Want to see a movie, but not sure what's worthwhile? Don't miss this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Pasadena.
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 attempts to become the first person to ever free solo climb Yosemite's 3,000-foot high El Capitan wall. With no ropes or safety gear, this would arguably be the greatest feat in rock climbing history.
Boasting a 98 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Free Solo" has proven to be a critical darling 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."
It has been nominated for an Academy Award for best documentary feature.
You can catch it at ArcLight Pasadena (336 E. Colorado Blvd.) through Thursday, Jan. 31. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
'Can You Ever Forgive Me?'
When bestselling celebrity biographer Lee Israel is no longer able to get published because she has fallen out of step with current tastes, she turns her art form to deception, abetted by her loyal friend Jack.
Boasting a 98 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" has proven to be a critical darling since its release on Oct. 19. The site's critical consensus has it that, "Deftly directed and laced with dark wit, 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?' proves a compelling showcase for deeply affecting work from Richard E. Grant and Melissa McCarthy."
McCarthy's performance earned her an Oscar nomination for best actress.
Want to see for yourself? It's playing at ArcLight Pasadena (336 E. Colorado Blvd.) through Thursday, Jan. 31. 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 critical approval rating of 97 percent and an audience score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" has gotten stellar reviews since its release on Dec. 14, with a consensus 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."
The film has received an Oscar nod for best animated feature.
It's playing at ArcLight Pasadena (336 E. Colorado Blvd.) through Thursday, Jan. 31. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
'BlacKkKlansman'
Colorado Springs, late 1970s. Ron Stallworth, an African-American police officer, and Flip Zimmerman, his Jewish colleague, run an undercover operation to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan.
With a critical approval rating of 95 percent and an audience score of 82 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "BlacKkKlansman" has become a favorite since its release on Aug. 10. The site's critical consensus has it that, "'BlacKkKlansman' uses history to offer bitingly trenchant commentary on current events -- and brings out some of Spike Lee's hardest-hitting work in decades along the way."
Lee nabbed an Oscar nomination for best director, and "BlacKkKlansman" received a nomination for best picture.
You can catch it at ArcLight Pasadena (336 E. Colorado Blvd.) through Thursday, Jan. 31. 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 93 percent critical approval rating 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."
"The Favourite" has received a total of 10 Oscar nominations including best picture.
Get a piece of the action at ArcLight Pasadena (336 E. Colorado Blvd.) through Thursday, Jan. 31. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
