York. At the box office, they may well be dwarfed by "A Minecraft Movie," which has spawned the "Chicken jockey!" trend. Wait, what? My colleague Esther Zuckerman explains all. Whatever you decide to watch, enjoy the movies! Murray Close/A24 Critic's Pick 'Warfare' Review: A Combat Movie That Refuses to Entertain In Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza's film about an American platoon in Iraq, there is no admirably staged bloodshed or witty repartee. That's the point. By Manohla Dargis John Wilson/20th Century Studios 'The Amateur' Review: An Unsafe World Rami Malek stars in a spy movie that struggles with its conspiratorial angle. By Alissa Wilkinson Valery Hache/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Wes Anderson and Richard Linklater to Compete at Cannes Film Festival A sidebar to the competition will feature Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut. By Alex Marshall Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures/Warner Bros. Pictures, via Associated Press 'Chicken Jockey!': How a Crazy Catchphrase Took Over Multiplexes When Jack Black yells that in "A Minecraft Movie," young audiences respond raucously. The director approves, but some theaters don't. Here's what to know. By Esther Zuckerman CRITICS' PICKS Magnolia Pictures Critic's Pick 'One to One: John & Yoko' Review: A Year in the Life Kevin Macdonald's immersive documentary follows the couple from their heady first days in New York to their galvanizing concert at Madison Square Garden in 1972. By Manohla Dargis ANATOMY OF A SCENE John Wilson/20th Century Studios Anatomy of a Scene Watch Rami Malek Explode a Pool in 'The Amateur' The director James Hawes narrates a sequence from his film. By Mekado Murphy MOVIE REVIEWS Disney Documentary Lens 'Pets' Is the Rare Documentary for Children, About Children The movie, directed by Bryce Dallas Howard, celebrates animals while planting a seed of interest in rescue operations. By Alissa Wilkinson Ilze Kitshoff 'G20' Review: Viola Davis Plays an Action-Hero President Davis raises the bar on sheer brawniness in this action film where an American president has to fight Australian crypto-terrorists. By Beatrice Loayza Photo Credit: Universal Pictures 'Drop' Review: The Ultimate Doomscroll A first date turns hellish when a terrified woman's phone is cloned by an anonymous psycho in this stylishly silly thriller. By Jeannette Catsoulis Angel Studios 'The King of Kings' Review: A Remaking of the Christ The story of Jesus, told through the eyes of Charles Dickens, that nobody asked for. By Alissa Wilkinson Watermelon Pictures 'The Teacher' Review: Harsh Lessons in the West Bank A legal procedural, a family tragedy, a romance and a kidnapping plot are a lot to hang on one character in this debut film by Farah Nabulsi. By Ben Kenigsberg Foton Distribution 'The Uninvited' Review: A Surprise Guest at the Garden Party Hollywood types get skewered in this comedy of manners, starring Walton Goggins, Pedro Pascal and Elizabeth Reaser. By Glenn Kenny Vertical 'Sacramento' Review: Best Frenemies In this warmly funny indie comedy, two friends with a complicated past confront their grief and anxieties on a California road trip. By Brandon Yu NEWS & FEATURES Charlie Ley/Mirrorpix, via Getty Images Is the Yokossance Finally Here? A new biography and film about Yoko Ono offer more opportunities to assess her contributions to culture. Two pop music critics debate if they're worthy of their subject. By Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz Thea Traff for The New York Times Q&A Rami Malek, Professional Outcast, Becomes 'The Amateur' The actor discusses his new thriller, as well as his most recognizable roles portraying misfits who prove their doubters, including themselves, wrong. By Sean T. Collins Russel Daniels for The New York Times This Studio Turns to Viewers of Faith to Greenlight Movies The company behind "Sound of Freedom" follows an unusual strategy that relies on an army of subscribers to its streaming platform. By Calum Marsh Buena Vista Pictures 'A Goofy Movie,' With a Serious Impact The 30-year-old animated Disney film has fans across generations. Now, a documentary looks back at its legacy. By Carlos Aguilar Richard Shotwell/Invision, via Associated Press James Toback Is Ordered to Pay $1.7 Billion in Sexual Assault Case After the former Hollywood director stopped participating in the civil case against him, a jury awarded 40 accusers $42 million each. By Julia Jacobs Robin Marchant/Getty Images For Bafta Film at Lincoln Center Chooses Daniel Battsek as Next President At the production company Film4 he was instrumental in financing British movies. In New York, his goal is to attract a younger, more diverse audience. By Sarah Bahr Sara Krulwich/The New York Times At James Earl Jones Memorial, Friends Share Laughs, Tears and Moving Stories At a gathering in the Broadway theater renamed to honor the star, speakers including Denzel Washington and Phylicia Rashad described Jones as an inspiration. By Derrick Bryson Taylor The Interview Bill Murray Says He's Not the Man He Used to Be The actor talks about his new film "The Friend," his jerky past and what he doesn't get about himself. 51 MIN LISTEN STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS Level 33 Entertainment Five Science Fiction Movies to Stream Now In this month's picks, there's a reincarnation satire, some timeline spaghetti and a family-friendly end-of-Earth film. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Neon The Best Movies and Shows on Hulu Right Now We've handpicked the finest movies and television shows currently streaming on Hulu in the United States. Take a look. By Jason Bailey Kimberley French/A24 The 50 Best Movies on Max Right Now In addition to new Warner and HBO films, the streamer has a treasure trove of Golden Age classics, indie flicks and foreign films. Start with these. By Scott Tobias How are we doing? We'd love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to moviesupdate@nytimes.com. Like this email? 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