In the mood for a stirring story? Don't miss this week's lineup of dramas showing on the big screen in and around New York City.
Read on for the best 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.)
The Mustang
While participating in a rehabilitation program training wild mustangs, a convict at first struggles to connect with the horses and his fellow inmates, but he learns to confront his violent past as he soothes an especially feisty horse.
Set to be released on Friday, March 15, "The Mustang" already has a Tomatometer Score of 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
The AV Club's Allison Shoemaker said, "It's all well-trod territory. And yet — and here's another cliché — 'The Mustang' breathes new life into most of those conventions, thanks in no small part to [leading actor Matthias] Schoenaerts and his remarkable work."
While Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times noted, "Whatever language he works in, Schoenaerts is a singular talent who can convincingly convey danger and menace as naturally as he breathes."
Catch it on the big screen at AMC 19th St. East 6 (890 Broadway) through Wednesday, March 20. 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 67 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Favourite" has become a favorite since its release in December of 2018.
"Yorgos Lanthimos' dryly funny historical feature is all about power, and that means literally wearing the pants in a strange time," noted Cate Young of indieWire.
While the New York Times' A.O. Scott said, "Weisz and Stone are both brilliantly witty and nimble, but Colman's performance is nothing short of sublime."
It's playing at Quad Cinema (34 W. 13th St.), Williamsburg Cinemas (217 Grand St.) and Cobble Hill Cinema (265 Court St.) through Wednesday, March 20. 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 San Diego Reader's Scott Marks said, "Is it a feel-good charmer poised to rake in greenbacks and Oscar gold? You bet! But don't let that keep you away from this overall well balanced (and timed) look forward from the safe distance of America's motley past."
And the Atlantic's Christopher Orr noted, "First-rate execution can't solve all of a film's problems, but Mortensen and Ali offer a reminder that it can solve an awful lot of them."
It's playing at AMC 19th St. East 6 (890 Broadway) and Williamsburg Cinemas (217 Grand St.) through Wednesday, March 20. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Cloud Atlas
A set of six nested stories spanning time between the 19th century and a distant post-apocalyptic future. Cloud Atlas explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future. Based on the award-winning novel by David Mitchell. Directed by Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis.
With a Tomatometer Score of 67 percent and an Audience Score of 66 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Cloud Atlas" deserves a viewing.
Time Out's Tom Huddleston said, "A film which piles on the action, the romance, the philosophical inquiry and the silly accents until the viewer is left punch-drunk and reeling. Seriously, what's not to love?"
While James Berardinelli of ReelViews noted, "They key to successfully absorbing the movie may be in not trying to overthink what's on screen."
Want to see for yourself? It's playing at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown Brooklyn (445 Albee Square West) on Sunday, March 17. 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.
