In the market for high-caliber entertainment? Don't miss this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Charlotte.
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 critical approval rating of 98 percent and an audience score of 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Free Solo" has gotten stellar reviews 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."
Want to see for yourself? It's playing at Regal Ballantyne Village Stadium 5 (14815 John J Delany Drive) through Thursday, Jan. 10. 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 Spider-Man. However, when Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk uses a super collider, another Spider-Man from another dimension, Peter Parker, accidentally winds up in Miles' dimension. As Peter trains Miles to become a better Spider-Man, they are soon joined by four other Spider-Men from across the "Spider-Verse." As all these clashing dimensions start to tear Brooklyn apart, Miles must help the others stop Fisk and return everyone to their own dimensions.
With a critical approval rating of 97 percent and an audience score of 95 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 notes 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's screening at Cinemark Movie Bistro Charlotte (9630 Monroe Road) through Tuesday, Jan. 8; Regal Stonecrest Stm 22 IMAX & RPX (7824 Rea Road), Cinebarre Arboretum 11 (8008 Providence Road) and AMC Carolina Pavilion 22 (9541 South Blvd.) through Friday, Jan. 11. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
If Beale Street Could Talk
After her fiance is falsely imprisoned, a pregnant African-American woman sets out to clear his name and prove his innocence.
With a critical approval rating of 94 percent and an audience score of 77 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "If Beale Street Could Talk" has garnered plenty of praise since its release on Dec. 25. Per the site's critical consensus, "'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."
The film has received Golden Globe nominations for Best Picture – Drama and Regina King for Best Supporting Actress
In the mood for popcorn? It's playing at Regal Manor Twin (609 Providence Road) and AMC Carolina Pavilion 22 (9541 South Blvd.) through Thursday, Jan. 10. 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 94 percent and an audience score of 59 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Favourite" has become a favorite since its release on Dec. 14. The site's critical consensus notes 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 film has received numerous Golden Globe nominations, including for Best Picture, Olivia Colman for Best Actress and Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone for Supporting Actress.
Get a piece of the action at the AMC Carolina Pavilion 22 (9541 South Blvd.) through Sunday, Jan. 6; and Regal Ballantyne Village Stadium 5 (14815 John J Delany Drive) through Thursday, Jan. 10; Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Bumblebee
On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie, on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary yellow VW bug.
With a 93 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 79 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Bumblebee" has garnered plenty of praise since its release on Dec. 21. The site's critical consensus has it that "'Bumblebee' proves it's possible to bring fun and a sense of wonder back to a bloated blockbuster franchise -- and sets up its own slate of sequels in the bargain."
You can catch it at the AMC Carolina Pavilion 22 (9541 South Blvd.) through Sunday, Jan. 6.; Cinemark Movie Bistro Charlotte (9630 Monroe Road) through Tuesday, Jan. 8; and Cinebarre Arboretum 11 (8008 Providence Road) and Regal Stonecrest Stm 22 IMAX & RPX (7824 Rea Road) through Thursday, Jan. 10. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
