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 Santa Ana.
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.)
Toy Story 4
Woody has always been confident about his place in the world and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that's Andy or Bonnie. But when Bonnie adds a reluctant new toy called "Forky" to her room, a road trip adventure alongside old and new friends will show Woody how big the world can be for a toy.
Boasting a Tomatometer Score of 98% and an Audience Score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, "Toy Story 4" has proven to be a critical darling since its release on June 21. The New Yorker's Anthony Lane said, "(Josh) Cooley's film quickens and deepens," while Matthew Rozsa of Salon noted, "The latest installment, 'Toy Story 4,' is perhaps the bleakest (and most beautiful) of them all."
Interested? It's playing at Picture Show at Main Place Mall (2800 N. Main St.) through Monday, July 1. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Rocketman
The story of Elton John's life, from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin.
With a Tomatometer Score of 89% and an Audience Score of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, "Rocketman" has proven a solid option since its release on May 31.
"If you need somebody to recount the rise of a British rock god from pallid suburbia to the baroque extremes of fame, and to create a stir without causing too much of a fuss, (Dexter) Fletcher is your man," noted Anthony Lane of the New Yorker, while the Chicago Reader's Leah Pickett said, "The story reshuffles reality, especially time and facts, and the film is more enjoyable for it."
It's playing at Regency South Coast Village (1561 W. Sunflower Ave.) through Wednesday, July 3. 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.
With a Tomatometer Score of 79% and an Audience Score of 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, "Late Night" is well worth a watch. The Chicago Reader's Kathleen Sachs said, "Heightened by an impressive performance from [Emma] Thompson, it's a fun movie that tackles a variety of issues, including sexism in the workplace, with panache," and the Chicago Sun-Times's Richard Roeper noted, "Humor can be a great equalizer, and Thompson and [Mindy] Kaling are terrific as two women who are funny as hell and should never be underestimated."
Catch it on the big screen at Regency South Coast Village (1561 W. Sunflower Ave.) through Wednesday, July 3. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Returning for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts, Harry is stunned to find that his warnings about the return of Lord Voldemort have been ignored. Left with no choice, Harry takes matters into his own hands, training a small group of students — dubbed 'Dumbledore's Army' — to defend themselves against the dark arts.
With a Tomatometer Score of 78% and an Audience Score of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is well worth your time. The New Yorker's Bruce Diones said, "By focussing the story on Harry (a leaner and slightly meaner Daniel Radcliffe) and his exploits, [Harry] Yates dispenses with many of the novel's subplots and is able to push the story forward, ominously foreshadowing the dark times to come," while Wally Hammond of Time Out stated, "Performances are more mature, the soundtrack (by Nicholas Hooper) less grandiose, and Yates executes some thrilling set-pieces."
Catch it on the big screen at Regency South Coast Village (1561 W. Sunflower Ave.) through Wednesday, July 3. 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.
