Recent cinematic releases, including **'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues', 'Dreams', and 'Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale', are extensively reviewed, alongside several other independent and genre films like 'Rabbit Trap' and 'The Long Walk'. Critics explore themes from autofiction to historical drama and horror across 'The Man in My Basement', 'The History of Sound', 'Happyend', and the documentary 'Men of War'**.

• ‘Spinal Tap II: The End Continues’ Review: They Can’t Leave This Behind — New York Times Movies -
• ‘Dreams’ Review: Fact or Autofiction? — New York Times Movies -
• ‘Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’ Review: One Last Hurrah — New York Times Movies -

• ‘Rabbit Trap’ Review: Into the Woods, Listening Carefully — New York Times Movies -
• ‘The Man in My Basement’ Review: A Prison of His Own Making — New York Times Movies -
• ‘The Long Walk’ Review: Their Feet Are Killing Them — New York Times Movies -
• ‘The History of Sound’ Review: Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor on a Mission — New York Times Movies -
• ‘Happyend’ Review: Adolescent Tremors — New York Times Movies -
• ‘Men of War’ Review: Soldier of Misfortune — New York Times Movies -

Jeffrey Gibson's sculptures at the Met are celebrating indigenous truths, while the National Gallery expands its collection to 20th-century works and the MoMA highlights photography's next generation. There are also concerns about the Los Angeles Olympics cultural plan lagging, a review of 'The Brothers Size' play, and profiles of artists like Stephen Prina and Sally Mann exploring new work and cultural challenges.

• In Jeffrey Gibson’s Sculptures, Child’s Play and Indigenous Truths — New York Times Arts -
• In Jeffrey Gibson’s Sculptures, Child’s Play and Indigenous Truths — New York Times Arts -
• ‘The Brothers Size’ Review: A Spare and Poetic Restaging — New York Times Arts -

• Britain’s National Gallery Expands Collection to 20th-Century Works — New York Times Arts -
• Photography’s Next Generation, Bursting Out of the Frames — New York Times Arts -
• An Artist’s Do-Over in Double Time — New York Times Arts -
• As Los Angeles Olympics Loom, Critics Worry Its Cultural Plan Is Lagging — New York Times Arts -
• An Artist’s Do-Over in Double Time — New York Times Arts -
• As Los Angeles Olympics Loom, Critics Worry Its Cultural Plan Is Lagging — New York Times Arts -
• Sally Mann, in Her Golden Hour, Faces Fresh Culture Wars — New York Times Arts -

A Belgian music festival faces controversy for canceling a concert led by an Israeli conductor, while legendary composer Arvo Pärt readies for retirement after achieving pop star status. Other headlines cover the success of 'Severance' music producer George Drakoulias, upcoming classical performances featuring Dudamel, new classical music albums, and a unique composer Mason Bates bringing symphonic electronica to the Met.

• He’s the Reason ‘Severance’ Sounds So Good — New York Times Music -
• Music Festival in Belgium Cancels Concert Led by Israeli Conductor — New York Times Music -
• Arvo Pärt Reached Pop Star Status. Now He’s Ready to Rest. — New York Times Music -

• Their Schools Banned Phones. Out Came the iPods and Cassette Players. — New York Times Music -
• Dudamel, Arvo Pärt and a ‘Monkey King’ Coming This Fall — New York Times Music -
• 5 Classical Music Albums You Can Listen to Right Now — New York Times Music -
• The Composer Bringing ‘Symphonic Electronica’ to the Met — New York Times Books -

Readers can discover five editor-loved books this week and a list of 50 great board books for babies, while literary figure Stephanie Burt discusses Taylor Swift's poetic genius and her favorite books. The unique story of a Henry David Thoreau impersonator bidding farewell to Walden Pond also captures attention.

• 5 Books Our Editors Loved This Week — New York Times Books -
• Henry David Thoreau Impersonator Says Farewell to Walden Pond — New York Times Books -
• Henry David Thoreau Impersonator Says Farewell to Walden Pond — New York Times Books -

• 50 Great Board Books for Babies — New York Times Books -
• Stephanie Burt on Taylor Swift and Her Favorite Books — New York Times Books -

The entertainment world mourns the passing of June Wilkinson, celebrated pinup star and screen siren at 85, and Polly Holliday, known for her sassy waitress role as Flo on the sitcom 'Alice', who died at 88.

• June Wilkinson, Pinup Star and Screen Siren, Is Dead at 85 — New York Times Movies -
• Polly Holliday, a Sassy Waitress on the Sitcom ‘Alice,’ Dies at 88 — New York Times Movies -

Late-night hosts are teasing Trump over a recent D.C. outing, while the series **'Alien: Earth' explores big tech as a monster and 'Tracker'** becomes one of TV's biggest hits by keeping its formula simple.

• Late Night Teases Trump Over His Night Out in D.C. — New York Times Arts -
• In ‘Alien: Earth,’ Big Tech Is the Monster and Kids Are the Prey — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Tracker’ Became One of TV’s Biggest Hits by Keeping It Simple — New York Times Arts -