Which movies in theaters are worth the price of admission?
Image: Booksmart/TMDb
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 Virginia Beach.
Read on for 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.)
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.
Set to be released on Friday, May 24, "Booksmart" already has a Tomatometer Score of 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Tribune News Service's Katie Walsh said, "Olivia Wilde comes out swinging with not only one of the best movies of the year, but one of the best high school movies of all time," while Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly noted, "If the storyline doesn't so much unfold as burst out in glittery puffs, and if music cues seem to make up about 40 percent of the plot, it's still an endearing kind of chaos."
Want to see for yourself? It's playing at Regal Strawbridge Marketplace (2133 General Booth Blvd.) through Wednesday, May 29; Beach Cinema Alehouse (941 Laskin Road) through Wednesday, May 29; and AMC Lynnhaven 18 (1001 Lynnhaven Mall Loop) through Monday, May 27. 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 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Avengers: Endgame" has become a favorite since its release on April 26.
"What you will be getting when you walk into an inevitably overstuffed movie theater is something singular that reflects our age in a way that none of the MCU films that preceded it have. Indeed, very few Hollywood spectacles ever have," according to Oliver Jones of the Observer, while 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."
It's screening at Regal Strawbridge Marketplace (2133 General Booth Blvd.) through Wednesday, May 29; Beach Cinema Alehouse (941 Laskin Road) through Wednesday, May 29; and AMC Lynnhaven 18 (1001 Lynnhaven Mall Loop) through Monday, May 27. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Long Shot
When Fred Flarsky reunites with his first crush, one of the most influential women in the world, Charlotte Field, 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 69 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."
It's screening at Regal Strawbridge Marketplace (2133 General Booth Blvd.) through Wednesday, May 29. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Brightburn
A child from another world crash-lands on Earth, but instead of becoming a hero to mankind, he is an evil little boy.
Set to be released on Friday, May 24, "Brightburn" already has a Tomatometer Score of 75 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Chilango.com's Mauricio Nava said, "Despite not having a deep script and memorable performances, 'Brightburn' achieves its mission: to entertain a captive audience with an already well-worn format," and Espinof's Víctor López G. noted, "The film succeeds because it offers what it promises without excessive expectations."
In the mood for popcorn? It's playing at Regal Strawbridge Marketplace (2133 General Booth Blvd.) through Wednesday, May 29; Regal Columbus (104 Constitution Drive) through Wednesday, May 29; and AMC Lynnhaven 18 (1001 Lynnhaven Mall Loop) through Monday, May 27. 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 65 percent and an Audience Score of 83 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Pokémon Detective Pikachu" is well worth a watch. The Globe and Mail's Daniel Kaszor said, "'Pokémon Detective Pikachu' is unrelentingly weird," while Vincent Acovino of NPR stated, "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 Regal Strawbridge Marketplace (2133 General Booth Blvd.) through Wednesday, May 29; Beach Cinema Alehouse (941 Laskin Road) through Wednesday, May 29; and AMC Lynnhaven 18 (1001 Lynnhaven Mall Loop) through Monday, May 27. 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.
