#enough about will smith and the stupid academy awards already

[thebraxiatelcollection]

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[sfdfmoviereviews]

Upcoming Flicks February 2017

Coming to Australian cinemas February 2017.

February 2

Patriots Day

Patriots Day is based on the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings and the manhunt for the terrorists that followed. Genre: Drama Director: Peter Berg Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, J.K. Simmons, Kevin Bacon, John Goodman Recommendation: See it. It has been getting stellar reviews in the US and looks to be a gripping and intense retelling of a traumatic event in our recent history.

Manchester by the Sea

After the death of his father, Patrick’s uncle struggles to accept and be the guardian that he needs during the difficult time. Genre: Drama Director: Kenneth Lonergan Stars: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler Recommendation: Nominated for six Academy Awards, Manchester by the Sea has been leaving very few disappointed. See it.

Gold

A desperate prospector, Kenny Wells, attempts to find gold in the uncharted Indonesian jungle. Genre: Adventure/Drama/Thriller Director: Stephen Gaghan Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Édgar Ramírez, Bryce Dallas Howard Recommendation: McConaughey is up to his usual tricks with this quirky character that seems to be one that you’ll love to hate. It has not had a great response from the U.S. but I think it looks interesting.

  February 9

Fifty Shades Darker

Christian and Anastasia go at it again. Genre: Romance Director: James Foley Stars: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan Recommendation: No. The books are terrible. The first film was terrible. The second film will be terrible. However, presales are already selling fast, so if you are interested, maybe look at tickets sooner rather than later. I shall not be though.

Fences

Based on August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, Fences is about Troy Maxson, an African-American garbage collector in the 1950s. He provides dutifully for his family out of obligation and takes out his frustrations for his lack of achievement on them also. Genre: Drama Director: Denzel Washington Stars: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis Recommendation: Nominated for four Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor (Washington), Best Supporting Actress (Davis) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Wilson), Fences is sure to be an emotional rollercoaster that is worth your money.

A Street Cat Named Bob

Based on a true story, a drug addicted busker turns his life around after adopting a stray cat. Genre: Biography/Comedy Director: Roger Spottiswoode Stars: Luke Treadaway, Bob the Cat Recommendation: Skip it. There is so much better out at the cinema this month.  

February 16

Hidden Figures

Crossing gender and race lines, three African-American woman working at NASA provided the mathematical data to ensure the program’s first successful space missions in 1957. Genre: Biography/Drama Director: Theodore Melfi Stars: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe Recommendation: Also an Oscar contender (Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Spencer), and Best Adapted Screenplay), this untold story super interesting and a powerful statement for woman. See it.

The Great Wall

European mercenaries in China become entangled in the defence of the country from hordes of monsters on the Great Wall. Genre: Adventure/Fantasy Director: Yimou Zhang Stars: Matt Damon, Tian Jing, Pedro Pascal Recommendation: Here is a fantastic popcorn flick to give you a break from all the Oscar dramas. This looks great, in a fun, stupid way and creative take on the reason for building one of the world’s greatest structures.

Silence

Two Christian missionaries travel to Japan, at a time when Christianity was outlawed, to find their missing mentor and spread the word of the Lord. Genre: Drama Director: Martin Scorsese Stars: Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson Recommendation: The trailer looks very good and the cast and director are proven A-list film-makers. See it.

Trespass Against Us

Chad Cutler is trying to escape his father and the criminal family that he built to create a better life for his children. Genre: Crime/Drama Director: Adam Smith Stars: Michael Fassbender, Brendan Gleeson Recommendation: See it. The cast and the fact it is a Brit film is enough to sell me on it.

 February 23

T2: Trainspotting

20 years on from the first film, Mark Renton returns to Scotland to catch up with his old mates, whilst trying to avoid Franco who has recently been released from prison. Genre: Crime/Drama Director: Danny Boyle Stars: Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle. Recommendation: See it if you’re a fan of the first film. I haven’t seen the first film so I cannot recommend either way.

Rings

Rings is the third film in the Ring franchise, where if you watch a certain VHS tape you will die 7 days later. Well, apparently there is a movie within the movie (…within the movie?) that hasn’t been seen before. Genre: Horror Director: F. Javier Gutiérrez Stars: Matilda Lutz, Alex Roe, Johnny Galecki, Aimee Teegarden, Bonnie Morgan, Vincent D'Onofrio Recommendation: The horror movie to get pushed back from a Halloween release for…. February? Rings has had many false starts with several release dates announced but we finally get it and does it sound bad?! There seems to be no one supporting the movie at the studio and hopefully the fans follow suit. Skip it.

Fist Fight

One teacher, Mr Campbell, gets another teacher fired, Mr Strickland. Strickland challenges Campbell to a fight, after school, so everyone can see. Genre: Comedy Director: Richie Keen Stars: Christina Hendricks, Ice Cube, Charlie Day Recommendation: The trailer is very epic and is fully aware of itself. It looks a nice easy way to finish off the month. Sure, why not?!

 My two picks for the month are Patriots Day and the Great Wall. Tell me what you are checking out this month on Facebook, Tumblr & Twitter

 -Terry