Welcome to Irvine Weekly‘s Movie Picks, your look at the hottest films in SoCal theaters this week — from indie art house gems and classics to popcorn-perfect blockbusters and new movies garnering buzz. Check here every week before you make your big screen plans.

In Tolkien, the fusty Oxford philologist who penned The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings finds screen representation as a teen heartthrob (Nicholas Hoult). The biographical drama focuses on the author’s years leading up to WWI, his romance with Edith Bratt and the fellowship that inspires his beloved fictional creation. Directed by Finnish filmmaker Dome Karukoski, the film was made without the participation of the Tolkien estate, and is the first Fox Searchlight film to be distributed by Disney after their acquisition of 20th Century Fox.

Also playing: Asako I & II; Ask Dr. Ruth; The Biggest Little Farm; Wine Country; Pokéman Detective Pikachu; The Hustle; Poms.

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