In the age of streaming entertainment, it can be hard to leave the couch. But movie theaters still offer a special experience for those willing to get out of the house. Want to see what's out there? Check out this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Long Beach.
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 98 percent and an Audience Score of 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Apollo 11" has been a must-watch 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 UA Long Beach (6601 Pacific Coast Highway) through Thursday, May 2. 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 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Us" has garnered plenty of praise since its release on March 22.
"'Us' revolves around an allegory that's more elastic and resistant to parsing than megahit 'Get Out,'" according to Alison Willmore of BuzzFeed News, while the Chicago Reader's Ben Sachs said, "... it achieves an insidious, lingering effect that's rarer in the horror genre."
You can catch it at Cinemark at the Pike (99 S. Pine Ave.) through Wednesday, May 1 and Regal Edwards Long Beach & IMAX (7501 East Carson Blvd.) through Thursday, May 2. 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 75 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Mustang" has garnered plenty of praise since its release on March 15.
"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," noted Adam Graham of the Detroit News, while ReelViews' James Berardinelli said, "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 UA Long Beach (6601 Pacific Coast Highway) through Thursday, May 2. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Penguins
The story of Steve, an Adélie penguin, on a quest to find a life partner and start a family. When Steve meets with Wuzzo the emperor penguin, they become friends. But nothing comes easy in the icy Antarctic.
With a Tomatometer Score of 90 percent and an Audience Score of 81 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Penguins" has racked up generally positive reviews since its release on April 17. Rolling Stone's Peter Travers said, "It took 16 cinematographers three years to capture the stunning images in this doc about an Adelie penguin (anthropomorphically voiced by Ed Helms) coming of age during a freezing Antarctic spring. Go for the film's thrilling sense of wonder," and the Globe and Mail's Brad Wheeler noted, "A sweet, playful coming-of-age documentary."
You can catch it at Cinemark at the Pike (99 S. Pine Ave.) and AMC Marina Pacifica 12 (6346 E. Pacific Coast Hwy.) through Wednesday, May 1 and Regal Edwards Long Beach & IMAX (7501 East Carson Blvd.) through Thursday, May 2. 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 90 percent and an Audience Score of 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Shazam!" has proven a solid option 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."
You can catch it at Cinemark at the Pike (99 S. Pine Ave.) and AMC Marina Pacifica 12 (6346 E. Pacific Coast Hwy.) through Wednesday, May 1 and Regal Edwards Long Beach & IMAX (7501 East Carson Blvd.) through Thursday, May 2. 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.
