In the market for high-caliber entertainment? Check out this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Santa Monica.
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.)
'Wings of Desire'
Two angels, Damiel and Cassiel, glide through the streets of Berlin, observing the bustling population, providing invisible rays of hope to the distressed but never interacting with them. When Damiel falls in love with lonely trapeze artist Marion, the angel longs to experience life in the physical world, and finds —with some words of wisdom from actor Peter Falk — that it might be possible for him to take human form.
Boasting a critical approval rating of 98 percent and an audience score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, this '80s throwback has been a favorite of critics. According to the site's overview of critic reviews, "Beyond ravishing, 'Wings of Desire' is Wim Wenders' aching and heartbreaking exploration of how love makes us human."
Get a piece of the action at American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre (1328 Montana Ave.) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 25. Click here for showtimes and tickets.'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse'
Miles Morales is juggling his life between being a high school student and being a Spider-Man. When Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk uses a super collider, others from across the Spider-Verse are transported to this dimension.
With a 97 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" has been a must-watch since its release on Dec. 14. According to the site's critical consensus, "'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."
The film has received an Oscar nod for best animated feature.
Interested? It's playing at AMC Santa Monica 7 (1310 Third St.) through Monday, Jan. 28 and ArcLight Santa Monica (395 Santa Monica Place, Suite 330) through Wednesday, Jan. 30. 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 favorite.
With a critical approval rating of 93 percent and an audience score of 62 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Favourite" has garnered plenty of praise since its release on Dec. 14, with a consensus that, "'The Favourite' sees Yorgos Lanthimos balancing a period setting against rich, timely subtext — and getting roundly stellar performances from his well-chosen stars."
One of those stars, Olivia Colman, received an Oscar nomination for best actress. Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz both received nominations for best supporting actress.
It's playing at AMC Santa Monica 7 (1310 Third St.) through Monday, Jan. 28 and ArcLight Santa Monica (395 Santa Monica Place, Suite 330) through Wednesday, Jan. 30. 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 92 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 79 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Bumblebee" has become a favorite since its release on Dec. 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 Broadway 4 (1441 Third St., Promenade) through Friday, Jan. 25. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
