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? Don't miss this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around San Jose.
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.)
Avengers: Endgame
After the devastating events of "Avengers: Infinity War," the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos' actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what consequences may be in store.
With a Tomatometer Score of 95 percent and an Audience Score of 91 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Avengers: Endgame" has become a favorite since its release on April 26. The San Diego Reader's Matthew Lickona said, "The MCU will go on and on, but this chapter — and the American pragmatism vs. American ideals bromance that drove it — have well and truly come to their 'Excelsior! Nuff said!' moment," while Dana Stevens of Slate noted, "'Endgame' consists almost entirely of the downtime scenes that were always secretly everyone's favorite parts of these movies anyway."
You can catch it at AMC Eastridge 15 (2190 Eastridge Loop), San Jose Showplace Icon at Valley Fair (2855 Stevens Creek Blvd.) and CinéArts @ Santana Row (3088 Olsen Drive) through Wednesday, May 8 and AMC Saratoga 14 (700 El Paseo De Saratoga) through Thursday, May 9. 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 91 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Us" has become a favorite 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."
Get a piece of the action at Century 20 Oakridge and XD (925 Blossom Hill Road) through Wednesday, May 8. 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 91 percent and an Audience Score of 76 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Penguins" has become a favorite since its release on April 17.
"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," noted Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, while the Globe and Mail's Brad Wheeler said, "A sweet, playful coming-of-age documentary"
Want to see for yourself? It's playing at Century 20 Oakridge and XD (925 Blossom Hill Road) through Wednesday, May 8. 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 87 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," and Salon.com's Matthew Rozsa noted, "'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."
It's screening at CinéArts @ Santana Row (3088 Olsen Drive) through Wednesday, May 8. 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.
