5 top films worth checking out in Berkeley this week

5 top films worth checking out in Berkeley this week Image: Isn't It Romantic/TMDb
Hoodline
Published on February 21, 2019

Want to see a movie, but not sure what's worthwhile? Take a look at this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Berkeley.

Here are the highest rated films to catch, based on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer Score, which reflects the opinions of hundreds of film and television critics.

(Movie descriptions courtesy The Movie Database; showtimes via Fandango. Movie ratings and showtimes are subject to change.)

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse  

Miles Morales is juggling his life between being a high school student and being a spider-man. When Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk uses a super collider, others from across the Spider-Verse are transported to this dimension.

With a Tomatometer Score of 97 percent and an Audience Score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" has been a must-watch since its release in December of 2018. The New York Times' Lawrence Ware said, "This film manages the delicate feat of embracing its source material while also satirizing it," while David Sims of the Atlantic noted, "The latest entry in a fully saturated genre that somehow, through sheer creative gumption, does something new."

It's screening at UA Berkeley 7 (2274 Shattuck Ave.) through Thursday, Feb. 28. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World  

As Hiccup fulfills his dream of creating a peaceful dragon utopia, Toothless’ discovery of an untamed, elusive mate draws the Night Fury away. When danger mounts at home and Hiccup’s reign as village chief is tested, both dragon and rider must make impossible decisions to save their kind.

The recently released "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World" already has a Tomatometer Score of 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. " 'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World'  brings the franchise to a close with an affectionate chapter that continues the adventures of the Viking boy-turned-chief Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and his faithful dragon Toothless," noted Jake Coyle of the Associated Press.

It's screening at UA Berkeley 7 (2274 Shattuck Ave.) through Friday, March 1. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

Cold Pursuit

Nels Coxman's quiet life comes crashing down when his beloved son dies under mysterious circumstances. His search for the truth soon becomes a quest for revenge as he seeks coldblooded justice against a drug lord and his inner circle.

With a Tomatometer Score of 73 percent and an Audience Score of 60 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Cold Pursuit" is well worth a watch. The New York Post's Johnny Oleksinski called it "an excellent film," while James Berardinelli of ReelViews said, “ ‘Cold Pursuit’ works as intended."

Catch it on the big screen at UA Berkeley 7 (2274 Shattuck Ave.) through Friday, Feb. 22. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

Isn't It Romantic

For a long time, Natalie, an Australian architect living in New York City, had always believed that what she had seen in rom-coms is all fantasy. But after thwarting a mugger at a subway station only to be knocked out while fleeing, Natalie wakes up and discovers that her life has suddenly become her worst nightmare—a romantic comedy—and she is the leading lady.

With a Tomatometer Score of 68 percent and an Audience Score of 61 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Isn't It Romantic" is well worth a watch. The New York Post's Johnny Oleksinski said, "Unlike other movies where women bang their heads, this one's got a brain," and New York Magazine/Vulture's Bilge Ebiri said, "It's the Inception of rom-coms. Sort of."

Catch it on the big screen at UA Berkeley 7 (2274 Shattuck Ave.) through Friday, March 1. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

Happy Death Day 2U

Collegian Tree Gelbman wakes up in horror to learn that she's stuck in a parallel universe. Her boyfriend Carter is now with someone else, and her friends and fellow students seem to be completely different versions of themselves. When Tree discovers that Carter's roommate has been altering time, she finds herself once again the target of a masked killer. When the psychopath starts to go after her inner circle, Tree soon realizes that she must die over and over again to save everyone.

With a Tomatometer Score of 67 percent and an Audience Score of 67 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Happy Death Day 2U" is well worth a watch. Salon.com's Matthew Rozsa said, "It is instead that rarity — a sequel that is both better than the original and manages to retroactively improve that movie," while Ben Sachs of the Chicago Reader said, "Like its predecessor, the movie has a broad sentimental streak, but the sentiment feels more thoughtful and heartfelt this time around."

You can catch it at UA Berkeley 7 (2274 Shattuck Ave.) through Friday, March 1. Click here for showtimes and tickets.


This story was created automatically using local movie data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.