Movies Update: Need a dose of comedy?

Plus, Christopher McDonald is Shooter McGavin, and so much more.

View in browser|nytimes.com August 1, 2025 By Stephanie Goodman Hi, movie fans! I don't know about you, but I could use a comedy about now. So could our chief film critic, Manohla Dargis, who says the new "Naked Gun," a reboot of the crime spoofs of the '80s and '90s, hits enough highs (or lows, depending on your point of view) to do the trick. In her review, she writes that the director Akiva Schaffer "throws a lot at the screen (he smartly toggles back and forth between verbal humor and physical comedy), and tosses everything out at a rapid-enough clip that you don't have time to groan at the softer, weaker material." The movie stars Liam Neeson, having fun with his reputation for serious action in the "Taken" movies. In a profile by Timothy Bella, the actor says, "I don't think of myself as funny-funny, but I love laughing and gagging about." What else is hitting screens this weekend? "Together" is a new horror film starring a real-life couple, Dave Franco and Alison Brie, as a screen couple who've just moved to an isolated upstate spot and are getting to know each other a little too well. "It's clever in concept and kind of silly in execution," Beatrice Loayza writes in her review. For a Critic's Pick, try Boris Lojkine's "Souleymane's Story," about a food delivery courier in Paris. It's "the rare character study that does not only build empathy with its hero's pain but channels its sensation," Natalia Winkelman writes in her review. If a documentary is more your speed, our critic Alissa Wilkinson looks at one about Jack Kerouac's "On the Road." She writes that the new film "aspires to be a portrait of the country refracted through this one book and its legacy. The film does not fully succeed, though that's a tall order for anyone" given the novel's outsize reputation. Whatever you decide to watch, enjoy the movies! Adali Schell for The New York Times Christopher McDonald Is Shooter McGavin. And a Whole Lot More. The actor embraces his "Happy Gilmore" alter ego, but the role's popularity belies a half-century career and a storied life beyond the golf course. By Ashley Spencer Geordie Wood for The New York Times Liam Neeson's Newest Skill: Making You Giggle The 73-year-old actor stars in the reboot of "The Naked Gun" as he reboots his career by venturing into slapstick comedy. By Timothy Bella and Geordie Wood 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios Designing 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' A Manhattan with a retrofuturist sensibility is among the intriguing visual aspects of the film. We talk with its designers to get the details. By Robert Ito CRITICS' PICKS Kino Lorber Critic's Pick 'Souleymane's Story' Review: Fighting an Uphill Battle A Guinean food delivery cyclist in Paris prepares for his asylum interview in this attentive, nuanced character study. By Natalia Winkelman Lars Erlend Tubaas Øymo/Magnolia Pictures Critic's Pick 'Folktales' Review: A Bracing Education in Arctic Norway With the Northern Lights above, the sounds of sled dogs piercing the air and the snow piled high, students major in the challenges and beauty of the wild. By Sheri Linden MOVIE REVIEWS Frank Masi/Paramount Pictures 'The Naked Gun' Review: A Chip Off the Old Blockhead Liam Neeson gamely steps into Leslie Nielsen's big, beautiful clown shoes in this reboot of the blissfully absurd 1988 cop comedy. By Manohla Dargis Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Animation 'The Bad Guys 2' Review: A Wolf, a Shark, a Snake and a Sequel This animated movie about animal bank robbers, voiced by Sam Rockwell, Zazie Beetz and others, is goofy fun. By Glenn Kenny Jaclyn Martinez/Harvest Film Limited 'Harvest' Review: When the Land Was Home Caleb Landry Jones stars in a tale of a medieval English village vanishing. By Alissa Wilkinson Chris Baker/Netflix 'My Oxford Year' Review: Finding Love Abroad She's a working-class romantic. He's a prep school playboy. A Netflix romance film aims to be this generation's "About Time," but doesn't hit the mark. By Brandon Yu A24 'Architecton' Review: A Lesson Among Ruins A documentary about concrete is as gorgeous as it is grave. By Lisa Kennedy NEWS & FEATURES Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images The Inescapable Sydney Sweeney The actress seems to be everywhere, fronting dozens of ad campaigns, and has lately become a beacon for thorny public discourse. By Yola Mzizi Dan Weeks/Billy Joel Archives, via HBO 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes': 5 Takeaways From the Film's Conclusion The HBO documentary about the singer and songwriter wrapped with a deep exploration of his tabloid troubles, creative process and decision to return to live performance. By Esther Zuckerman Kino Lorber Critic's Notebook The Great Gritty New York Movie You've Never Seen The crime thriller "Night of the Juggler" has been restored for a new theatrical release. It captures 1970s New York history and includes great chase scenes along the way. By Jason Bailey Courtesy of "Kerouac's Road: The Beat of a Nation" Documentary Lens 'Kerouac's Road: The Beat of a Nation': Scratching the Surface of a Deep Legacy Ebs Burnough's movie covers the novel as well as its influence on generations of readers, including many artists. By Alissa Wilkinson Jim Stoten Times Insider How We Chose the Best Movies of the 21st Century With faith, trust and a little bit of help from more than 500 actors, directors and other creative professionals. By Sarah Bahr Bobby Doherty Cannonball With Wesley Morris Don't Let the Vampires In Wesley Morris wants to be sure you heard the warning in Ryan Coogler's "Sinners." 42 MIN LISTEN STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS Pool photo by Sheldon Demke True Crime to Stream: The Best of 2025, So Far Across television, film and podcast, here are four highlights of the year. By Maya Salam 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. If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe 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. 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