A Reel Preview: The Year In Film 2017 - Episode II

The bad news about February is that it’s a month of cast-offs and oddballs, but the good news is it’s a short month, and there is still plenty of time to catch up on the Oscar nominees before the awards are handed out on the 26th; many of which have been re-released into theatres, along with the nominated Live-Action and Animated short films. Outside of that, here are the notable new releases for the second month of 2017.

It all gets creepy with…

RINGS – The third entry in the horror franchise in which a ghostly little girl kills anyone who watches her video. Vincent D’Onofrio stars.

THE SPACE BETWEEN US – In this sci-fi romance, Asa Butterfield (HUGO) plays a young man who is born on a Mars colony, and begins a long-distance relationship with a girl on Earth, played by Britt Robertson. Also stars Gary Oldman and Carla Gugino.

THE COMEDIAN – The once-revered Robert DeNiro stars as a comic icon who is sentenced to community service. The overqualified cast includes Danny DeVito, Edie Falco, Charles Grodin, Harvey Keitel, Billy Crystal, and Leslie Mann.

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 – The sequel to the surprise 2014 hit in which Keanu Reeves plays a legendary hitman forced out of retirement. Reeves is re-united with his old MATRIX co-star Laurence Fishburne, along with John Leguizamo, Peter Stormare, and Ian McShane,

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE – A spinoff of the other surprise hit of 2014, THE LEGO MOVIE. Batman (voiced by Will Arnett) goes on a mission to discover himself and to save Lego Gotham City. Stars the voices of Zach Galifianakis (as the The Joker), Ralph Fiennes (Alfred), Michael Cera (Robin), Rosario Dawson (Batgirl), and Mariah Carey (the Mayor).

FIFTY SHADES DARKER – The sequel to the 2015 erotic thriller. Returning are Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dorman, and they are joined by Kim Basinger, Luke Grimes, and Marcia Gay Harden.

A UNITED KINGDOM – Based on the true story of a Botswana prince who falls in love with a London office worker and takes her to his home country, only to have their interracial marriage challenged by their own governments. Stars David Oyelowo (SELMA), and Rosamund Pike (GONE GIRL).

THE GREAT WALL – Matt Damon defends The Great Wall of China against big monsters. Directed by acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou.

A CURE FOR WELLNESS – Gore Verbinski (RANGO, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN), directs this psychological thriller/horror flick in which a young executive discovers dark secrets in his company’s luxurious spa. Stars Dane DeHaan and Jason Isaacs.

GET OUT – In this horror film, a young interracial couple finds terror when meeting the girl’s parents. Stars Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, and Bradley Whitford.

TULIP FEVER – In this historical drama, Dane DeHaan plays a 17^th century artist who falls for another man’s wife. Co-stars Alicia Vikander, Zach Galifianakis, Judi Dench, and Christoph Waltz.

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Next month, Episode III previews the month of March.