On Christmas, we leave cookies out for Santa. On Memorial Day weekend, we snarf down popcorn forTom Cruise. It's officiallysummer movie season, and another action-packed "Mission: Impossible" on the big screen means Cruise doing more daredevil stuff for the theatrical experience. (My man loves the cinema!) He's back with "The Final Reckoning" and taking on a rogue AI while also tooling around an underwater submarine and having way too much fun hanging off biplanes. Also returning this weekend: that scruffy and fluffy fugitive alien Stitch, in a highly anticipated Disney remake of "Lilo & Stitch." Those head up our latest and greatest recommendations, which also include Netflix's new binge-worthy series "Sirens." Now on to the good stuff: One of the most interesting things I found out interviewing "Mission: Impossible" cast members is that Henry Czerny, who goes all the way back to the 1996 first movie, calls Cruise "Tom Phenom." (Another fun fact: Nick Offerman's nickname for him is "Tomcat.") Cruise has definitely proven to be anaction-movie phenomenon, also with the "Top Gun" flicks but especially for the "Mission" franchise, and I chatted with Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames and others about Cruise's role in nearly 30 years' worth of "Impossible" movies. We'll see if "The Final Reckoning" ends up being a franchise closer but it is rather good balancing the jaw-dropping action sequences with more emotional stakes. (Peep my★★★½ review.) And the new "Mission" stacks up well inmy overall franchise rankings. Sorry to all the "Mission: Impossible 2" lovers out there. It's always a big deal when someone gets cast in one of Disney's high-profile remakes, be it Will Smith as the Genie in "Aladdin" or Rachel Zegler in "Snow White." Maia Kealoha is kind of small, she is only 8 after all, but like her furry alien co-star, she makes a major impact in the redo of "Lilo & Stitch." The young native Hawaiian stopped by our New York City studio to chat with my bud Ralphie Aversa abouther first film role, why she next wants to hang with Adam Sandler, and how she's ready for more. "I would like to do my own TV show," she says. "Maybe like an action movie or 'M3GAN 3' or maybe a 'Lilo & Stitch 2.' Bing, bang, boom, let's go!" My colleague Patrick Ryan rounds upthe biggest changesfrom the original "Lilo & Stitch" to the new one. The 2002 film is an unhinged delight and one of my favorite Disney cartoons, and while the remake has its moments as a sweet story about family, it winds up being a Disney Channel-ready retread of something much better. (Peep my★★½ review.) Your kids will probably want to see it, though, so be sure to check out our"Lilo & Stitch" parent's guide. If it turns even one youngster onto Elvis, then maybe the movie has done its job. One good thing about having a long holiday weekend is plenty of time for your next great binge. And Netflix's super-soapy, sort-of-culty dark dramedy "Sirens" is a standout, with Meghann Fahy as a hard-luck woman trying to free her estranged younger sister (Milly Alcock) from the creepy relationship she's built with her wealthy, manipulative and seriously weird boss (Julianne Moore). TV critic Kelly Lawler is also a fan, likening "Sirens" in her★★★½ reviewto "a shipwreck caused by the Greek mythological creatures from which it takes its name: swirling, chaotic, blackly comedic, tragic and unstoppable." She also thinks it could be the next "White Lotus," though for me it's better than the viral HBO drama. (Which honestly was really only must-see in its first season.) Natalie Portman and John Krasinski talk about thestunt that "genuinely" terrified themdoing "Fountain of Youth." The Apple TV+ adventure is one of several new movies you should check out in our specialMemorial Day streaming guide. Netflix's"Fear Street: Prom Queen"is an absolute scream for anybody who digs R.L. Stine or the 1980s. The new "Hunger Games" movie added yet another new member to itsgrowing all-star cast. (Hint: He's a newly minted Oscar winner!) I usually write this when a celebrity dies but this time it seems apropos: Let's pour one out, preferably tall and frosty, forGeorge Wendt, who brought inimitable wit and charm to the bar at "Cheers." Bono chats about hisrevealing new Apple TV+ film(plus some fresh U2 tunes). And if you love horror, find out how the iconic Tony Todd went off script doing hispoignant final scenefor "Final Destination Bloodlines." Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me? Email btruitt@usatoday.com and follow me on the socials: I'm @briantruitt onBluesky,InstagramandThreads. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:What to watch: 'Mission: Impossible,' 'Lilo & Stitch,' 'Sirens'
