Want to reflect on the humanity of it all? Check out this week's lineup of dramas showing on the big screen in and around Chicago.
Read on for the highest rated drama films to catch in theaters, based on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer Score, which reflects the opinions of hundreds of film and television critics.
(Movie descriptions courtesy The Movie Database; showtimes via Fandango. Movie ratings and showtimes are subject to change.)
Before Sunset
Nine years ago two strangers met by chance and spent a night in Vienna that ended before sunrise. They are about to meet for the first time since. Now they have one afternoon to find out if they belong together.
With a Tomatometer Score of 95 percent and an Audience Score of 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Before Sunset" has become a favorite. "It's a lovely, beguiling little film a rare treat during this overheated season of blockbusters. It's also an unusual example of a follow-up that doesn't seem forced, but expands effortlessly on the original," according to Christy Lemire of the Associated Press, while the AV Club's Scott Tobias said, "Shooting in long takes, Linklater and his actors (who get co-screenwriting credit) allow the conversation to curlicue effortlessly from literate banter to matters of the heart, and sometimes to places in between."
Catch it on the big screen at ArcLight Chicago (1500 N. Clybourn Ave.) one day only on Tuesday, March 12. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
The Favourite
England, early 18th century. 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 favorite.
With a Tomatometer Score of 93 percent and an Audience Score of 66 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Favourite" has become a favorite since its release in December of 2018. "[Rachel] Weisz and [Emma] Stone are both brilliantly witty and nimble, but [Olivia] Colman's performance is nothing short of sublime," noted A.O. Scott of the New York Times, while the Atlantic's David Sims said, "Despite its period setting, 'The Favourite' just might be Lanthimos' most trenchant and relevant work yet."
Catch it on the big screen at ArcLight Chicago (1500 N. Clybourn Ave.) and AMC River East 21 (322 E. Illinois St.) through Wednesday, March 13. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Green Book
Tony Lip, a bouncer in 1962, is hired to drive pianist Don Shirley on a tour through the Deep South in the days when African Americans, forced to find alternate accommodations and services due to segregation laws below the Mason-Dixon Line, relied on a guide called The Negro Motorist Green Book.
With a Tomatometer Score of 79 percent and an Audience Score of 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Green Book" is well worth a watch. The Atlantic's Christopher Orr said, "First-rate execution can't solve all of a film's problems, but [Viggo] Mortensen and [Mahershala] Ali offer a reminder that it can solve an awful lot of them," and Time Out's Joshua Rothkopf said, "Call this actors' duet sentimental and simplistic at your own peril. 'Green Book' may well move you, possibly to tears, at the thought of real social change and kindness (at a time when we need it badly)."
It's playing at AMC Dine-in Block 37 (100 N. State St.), ArcLight Chicago (1500 N. Clybourn Ave.) and ShowPlace ICON at Roosevelt Collection with ICON X (1011 S. Delano Court East) through Wednesday, Mar. 13. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and bass guitarist John Deacon take the music world by storm when they form the rock 'n' roll band Queen in 1970. Hit songs become instant classics. When Mercury's increasingly wild lifestyle starts to spiral out of control, Queen soon faces its greatest challenge yet – finding a way to keep the band together amid the success and excess.
With a Tomatometer Score of 61 percent and an Audience Score of 87 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Bohemian Rhapsody is well worth a watch. NPR's Bob Mondello said, "As for Freddie Mercury, is this his real life? Is this just fantasy — not sure that really matters either. When [Rami] Malek's strutting like a peacock, this movie is a decently amusing escape from reality," while Richard Brody of the New Yorker said, "Malek does an impressive job of re-creating Mercury's moves onstage, but the core of the performance is Malek's intensely thoughtful, insight-rich channelling of Mercury's hurt, his alienation and isolation even at the height of his fame."
In the mood for popcorn? It's playing at AMC Dine-in Block 37 (100 N. State St.) through and AMC River East 21 (322 E. Illinois St.) through Wednesday, March 13. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
This story was created automatically using local movie data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
