Friday nights are the preludes of a well-deserved restful weekend; but before going off to enjoy a walk on the park or sip a home-brewed cup of coffee, enjoy a night out. Has the classic “dinner and a show” date gone out of style? Cinema has churned some notable films out recently, and a good movie is hardly a bygone. Here are some recent favorites playing in most of your local theatres:

1. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Biopic, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, which was first released in September 2013 at the Toronto International Film Festival, captures recently deceased Nelson Mandela’s life from his humble rural origins to his victorious election and becoming South Africa’s president. Golden-globe winning actor, Idris Elba, plays Mandela, and Naomie Harris plays his wife, Winnie, in the autobiography-based drama under the direction of Justin Chadwick.

2. Her

Spike Jonze’s Her follows a divorced writer, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), who finds himself in love with an artificial intelligent OS (operating system) that was designed to meet his every need. A comedic romantic movie with three Golden Globe nominations, Her was released in November but still draws a large crowd with its quirky story of a virtual love affair, and a heart-warming performance from Phoenix.

3. Inside Llewyn Davis

Set in New York City circa 1961, Inside Llewyn Davis follows a week in the life of a young folk singer jumping from home to home struggling to make ends meet while trying to relaunch his career. Played by fresh face, Oscar Isaac, Davis is the epitome of a young artist in New York City trying to book as many gigs as he can, desperately chasing after leads, and receiving the brunt of Lady Luck’s wrath. A Coen Brothers tale filled with obstacles and struggles, Llewyn Davis has three Golden Globe nominations under its belt and a guitar-toking charmer in its seams.Image Source: IMDB