Friday, February 28th
The Invisible Man
This Friday, February 28th brings the wide release of writer/director, Leigh Whannell’s riveting modern adaptation of H. G. Wells’ 1897 book by the same name, The Invisible Man. This fictional horror movie stars double Golden Globe and Emmy Award-Winning Actress, Elizabeth Moss in an emotionally jarring, psychodynamic role that is both exciting, yet terrifying.
Cecilia (Elizabeth Moss) escapes a violent and abusive relationship from her wealthy, scientist Ex-Husband, Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) only for him to commit suicide and leave a majority of his fortune in Cecilia’s name. Regardless of this news, Cecilia suspects his death was a hoax; this suspicion derails her psyche, inducing a series of violent, threatening and potentially lethal events that cause Cecilia to question her sanity and prove that she is being tormented by an invisible man.
Wendy
If psychologically demanding horror/thriller movies, like The Invisible Man aren’t your forte, the widespread release of Fox Searchlight’s feature film, Wendy, scheduled for a wide release this Friday, February 28th, might be right up your ally…
Upon initial viewing of the theatrical trailer, it was evident that, Wendy (2020) would seamlessly embody the nostalgia and child-like fascination that keeps Neverland alive. However, writer/director, Benh Zeitlin’s adds a layer of cinematic beauty and modernism to the classic tale, allowing for a reimagined Neverland.
March 6th
Onward
The first Friday in March, the 6th, comes with the release of Pixar’s new animated movie, Onward. Word of advice, be sure to catch late-night showings, in an attempt to avoid the unruly children who flock to your local Theater.
Onward, Walt Disney Studios newest collection to Pixar’s movie collection, stars the voices of Tom Holland, as Ian Lightfoot, a teenage elf, and Chris Pratt, as Barley Lightfoot, Ian’s older brother. This animated film follows the two brothers on an adventure to find out if there is still magic out in the world so that they can have the opportunity to visit their deceased father.
March 13th
If the previous Friday’s family-friendly viewing of Pixar’s Onward, doesn’t peak your interest the following Friday, March 13th debuts 2 new wide released feature films: The Hunt, A archetypical-political Blumhouse Thriller and My Spy, a family-friendly action-comedy.
The Hunt
Blumhouse Productions presents Director, Craig Zobel’s interpretation of Richard Cornell’s 1924 short story, “The Most Dangerous Game”, as a thriller/political satire hybrid set for wide-spread release On March 13th.
Think, 'The Purge meets Hunger Games… But more partisan’
The best synopsis of the plot can be summarized using a direct quote from the trailer: “Liberal elites kidnap normal folk and hunt for sport”. Writer and director duo of The Hunt, Craig Zobel and Damon Lindelof agreed that at its core, their film was a satirical take on the malignant political divide between America’s left and right.
The Hunt follows 12 strangers who mysteriously awake in an unknown location, unaware of where they are, or how they got there. The strangers learn that they are to be hunted for sport by the elite; this realization sparks one of the hunted, Crystal (Betty Gilpin), to foil the elite’s game, and in turn, kill the elite
My Spy
If family-friendly films featuring overtly masculine men, finding themselves in odd predicaments with problematic, yet annoyingly cute children is your cup of tea, then STXfilms’ action-comedy starring Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman, Kristen Schaal, and Ken Jeong should be your go-to movie viewing come March 13th.
Upon viewing this trailer, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to previous works, notably, Disney’s The Game Plan, starring a Dwayne Johnson, as the overtly masculine man, and Madison Pettis, as the annoyingly cute kid.
March 20th
A Quiet Place II
Paramount Pictures’ sequel to A Quiet Place comes with much enthusiasm and anticipation as fans of the original film await Writer and Director, John Krasinski’s horrifying depiction of events following the Abbott family, following the events at their home. I would highly recommend viewing the precursor movie prior to watching the new release, in order to stay up to speed with the dynamic post-apocalyptic world and storylines of the family members.
The Abbot family struggles to survive their alien attack, following the chaotic series of events that occurred through the final scenes of A Quiet Place. This sequel follows Emily Blunt’s Character, Evelyn Abbott, facing the horrors of the outside world while protecting her 2 children, and newborn infant. A Quiet Place II strives to thrill the audience and address the mysterious origin and back story of the destructive, noise-sensitive aliens.
March 27th
Mulan
Let’s get down to business… because you already know you’re going to see Mulan. Songs or not, anyone who grew up suckled to the teet of Disney Channel has been programmed yearn for Disney reboots.
Well, wait no longer, come March 27th, the last Friday of the month, Disney releases Mulan in theaters everywhere.
