This “In Theatres” combo edition features the best January releases that are still at the cinema, as well as the highly-anticipated February films coming soon. See below for the Top 4 movies on my radar, as well as an extra list of releases for a great mix of comedy, thriller, animated and drama films.
1) ‘The Upside’
Release Date: Friday January 11
Main Stars: Kevin Hart (‘Ride Along’), Nicole Kidman (‘Big Little Lies’) and Bryan Cranston (‘Breaking Bad’)
Director: Neil Burger (‘Limitless’)
Summary:
‘The Upside’ is a comedy-drama film that is a remake of the 2011 French film ‘The Intouchables’, which is based on the life of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo. The story follows quadriplegic billionaire Philip Lacasse portrayed by Bryan Cranston, and recently paroled convict Dell Scott played by the hilarious Kevin Hart. The two may be an unlikely duo but they learn to enjoy the little joys in life in order to reach their fullest potential. Personally, I have been loving Hart’s recent movies and it would be nice to see Cranston outside of the serious tone that he had throughout the ‘Breaking Bad’ series. This looks like a fun and entertaining night out with maybe a few tears shed.
2) ‘Glass’
Release Date: Friday January 18
Main Stars: Bruce Willis (‘Die Hard’), Samuel L. Jackson (‘Pulp Fiction’) and James McCoy (‘X-Men’)
Director: M. Night Shyamalan (‘The Sixth Sense’)
Summary:
‘Glass’ is a superhero thriller film that serves as the final installment of the ‘Unbreakable’ trilogy as it is a sequel to the 2000 ‘Unbreakable’ and 2016 ‘Split’ films. The story follows the main characters of Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson and James McAvoy as they reprise their roles of David Dunn, Mr. Glass and Kevin Wendell Crumb respectively. The trio are held in a psychiatric hospital as their doctor attempts to convince them all that they do not indeed have superpowers. I remember watching the first film back in high school and thinking it was really good, but I have yet to see ‘Split’ because I’m a baby when it comes to horror films. However, I feel like I might have to make an exception in order to see this third and final film as it is jam-packed with star power.
3) ‘Cold Pursuit’
Release Date: Friday February 8
Main Stars: Liam Neeson (‘Taken’), Laura Dern (‘Rambling Rose’), and Emmy Rossum (‘Phantom of the Opera’)
Director: Hans Petter Moland (Hollywood Debut)
Summary:
‘Cold Pursuit’ is an action film remake of the 2014 Norwegian vigilante film ‘In Order of Disappearance’ also directed by Hans Petter Morland. The film stars Liam Neeson as Nelson Coxman a snowplow driver for a Colorado ski resort. Coxman’s life is turned upside down when he learns that his son has died from a heroin overdose. Therefore, in pure Liam Neeson fashion, he hunts down the drug cartel and other men responsible for his son’s death and kills them all. I am such a sucker for Liam Neeson movies regardless to if they are good or not, but I like the revenge storyline a little more than the kidnapping one!
4) ‘What Men Want’
Release Date: Friday February 8
Main Stars: Taraji P. Henson (‘Hidden Figures’), and Tracy Morgan (’30 Rock’)
Director: Adam Shankman (‘Hairspray’)
Summary:
‘What Men Want’ is a fantasy comedy film that is a reverse play on the 2000 original ‘What Women Want’ starring Mel Gibson. This version focuses on sports agent Ali Davis played by the lovely Taraji P. Henson, after she is passed over on a promotion and decides to drink a potion from a shaman that allows her to read mens’ thoughts. This hilarious twist on the original film looks like the perfect movie for a girls night out! Plus, Adam Shankman was always one of my favourite judges on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, so I’m sure this film is full of sassy scenes and great one-liners.
Extra Film Releases
‘Escape Room’
Release Date: Friday January 4
‘Escape Room’ [Credit: Sony Pictures]
Summary:
‘Escape Room’ is a psychological horror film directed by Adam Robitel following a young group of people as they try to make their way through a series of escape rooms with each wrong guess resulting in deadly consequences. This looks like a millennial spin on the ‘Saw’ series and I’m not overly mad about it.
‘Miss Bala’
Release Date: Friday February 1
‘Miss Bala’ [Credit: Sony Pictures]
Summary:
‘Miss Bala’ is an action thriller film directed by Catherine Hardwicke starring Gina Rodriguez of ‘Jane the Virgin’ fame as makeup artist Gloria Fuentez. The story follows Gloria as she works with the police to take down the drug cartel that kidnapped her friend after a night out in Mexico.
‘The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part’
Release Date: Friday February 8
‘Lego Movie 2: The Second Part’ [Credit: Warner Bros.]
Summary:
‘The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part’ is a computer-animated adventure film that is the direct sequel to the 2014 original film ‘The Lego Movie’. The story follows an ensemble cast of excellent actors reprising their roles of awesome characters, as they try to stop the Lego Duplo invaders from destroying their world.
‘Isn’t It Romantic’
Release Date: Wednesday February 13
‘Isn’t It Romantic’ [Credit: Warner Bros.]
Summary:
‘Isn’t It Romantic’ is a satirical romantic comedy film about the life of Australian architect Natalie played by the hilarious Rebel Wilson. The story follows her after she has a brain injury and wakes up to a world where everything around her plays out like the cliches of her favourite romcoms.
‘How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World’
Release Date: Friday February 22
‘How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World’ [Credit: Universal Pictures]
Summary:
‘How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World’ is a computer-animated fantasy film that is the third and final installment of the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ trilogy. The story follows Hiccup and Toothless as they search for a dragon utopia called “The Hidden World”.
