You know that feeling when you watch a fantastic film and then open Rotten Tomatoes to find out that millions of people are raving about how good it is in the reviews? Rotten Tomatoes, the popular review site, is surely a lifesaver for times where we just can’t decide what film to watch. To celebrate Rotten Tomatoes’s 25th anniversary, this article will cover some of the most acclaimed films on their website- some must watch films for your next movie night.
Short Term 12 (Tomatometer: 98%)
Our first outstanding entry is “Short Term 12”. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, this cinematic masterpiece features Grace, a competent counselor in California for at-risk teens. As the environment around her begins to get heated, countless abusive memories begin to resurface. This troubling teen drama surveys themes like the exploration of empathy, with an exquisite blend of serious and amusing tones. As one of the most heartbreaking and heartwarming films of all time, “Short Term 12” depicts a crucial issue - childhood neglect. Aside from the touching theme, this film features celebrated actors like Brie Larson (who plays the main character Grace), LaKeith Stanfield (Marcus) and Rami Malek (Nate). Having received salient awards such as the Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Actress and being nominated for Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best actress, “Short Term 12” unreservedly deserves the 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Farewell (Tomatometer: 97%)
“The Farewell”, directed by the one and only Lulu Wang, stars the phenomenal Awkwafina. This movie tells the story of an American-born Chinese woman, who returns to China when her grandmother gets cancer. A deeply emotional film that explores the undertones of culture and family, "The Farewell" certainly resonated with critics, who rated it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes! The film also won a Golden Globe award and was nominated for a BAFTA for its outstanding cast, theme and execution.
Pain and Glory (Tomatometer: 97%)
“Pain and Glory”, directed by Pedro Almodóvar, captures the memories of the Spanish film director. Fantastically played by Antonio Banderas, this film director is in decline, both mentally and physically. A tale full of feelings of nostalgia and pain, “Pain and Glory” finds its strength in its lead performances and story. This film was nominated for two Academy Awards as it captured the themes of love, desire, death and forgiveness.
The Beatles: Eight Days A Week (Tomatometer: 96%)
“The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years” is a remarkable cinematic film- with an astonishing 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes! This documentary, directed by the iconic Ron Howard is about the Beatles’ career during their tour years from 1962 to 1966. Ranging from the Beatles’ performances in Cavern Club, Liverpool, to their final concert in San Francisco, this film includes all of your favorite pop songs. As the audience, you are transported into a whole new world of music, as you follow along the extraordinary journeys of one of the most prominent bands of all time.
The Florida Project (Tomatometer: 96%)
“The Florida Project” is a must-see movie about a mother and daughter trying to escape the tight grasp of poverty. The mother (Bria Vinaite) works tirelessly to make ends meet, while the young daughter (Brooklynn Prince) entertains herself by pranking tourists. An independent film with a story that the world urgently needs to hear, “The Florida Project” is one that authentically brings light to issues like poverty and homelessness in modern-day America. Having received many important awards such as the Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer in 2018, and the Bodil Award for Best American film, “The Florida Project” is renowned for a clear reason- with a high rating of 96%.
Shaun the Sheep: Farmageddon (Tomatometer: 96%)
Our final film, “Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon” exhibits the fact that Rotten Tomatoes also acknowledges family-friendly animations. The critics consensus section of the Rotten Tomatoes website highlights the animated franchise’s smooth transition to theaters and the increased depth of characters in a cartoon world. Shaun the Sheep, Wallace and Gromit are uniquely created using stop-motion animations, making this film stand out from many others. The film’s light-hearted tone paired with admirable claymation techniques are just a few of the reasons why “Shaun the Sheep: Farmageddon” has a certified fresh rating of 96%. Upon Rotten Tomatoes anniversary, this film showcases the value of diversity in the films for which Rotten Tomatoes aggregates reviews.
As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Rotten Tomatoes, we hope that you and many others consider viewing these iconic films, which can all be found on CATCHPLAY+. These films are just a few of the masterpieces in the film industry, and as always, you can count on Rotten Tomatoes for honest, reliable, unfiltered reviews, and film synopsis, so you never have to blindly guess when choosing your next film to watch.
