Movies Update: ‘The White Tiger’ and More

Plus, Regina King discusses a scene from "One Night in Miami."

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story January 22, 2021 By Mekado Murphy Movies Editor Hey, movie fans! January has often been a month when critically acclaimed new releases are sparse. Not this year. Of the new movies out this week, seven have been chosen as Critic's Picks, from Ukraine's official Oscar entry "Atlantis" (available on Metrograph) to the filmed version of the magic show "Derek DelGaudio's In & Of Itself" (available on Hulu). Check out our reviews and dive into something good and fresh. Now on Netflix is the film adaptation of the Aravind Adiga novel "The White Tiger." In his review, A.O. Scott writes that "the plot is lively," but "the characters don't quite come to life." In select theaters is the documentary "The Human Factor," which follows negotiators in their work on Israeli-Palestinian peace. Ben Kenigsberg writes that the movie "presents a cogent and involving view" of those efforts. In movie news, Hollywood is undergoing another round of delayed movie releases, starting with the new Bond film. Can an executive in Kansas save theaters? Brooks Barnes poses that question to Adam Aron of AMC Entertainment. Also, in a bid to help create more opportunities for Latinos in movies and on TV, lawmakers are pushing to get the 1997 movie "Selena" added to the National Film Registry. Enjoy the movies. Netflix 'The White Tiger' Review: Don't Call Him a Slumdog Ramin Bahrani directs a barbed rags-to-riches tale of modern India. By A.O. Scott Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS Gateway Movies Looking for a Great Courtroom Drama? Start Here "Anatomy of a Murder," starring Jimmy Stewart, is a legal drama that trusts audiences to dwell in gray areas. By Ben Kenigsberg 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 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 CRITICS' PICKS Hulu Critic's Pick 'Derek DelGaudio's In & Of Itself' Review: Wow Factor Meets Why Factor A film of Derek DelGaudio's idiosyncratic show captures its surreal vibe and unconventional approach. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Grasshopper Film Critic's Pick 'Atlantis' Review: A Bleak Apocalypse Love Story Ukraine's official Oscar entry, the movie depicts an all-too-convincing dystopia, with no fancy gadgets or cars. By Glenn Kenny Super Ltd Critic's Pick 'Notturno' Review: The Heart of the Middle East Gianfranco Rosi's latest, beautifully shot documentary movingly observes people and places across Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Kurdistan in the aftermath of war. By Nicolas Rapold Kino Lorber Critic's Pick 'Identifying Features' Review: Lost in Migration In this confident drama, a mother searches for her son who went missing while trying to migrate from Mexico to the United States. By Teo Bugbee Film Movement Critic's Pick 'You Will Die at Twenty' Review: Death, and Life, on the Nile In his debut feature, Amjad Abu Alala deepens a fable-like premise into a lyrical confrontation with the certitudes of faith and the life-giving powers of doubt. By Devika Girish Greenwich Entertainment Critic's Pick 'Preparations to Be Together' Review: Mysteries of Love A neurosurgeon pursues the man of her dreams in this simmering portrait of obsession by the Hungarian filmmaker Lili Horvat. By Beatrice Loayza Distrib Films Critic's Pick 'The Salt of Tears' Review: More Than Just a Cad's Progress In Philippe Garrel's film, a young Frenchman juggles three women, hoping to be destroyed by love. He gets his wish, but not in a way he imagined. By Glenn Kenny Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT ANATOMY OF A SCENE Patti Perret/Amazon Studios Anatomy of a Scene Watch Malcolm X Debate Sam Cooke in 'One Night in Miami' The director Regina King discusses a sequence from her period drama featuring Kingsley Ben-Adir, Leslie Odom Jr., Eli Goree and Aldis Hodge. By Mekado Murphy MOVIE REVIEWS 'Our Friend' Review: Lean on Me Jason Segel is the ballast that keeps this soggy drama from sinking completely. By Jeannette Catsoulis 'The Human Factor' Review: In Peace Talks Trust Is Vital and Elusive Negotiators recall their advances and missteps in a quest for an Israeli-Palestinian peace. By Ben Kenigsberg 'Spoor' Review: Hunters in the Snow This oddly structured whodunit from Poland is a reverie wrapped around a murder mystery. By Ben Kenigsberg 'No Man's Land' Review: Leaving Home, Learning Tolerance An act of violence forces a Texas rancher to cross the Rio Grande and question his beliefs. By Jeannette Catsoulis NEWS & FEATURES Can an Executive in Kansas Save Movie Theaters? For Adam Aron, who runs AMC Entertainment, the world's largest movie theater chain, the past year has been filled with twists and turns. And no one knows the ending. By Brooks Barnes Hispanic Lawmakers, Pushing for a Change in Hollywood, Start With 'Selena' Lawmakers and experts hope that by adding the film to the National Film Registry, more doors could open for Latinos in movies and television. By Christina Morales Recreating an Archaeological Discovery From the Ground Down "The Dig," on Netflix, revisits the astonishing find made by two amateurs in Britain as World War II was dawning. By Roslyn Sulcas When Some Critics Reject the Film That's About Your Life After Hollywood optioned his devastating essay about his dying wife, Matthew Teague vowed the movie would do right by her. The reviews landed like a gut punch. By Nicole Sperling Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Get the Book Review Newsletter Be the first to see reviews, news and features in The New York Times Book Review. Sign up 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. 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