Movies Update: When Meg Ryan met directing

Plus, taking a deep dive with "Nyad."

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story November 3, 2023 By Stephanie Goodman Film Editor Hi, movie fans! Halloween is barely over and the holiday season is here — well, at least according to retailers. Hollywood studios aren't far behind them, with a slew of appropriate titles headed our way. That's the motivation for our annual holiday preview, which includes a profile of Meg Ryan. She's returning to romcoms, but this time she's directing as well as starring and is trying to push the boundaries of the genre in the wintry "What Happens Later." As the 61-year-old star told my colleague Melena Ryzik, "To be my age and to be looking back on things — so many of these stories are about looking forward into a happily ever after. And there's just totally different questions up for grabs here." In her review of the film, the critic Claire Shaffer notes that it is dedicated to the romcom master Nora Ephron, and adds, "It's a worthy tribute to her, delivered by perhaps the most qualified person to create one." What else are our reviewers talking about? Lisa Kennedy made Raven Jackson's debut feature, "All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt," a Critic's Pick, saying the rural Mississippi tale "announces the arrival of a filmmaker grounded in the lyrical beauty of her characters and the loamy grace of the place they so deeply inhabit." Other picks this week include "Nyad," starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster in a story about the long-distance swimmer, and "Fingernails," with Jessie Buckley and Riz Ahmed as confused lonely-hearts. Whatever you decide to watch, enjoy the movies! Stefania Rosini/Bleecker Street 'What Happens Later' Review: Meg Ryan Revisits the Meet-Cute The rom-com queen directs and stars opposite David Duchovny in this two-hander about former lovers who reconnect after 25 years. By Claire Shaffer Liz Parkinson/Netflix Critic's Pick 'Nyad' Review: Neptune's (Estranged) Daughter Annette Bening plays the long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad as a woman who doesn't pity herself. Neither does the film. By Amy Nicholson Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT CRITICS' PICKS DGM/Monoduo Films Critic's Pick 'In the Court of the Crimson King' Review: 50 Years of Off-Kilter Rock Toby Amies's documentary dives into the history of the British progressive rock band King Crimson and its chief disciplinarian, Robert Fripp. By Glenn Kenny Jaclyn Martinez/A24 Critic's Pick 'All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt' Review: Mississippi Memories Raven Jackson's film offers a rich portrait of growing up in rural Mississippi and heralds a fresh, poetic talent. By Lisa Kennedy Apple TV+ Critic's Pick 'Fingernails' Review: Love, Factually Jessie Buckley and Riz Ahmed play confused lonely-hearts torn between science and emotion in this adorable near-future romance. By Jeannette Catsoulis Roadside Attractions Critic's Pick 'Beyond Utopia' Review: Exit Strategies This film, directed by Madeleine Gavin, documents the experiences of defectors from North Korea. By Ben Kenigsberg MOVIE REVIEWS Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions 'The Marsh King's Daughter' Review: Smoke on the Water Neil Burger's thriller aims to capture a mother pushed to protect her family from her past. By Robert Daniels Zachary Shields/Lady & Bird Films 'Subject' Review: A Question of Ethics Filmmaking principles come under scrutiny in "Subject," a documentary about the making of documentaries. By Calum Marsh Michelle K Short/Hulu 'Quiz Lady' Review: Dog in Jeopardy Sandra Oh shines in this road trip buddy comedy about a pair of sisters getting on a TV quiz show to pay the ransom for their stolen dog. By Brandon Yu Netflix 'Sly' Review: No More Mr. Tough Guy This documentary from Thom Zimny tracks Sylvester Stallone's life and career, though focuses too much on "Rocky" and "Rambo." By Nicolas Rapold Participant/Pantelion 'Radical' Review: To Sergio With Love A vaguely unconventional teacher galvanizes disadvantaged sixth graders in this highly conventional drama. By Natalia Winkelman Rada Studios 'Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project' Review: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey The experimental documentary is punctuated by Giovanni's poetry, read both by her and the actress Taraji P. Henson. But the film offers only what the poet is willing to give. By Concepción de León Gael Turpo/Netflix 'Wingwomen' Review: A Crew of Femme Fatales A feisty Adèle Exarchopoulos does the heavy lifting in this otherwise uninspired action-comedy set in France. By Beatrice Loayza Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT NEWS & FEATURES Chantal Anderson for The New York Times Meg Ryan Wrestles With the Rom-Com She always had concerns about the happily-ever-after ideals of the genre. Now as a director she's pushing its boundaries to examine issues of aging and regret. By Melena Ryzik Apple TV+ Critic's Notebook Not the Brightest Killer of the Flower Moon Leonardo DiCaprio's Ernest is unlike any Scorsese protagonist because, well, he's dumb as rocks. And that changes the film in a fundamental way. By Sean T. Collins Mubi How Should Assault Look Onscreen? It Doesn't Need to Be Seen. In new films, including "How to Have Sex," female British directors emphasize the impact of sexual trauma, rather portraying the act itself. By Simran Hans BFI National Archive A Landmark of Black Cinema, Restored for a New Age The British director Horace Ové struggled to get his 1975 film, "Pressure," made and released. Now, weeks after his death, a new restoration is celebrated in New York and London. By Simran Hans Zachary Shields/Lady & Bird Films With 'Subject,' Doc Stars Look Back A talk with the directors Jennifer Tiexiera and Camilla Hall about their film that checks in on the subjects of high-profile documentaries. By Nicolas Rapold STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS Janus Films Three Great Documentaries to Stream In this month's picks, an actor and a director reflect on their careers, while another director reflects on everything else. By Ben Kenigsberg Walt Disney Animation Studios Five Children's Movies to Stream Now This month's picks include a restored Disney classic, a wholesome family romp and an underdog dramedy. By Dina Gachman Yoo Eun Mi/Netflix Five Action Movies to Stream Now This month's picks include a story of female revenge, a tale of a flying swordsman and a rip-roaring disaster flick. By Robert Daniels Dale Robinette/Paramount Pictures Stream These 10 Movies Before They Leave Netflix in November We rounded up the best titles leaving the streaming service for U.S. subscribers next month. That includes Oscar winners, family favorites and bawdy comedies. 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. 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