In the market for high-caliber entertainment? Check out this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Houston.
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. Per the site's critical consensus, "'Free Solo' depicts athletic feats that many viewers will find beyond reason — and grounds the attempts in passions that are all but universal."
In the mood for popcorn? It's playing at Edwards Greenway Grand Palace Stadium 24 & RPX (3839 Weslayan) through Friday, Jan. 18. Click here for showtimes and tickets.They Shall Not Grow Old
A documentary about World War I with never-before-seen footage to commemorate the centennial of Armistice Day, and the end of the war.
With a 97 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "They Shall Not Grow Old" has been a must-watch since its release on Dec. 17, with a consensus that "An impressive technical achievement with a walloping emotional impact, 'They Shall Not Grow Old' pays brilliant cinematic tribute to the sacrifice of a generation."
Catch it on the big screen at Edwards Greenway Grand Palace Stadium 24 & RPX (3839 Weslayan), Studio Movie Grill Pearland (8440 S. Sam Houston East Parkway), Edwards Houston Marq’E Stadium 23 IMAX & RPX (7620 Katy Freeway), and AMC Houston 8 (510 Texas St.) through Monday, Jan. 21. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Miles Morales is juggling life as an ordinary high school student and mastering his new Spider-Man abilities. His life gets even more complicated when Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk uses a super collider to access a parallel dimension. Another Spider-Man named Peter Parker accidentally winds up in Miles' world. Soon, they are soon joined by other Spider-Men from across the "Spider-Verse, and clashing dimensions threaten to destroy Brooklyn. Miles must help the others stop the evil Fisk before it’s too late.
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. The site's critical consensus indicates 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."
You can catch it at Cinemark Tinseltown USA (11450 East Freeway) through Monday, Jan. 21; Edwards Greenway Grand Palace Stadium 24 & RPX (3839 Weslayan) through Friday, Jan. 18; AMC Willowbrook 24 (17145 Tomball Parkway) through Wednesday, Jan. 23; and Cinemark Tinseltown 290 and XD (12920 Northwest Freeway) through Sunday, Jan. 20. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
If Beale Street Could Talk
Check out this film from "Moonlight" director Barry Jenkins while you can — Regina King's performance netted a Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actress. Adapted from James Baldwin's novel, "If Beale Street Could Talk" is a love story about a young black couple set in 1970s Harlem. Dreams of a happy ending crumble when the woman's fiancé is falsely accused of a crime and imprisoned. Driven by love, she sets out to clear his name and prove his innocence.
With a critical approval rating of 95 percent and an audience score of 72 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "If Beale Street Could Talk" has become a favorite since its release, with a consensus that "'If Beale Street Could Talk' honors its source material with a beautifully filmed adaptation that finds director Barry Jenkins further strengthening his visual and narrative craft."
It's playing at AMC Willowbrook 24 (17145 Tomball Parkway) through and AMC Studio 30 (2949 Dunvale) through Wednesday, Jan. 23 and Edwards Houston Marq’E Stadium 23 IMAX & RPX (7620 Katy Freeway) through Thursday, Jan. 17. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
The Favourite
This must-see film snagged five Golden Globe nominations and a Best Actress win for Olivia Coleman's portrayal of Queen Anne. Set in 18th century England, this dark comedy centers on the close relationship between the ailing Queen and Sarah Churchill. That relationship is threatened by the arrival of new servant Abigail Hill, who happens to be Sarah's cousin. The two cousins end up as rivals vying to be the Queen's favorite.
With a 94 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."
Get a piece of the action at AMC Willowbrook 24 (17145 Tomball Parkway) through Thursday, Jan. 17; AMC Studio 30 (2949 Dunvale) through Wednesday, Jan. 23; Edwards Houston Marq’E Stadium 23 IMAX & RPX (7620 Katy Freeway) and AMC Gulf Pointe 30 (11801 So Sam Houston Parkway East) through Thursday, Jan. 17. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
