Major Theatrical Releases March 2017

Major Theatrical Releases March 2017

March is a time when Spring is in the air, and the anticipation of the summer movie season is just beginning to take hold.  This year, there's a lot to offer in the theaters - from long-running comic book franchises to a rebooted monster of cinematic history to a tale as old as time, March has something for everyone.

Here are the major theatrical releases for March 2017 (dates subject to change).

March 3

Logan

"In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan's attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces." - imdb.com
Hugh Jackman has played Wolverine since 2000, and this is his final round as the most popular X-Man in the series.  However, unlike the other "X-Men" films, this one has a hard R-rating, which will allow Jackman to really let loose and unleash his full Wolverine for his swan song.  It looks to be something more than just your normal superhero movie, filled with deeply dramatic performances and a re-telling of the stunning "Old Man Logan" story from the comics.  Definitely a must see.

The Shack

"A grieving man receives a mysterious, personal invitation to meet with God at a place called 'The Shack.'" - imdb.com
Based on the New York Times Bestseller, "The Shack" focuses on a man who loses his young daughter to violence, and is met with God and angels who want him to forgive and to heal his hurting heart.  Sure to be a tear-jerker, the film also features Octavia Spencer, Sam Worthington, Radha Michell and Tim McGraw.

Before I Fall

"February 12 is just another day in Sam's charmed life until it turns out to be her last. Stuck reliving her last day over one inexplicable week, Sam untangles the mystery around her death and discovers everything she's in danger of losing." - imdb.com
So this is "Groundhog Day" in dramatic form.  Excellent.  A girl unravels the last day of her life over and over in hopes of finding out what happened, and learning to appreciate everything she had.  Looks to be mediocre at best.

The Last Word

"Harriet is a retired businesswoman who tries to control everything around her. When she decides to write her own obituary, a young journalist takes up the task of finding out the truth resulting in a life-altering friendship." - imdb.com
I feel like this is a modern telling of "A Christmas Carol," with a no-nonsense businesswoman taking the place of the misery old man who has no friends and wants to control everything in her life - including how she will be remembered.  Along comes a slightly naive writer who is assigned to write her obituary, and the unlikely pair form an endearing friendship.  Sounds like the typical flare, but with Shirley MacLaine and Amanda Seyfriend, it could show some promise.

March 10

Kong: Skull Island

"A team of explorers and soldiers travel to an uncharted island in the Pacific, unaware that they are crossing into the domain of monsters, including the mythic Kong." - imdb.com
King Kong returns to the big screen in a BIG way!  Unlike Peter Jackson's yarn, this looks to be a thrilling action-adventure featuring a super-sized Kong and several other terrifying creatures on a mysterious island.  The film also boasts a stellar cast including Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman and John C. Reilly.

March 17

Beauty and the Beast

"An adaptation of the Disney fairy tale about a monstrous-looking prince and a young woman who fall in love." - imdb.com
Everything about this film screams elegance and beauty.  From the colorful costumes to the set designs and lighting, this will truly be a fairy tale come true, a fabulous live-adaptation of a much-beloved Disney classic that will undoubtedly become as timeless as the Oscar-nominated animated film that preceded it.  A film for young and old alike, featuring the ever-beautiful Emma Watson.

The Belko Experiment

"In a twisted social experiment, 80 Americans are locked in their high-rise corporate office in Bogotá, Colombia and ordered by an unknown voice coming from the company's intercom system to participate in a deadly game of kill or be killed." - imdb.com
It's the most twisted social experiment ever: would you kill your fellow co-workers if it meant your own survival, or would you band together to take out the main threat and risk your own life?  I'm eager to see how this will play out in this terrifying tale featuring Michael Rooker.

T2 Trainspotting

"After 20 years abroad, Mark Renton returns to Scotland and reunites with his old friends Sick Boy, Spud, and Begbie." - imdb.com
While I typically laugh at a sequel coming out decades after the original, I'm cautiously optimistic about this one, mostly because the original was such a spellbinding piece of cinema, and since the sequel reunites the entire cast - including Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle - and seems to have the same magic the original had.

March 24

Power Rangers

"A group of high-school kids, who are infused with unique superpowers, harness their abilities in order to save the world." - imdb.com
I'm not sure how I feel about this, but I mostly feel apathy.  The Power Rangers were cool about a decade ago, but not so much anymore.  Plus the television series was so campy and corny, if they try to make a serious film it could be even more laughable.  Although the film does feature Elizabeth Banks (as arch nemesis Rita Repula, who looks like a green mermaid) and Bryan Cranston, so it's got that going for it.  Still, I'm not holding out hope for this to be amazing.

Life

"An international space crew discovers life on Mars." - imdb.com
Boating a great cast including Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal and Rebecca Ferguson, "Life" focuses on a space crew who discovers life on Mars - and the life they discovered was what possibly made the planet extinct from other lifeforms.  It looks to be a thrilling sci-fi adventure with commanding performances and a stellar story.

CHiPs

"The adventures of two California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers as they make their rounds on the freeways of Los Angeles." - imdb.com
Based off the classic buddy cop comedy series of the late 70s, "CHiPs" looks like it'd be funny enough, but nowhere near a gut-busting, roll-in-the-aisle laughter comedy you'd want.  Sure Dax Shepard and Michael Pena are funny enough, but it just doesn't look like their pairing is good enough.  Plus it seems a lot like "21 Jump Street," where you had the comedic genius pairing of Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill.  Not one to see opening night for sure.

March 31

The Boss Baby

"A suit-wearing briefcase-carrying baby pairs up with his seven-year old brother to stop the dastardly plot of the CEO of Puppy Co." - imdb.com
The film has some beautiful animations, I'll give it that.  Other than that, however, it looks like a complete mess that parents will have to doze through to entertain their young ones who want to see colorful things on screen.  Alec Baldwin should stick to playing President Trump on SNL.

The Zookeeper's Wife

"The Zookeeper's Wife tells the account of keepers of the Warsaw Zoo, Antonina and Jan Zabinski, who helped save hundreds of people and animals during the German invasion." - imdb.com
I'm surprised the film is being released this late, when it could've easily been an Oscar contender.  Starring the ever-amazing Jessica Chastain, this film is a true story of a couple who hid Jews in their zoo during World War II, and will undoubtedly pull some heart strings and deliver a tense, gripping tale.

Ghost in the Shell

"A cyborg policewoman attempts to bring down a nefarious computer hacker." - imdb.com
Based off a Japanese manga, "Ghost in the Shell" features Scarlett Johansson doing what she does best - kicking some serious butt.  There's been an uproar over casting her over an Asian actress, but I'm one for judging based on the acting ability and seeing how she handles the part.  Still, it looks like an action packed thrill ride that'll be easily a huge success.

So there are the films being released in March 2017.

Here is how excited I am to see them, from most excited to least:

Logan
Kong: Skull Island
Ghost in the Shell
Beauty and the Beast
The Zookeeper's Wife
Life
T2 Trainspotting
The Belko Experiment
Power Rangers
The Shack
The Last Word
Before I Fall
CHiPs
The Boss Baby