Major Theatrical Releases February 2016

Major Theatrical Releases February 2016

Typically February is a time movie studios leave the films they wish were never made.  Usually it's the lowest turnout month, but it doesn't seem to be the case this month as there's a lot of fantastic movies coming out in this short cold month.

Here is the list of films being released nationally for the month of February, 2016.




February 5

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Starring Lily James, Lena Headey, Matt Smith, Douglas Booth
Directed by Burr Steers
Synopsis (imdb.com):
Jane Austen's classic tale of the tangled relationships between lovers from different social classes in 19th century England is faced with a new challenge -- an army of undead zombies.


Thoughts:
Is the zombie craze over?  Maybe for some, but not for this zombie lover.  I remember when I was in college, my roommate made me watch the entire PBS miniseries "Pride and Prejudice" and I was thoroughly bored.  I doubt I'll be bored with this movie, as the glitz and the glamour of a British period piece collides with hoards of the undead.  Definitely one I'm excited for.



The Choice
Starring Alexandra Daddario,  Teresa Palmer, Benjamin Walker, Maggie Grace
Directed by Ross Katz
Synopsis (imdb.com):
Travis and Gabby first meet as neighbors in a small coastal town and wind up in a relationship that is tested by life's most defining events.


Thoughts:
Yet another dull Nicholas Sparks movie, and as his movies keep coming out, fewer and fewer people attend.  Hopefully people make the right "Choice" and choose to avoid this insipid love story, but since it's Valentine's Day, I feel for the guys who are dragged to this drivel by their girlfriends/wives.



Hail, Caesar!
Starring George Clooney, James Brolin, Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum
Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen
Synopsis (imdb.com):
A Hollywood fixer in the 1950s works to keep the studio's stars in line.


Thoughts:
The Coen Brothers reunite with their cash cow in George Clooney to deliver a delightfully filmed period piece filled with their classic blend of dry, sarcastic humor and witty dialogue, mixed in with an old Hollywood mystery.  With a huge ensemble cast, I can see this being another hit for the brothers.










February 12


Deadpool
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Gina Carano, T.J. Miller
Directed by Tim Miller
Synopsis (imdb.com):
A former Special Forces operative turned mercenary is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopting the alter ego Deadpool.


Thoughts:
Way back when, a movie called "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" came out, and Ryan Reynolds starred as everyone's lovable Merc with a Mouth Deadpool - and the movie managed to mangle him until he was a shell of his former self.  Ever since then, fans across the world have demanded a "Deadpool" movie that will do him justice, and from all the previews I've seen, this is the fantastic result.  Reynolds clearly relishes his role, it's got the perfect R-rating, and I have no doubt it's going to be just as awesome as we've all expected.



How to Be Single
Starring Rebel Wilson, Dakota Johnson, Alison Brie, Leslie Mann
Directed by Christian Ditter

Synopsis (imdb.com):
New York City is full of lonely hearts seeking the right match, and what Alice, Robin, Lucy, Meg, Tom and David all have in common is the need to learn how to be single in a world filled with ever-evolving definitions of love.

Thoughts:
How do you be single?  By seeing this movie, because you'll more than likely be the only person in the theater.  Then again, maybe it'll do well because it's Valentine's Day weekend, so I could be surprised.



Zoolander 2
Starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Penelope Cruz
Directed by Ben Stiller

Synopsis (imdb.com):
Derek and Hansel are modelling again when an opposing company attempts to take them out from the business.

Thoughts:
The original "Zoolander" was a laugh-out-loud comedy, and it's been a LONG wait for a sequel.  It's finally going to hit, and from previews alone it looks like it'll be another out of the park comedy.  Re-pairing Stiller, Wilson and Ferrell is comedy gold, and adding in the talents of Penelope Cruz, Benedict Cumberbatch and Kristen Wiig is just icing on the cake.  Plus there's several famous cameos by Ariana Grande, Macaulay Culkin, Demi Lovato, Kim Kardashian West, and Justin Bieber.  Just seeing Bieber get murdered is more than enough for the price of admission.





February 19


Risen
Starring Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, Maria Botto, Cliff Curtis
Directed by Kevin Reynolds

Synopsis (imdb.com):
Follows the epic Biblical story of the Resurrection, as told through the eyes of a non-believer. Clavius, a powerful Roman Military Tribune, and his aide Lucius, are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Jesus in the weeks following the crucifixion, in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.

Thoughts:
I'm pretty surprised this isn't coming out closer to Easter, since it'd make more business.  Every year there's a movie about the resurrection of Jesus, but this one takes a different route by telling the story through the eyes of a non-believer.  With the amazing acting talents of Joseph Fiennes, I have no doubt it'll do well - just not as well since it wasn't released near Easter.



Race
Starring Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, Carice van Houten, Jeremy Irons
Directed by Stephen Hopkins

Synopsis (imdb.com):
Jesse Owens' 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.

Thoughts:
Like with the amazing Jackie Robinson movie "42," "Race" will no undoubtedly be a stirring, moving, heroic tale of one of the world's best Olympic athletes as he battles segregation and ultimately Hitler in the 1936 Olympics.  If it was out later, I wouldn't have been surprised if it earned some Oscar nominations.  Maybe it will for next year.





February 26


Gods of Egypt
Starring Gerard Butler, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Abbey Lee, Brenton Thwaites
Directed by Alex Proyas

Synopsis (imdb.com):
A common thief joins a mythical god on a quest through Egypt.

Thoughts:
The cost of the film shouldn't be that high, since its painfully obvious every scene was shot in front of a green screen.  The effects look slightly better than your typical SyFy Original, and the story seems very watered-down and tame.  Looks like a huge disappointment.



Triple 9
Starring Teresa Palmer, Gal Gadot, Kate Winslet, Aaron Paul
Directed by John Hillcoat

Synopsis (imdb.com):
A gang of criminals and corrupt cops plan the murder of a police officer in order to pull off their biggest heist yet across town.

Thoughts:
This movie is an enigma to me, because it's hardly advertised.  You'd expect something big with the acting talents of Teresa Palmer, Gal Gadot, Aaron Paul, Casey Affleck, Norman Reedus, Woody Harrelson, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kate Winslet, but there's not much mention about this film.  This leads me to believe it'll either be a sleeper hit, or a total flop.  I'm hoping for the former.



Eddie the Eagle
Starring Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Christopher Walken, Jo Hartley
Directed by Dexter Fletcher

Synopsis (imdb.com):
The story of Great Britain's first ski jumper to enter the Winter Olympics.

Thoughts:
The story seems like a real inspiration, as it features someone who dreams big and works hard to achieve it.  Looks to be an uplifting tale and something that will warm audiences' hearts.


So there are the major releases for February, 2016.  Here is a list in order from what I think will be the best, to the worst.

Deadpool
Hail, Caesar!
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Zoolander 2
Race
Risen
Triple 9
Eddie the Eagle
How to Be Single
Gods of Egypt
The Choice

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