In the market for high-caliber entertainment? Don't miss this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Phoenix.
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 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 playing at FilmBar (815 N. Second St.) through Thursday, May 9. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
La Bamba
Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of singer Ritchie Valens whose life was cut short by a plane crash.
With a Tomatometer Score of 96 percent and an Audience Score of 78 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, this 1980s classic boasts plenty of accolades.
"An enjoyable if slightly innocuous biopic based on the brief life and short-lived fame of teen rock'n'roll idol Richie Valens," according to Nigel Floyd of Time Out, while Variety's Variety Staff said, "'La Bamba' is engrossing throughout and boasts numerous fine performances."
In the mood for popcorn? It's playing at Harkins Christown 14 (1620 W. Montebello) and Harkins Norterra 14 (2550 W. Happy Valley Road) through Sunday, May 5. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
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 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "'Avengers: Endgame' has become a favorite since its release on April 26.
"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," noted Matthew Lickona of the San Diego Reader, while Slate's Dana Stevens said, "'Endgame' consists almost entirely of the downtime scenes that were always secretly everyone's favorite parts of these movies anyway."
It's playing at AMC Arizona Center 24 (565 N. Third St.) and AMC Dine-In Esplanade 14 (2515 E. Camelback Road) through Wednesday, May 15 and Harkins MetroCenter 12 (9615-A Metro Parkway West) and Harkins Christown 14 (1620 W. Montebello) through Wednesday, May 9. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
While serving time for insanity at a state mental hospital, implacable rabble-rouser, Randle Patrick McMurphy, inspires his fellow patients to rebel against the authoritarian rule of head nurse, Mildred Ratched.
With a Tomatometer Score of 94 percent and an Audience Score of 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, this '70s throwback has become a favorite. The Hollywood Reporter's Arthur Knight said, "'With One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,' Forman takes his rightful place as one of our most creative young directors. His casting is inspired, his sense of milieu is assured and he could probably wring Academy Award performances from a stone," and Time Out's Tom Huddleston noted, "Unlike its frontman, this multi-Oscar-winning drama hasn't aged particularly well."
In the mood for popcorn? It's playing at FilmBar (815 N. Second St.) on Wednesday, May 8. 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.
