Typically February is the month studios drop off films they're not too excited about, but every once in a while there's a film (such as Deadpool last year) that really stands out above the dross.
Here are the major theatrical releases for February 2017 (dates subject to change).
February 3
Rings
In the 2000s, the horror subgenre known as J-Horror was all the rage. Horror movies based in Japan were brought to America, given the American re-imagining, and audiences were terrified. Films such as "The Grudge," "Pulse" and "Dark Water" sent moviegoers screaming in terror, but none compared to "The Ring." The film - starring Naomi Watts, Brian Cox and Martin Henderson - thrilled and chilled moviegoers to the bone. The story centered around Samara, the spirit of a girl killed who inhabits a VHS video and kills whoever watches it in seven days. The film was met with critical and audience acclaim and garnered a subpar sequel, and everyone thought that was the end. Now comes "Rings," and it looks like complete garbage. Somehow Samara found a way to transfer her VHS spirit to the web, or something, and it looks like its going to be a lame jump scare movie without any of the terrific acting the original had.
The Space Between Us
Just in time for Valentine's Day comes this out of this world (get it?) love story. In the not-too-distant future, a child (Asa Butterfield, who continues to amaze since his work in "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas") is raised on Mars and travels to Earth to meet his intergalactic penpal ("Tomorrowland" star Britt Robertson), as well as find his long lost father. However, there's complications as his heart isn't physically capable of sustaining his body on Earth, so he has a very limited time. This looks like it has potential to be something decent, with a great cast and a heart-tugging story.
February 10
Fifty Shades Darker
Nothing screams love, romance, and Valentine's Day like a little S & M. Based on the series of books that were international bestsellers (to this day, I have no idea why), the sequel to "Fifty Shades of Grey" comes out just in time to treat your girlfriend, or tie her up, or whatever. Once again, the chemistry between Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson is about as ice cold as the Arctic, and the story...if you call it that...looks to be total crap. Plus I think there's a ghost.
John Wick: Chapter 2
"John Wick" was a surprise hit, and features Keanu Reeves doing what he does best - kicking some serious butt. There wasn't much in the way of story structure - it was pretty much just him getting bloody revenge on the people who beat him up and killed his dog (to which I don't blame him in the slightest). However, it was still a rip-roaring good time, and of course greenlit a sequel. Will it be as good as the original? Who knows. However, it'll feature Keanu (who looks amazingly well for being over 50) once again getting bloody revenge. Plus it reunites Reeves with his "Matrix" co-star Laurence Fishburne. So it has promise.
The LEGO Batman Movie
"The LEGO Movie" was a surprise knockout hit that took the world by storm, and while we eagerly anticipate its sequel, we're given a spinoff featuring one of the film's most hilarious characters: Batman. Here he raises Robin (a terrifically hilarious Michael Cera) as he battles his biggest foes. The trailer itself had me laughing out loud, so there's no doubt the movie itself will have me rolling in the aisle. Definitely one I can't wait to see.
February 17
The Great Wall
I feel there was a lot of potential with this film, but it looks like it's going to be a big bust. Most of this is due to casting Matt Damon as the lead role in a movie about the creation of the Great Wall of China...not Trump's Great Wall of Mexico. The premise of the film is telling why they would create such a great wall in the first place and what they wanted to protect themselves from. My guess is dragons. Anyway, it looks like it was supposed to be a big-budget blockbuster, but being released in the middle of February won't do it any favors.
A Cure for Wellness
Gore Verbinski is an interesting director to say the least. He directed the aforementioned "The Ring" along with the first three "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies as well as "The Weather Man," but also directed duds such as "The Lone Ranger." "A Cure for Wellness" looks to be a deeply psychological thriller along the lines of "Shutter Island," and features some truly amazing set pieces and an intriguing premise. The previews don't really tell a whole lot, which I appreciate because this looks like something highly cerebral and one I want to untangle as I see it.
Fist Fight
Two teachers get into a scuffle and the result is a fist fight of the ages. Starring Ice Cube and Charlie Day, it looks funny enough, but nothing to really write home about. Still, it has promise and it could be more funny than I think it is, so we'll see if it's a hit or miss.
February 24
Get Out
Jordan Peele is better known for one half of the comedic duo Key & Peele, so seeing him not only direct - but write - a horror film is something unique. This tale focuses on an African American man meeting his Caucasian girlfriend's parents, and all literal hell breaking loose. It looks like a truly mind-bending experience and, like "A Cure for Wellness," something I want to unravel as I see it.
Collide
I've never heard of this movie before, but with the likes of Nicolas Hoult, Oscar nominee Felicity Jones and Oscar winners Anthony Hopkins and Ben Kingsley, I'm surprised I didn't hear more about this. The preview looks promising, filled with action and suspense, but I'm weary because it wasn't advertised more.
Rock Dog
So there's children's animated movies that the whole family can enjoy and doesn't dumb things down for them such as "Finding Dory" or "Kubo." Then there's those that are complete crap that neither children nor adults will like. "Rock Dog" fits well in that category.
So there are the films being released in February 2017.
Here is how excited I am to see them, from most excited to least:
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The Living Dead Starring Jessica Jane-Stanford, Paul Danan, Aurie 'Styla' Green, Hakan Hassan Directed by Fredi Nwaka What I appreciate the most about horror cinema is the fact that its the easiest genre for an up-and-coming director to direct, and provide a unique vision that's set apart from different genres - in horror, you can make anything if you set your mind to it. Horror can also blend different genres within itself, producing horror/drama, horror/action, and even horror/comedy, which is the route taken by first-time director Fredi Nwaka's "The Living Dead" (also known in the U.K. as "Are We Dead Yet?") - it's not just a horror film, but also blends action and comedy and produces a worthwhile whole. Madison (Jessica Jane-Stanford), Barry (Aurie 'Styla' Green), Gavin (Paul Danan), Alan (Hakan Hassan) and Parksey (Bradley Turner) are a group of robbers who, after their getaway car breaks down, find themselves in front of a towering
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