In the age of streaming entertainment, it can be hard to leave the couch. But movie theaters still offer a special experience for those willing to get out of the house. Want to see what's out there? Check out this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Durham.
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.)
Free Solo
Follow Alex Honnold as he becomes the first person to ever free solo climb Yosemite's 3,000 foot high El Capitan wall. With no ropes or safety gear, he completed arguably the greatest feat in rock climbing history.
With a critical approval rating of 97 percent and an audience score of 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Free Solo" has gotten stellar reviews since its release on Sept. 28. The site's critical consensus notes that "'Free Solo' depicts athletic feats that many viewers will find beyond reason - and grounds the attempts in passions that are all but universal."
Get a piece of the action at AMC Southpoint 17 (8030 Renaissance Parkway, #975) through Thursday, Dec. 6. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
The Hate U Give
Raised in a poverty-stricken slum, a 16-year-old girl named Starr now attends a suburban prep school. After she witnesses a police officer shoot her unarmed best friend, she's torn between her two very different worlds as she tries to speak her truth.
With a critical approval rating of 97 percent and an audience score of 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Hate U Give" has proven to be a critical darling since its release on Oct. 19.
The site's critical consensus has it that "Led by a breakout turn from Amandla Stenberg, the hard-hitting 'The Hate U Give' emphatically proves the YA genre has room for much more than magic and romance."
It's playing at Stadium 10 at Northgate Mall (1058 W. Club Blvd.) through Thursday, Dec. 6. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Elf
When young Buddy falls into Santa's gift sack on Christmas Eve, he's transported back to the North Pole and raised as a toy-making elf by Santa's helpers. But as he grows into adulthood, he can't shake the nagging feeling that he doesn't belong. Buddy vows to visit Manhattan and find his real dad.
With an 83 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 78 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Elf" (2003) has a strong following. According to the site's critical consensus, "A movie full of Yuletide cheer, 'Elf' is a spirited, good-natured family comedy, and it benefits greatly from Will Ferrell's funny and charming performance as one of Santa's biggest helpers."
Get a piece of the action at AMC Classic Durham 15 (1807 Martin Luther King Parkway) through Tuesday, Dec. 11. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Creed II
Follows Adonis Creed's life inside and outside of the ring as he deals with new found fame, issues with his family, and his continuing quest to become a champion.
With a critical approval rating of 83 percent and an audience score of 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Creed II" has been getting attention since its release on Nov. 21. Per the site's critical consensus, "Creed II"'s adherence to a franchise formula adds up to a sequel with few true surprises, but its time-tested generational themes still pack a solid punch."
Catch it on the big screen at AMC Southpoint 17 (8030 Renaissance Parkway, #975) through Wednesday, Dec. 12. 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 were forced to find alternate accommodations and services due to segregation laws below the Mason-Dixon Line based on a guide called The Negro Motorist Green Book.
With an 82 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Green Book" has proven a solid option since its release on Nov. 16.
The site's critical consensus indicates that the film "takes audiences on a surprisingly smooth ride through potentially bumpy subject matter, fueled by Peter Farrelly's deft touch and a pair of well-matched leads." And with five Golden Globe nominations, you can expect to see more Oscar buzz in the coming months.
In the mood for popcorn? It's playing at AMC Southpoint 17 (8030 Renaissance Parkway, #975) through Thursday, Dec. 6. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
