Want to see a movie, but not sure what's worthwhile? Read on for this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Pleasant Hill.
Here are the highest rated films to catch, based on critical scores sourced from review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. (Movie descriptions courtesy The Movie Database; showtimes via Fandango.)
The Favourite
In 18th century England, the close relationship between Queen Anne and Sarah Churchill is threatened by the arrival of Sarah's cousin, Abigail Hill, resulting in a bitter rivalry between the two cousins to be the Queen's favorite.
Set to be released on Friday, December 14, The Favourite already has a critical approval rating of 94 percent and an audience score of 67 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The site's critical consensus has it that "The Favourite sees Yorgos Lanthimos balancing a period setting against rich, timely subtext - and getting roundly stellar performances from his well-chosen stars."
It's screening at Century 16 Downtown Pleasant Hill and XD (125 Crescent Drive) through Thursday, Dec. 13. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Green Book
Tony Lip, a bouncer in 1962, is hired to drive pianist Don Shirley on a tour through the Deep South in the days when African Americans forced to find alternate accommodations and services due to segregation laws below the Mason-Dixon Line relied on a guide called The Negro Motorist Green Book.
With a critical approval rating of 82 percent and an audience score of 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, Green Book has been getting attention since its release on November 16. The site's critical consensus has it that "Green Book takes audiences on a surprisingly smooth ride through potentially bumpy subject matter, fueled by Peter Farrelly's deft touch and a pair of well-matched leads."
You can catch it at Century 16 Downtown Pleasant Hill and XD (125 Crescent Drive) through Thursday, Dec. 13. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Boy Erased
Jared, the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, is outed to his parents at age 19. Jared is faced with an ultimatum: attend a gay conversion therapy program – or be permanently exiled and shunned by his family, friends and faith.
With an 80 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 76 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, Boy Erased is well worth a watch, with a consensus that "Anchored in empathy by writer-director-star Joel Edgerton, Boy Erased proves the road to complex, powerfully performed drama can also be paved with good intentions."
Get a piece of the action at Century 16 Downtown Pleasant Hill and XD (125 Crescent Drive) through Wednesday, Dec. 12. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and bass guitarist John Deacon take the music world by storm when they form the rock 'n' roll band Queen in 1970. Hit songs become instant classics. When Mercury's increasingly wild lifestyle starts to spiral out of control, Queen soon faces its greatest challenge yet – finding a way to keep the band together amid the success and excess.
With a critical approval rating of 62 percent and an audience score of 91 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, Bohemian Rhapsody is well worth a watch. According to the site's summary of critic reviews, "Bohemian Rhapsody hits a handful of high notes, but as an in-depth look at a beloved band, it offers more of a medley than a true greatest hits collection."
It's screening at Century 16 Downtown Pleasant Hill and XD (125 Crescent Drive) through Thursday, Dec. 13. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
