A Reel Preview: The Year in Film 2016, Episode III

 

The conclusion of the Oscars not only marks the official end of the cinematic year of 2015, but it also signifies the end of Movie Siberia; the slow and dead months of early winter where the harvest is thin. Cinematic March, like the season of Spring, is a time of renewal. Here are the notable releases for the coming month:

It all falls into place with…

LONDON HAS FALLEN – The not-so-long-awaited sequel to the 2013 action flick, OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN. Gerard Butler (300), reprises his role as a secret service agent protecting the U.S. President, reprised by Aaron Eckhart (THE DARK KNIGHT), this time in London. Morgan Freeman tags along.

ZOOTOPIA – Disney animation studios gets back into the business of walking and talking animals. Stars the voice talents of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Bonnie Hunt, Tommy Chong, J.K. Simmons, Octavia Spencer, Alan Tudyk, and Kristen Bell.

WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT – In this war comedy, Tina Fey plays a war-correspondent sent to Afghanistan who develops a relationship with a fellow journalist from Scotland, played by Martin Freeman (THE HOBBIT). Co-stars Billy Bob Thornton and Margot Robbie (THE WOLF OF WALL STREET).

KNIGHT OF CUPS – Philosophical and experimental director Terrence Malick returns with another opus, this time telling the story of a Los Angeles screenwriter trying to make sense of strange events around him. Stars Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, Antonio Banderas, Brian Dennehy, Freida Pinto, and Imogen Poots.

10 CLOVERFIELD LANE – Described as a “spiritual successor” to the 2008 alien-monster invasion flick CLOVERFIELD, a young woman (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) wakes up in an underground cellar run by a survivalist (John Goodman).

THE BROTHERS GRIMSBY – Sacha Baron Cohen (BORAT), stars as an English footballer who sets out in search of his long-lost brother, who is an MI6 assassin. Co-stars Mark Strong, Rebel Wilson, Penelope Cruz, and Isla Fisher. Directed by Louis Leterrier (THE INCREDIBLE HULK).

EYE IN THE SKY – Helen Mirren plays the leader of a secret drone mission. Co-stars Aaron Paul, and it is one of the last appearances by the late-great Alan Rickman. Directed by Gavin Hood (WOLVERINE: ORIGINS).

THE LOBSTER – In this sci-fi oddball, a city gives single people 45 days to find a mate before they are turned into an animal. Stars Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz.

REMEMBER – Christopher Plummer plays a dementia-ridden man who sets out on a cross-country road trip to deliver justice to the former Nazi guard who had murdered his family seven decades prior. Co-stars Martin Landau (ED WOOD).

MIDNIGHT SPECIAL – Jeff Nichols, who directed the magnificent TAKE SHELTER in 2011, returns with this sci-fi thriller in which a young boy with special powers is hunted by the government and extreme religious sects. Co-stars Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kristen Dunst, Sam Shepard, and Adam Driver.

I SAW THE LIGHT – Tom Hiddleston (Loki from THE AVENGERS) plays the original Hank Williams in this biopic. Co-stars Elizabeth Olsen, David Krumholtz, Cherry Jones, and Bradley Whitford.

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 – The sequel to the 2002 smash-hit which brings back the original cast for another big fat wedding.

BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE – The two most popular superheroes in history finally share the big-screen for the first time. Henry Cavill (MAN OF STEEL) reprises his role as Superman while Ben Affleck (ARGO) slips on the Batsuit for the first time. Gal Godot (FAST AND THE FURIOUS) brings Wonder Woman to the cinema for the first time, and she is joined by Jesse Eisenberg, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, and Holly Hunter. Directed by Zack Snyder (MAN OF STEEL, 300, WATCHMEN). 

*

Next month, Reel Speak previews the month of April.