Want to lighten the mood? Take a look at this week's lineup of comedies showing on the big screen in and around Columbus.
Here are the top-ranked comedy films to catch in theaters, 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.)
Booksmart
Two academic teenage superstars realize, on the eve of their high school graduation, that they should have worked less and played more. Determined to never fall short of their peers, the girls set out on a mission to cram four years of fun into one night.
With a Tomatometer Score of 97 percent and an Audience Score of 76 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Booksmart" has been a must-watch since its release on May 24. Salon.com's Erin Keane said, " 'Booksmart' puts a fresh spin on the coming-of-age night-of comedy because it's focused on two girls, one of whom is also queer," while Chandler Levack of the Globe and Mail noted, " 'Booksmart' is a love letter for any young woman who has ever stayed home on a Friday night to watch a Ken Burns documentary."
Get a piece of the action at AMC Lennox Town Center 24 (777 Kinnear Road) through Wednesday, June 12; Gateway Film Center (1550 N. High St.) through Wednesday, June 12; and AMC Dine-in Easton Town Center 30 (275 Easton Town Center) through Wednesday, June 12. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Ed Wood
This is the mostly true story of the legendary "worst director of all time", who, with the help of his strange friends, filmed countless B-movies without ever becoming famous or successful.
With a Tomatometer Score of 92 percent and an Audience Score of 76 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, this 1994 release has become a favorite.
" 'Ed Wood' is a comedy of the ridiculous in which the ridiculous turns unexpectedly sublime," according to Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly, while Variety's Todd McCarthy said it's "beguiling rather than thrilling, oddly charming instead of transporting, meaning that Disney will have its work cut out for it with what is at heart a cult movie and a film buff's dream."
It's screening at Gateway Film Center (1550 N. High St.) through Wednesday, June 12. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Long Shot
When Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) reunites with his first crush, one of the most influential women in the world, Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron), he charms her. As she prepares to make a run for the presidency, Charlotte hires Fred as her speechwriter and sparks fly.
With a Tomatometer Score of 81 percent and an Audience Score of 76 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Long Shot" has racked up generally positive reviews since its release on May 3.
"Clearly, Theron can turn her hand to any genre," noted Anthony Lane of the New Yorker, while Tribune News Service's Katie Walsh said, "It's 'Veep,' but less absurdly acid-tongued, and a lot more swoony. Still, the incisive cultural and political commentary cuts deep, and Theron and Rogen turn out to be a winning pair."
Want to see for yourself? It's playing at AMC Lennox Town Center 24 (777 Kinnear Road) through Wednesday, June 12 and AMC Dine-in Easton Town Center 30 (275 Easton Town Center) through Wednesday, June 12. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Late Night
Legendary late-night talk show host's world is turned upside down when she hires her only female staff writer. Originally intended to smooth over diversity concerns, her decision has unexpectedly hilarious consequences as the two women separated by culture and generation are united by their love of a biting punchline.
Set to be released on Friday, June 14, "Late Night" already has a Tomatometer Score of 78 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The New York Times's A.O. Scott said, "Rather than scourging the complacency and hypocrisy of television, it subjects the medium to a vigorous exfoliating scrub in the name of feminism and inclusiveness," and the Los Angeles Times' Kenneth Turan noted, "Doing all that can't have been easy, but making it seem like it was may be the most satisfying of 'Late Night's' many agreeable accomplishments."
Get a piece of the action at AMC Lennox Town Center 24 (777 Kinnear Road) through Thursday, June 13; AMC Dine-in Easton Town Center 30 (275 Easton Town Center) through Thursday, June 13; Cinemark Polaris 18 and XD (1071 Gemini Place) through Friday, June 14; and Cinemark Carriage Place Movies 12 (2570 Bethel Road) through Thursday, June 13. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Pokémon Detective Pikachu
In a world where people collect pocket-size monsters (Pokémon) to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent monster who seeks to be a detective.
With a Tomatometer Score of 66 percent and an Audience Score of 82 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Pokémon Detective Pikachu" is well worth a watch. The Globe and Mail's Daniel Kaszor said, "Detective Pikachu is unrelentingly weird," while Vincent Acovino of NPR noted, "There's something admirable about a film that isn't afraid to have some fun with a property so established—and beloved—by its core audience."
Get a piece of the action at AMC Starplex Columbus 10 (5275 Westpointe Plaza), AMC Lennox Town Center 24 (777 Kinnear Road), AMC Dine-in Easton Town Center 30 (275 Easton Town Center), and Cinemark Polaris 18 and XD (1071 Gemini Place) through Wednesday, June 12. 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.
