Want to see a movie, but not sure what's worthwhile? Don't miss this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Austin.
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.)
Apollo 11
A look at the Apollo 11 mission to land on the moon led by commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin.
Boasting a Tomatometer Score of 99 percent and an Audience Score of 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "'Apollo 11' has gotten stellar reviews since its release on March 8. Entertainment Weekly's Chris Nashawaty said, "The NASA mission at the heart of the must-see documentary 'Apollo 11' reminds you what it feels to be truly awestruck," while Jake Coyle of the Associated Press noted, "'Apollo 11' might not tell you anything you don't already know about the moon landing. But it will make you feel it, and see it, anew."
It's screening at Regal Arbor 8 @ Great Hills (9828 Great Hills Trail) through Wednesday, April 17; Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline (14028 Us. 183, #F) through Tuesday, April 16; and Alamo Drafthouse Mueller (1911 Aldrich St.) through Wednesday, April 17. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Grave of the Fireflies
In the final months of World War II, 14-year-old Seita and his sister Setsuko are orphaned when their mother is killed during an air raid in Kobe, Japan. After a falling out with their aunt, they move into an abandoned bomb shelter. With no surviving relatives and their emergency rations depleted, Seita and Setsuko struggle to survive.
With a Tomatometer Score of 97 percent and an Audience Score of 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, this '80s throwback boasts plenty of accolades.
"One of the most startling and moving animated films ever," according to Glenn Kenny of the New York Times, while ReelViews's James Berardinelli said, "Some movies are such singular achievements that they deserve to be seen at least once by everyone who considers himself or herself to be a lover of film. 'Grave of the Fireflies' falls into that exclusive category."
It's playing at Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane (5701 W. Slaughter Lane) and Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline (14028 US 183, #F) on Friday, April 12, and Sunday, April 14. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
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.
With a Tomatometer Score of 94 percent and an Audience Score of 68 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "'Us' has garnered plenty of praise since its release on March 22.
"It achieves an insidious, lingering effect that's rarer in the horror genre," noted Ben Sachs of the Chicago Reader, while the Christian Science Monitor's Peter Rainer said, "Ambition in the horror genre can be a good thing, but the overreach in this movie detracts from both the horror and the ambition. Having said that, Peele shows a marked advance in filmmaking skills here and, in her dual role, Nyong'o is ferociously good."
Get a piece of the action at AMC Barton Creek Square 14 (2901 Capital Of Texas Highway) through Wednesday, April 17; Alamo Drafthouse Village (2700 W. Anderson Lane) through Wednesday, April 17; and Regal Gateway Stadium 16 & IMAX (9700 Stonelake Blvd.) through Tuesday, April 16. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
The Mustang
While participating in a rehabilitation program training wild mustangs, a convict at first struggles to connect with the horses and his fellow inmates, but he learns to confront his violent past as he soothes an especially feisty horse.
With a Tomatometer Score of 94 percent and an Audience Score of 70 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "'The Mustang' has garnered plenty of praise since its release on March 15. The Detroit News's Adam Graham said, "There's a Disney movie in here somewhere, but Clermont-Tonnerre has no interest in it. She's too busy steering her own course, and it works," and ReelViews's James Berardinelli noted, "It's worth seeking out... as both a portrait of a prison program few are aware of and a powerful character study."
Catch it on the big screen at Regal Arbor 8 @ Great Hills (9828 Great Hills Trail) through Thursday, April 18. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Shazam!
A boy is given the ability to become an adult superhero in times of need with a single magic word.
With a Tomatometer Score of 91 percent and an Audience Score of 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "'Shazam!' has become a favorite since its release on April 5. Time Out's Joshua Rothkopf said, "For a long, glorious stretch, Shazam! plays like the anti-Nolan antidote it is," while Matthew Rozsa of Salon.com stated, "'Shazam!' is the funniest, sweetest and most innocent movie in the DC Extended Universe - a sign that it is at last ready to compete with Marvel."
In the mood for popcorn? It's playing at Regal Gateway Stadium 16 & IMAX (9700 Stonelake Blvd.) through Tuesday, April 16, and AMC Barton Creek Square 14 (2901 Capital Of Texas Highway) and Alamo Drafthouse Village (2700 W. Anderson Lane) through Wednesday, April 17. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
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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.
