Movies to see in the Twin Cities this week: Steve Martin, 'Dr. Strangelove,' 'John Wick'

This week's listings and recommendations for repertory movies were put together before the election.

So, whether you're feeling celebratory or need an escape from the political landscape, there are movies on the big screen worth a few hours of your time this week. That includes a small selection of films from the Twin Cities German Film Festival and the Romanian Film Festival, some of which offer free admission.

Here are the repertory movies hitting Twin Cities area theaters this week.

Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1981)

Monday, Nov. 11 at Emagine Willow Creek

It's Misery meets a slasher movie in this early 80s thriller meets horror. Largely unheralded, it effectively builds tension and turns a corner at one point toward the gruesome, even if there are plot points that feel torn from the B-movie playbook. The deeply homophobic cop, for instance, seems driven by nothing but a desire to take down a child despite, well, everything happening around him. Nonetheless, it's tense and Susan Tyrrell turns in a fantastically horrific performance. 9900 Shelard Parkway, Plymouth ($6)

The Jerk (1979)

Thursday, Nov. 7 at The Parkway Theater

The Parkway is celebrating Steve Martin all month. There's nothing particularly fall- or Thanksgiving-themed going on here. It's just always a good time to celebrate the legendary comedian. The series kicks off with The Jerk this week and will later play Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. 4814 Chicago AveMinneapolis ($9/$12)

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Heights Theater

There are a lot of movies that make for entertaining and engaging post-election viewing, even if they're not particularly uplifting. There's not a whole lot of that around the Twin Cities this week, but Dr. Strangelove fits the bill. The careening Stanley Kubrick film follows an utterly unhinged general set on bombing the Soviet Union despite the warnings of pretty much everyone else in the world. It feels like an appropriate film to revisit at this moment. 3951 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights ($15)

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Sunday, Nov. 10 at Emagine Willow Creek, Emagine Eagan, Emagine Lakeville, and Emagine White Bear

Quentin Tarantino's career-making film turns 30 this year. Following Reservoir Dogs, the director staked his claim as a distinctive voice in American independent film and ushered in a heightened level of notoriety for new indie directors. Pulp Fiction remains one of his most loved and still sits among his best work. It'll pair nicely with a Big Kahuna Burger. Locations and prices vary

John Wick (2014)

Wednesday, Nov. 6 at St. Michael Cinema , Emagine Willow Creek , Emagine Eagan , Emagine Lakeville , Emagine White Bear , Oakdale Cinema, Parkwood Cinema, Rosemount Cinema, and Southbridge Crossing Cinema

Another anniversary. The first John Wick film turns 10 this year and multiple theaters are hosting an anniversary screening of the Keanu Reeves vehicle that has spawned an entire universe of solid films and a forgettable TV series. Celebrate the original this week and maybe track down one of the new John Wick pinball machines afterward to accompany an in-depth discussion about how they should have never killed his dog. Locations and prices vary

Related: A month of Steve Martin movies is coming to the Parkway Theater

More movies screening this week: