Need date-night ideas? Read on for this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Phoenix.
Here are the highest rated films to catch, based on critical scores sourced from review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. (Movie descriptions courtesy The Movie Database; showtimes via Fandango.)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Miles Morales is juggling his life between being a high school student and being Spider-Man. However, when Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk uses a super collider, another Spider-Man from another dimension, Peter Parker, accidentally winds up in Miles' dimension. As Peter trains Miles to become a better Spider-Man, they are soon joined by four other Spider-Men from across the "Spider-Verse." As all these clashing dimensions start to tear Brooklyn apart, Miles must help the others stop Fisk and return everyone to their own dimensions.
With a 97 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has been a must-watch since its release on December 14. The site's critical consensus has it that "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse matches bold storytelling with striking animation for a purely enjoyable adventure with heart, humor, and plenty of superhero action."
Catch it on the big screen at AMC Arizona Center 24 (565 N. 3rd St.) through Wednesday, January 2; AMC Dine-In Esplanade 14 (2515 E. Camelback Rd.) through Thursday, January 3; Harkins MetroCenter 12 (9615-A Metro Pkwy. W.) through Thursday, January 3; and Harkins Christown 14 (1620 W. Montebello) through Thursday, January 3. 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 94 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 79 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, Bumblebee has become a favorite since its release on December 21. According to the site's critical consensus, "Bumblebee proves it's possible to bring fun and a sense of wonder back to a bloated blockbuster franchise -- and sets up its own slate of sequels in the bargain."
Catch it on the big screen at AMC Arizona Center 24 (565 N. 3rd St.) through Wednesday, January 2; AMC Dine-In Esplanade 14 (2515 E. Camelback Rd.) through Thursday, January 3; Harkins MetroCenter 12 (9615-A Metro Pkwy. W.) through Thursday, January 3; and Harkins Christown 14 (1620 W. Montebello) through Thursday, January 3. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
The Favourite
In 18th century England, the close relationship between Queen Anne and Sarah Churchill is threatened by the arrival of Sarah's cousin, Abigail Hill, resulting in a bitter rivalry between the two cousins to be the Queen's favourite.
With a 94 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 59 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, The Favourite has garnered plenty of praise since its release on December 14. The site's critical consensus has it that "The Favourite sees Yorgos Lanthimos balancing a period setting against rich, timely subtext - and getting roundly stellar performances from his well-chosen stars."
It's playing at AMC Arizona Center 24 (565 N. 3rd St.) and AMC Ahwatukee 24 (4915 E. Ray Rd.) through Wednesday, January 2. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Pulp Fiction
A burger-loving hitman, his philosophical partner, a drug-addled gangster's moll and a washed-up boxer converge in this sprawling, comedic crime caper. Their adventures unfurl in three stories that ingeniously trip back and forth in time.
With a critical approval rating of 94 percent and an audience score of 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, this 90s flick comes highly recommended, with a consensus that "One of the most influential films of the 1990s, Pulp Fiction is a delirious post-modern mix of neo-noir thrills, pitch-black humor and pop-culture touchstones."
You can catch it at Harkins Christown 14 (1620 W. Montebello) on Tuesday, January 1. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
