4 can't-miss films worth checking out in Modesto this week

4 can't-miss films worth checking out in Modesto this weekImage: Us/TMDb
Hoodline
Published on March 22, 2019

Want to see a movie, but not sure what's worth your time (and money)? Don't miss this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Modesto.

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.)

Us

Husband and wife Gabe and Adelaide Wilson take their kids to their beach house expecting to unplug and unwind with friends. But as night descends, their serenity turns to tension and chaos when some shocking visitors arrive uninvited.

Set to be released on Friday, March 22, "Us" already has a Tomatometer Score of 94 percent and an Audience Score of 72 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The Atlantic's David Sims said, "'Us' is a glorious symphony of fear, to be sure, but it's also an ambitious sci-fi allegory and a pitch-black comedy of the haves and have-nots," while Brian Truitt of USA Today noted, "[Jordan] Peele is this generation's Hitchcock, for sure, but also a true American original with introspective themes in hand and suspense to spare."

It's playing at Regal Modesto Stadium 10 (3969 McHenry Ave.) through Wednesday, March 27. 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.

With a Tomatometer Score of 91 percent and an Audience Score of 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World" has become a favorite since its release on Feb. 22.

"So much of 'The Hidden World' is stuffed with filler material. But in certain wordless moments, this grand final entry really sings," according to David Sims of the Atlantic, while the New York Post's Johnny Oleksinski said, "The movie could easily be called 'How To End Your Trilogy.'"

It's screening at Regal Modesto Stadium 10 (3969 McHenry Ave.) through Wednesday, March 27. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

Captain Marvel

The story follows Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

With a Tomatometer Score of 79 percent and an Audience Score of 62 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Captain Marvel" is well worth a watch.

"Does it work? The short answer is: yes. There's enough to keep both diehard Marvel fans and newcomers engaged," noted Mark Daniell of the Toronto Sun, while the New Yorker's Anthony Lane said, "Superhero cinema has lectured us, ad infinitum, on the responsibility that is conferred by extraordinary gifts. Praise be to [Brie] Larson, for reminding us that they can be bringers of fun."

You can catch it at Regal Modesto Stadium 10 (3969 McHenry Ave.) through Wednesday, March 27. 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 68 percent and an Audience Score of 65 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Happy Death Day 2U" is well worth a watch. The Atlantic's David Sims said, "Along the lines of other recent inexpensive genre efforts that behave more like franchise blockbusters by building out their lore and doubling down on their nerdiness," while Matthew Rozsa of Salon.com stated, "It is instead that rarity – a sequel that is both better than the original and manages to retroactively improve that movie."

It's playing at Brenden Modesto 18 & JBX (1021 10th St.) through Thursday, March 28. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

Cozy up to movie night.

Life is hard, but planning the perfect movie night is anything but. Make the most of a fun and relaxing evening with these chill-out essentials:

  • Enjoy today’s golden age of streaming entertainment with over 500,000 movies and TV episodes available with the Amazon Fire Stick. Fire it up →
  • No movie night is complete without freshly buttered popcorn, and Cuisinart’s hot air popcorn maker is top-of-the-line. Pop and go →
  • Slip into comfort with Ugg’s best-selling indoor/outdoor moccasin, complete with sheep’s wool lining. Foot heaven →

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.