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? Take a look at this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Alexandria.
Read on for 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 gotten stellar reviews since its release on Sept. 28. The site's critical consensus has it 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's been nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary.
In the mood for popcorn? It's playing at AMC Hoffman Center 22 (206 Swamp Fox Road) through Wednesday, Feb. 5. 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 84 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" has been a must-watch since its release on Oct. 19.
Per the site's critical consensus, "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."
AMPAS nominators seem to agree: Melissa McCarthy is nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress and Richard E. Grant is up for Best Supporting Actor.
You can catch it at AMC Hoffman Center 22 (206 Swamp Fox Road) through Wednesday, Feb. 6. 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 proven to be a critical darling since its release on Dec. 14. It won for Best Animated Picture at the Golden Globes and is also nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Film.
The site's critical consensus raves, "'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 Regal Potomac Yard Stadium 16 (3575 Potomac Ave.) through Friday, Feb. 1. 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 95 percent critical approval rating 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."
The film is nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture, while auteur Spike Lee is up for Best Director and Adam Driver for Best Supporting Actor.
Catch it on the big screen at AMC Hoffman Center 22 (206 Swamp Fox Road) through Wednesday, Feb. 6. 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 critical approval rating of 93 percent and an audience score of 62 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Favourite" has become a favorite since its release on Dec. 14. According to the site's overview of critic reviews, "'The Favourite' sees Yorgos Lanthimos balancing a period setting against rich, timely subtext — and getting roundly stellar performances from his well-chosen stars."
Olivia Colman won the Golden Globe for Best Actress for her work in the film, while it was nominated for Best Picture and Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone were nominated for Supporting Actress.
Catch it on the big screen at AMC Hoffman Center 22 (206 Swamp Fox Road) through Wednesday, Feb. 6. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
