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Film critic Chris Nashawaty recommends the top fall TV shows and Movies for Grownups
DIGGER
In theaters October 2
Usually when Tom Cruise, above, sets out to save the world on the big screen, the actor goes through months of training to get in fighting shape. But in this satirical action-comedy, the ageless movie star (OK, he’s technically 64) piles on pounds of prosthetics to play a blowhard oil tycoon racing to stop an ecological catastrophe he most likely started. The film’s stellar ensemble also includes John Goodman, 74.
LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER
On Prime Video November 11
Fans of Middle Earth, rejoice! The third season of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy series, featuring among others Morfydd Clark, above left, is finally at hand. Amazon’s show continues to fill in the rich backstory behind the forging of the Rings of Power and the rise of Sauron.
MADDEN
In theaters November 26
Two of Hollywood’s most compelling actors—Christian Bale, 52, above left, and Nicolas Cage, 62—team up for this biopic of NFL personality John Madden as he rose from Super Bowl–winning coach to the broadcast booth, where he cemented his legend with his sharp commentary and cartoonish energy.
MEET THE PARENTS: FOCKER-IN-LAW
In theaters November 25
Now, 26 years after Ben Stiller, 60, first crossed paths with future father-in-law Robert De Niro, above left, the Fockers’ story passes to Stiller’s now-grown son, Henry (Skyler Gisondo), who’s bringing his fiancée (Ariana Grande) to meet his grandparents (De Niro and Blythe Danner, both 83).
THE SOCIAL RECKONING
In theaters October 9
2010’s The Social Network was a wake-up call about the dangers of social media and a chilling portrait of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Writer-director Aaron Sorkin’s latest suggests Zuck (played by Jeremy Strong, above) plotted to keep its platform’s more harmful effects (misinformation, teens’ mental health) from going public.
LUPIN, SEASON 4
On Netflix October 23
If you’re not watching Netflix’s hit French import crime series, fear not. There’s still time to catch up before the new season drops. Here’s what’s in store, should you take up the challenge: a tense Parisian cat-and-mouse thriller about a suave gentleman thief (Omar Sy, above) that comes packed with more twists and layers than a croissant. Bon appétit!
Who are the most fabulous Gen X actresses?
This year, Viola Davis tops our list. Find it at aarp.org/fabgenx