Movies Update: ‘Mission: Impossible’ and More

Plus, movie and TV actors on strike.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story July 14, 2023 By Mekado Murphy Movies Editor Hey, movie fans, There's good news and bad news in the movie world. The good news is that big, anticipated summer movies have either made their way to or are soon to open in theaters. The bad news is that the largest strike for screen actors in four decades is underway, effectively shuttering production in Hollywood. In theaters this week is "Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One," the latest installment in the long-running Tom Cruise action franchise. The stunts are still impressive, the villains are still plentiful and the missions are still, well, you know. In her review, Manohla Dargis wrote that the film "hits every narrative beat hard and, shrewdly, has just enough winking humor to keep the whole thing from sagging into self-seriousness." This blockbuster will be joined by two more openings next week, "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer." Maybe you've heard of them. Christopher Kuo wrote about their ever-building momentum and spoke to fans who already have tickets for a double feature. Additionally, Nicole Sperling talked with the film's stars, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Back to the other news, SAG-AFTRA, which represents 160,000 film and TV actors, voted to strike on Thursday, once contract talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers broke down. We're providing news updates on the strike and also have an explainer on the details and how it may affect what you watch in the future. In the meantime, several strongly reviewed films are out this week, including six Critic's Picks. Below is a rundown of the latest releases and more movie news. Enjoy the movies. Christian Black/Paramount Pictures and Skydance 'Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One' Review: Still Running In this franchise's seventh entry, Tom Cruise's mission includes increasingly improbable leaps, chases and stunts. Luckily for us, he chooses to accept it. By Manohla Dargis Warner Bros. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling on Barbie and Kenergy How do you make dolls with a thorny history into modern movie characters? Run toward the complexity, say the star-producer and her castmate. By Nicole Sperling Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT CRITICS' PICKS Sideshow and Janus Films CRITIC'S PICK 'Afire' Review: His Flaws Are Petty, Pathetic and Funny Christian Petzold's new film, about a sour young writer and the woman he desires, generates both cruel comedy and heartbreak. By Manohla Dargis Sundance Institute/A24 CRITIC'S PICK 'Earth Mama' Review: A Mother Dreams Inside a Brutal System In Savanah Leaf's moving, intimate feature debut, a pregnant woman tries to regain custody of her two children in foster care. By Manohla Dargis via Film Forum CRITIC'S PICK '20 Days in Mariupol' Review: Last Witnesses in a Martyred City While the Ukrainian city was under siege by Russian forces, a team of journalists recorded the brutal war, resulting in this essential documentary. By Jason Farago Searchlight Pictures/20th Century Studios CRITIC'S PICK 'Theater Camp' Review: Cabin Into the Woods In this bitterly funny mockumentary set at a drama institute, the actors feel their characters in their bones. By Amy Nicholson IFC Films CRITIC'S PICK 'Lakota Nation vs. United States' Review: A 150-Year Clash In 1980, the Lakota were offered money for their stolen Black Hills land. They refused to accept the settlement and continue to fight today. By Concepción de León Roadside Attractions CRITIC'S PICK 'Black Ice' Review: A Troubled Hockey History The Canadian filmmaker Hubert Davis amplifies the voices of hockey players of color and reveals the sport's lesser-known pioneers in this smart, sensitive documentary. By Nicolas Rapold MOVIE REVIEWS Kino Lorber 'Final Cut' Review: A Feeble Rise of the Living Dead A remake of a Japanese zom-com, this French adaptation about the making of a B-level zombie flick does little to justify its existence. By Beatrice Loayza Jonathan Hession/Sony Pictures Classics 'The Miracle Club' Review: A Pleasant Pilgrimage Set in 1967 Dublin, this mild-mannered comedy explores grief and grievances with an ensemble that includes Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates and Laura Linney. By Lisa Kennedy Angel Studios 'Sound of Freedom' Review: In the Land of Child Traffickers Starring Jim Caviezel, this movie tells a story of child trafficking and the people combating it. But its muted tone ultimately undercuts its solemn sense of mission. By Glenn Kenny Aubrey Powell/Abramorama CRITIC'S PICK 'Have You Got It Yet?' Review: A Pink Floyd Enigma Illuminated The founding frontman of Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett was irresistibly charismatic, but this crazy diamond didn't shine for long, as this comprehensive portrait shows. By Glenn Kenny Greenwich Entertainment 'Two Tickets to Greece' Review: Advisory Travel Former middle-school friends with clashing temperaments take an Aegean excursion in this contrived French fluff. By Ben Kenigsberg Max Original 'Gray Matter' Review: Unusual Abilities, the Usual Plot Possibilities Things don't go well when a teenage girl with mental superpowers ends up at a secret facility in this Max movie entirely devoid of suspense or character. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Andrea Resmini/Netflix 'Bird Box Barcelona' Review: Blind Faith The blindfolds are back in this companion movie to Susanne Bier's 2018 original as a traumatized man finds horrifying purpose in mass slaughter. By Jeannette Catsoulis Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT NEWS & FEATURES Angel Studios A Film About Child Trafficking Takes on Summer Blockbusters "Sound of Freedom," a film championed by the right, was behind only "Insidious: The Red Door" and "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" at the box office last weekend. By Marc Tracy Mario Tama/Getty Images What to Know About the Actors' Strike Here's why Hollywood is facing its first industrywide shutdown in more than 60 years, and what it could mean for your favorite shows. By Matt Stevens Sony Pictures Animation CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK When Spider-Man Met Jeff Koons Our critic spots references to Hilma af Klint and Lichtenstein in "Across the Spider-Verse." Koons, who inspired the film's creative team, gets top billing with an animated survey (before his work is destroyed). By Max Lakin Anna Patarakina/Bleecker Street In 'The Lesson,' It's a Bad Writer Who Steals Richard E. Grant and Daryl McCormack star as writers with similar source material in a feature tracing the limits of literary authorship. By Carlos Aguilar Photo Illustration by Inez and Vinoodh Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie' Dream Job Mattel wanted a summer blockbuster to kick off its new wave of brand-extension movies. She wanted it to be a work of art. By Willa Paskin STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS Brainstorm Media Five Action Movies to Stream Now From angst-ridden military dads to the threat of doomsday cults, this month's action picks push their heroes to the edge. By Robert Daniels 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. 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. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018