by Meleena Mohammed
Greetings and Salutations! Here are the movie releases for the month of February where we highlight the most anticipated movies, including Black Panther, so you know what movie you’re seeing the next time you go to the theatre.
Winchester Rated PG-13 (February 2nd)
Based on actual events, they have finally made a movie about the infamous Winchester Mystery House. If you don’t already know, the folk tale is about Sarah Winchester. After the death of her husband, she moved from New Haven, Connecticut to San Jose, California to start anew. She bought an 8-room farmhouse and began renovations to create an enormous and now famous mansion. However, these were not regular fixes, she began a project that over the span of 36 years cost 5.5 million dollars IN THIS TIME. Within it was over 160 rooms, 40 bedrooms, 10,000 windows, 2,000 doors and even 2 basements. The house itself is an enigma, with doors leading to drops, stairs to the ceiling and more abnormal structural designs. The mystery lies in exactly why she did this, which is where the tale comes in; many people believe this to be true and others do not. The movie, of course, is about that tale.
Starring Dame Helen Mirren(Red, Eye in Sky, Prime Suspect) playing the wealthy Mrs.Winchester, and Jason Clarke(Everest, Zero Dark Thirty) playing Dr.Price. The movie is a horror-thriller about a widow who has started building a house which she can never stop adding to, lest she be killed by the spirits who died to what her husband’s fortune was made off: The Winchester Rifle. Dr.Price comes in to determine if in fact, she is being haunted and preserve what is left of this woman’s sanity. Skeptical of the entire situation, he begins to learn these are no simple hallucinations.
It is directed by the brothers, Peter and Michael Spierig, directing duo. They have previously made Predestination and Daybreakers both some sort of horror and thriller films.
Peter Rabbit Rated PG(February 9th)
This movie is an adaptation of the classic British tale of a famous children’s book. Directed by Will Gluck is best known for making Easy A, a comedy, which happens to be one of my favorite movies. The movie stars James Corden as the Peter Rabbit; he’s known as being the host of the Late, Late Show,and acted in Into the Woods. Daisy Ridley voices Cottontail, who is the face of Disney’s Star Wars as of now. Margot Robbie(I, Tonya, The Wolf of Wall Street, Suicide Squad) plays Flopsy, Domhnall Gleeson(Goodbye Christopher Robin, Frank, Ex Machina) as Mr.McGregor and Rose Byrne(Neighbors, Insidious, Spy) as Bea.
The story follows the crazy life of Peter Rabbit, the infamously high-spirited and mischievous character many have come to love. The movie keeps this tone and incorporates a comedic twist; which is sure to please. One day, the already existing feud between McGregor and Peter reach an all new level; they compete for the attention of a sweet and beautiful animal lover: Bea. Alongside Peter in this frenzy, are some animal friends including triplet rabbits: Mopsy, Flopsy, and Cottontail.
Black Panther Rated PG-13 (February 16th)
The first superhero movie of the year, and I am so excited! And so should you! In its own independent film, the newest edition of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) is the incredible T’Challa; otherwise known as: Black Panther. He is being played by Chadwick Boseman, who is known for portraying an array of icons; Thurgood Marshall in Marshall, James Brown in Get on Up and even Jackie Robinson in 42. It is being directed by Ryan Coogler, who has also made Creed and Fruitvale Station.
This movie will definitely not disappoint; with this cast including Michael B. Jordan(Creed, Fruitvale Station) playing the villain: Erik Killmonger; and Lupita Nyong’o(Queen of Katwe, 12 Years a Slave) as Nakia, not to mention the rest of the actors playing smaller roles(but are still just as impressive). The costume design is being done by the famous Ruth E. Carter, who worked on more than 40 movies; these costumes are already stunning from what you can see in trailers. On top of it all, the director with Marvel studios is sure to make it quite the spectacle; it’s even delighting your ears with an epic soundtrack. Could I hype up this movie any more?
The movie takes place in the African country Wakanda, where T’Challa is the newly appointed king. Already, he is facing trouble; 2 enemies are conspiring against him, threatening the fate of his nation and the world. But apparently, there are secrets hidden within the Wakandan kingdom that play a major role in future Marvel films.
Annihilation Rated NA(PG-13 or R) (February 23rd)
This movie is an adaptation of the best-selling books–Southern Reach Trilogy–written by Jeff VanderMeer. Annihilation–the first book, now movie–is being directed by Alex Garland,also a novelist, has made Ex Machina(one of my favorite movies), 28 Days Later and Never Let Me Go. The movie features Natalie Portman(Black Swan, Jackie, V for Vendetta) playing The Biologist, Oscar Isaac(Ex Machina, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Inside Llewyn Davis) The Biologist’s Husband, Tessa Thompson(Thor:Ragnarok, Creed) as The Surveyor and Jennifer Jason Leigh(The Hateful Eight, Fast Times at Ridgemont High) as The Psychologist.
This is not your average tale, it’s even being called by some as “2018’s Strangest & Most Audacious Sci-Fi Film,” which personally sounds great. The story takes place in an environmental disaster zone, where a biologist’s husband goes into what is called “The Shimmer.” In this sci-fi mix of fantasy and horror, he returns one day in critical condition, causing his wife–the biologist by the name of Lena–to venture into this dangerous environment and find out what happened in order to save him. The expedition team consists of Lena, a former soldier and biologist, a surveyor, psychologist, anthropologist and linguist. The Shimmer is not as it appears and what they face inside is like none other. Nothing that goes in ever comes back, will they make it out alive?
Game Night Rated R (February 23rd)
Directed by duo John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, this team tries their hand at directing; they are known for working on movies like Spiderman: Homecoming and the tv shows Bones and Freaks and Geeks. This film is a comedy, starring Rachel McAdams playing Annie, who has acted in so many movies like The Notebook to comedies like Mean Girls and serious movies like Southpaw. Alongside her is Jason Bateman playing Ryan, Annie’s husband, who is known for his comedic roles having acted in a number of tv shows like Arrested Development and voiced in some big movies like Zootopia.
This movie is about a group of friends who meet regularly for game nights. However one night, what starts as a murder mystery game at Max and Annie house, becomes very real; unknown to them who think it’s all just part of the game. Brooks– Annie’s brother–is kidnapped by thugs who break into the house, as he is literally giving them instructions. Unbeknownst to the competitors, Brooks is not who he seems to be, and these guns and federal agents are not all part of some elaborate plan. The movie follows them through a series of unbelievable events involving incredible twists and turns. Soon, they begin to realize that their lives are in real danger.
Featured image made by Meleena Mohammed