Opening this Month: February 2016

Happy February!

I love February. It’s short. It sometimes gets an extra day (yay! Leap year!). It has Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. And it means that the January movie doldrums are over. So let’s just remember to pronounce that second R (FebROOary) and look at what’s opening this month.

February 5

The Choice — Nicholas Sparks’ annual valentine for date night has Benjamin Walker (“The Heart of the Sea”) and Teresa Palmer (“Warm Bodies”) as next door neighbors who fight and then fall in love. Co-stars include Tom Wilkenson and Maggie Grace.

Hail Caesar! — And this is valentine from the Coen Brothers to the golden era of big-studio Hollywood, with George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Ralph Fiennes, Josh Brolin, and Jonah Hill.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies — Young ladies of marriageable age wear empire dresses, drink tea, and fight odious zombies.

February 12

Deadpool — This is not your father’s superhero. Ryan Reynolds is Deadpool, who is off-beat and meta. And NSFW.

Zoolander 2 — Stiller. Wilson. Farrell. Cumberbatch. Wiig. Cruz. And much more Blue Steel.

How to be Single — Dakota Johnson, Alison Brie, and Rebel Wilson star in a romantic comedy featuring up-and-comer Jake Lacy.

February 19

Race — In 1936, when Hitler wanted the Berlin Olympics to show the world Aryan supremacy, the most impressive athlete of the games was an African-American named Jesse Owens, who won four medals. This stirring story stars Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, and Jeremy Irons.

Risen — The story of Christ’s resurrection, from the perspective of a Roman soldier (Joseph Fiennes) who becomes a believer.

February 26

Gods of Egypt — A thief joins forces with a God in this story of ancient times.

Triple 9 — A heist film with Kate Winslet, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, and Casey Affleck, with one of my favorite character actors, Clifton Collins, Jr.

Eddie the Eagle — Hugh Jackman stars in the real-life story of an Olympian who became famous for coming in last.