Belly of the Beast
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Erika Cohn
Erika Cohn’s new documentary focuses on the sterilization of women in California prisons, and the battle for a law against the practice.

When Kelli Dillon was 24 years old, a doctor at the California facility where she was incarcerated sterilized her without consent. That experience, and the way it galvanized Dillon to bring attention to this human rights violation, anchors Erika Cohn’s timely and bracing new documentary “Belly of the Beast.”

Kelli Dillon, testifying about her experience, in “Belly of the Beast,” a documentary | Directed by Erika Cohn. Credit…Idle Wild Films/PBS Independent Lens
By LOVIA GYARKYE

White Riot
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary, Music | Directed by Rubika Shah
Rubika Shah’s documentary about the British organization Rock Against Racism is a compelling depiction of political organizing in the 1970s.

Since rock is no longer the dominant form of popular music, it’s hard to say how much good reviving the story of the British-born organization Rock Against Racism could do. But one of the many things that “White Riot,” a documentary about RAR directed by Rubika Shah, brings home is that the world could still use more somethings against racism.

Music with a message: From left, Mick Jones, Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon of the Clash, as seen in “White Riot.” Credit…Film Movement
By GLENN KENNY

Martin Eden
NYT Critic’s Pick | Drama, Romance | Directed by Pietro Marcello
In this bold adaptation of the Jack London novel, a young writer suffers, fights and pays as he stands alone against the world.

The entirety of the 20th century — its promises, illusions and traumas — sweeps through the audacious and thrilling “Martin Eden.” An ingenious adaptation of the Jack London novel, the film follows its title character, a humble young man as he embarks on a program of self-improvement. Like a hero out of Horatio Alger, Martin strives to change and to advance. A voracious autodidact, he succeeds. But his rags-to-rich path with its hard work, perseverance and bourgeois education, proves far more complicated and finally more shattering than most upward-mobility fairy tales.

Something like desire: Luca Marinelli and Jessica Cressy in “Martin Eden.” Credit…Francesca Errichiello/Kino Lorber
By MANOHLA DARGIS

— Of Possible Interest —

David Byrne’s American Utopia
Documentary, Music, Musical | Directed by Spike Lee
Spike Lee joins forces with David Byrne for a joyous concert movie that rocks and delights, sending you high and then higher.

The first thing you should do when you’re ready to watch “David Byrne’s American Utopia” — and you should watch this exuberant concert movie from Spike Lee — is clear some room in front of your TV. Move any chairs, rugs, tables and cats out of the way. Check your sound, crank the volume, press play. It may take a few songs for every part of you to get moving. But by the time Byrne and company perform “This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody),” you may find yourself levitating.

Remaining in light: David Byrne and company in “American Utopia,” Spike Lee’s film version of Byrne’s stage show. Credit…David Lee/HBO
By MANOHLA DARGIS

Love and Monsters
PG-13 Adventure, Comedy | Directed by Michael Matthews
The new sci-fi adventure from Michael Matthews lacks the self-seriousness of typical dystopian flicks but doesn’t completely lack depth.

In “Love and Monsters,” an imaginative post-apocalyptic coming-of-age film from the South African director Michael Matthews (“Five Fingers for Marseilles”), an asteroid doesn’t destroy civilization, but humanity’s attempt to stop it does.

Dylan O’Brien in “Love and Monsters.” Credit…Paramount Pictures
By LOVIA GYARKYE