The summer movie season starts in full force in February this year. Movie studios have finally realized that the open territory in off-peak months are great windows to release tentpole films. Now that you have gotten Star Wars: The Force Awakens out of your system, get ready for all of the other movies waiting for you at your local cineplex. So let’s jump in!
February 5
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Stars: Lily James, Jack Huston, Matt Smith, Lena Headey
Official Synopsis:
A zombie outbreak has fallen upon the land in Jane Austen’s classic tale of the tangled relationships between lovers from different social classes in 19th century England. Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James) is a master of martial arts and weaponry and the handsome Mr. Darcy (Sam Reilly) is a fierce zombie killer, yet the epitome of upper class prejudice. As the zombie outbreak intensifies, they must swallow their pride and join forces on the blood-soaked battlefield.
It’s hard to get behind this whole-heartedly, but I am in full support of big, ridiculous ideas…and that looks like exactly what this is. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies looks to be a cult-classic in the waiting and any way that someone can refresh the zombie genre is a welcome one.
Hail Caesar
Stars: George Clooney, Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton
Official Synopsis:
Four-time Oscar®-winning filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen (“No Country for Old Men,” “True Grit,” “Fargo”) write and direct “Hail, Caesar!,” an all-star comedy set during the latter years of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Starring Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton and Channing Tatum, “Hail, Caesar!” follows a single day in the life of a studio fixer who is presented with plenty of problems to fix.
The Coen Brothers are incredible filmmakers who are responsible for some of my favorite comedies, such as Raising Arizona and The Big Lebowski. It looks like they are getting some interesting performances from a group of gifted actors. Plus, the commentary on the studio system (which has found new life in modern times with franchise filmmaking) should be poignant and timely.
February 12
Zoolander 2
Stars: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Penelope Cruz
Synopsis:
Derek Zoolander is back with more zany adventures in the world of male modeling.
Paramount Pictures is making a calculated choice to release this on the same date as Deadpool. This will be an interesting comedic showdown at the theaters. I will be at Deadpool however, so let me know how this one is.
Deadpool
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Boccarin, T.J. Miller
Official Synopsis:
Based upon Marvel Comics’ most unconventional anti-hero, “Deadpool” tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.
This is the next stage in the evolution of the superhero movie. If the genre can successfully transition into the R-rated realm and show that there shouldn’t be boundaries to filmmaker’s creativity with comic book movies, the sky will be the limit for the future. However, the marketing of Deadpool has been so good, that it’s possible that the expectations could be too high. We will find out next week…
February 19
Race
Stars: Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, William Hurt
Official Synopsis:
Based on the incredible true story of Jesse Owens, the legendary athletic superstar whose quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him onto the world stage of the 1936 Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler’s vision of Aryan supremacy. “Race” is an enthralling film about courage, determination, tolerance, and friendship, and an inspiring drama about one man’s fight to become an Olympic legend.
The story of Jesse Owens is an American story that forced the world to look at the state of race relations abroad and forced the country to look into the mirror and confront its own hypocrisy. There has been a lot of talk about race and diversity in the movie industry recently and the talk isn’t solely about getting more movies about race, per say, into theaters. But about getting more diverse stories and faces, which represent the greater population, on screen. If there is an American historical drama that deserves to be brought to life, its the Jesse Owens’ story. So it will be interesting to find out if the movie is well-made and connects with audiences.
February 26
Eddie the Eagle
Stars: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Christopher Walken
Official Synopsis:
Inspired by true events, “Eddie the Eagle” is a feel-good story about Michael “Eddie” Edwards (Taron Egerton), an unlikely but courageous British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself – even as an entire nation was counting him out. With the help of a rebellious and charismatic coach (played by Hugh Jackman), Eddie takes on the establishment and wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. From producers of “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” “Eddie the Eagle” stars Taron Egerton as Eddie, the loveable underdog with a never say die attitude.
Taron Egerton had a triumphant debut in last year’s Kingsman: The Secret Service, as the roguish successor to Colin Firth’s gentleman spy. The role of Eddie the Eagle is the complete opposite of Eggsy and if successful, will show the young actor’s range. The supporting cast features Hugh Jackman and Christopher Walken, so even though the true story might be a little formulaic, it will have an over-abundance of charisma. It seems like a great family pick in the mold of Cool Runnings.
Triple 9
Stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Casey Affleck, Anthony Mackie, Woody Harrelson, Kate Winslet, Norman Reedus
Official Synopsis:
When a crew of dirty cops is blackmailed by the Russian mob to execute a virtually impossible heist, they realize the only way to pull it off is to manufacture a 999, police code for “officer down”. The chaos that ensues when a police officer is shot in the line of duty is just the diversion they’ll need to do the job, but whether they have the will to kill one of their own is an entirely different matter. Their plan is turned upside down when the unsuspecting rookie they set up to die foils the attack, triggering a breakneck, action packed finale tangled with double-crosses, greed and revenge.
While Deadpool is grabbing all of the attention with an inventive marketing campaign, this might end up being the most exhilarating movie of the month. Triple 9’s cast features some of the very best working actors today and seeing them thrown into a tension-filled cops and robbers tale is too good to be true. Director John Hillcoat (The Road, Lawless) simply does not make bad movies and we have yet to see how his style fits into a gritty, urban crime thriller.
What movies are you looking forward to this month? When you see them, let us know what you thought of the February’s films in the comment boards, , , and ! Share our stories by clicking below!
Source: Coming Soon