The highly anticipated new Steven Spielberg sci-fi production, Ready Player One is out this weekend and it is... okay?
The legendary director's adaptation of the 2011 eponymous pulp sci-fi novel by Ernest Cline is "a CGI-heavy fantasia that will zing your eyeballs while cramming your brain with zeroes and ones, but giddy as it is, it never quite sells its characters or gains much purchase on your emotions." Yes, we do still advise you to catch it at the theater this weekend (read our full review of it right here).
If you're a hardcore Spielberg devotee whose viewing of Ready Player One will undoubtedly be followed by a trip down a Spielberg-themed memory lane in the form of a movie marathon of the artist's greatest hits, you might want to start consulting our list of all 31 Spielberg movies, ranked from worst to best. Speaking of: What do you think of our ranking?
If, on the other hand, sci-fi is just not your thing, opt to watch these other five flicks instead. Either way, happy Easter viewing!
Isle of Dogs
Wes Anderson’s latest piece of stop-motion animation after Fantastic Mr. Fox brings the quirk (naturally) but weds it to a timely story of refugee camaraderie. Local theaters; opens Fri 23 Read our full review
Love, Simon
Same-sex high school attraction gets the modern treatment it deserves in this winning adaptation of a widely read YA novel. It’s that rare movie that improves upon its source. Local theaters; now playing Read our full review
The Death of Stalin
From the creator of Veep (and equally as vicious), Armando Iannucci’s lacerating comedy lampoons Stalinist Russia to within an inch of its life. Local theaters; now playing Read our full review
Thoroughbreds
A film about extremely wealthy Connecticut teens with bad impulses, this comedy has a steely sheen. While you’re howling at how mean it is, shed a tear for the late Anton Yelchin, giving his final (and best) performance. Local theaters; now playing Read our full review
Annihilation
Natalie Portman squares off against an alien presence in a rare example of Hollywood sci-fi–horror thoughtfulness, directed by Ex Machina’s Alex Garland. Only the U.S. gets this in theaters, so enjoy it big while you can. Local theaters; now playing Read our full review