Movies Update: ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ and More

Plus, Nancy Meyers returns to "Father of the Bride."

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story September 25, 2020 By Mekado Murphy Movies Editor Hey, movie fans! Plenty of movies continue to roll out at the virtual New York Film Festival, from the short (Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Human Voice” at 30 minutes) to the very long (Frederick Wiseman’s “City Hall” at 4 hours 32 minutes). Our critics Manohla Dargis and A. O. Scott discussed how their viewing experiences played out watching movies in the online festival versions of Toronto and New York. The director Nancy Meyers thought she had retired. Then came Covid-19. She writes about reviving her “Father of the Bride” characters for a fund-raiser. Among movies opening this weekend in theaters are Aaron Sorkin’s biopic “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” the Miranda July film “Kajillionaire” and the workplace drama “The Last Shift.” Coming to streaming platforms: the period mystery “Enola Holmes,” the gaming documentary “Console Wars” and the kid-friendly fantasy film “Secret Society of Second-Born Royals.” Our critics recommend the brief documentary “Bird Island” and “Oliver Sacks: His Own Life,” a look at the famed neurologist. Enjoy the movies! Niko Tavernise/Netflix ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ Review: They Fought the Law Aaron Sorkin and an all-star cast re-enact a real-life ’60s courtroom drama with present-day implications. By A.O. Scott Touchstone Pictures ‘Father of the Bride,’ the Pandemic and Me The director Nancy Meyers explains how a sort-of sequel was born amid worry and a desire to help. George Banks would approve. By Nancy Meyers Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS beyond the algorithm 10 Unusual Streaming Movies for Unusual Times Looking for a few fresh and different streaming options? We offer some assistance. By Jason Bailey gateway movies Don’t Get What Makes Brian De Palma an Auteur? Try These Two Films The director, who just turned 80, makes popular films that have long inspired debates. Watch “Blow Out” and “Carlito’s Way” to better understand the arguments. By Ben Kenigsberg Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Films About Her Life The Supreme Court justice, who died on Friday at 87, was a celebrated pop culture figure late in her life, and the subject of two films. By Maira Garcia MOVIE REVIEWS Matt Kennedy/Focus Features   Critic’s Pick ‘Kajillionaire’ Review: California Scheming Miranda July’s third feature follows a family of small-scale swindlers in a deceptively sunny Los Angeles. By Jeannette Catsoulis Sony Pictures   ‘The Last Shift’ Review: Passing the Fast-Food Torch Richard Jenkins gets a starring role as a man training his replacement at a job he’s worked at for nearly 40 years. By Glenn Kenny Parisa Taghizadeh/Shout! Studios   ‘Misbehaviour’ Review: Pretty Women, Some Pretty Angry This British comedy about a feminist protest against the 1970 Miss World contest stars Keira Knightley and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. By Manohla Dargis Netflix   ‘Enola Holmes’ Review: She’s Beyond Elementary, and Not Your Dear Millie Bobby Brown stars as a teenager with sleuth skills that rival her famous brother’s in this charming feature. By Lovia Gyarkye CBS   ‘Console Wars’ Review: In Nintendo vs. Sega, Mortals Combat The 16-bit duel in this CBS All Access documentary is charged up to Sonic the Hedgehog speed. By Scott Tobias Big Picture Ranch   ‘Kiss the Ground’ Review: Regenerating Hope for the Climate An optimistic climate documentary narrated by Woody Harrelson argues for the healing power of soil, which could offer a solution to the climate crisis. By Natalia Winkelman Shout! Studios   ‘Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story’ Review: A Woman’s Right to Fight This new documentary is a showcase for stunt performers in Hollywood, but it fails to capture the best of the action. By Teo Bugbee Alan Govenar/First Run Features   ‘Myth of a Colorblind France’ Review: Artistry Abroad The documentary focuses on the history of African-American expatriates in France and the writings, paintings and music they made there. By Ben Kenigsberg Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT NEWS & FEATURES critic’s notebook We Watched Fall Film Festivals From Home. Here’s How It Went. Our critics examine the highs, the lows and the oddities of the online versions of events in Toronto and New York. By Manohla Dargis and A.O. Scott From All-Star Flop to Astute Satire in Just 50 Years “The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer” involved major names like John Cleese and Harold Pinter and anticipated U.S. and British politics. Why didn’t it catch on? By Adam Langer BAFTA Takes Steps on Diversity, After All-White, All-Male Shortlists Voters in Britain’s version of the Oscars will have to take unconscious bias training, and there will be a quota for women in the first round of voting for best director. By Alex Marshall Evan Rachel Wood Uses Her Roles to Heal The actress finds catharsis in roles about pain and in her activism to help the survivors of domestic violence. By Molly Oswaks CRITICS’ PICKS Close Up Films   Critic’s Pick ‘Bird Island’ Review: Avian Therapy This compact, whimsical film about a bird rehabilitation center in Switzerland is perched wryly between fiction and documentary. By Devika Girish Bill Hayes/Zeitgeist Films   Critic’s Pick ‘Oliver Sacks: His Own Life’ Review: All Was Not Well With the Doctor A new documentary explores the fascinating and sometimes troubled life of the famed neurologist. By Glenn Kenny At Home Our best suggestions for how to live a full and cultured life during the pandemic, at home. Sign up How are we doing? We’d love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to moviesupdate@nytimes.com. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT 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 these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. 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