On the hunt for date night ideas? Don't miss this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Denver.
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 critical approval rating of 98 percent and an audience score of 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Free Solo" has been a must-watch since its release on Sept. 28, with a consensus 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 is nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary.
It's screening at UA Colorado Center Stadium 9 & IMAX (2000 S. Colorado Blvd.) through Thursday, Jan. 24. 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 proven to be a critical darling since its release on Dec. 14. The site's critical consensus has it 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."
It won for Best Animated picture at the Golden Globes and is nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Film.
It's screening at UA Denver Pavilions Stadium 15 & RPX (500 16th St.) and UA Colorado Center Stadium 9 & IMAX (2000 S. Colorado Blvd.) through Thursday, Jan. 24; and Alamo Drafthouse Sloans Lake (4255 W. Colfax Ave.) through Thursday, Jan. 31. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Three Identical Strangers
New York, 1980: three complete strangers accidentally discover that they're identical triplets, separated at birth. The 19-year-olds' joyous reunion catapults them to international fame, but also unlocks an extraordinary and disturbing secret that goes beyond their own lives - and could transform our understanding of human nature forever.
With a 96 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 89 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Three Identical Strangers" has been a must-watch since its release on June 29, with a consensus that "Surreal and surprising, 'Three Identical Strangers' effectively questions the nature of reality and identity."
Want to see for yourself? It's playing at Alamo Drafthouse Sloans Lake (4255 W. Colfax Ave.) on Sunday, Jan. 27. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
RBG
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, now 84, is still inspired by the lawyers who defended free speech during the Red Scare, and Ginsburg refuses to relinquish her passionate duty, steadily fighting for equal rights for all citizens under the law. Through intimate interviews and unprecedented access to Ginsburg’s life outside the court, RBG tells the electric story of Ginsburg’s consuming love affairs with both the Constitution and her beloved husband Marty—and of a life’s work that led her to become an icon of justice in the highest court in the land.
With a critical approval rating of 95 percent and an audience score of 78 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "RBG" has garnered plenty of praise since its release on May 25, with a consensus that "'RBG' might be preaching to the choir of viewers who admire Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, but it does so effectively."
It is nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary.
In the mood for popcorn? It's playing at Alamo Drafthouse Sloans Lake (4255 W. Colfax Ave.) on Sunday, Jan. 27. 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. The site's critical consensus has it 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.
It's playing at Alamo Drafthouse Sloans Lake (4255 W. Colfax Ave.) through today, Wednesday, Jan. 23 and Harkins Northfield 18 (8300 E. Northfield Blvd.) through Thursday, Jan. 31. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
