Movies Update: Sundance and More

Plus, A.O. Scott on how to fix the Oscars.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story January 29, 2021 By Stephanie Goodman Film Editor Hi, movie fans! The Academy Awards aren't until April 25, but Hollywood campaigns have been in full (virtual) swing for some time now. So our film writers dived into Oscar season in a special issue this week. Our awards expert Kyle Buchanan profiled Riz Ahmed, whose performance as a drummer facing addiction and hearing-loss issues has vaulted the British actor into serious contention. Regina King, the actress turned director of "One Night in Miami," explained to Salamishah Tillet why that fact-based drama about an iconic civil-rights-era meeting is a companion piece to her series "Watchmen." And the critic A.O. Scott took a hard look at the Academy Awards themselves, which seem to satisfy no one. His prescription: "It's time to tear up the blueprints and start again." This week was quite busy in the film world. The first online edition of the Sundance Film Festival got underway on Thursday. A $15 ticket lets you watch from home, and we have a guide to help you get started. Or you can follow A.O. Scott's progress via his diary entries. Speaking of festivals, Cannes acknowledged that an in-person edition in May might be difficult to pull off as the pandemic continues to take its toll; the event has now been delayed until July. If you're looking for new titles to watch, we have critic's picks by directors making their feature debuts: "Saint Maud," a psycho-horror tale from Rose Glass, and "Beginning," the haunting work of Dea Kulumbegashvili. Enjoy the movies! Edmon de Haro Critic's Notebook The Oscars Are a Mess. Let's Make Them Messier. Nothing has been normal about the last year, including the movies. The academy shouldn't try to pretend otherwise. It should see this as an opportunity. By A.O. Scott Edmon de Haro How Can the Oscars Be More Entertaining? Here Are Five Ways We asked the industry insiders Ricky Gervais, Nell Scovell, Bruce Vilanch, Jordan Horowitz and Peter Mehlman what they would change. Their ideas ranged from charming to totally unlikely. Ryan Lowry for The New York Times The Projectionist Losing Control With Riz Ahmed The actor's process is so intense, his "Sound of Metal" director refused to share dailies with him. But after all that overthinking, formidable instincts kicked in. By Kyle Buchanan Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS Beyond the Algorithm 'Margaret,' 'American Animals' and More Streaming Alternatives Still looking for some new things to watch? Take some chances on these titles. By Jason Bailey The 50 Best TV Shows and Movies to Watch on Disney+ Right Now The Disney streaming platform has hundreds of movie and TV titles, drawing from its own deep reservoir classics and from Star Wars, Marvel and more. These are our favorites. By Scott Tobias The Best Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now New films, and classics, just keep coming, but you don't have to drill down to find the finest selections to stream. We'll do the heavy lifting. You press play. By Jason Bailey MOVIE REVIEWS Nicola Goode/Warner Bros 'The Little Things' Review: Good Old-Fashioned Police Work Denzel Washington and Rami Malek play detectives on the trail of a serial killer in John Lee Hancock's vintage thriller. By A.O. Scott Larry Horricks/Netflix 'The Dig' Review: Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes on a Treasure Hunt A small team makes a groundbreaking discovery in this fictionalized account of an actual archaeological expedition close to home. By Glenn Kenny Cameron Bloom/Netflix 'Penguin Bloom' Review: Relearning to Fly In this sentimental Netflix film, Naomi Watts plays a woman who, after a life-changing accident, finds inspiration in a magpie. By Jeannette Catsoulis Chris Moore/Netfilx 'Finding Ohana' Review: Treasure Hunting and Family Healing The adventure narrative in this Hawaii-set Netflix film distracts from a deeper story about cultural heritage and family dynamics. By Kyle Turner Samuel Goldwyn Films 'Savage State' Review: Escape to New York French settlers flee the American Civil War in this heavily allegorical, yet strangely compelling drama. By Jeannette Catsoulis Film Movement 'True Mothers' Review: Family Entanglements Parents clash in this Japanese melodrama from Naomi Kawase. By Ben Kenigsberg Icarus Films 'Softie' Review: Battling for Votes in Kenya In this political documentary, the activist and photographer Boniface "Softie" Mwangi runs for office in a quixotic struggle against a corrupt system and a legacy of election violence. By Nicolas Rapold Dark Star Pictures 'The Reunited States' Review: Hopeful Moments in a Political War Directed by Ben Rekhi, this documentary profiles people who have made a mission of listening to the other side. By Ben Kenigsberg Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL Margeaux Walter for The New York Times Sundance 2021 Guide: Bundle Up and Settle in on Your Sofa Now that the film festival has gone virtual, you can watch like an insider. But where do you start? If you liked previous hits from Park City, try these new entries. By Jason Bailey Sundance Institute Sundance Diary, Part 1: Searching for Serendipity With the film festival online, our critic has perused the schedule and found that even with a pared-back edition this year, FOMO is very much a possibility. By A.O. Scott George Etheredge for The New York Times With 'Warrior Spirit,' a New Leader Pushes Sundance Forward Since taking over as the film festival's director, Tabitha Jackson has had to figure out how to hold a cinema showcase during a pandemic. Her virtual solution starts Thursday. By Nicole Sperling NEWS & FEATURES Jeenah Moon for The New York Times Harvey Weinstein Accusers Agree to $17 Million Settlement Some 40 women will participate in the bankruptcy court agreement, though others who have sued Mr. Weinstein and accused him of sexual abuse have objected to the terms and are considering an appeal. By Melena Ryzik and Cara Buckley Bettmann, via Getty Images Cloris Leachman, Oscar Winner and TV Comedy Star, Is Dead at 94 "The Last Picture Show" made her a star, but she may be best remembered for drawing laughs on "Mary Tyler Moore," "Phyllis" and "Malcolm in the Middle." By Robert Berkvist Alberto Pizzoli/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Cannes Film Festival Is Delayed Until July Because of Pandemic The 2021 edition of the event, which was canceled last year, is now set to take place two months later than planned. By Alex Marshall Bettman Archive/Getty Images The First Oscar Ceremony Lasted 15 Minutes. What Happened? There were no cameras or radio mics and just one speech. Even when it moved to TV, the show could be under two hours. When expectations set in, so did bloat. By Jason Bailey Allyson Riggs/A24, via Associated Press Here's What We Would Nominate for Best Picture It was a weird year for cinema, but there were plenty of great films. It would be an honor to see these get a nod. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT CRITIC'S PICKS Angus Young/A24 Critic's Pick 'Saint Maud' Review: A Passion for Sinners A disturbed young nurse becomes obsessed with a dying artist in this exceptional horror movie debut from the director Rose Glass. By Jeannette Catsoulis Mubi Critic's Pick 'Beginning' Review: Faith Under Attack Dea Kulumbegashvili's debut feature ensnares its heroine in circles of religious and patriarchal persecution. By Devika Girish Bleecker Street, via Associated Press Critic's Pick 'Supernova' Review: On the Road, to a Heartbreaking Destination Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci play a longtime couple facing unpleasant facts in this spectacularly moving film from Harry Macqueen. By Glenn Kenny 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 these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. 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