Critically Acclaimed Filmmaker, Niki Caro, takes on the daunting role of directing Disney’s much anticipated live-action drama film, Mulan. Caro’s the Chinese folklore of Hua Mulan (Liu Yifei), the audacious eldest daughter of an honored warrior. In her father’s old age, he is unable to adhere to the Emperor’s decree for one man in every household to serve in the Imperial Army and defend the country of Northern Invaders. Courageously, Mulan masquerades as a man, Hua Jun, in order to protect her father from serving. In doing so, however, Mulan is guaranteed a tumultuous journey that constantly tests her strength, eventually transforming her “into a honed warrior [allowing her to] … earn the respect of a grateful nation and a proud father”.
April 3rd
The New Mutants
20th Century fox and Marvel Entertainment’s collaborative effort in creating an original, edgier storyline for The New Mutants, resulted in a similar tale, that diverges from its archetypal structure of “Superhero movies”, and instead takes on a darker horror-movie-inspired twist.
The New Mutants, written and directed by Josh Boone, is the thirteenth and final installment of the X-Men movie franchise. The film follows five young new mutants held in an isolated hospital for psychiatric observation. Erie and unusual experiences plague the young mutants until they’re friendship and new-found mutant abilities are tested as they struggle for survival.
If you’re one to stay up to date on all things Marvel, then the release for 20th Century FOX’s, The New Mutants, should come as no surprise. Along with a promising new genre choice, The New Mutants film compels a wide range of viewership partially due to its star-studded cast of mutants. Starring, Game of Thrones’ Massie Williams, as Rahne Sinclair (Wolfsbane), Split and The Witch(s), Anya Taylor-Joy as Lilyana Rasputin (Magik), Stranger Things’s Charlie Heaton as Sam Guthrie (Cannonball), The Original’s actress, Blu Hunt as Danielle Moonstar (Mirage), and Brazilian actor, Henry Zaga as Roberto da Costa (Sunspot). The wide release is expected to debut on the first Friday of the Month, April 3rd, 2020.
The Lovebirds
Emmy nominated actress, writer and producer, Issa Rae stars in her second romance movie of 2020 as Jibran, the on-screen love interest to Leilani (Kumail Nanjiani) in Paramount Picture’s romantic comedy, The Lovebirds. However, unlike Rae’s previous romantic film, The Photograph, where love is personified through overtly romantic and moody storytelling, The Lovebirds tells a more…tumultuous story.
The couple in The Lovebirds endure a relationship defining experience, when they accidentally involve themselves in a murder-mystery. As they embark on hilarious - yet relationship damning scenarios they must figure out how to save their relationship, and their lives.
April 10th
No Time to Die
Universal Pictures releases the 25th installment in the James Bond series, No Time to Die, on April 10th, 2020. The trailer’s promotional release sparked a great deal of anticipation from 007 fans and Daniel Craig ‘stans’, alike.
James Bond, played by Daniel Craig in his 5th and final rendition of the fictional agent, must leave retirement, to help friend and CIA operative, Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) find Valdo Obruchev (David Dencik), a missing scientist. Evidence of Obruchev’s abduction mounts, forcing Bond to act, eventually leading him to confront a new, advantageous villain, equipped with dangerous advanced technology.
April 17th
The Secret: Dare to Dream
Based on the worldwide bestselling ‘Self-Help Book’, The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne, The Secret: Dare to Dream, is set for a wide release on April 17th, 2020. Written and directed by Andy Tennant, the adapted screenplay is sure to be a tear-jerker, that will leave audiences with a newfound perspective on fate, spirituality and ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’.
Young, widowed, struggling mother of three, Miranda Wells (Katie Holmes) as she takes on a new upsetting challenge, once a storm partially destroys her house. This occurrence, however, brings handyman Bray Johnson (Josh Lucas) into her life. Bray enlightens the Wells family with his beliefs in ‘The Power of Positive Thinking' and attracting things with a force unseen. In time the Wells’ conditions improve, but could Bray be holding back a secret that could change everything?
April 24th
Antebellum
From the producer behind critically acclaimed films Get Out, and US, along with Writer/Director duo, Gerard Bush + Christopher Renz, the upcoming thriller drama film, Antebellum, is set for widespread release on the final Friday of the month, April 24th.
The official movie teaser trailer is cryptic at best; only allowing the viewer to assume that the film is more than a mirage of creepy-plantation shots and jump scares. As the release date approaches, a more concise theatrical trailer will likely be released, expanding on the story.
In short, Antebellum follows the life of Veronica Henley (Janelle Monáe), a Mystery Writer who finds herself stuck in a horrifying reality - the 1800’s (Janelle Monáe is Black if you didn’t know... which complicates things). The movie explores how Veronica can escape her predicament and uncover the mystery before it’s too late…
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