Looking to get real? Don't miss this week's lineup of dramas showing on the big screen in and around Dallas.
Read on for the best drama films to catch in theaters, based on critical scores sourced from review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. (Movie descriptions courtesy The Movie Database; showtimes via Fandango.)
GoodFellas
The true story of Henry Hill, a half-Irish, half-Sicilian Brooklyn kid who is adopted by neighbourhood gangsters at an early age and climbs the ranks of a Mafia family under the guidance of Jimmy Conway.
With a 96 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, this 1990 release has been a favorite of critics. Per the site's overview of critic reviews, "Hard-hitting and stylish, 'GoodFellas' is a gangster classic -- and arguably the high point of Martin Scorsese's career."
Joe Pesci won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting role. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture, while Lorraine Broco was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Martin Scorsesse for Best Director.
Get a piece of the action at Alamo Drafthouse Lake Highlands (6770 Abrams Road) on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
While serving time for insanity at a state mental hospital, implacable rabble-rouser Randle Patrick McMurphy inspires his fellow patients to rebel against the authoritarian rule of head nurse, Mildred Ratched.
With a critical approval rating of 94 percent and an audience score of 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, this 1975 release comes highly recommended. Per the site's critical consensus, "The onscreen battle between Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher serves as a personal microcosm of the culture wars of the 1970s - and testament to the director's vision that the film retains its power more than three decades later."
The film won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Jack Nicholson for Best Actor, Louise Fletcher for Best Actress and Milos Forman for Best Director and received five other nominations.
You can catch it at Alamo Drafthouse Lake Highlands (6770 Abrams Road) on Monday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. 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 93 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 62 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Favourite" has become a favorite 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."
Olivia Colman won the Golden Globe for Best Actress, while the film was nominated for Best Picture and Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone were nominated for Supporting Actress. It received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Yorgos Lanthimos was nominated for Best Director, Olivia Colman for Best Actress, while Weisz and Stone were for Best Supporting Actress.
Catch it on the big screen at Cinepolis Luxury Cinema Victory Park (2365 Victory Park Lane) and Alamo Drafthouse Dallas (1005 S. Lamar St.) through Wednesday, Jan. 30; and Angelika Film Center & Cafe (5321 E. Mockingbird Lane) through Thursday, Jan. 31. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Stan & Ollie
With their golden era long behind them, comedy duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy embark on a variety hall tour of Britain and Ireland. Despite the pressures of a hectic schedule, and with the support of their wives Lucille and Ida – a formidable double act in their own right – the pair's love of performing, as well as for each other, endures as they secure their place in the hearts of their adoring public
With a 93 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Stan & Ollie" has garnered plenty of praise since its release on Dec. 28. The site's critical consensus has it that "'Stan & Ollie' pays tribute to a pair of beloved entertainers with an affectionate look behind the scenes - and a moving look at the burdens and blessings of a creative bond."
Catch it on the big screen at Alamo Drafthouse Dallas (1005 S. Lamar St.) through Wednesday, Jan. 30; and Angelika Film Center & Cafe (5321 E. Mockingbird Lane) through Thursday, Jan. 31. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Like Water for Chocolate
Tita is passionately in love with Pedro, but her controlling mother forbids her from marrying him. When Pedro marries her sister, Tita throws herself into her cooking and discovers she can transfer her emotions through the food she prepares, infecting all who eat it with her intense heartbreak.
With a critical approval rating of 91 percent and an audience score of 84 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, this 90s flick has garnered plenty of praise.
It received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Film.
Get a piece of the action at Alamo Drafthouse Dallas (1005 S. Lamar St.) through Saturday, Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
