The very best movies screening in Merced this week

Wednesday, February 20, 2019
In the market for high-caliber entertainment? Check out this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Merced.

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.)

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse




Miles Morales is juggling his life between being a high school student and being a spider-man. When Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk uses a super collider, others from across the Spider-Verse are transported to this dimension.

With a Tomatometer Score of 97 percent and an Audience Score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" has been a must-watch since its release in December of 2018. The New York Times' Lawrence Ware said, "This film manages the delicate feat of embracing its source material while also satirizing it," while David Sims of the Atlantic noted, "The latest entry in a fully saturated genre that somehow, through sheer creative gumption, does something new." The film is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

It's playing at Regal Hollywood Merced 13 (403 W. Main) through Thursday, Feb. 28. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World




As Hiccup fulfills his dream of creating a peaceful dragon utopia, Toothless' discovery of an untamed, elusive mate draws the Night Fury away. When danger mounts at home and Hiccup's reign as village chief is tested, both dragon and rider must make impossible decisions to save their kind.

Set to be released on Friday, February 22, "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World" already has a Tomatometer Score of 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. " 'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World' brings the franchise to a close with an affectionate chapter that continues the adventures of the Viking boy-turned-chief Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and his faithful dragon Toothless," noted Jake Coyle of the Associated Press.

Get a piece of the action at Regal Hollywood Merced 13 (403 W. Main) and UA Regency 7 (635 Fairfield Dr.) through Thursday, Feb. 28. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

Bumblebee




On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie, on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary yellow VW bug.

With a Tomatometer Score of 93 percent and an Audience Score of 78 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Bumblebee" has garnered plenty of praise since its release in December of 2018. "The movie works in large part because of the depth of Hailee Steinfeld's performance. We haven't seen such a well-realized character in any of the other 'Transformers' movies," noted James Berardinelli of ReelViews, while Rolling Stone's David Fear said, "Imagine if John Hughes made a 'Transformers' movie. Or: Think 'E.T.', but with auto parts."

It's screening at Regal Hollywood Merced 13 (403 W. Main) through Thursday, Feb. 21. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

Green Book




Tony Lip, a bouncer in 1962, is hired to drive pianist Don Shirley on a tour through the Deep South in the days when African Americans, forced to find alternate accommodations and services due to segregation laws below the Mason-Dixon Line, relied on a guide called The Negro Motorist Green Book.

With a Tomatometer Score of 79 percent and an Audience Score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Green Book" is well worth a watch. The Atlantic's Christopher Orr said, "First-rate execution can't solve all of a film's problems, but Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali offer a reminder that it can solve an awful lot of them," and Time Out's Joshua Rothkopf said, "Call this actors' duet sentimental and simplistic at your own peril. 'Green Book' may well move you, possibly to tears, at the thought of real social change and kindness (at a time when we need it badly)." The film is nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Catch it on the big screen at Regal Hollywood Merced 13 (403 W. Main) through Thursday, Feb. 21. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

Cold Pursuit




Nels Coxman's quiet life comes crashing down when his beloved son dies under mysterious circumstances. His search for the truth soon becomes a quest for revenge as he seeks coldblooded justice against a drug lord and his inner circle.

With a Tomatometer Score of 73 percent and an Audience Score of 60 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Cold Pursuit" is well worth a watch. The New York Post's Johnny Oleksinski called it "an excellent film," while James Berardinelli of ReelViews said, " 'Cold Pursuit' works as intended."

Catch it on the big screen at Regal Hollywood Merced 13 (403 W. Main) through Thursday, Feb. 28. 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.