Samuel L. Jackson

Downton Countdown

It won’t put a dent in the long-awaited return of Seth MacFarlane’s famously foul-mouthed teddy bear, but Infinitely Polar Bear — the quirky, warm-hearted story of a family coping with mental illness — is this week’s best grownup bet in theaters. At home, the Rolling Stones party like it’s 1971.

Avengers: Age of Ultron isn’t just this weekend’s splashiest movie; it’s expected to be one of the biggest spring/summer blockbusters of all time. But don’t let the studio’s high hopes overshadow these worthy alternatives, both in theaters and in your living room.

Pick your Valentine’s Day poison: An edgy tale of sexual domination, a warm and fuzzy rom-com with the ever-charming Hugh Grant, or an explosion-packed secret-agent spectacle. Choose wisely; the ultimate outcome of your romantic dinner-and-a-movie date depends upon it.

Superhero adventure goes head-to-head with the real-life brand this weekend, and both films get much of their mileage through the talents of veteran stars.