Must-see movies this month
Kiwi audiences finally get a chance to check out some of this awards season’s top titles,
From blockbusters to rom-coms and a clutch of films vying for the top honours this awards season, there’s plenty of choice out there for movie-lovers this month. For those keen on a trip to the cinemas, there’s a sequel to 2019 sea shanty dramedy Fisherman’s Friends (February 23), M Night Shayamalan’s latest thriller (Knock at the Cabin, screening now), twisted horror Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (February 16) and the return of James Cameron’s Titanic to mark its 25th anniversary (Thursday).
Netflix’s lineup includes high school comedy Dear David (Thursday), Japanese horror Re/ Member (February 14) and Jennifer Coolidge, David Harbour and Anthony Mackie join forces for comedy We Have a Ghost (February 24).
Prime Video has star-studded black comedy The Estate (today) and the Dave Franco-directed rom-com Somebody I Used to Know (February 10) and Disney+ has acclaimed drama Bruiser (February 24).
Israeli historical drama Image of Victory (Wednesday), Nicolas Cage-headlining western The Old Way (February 22) and Mel Gibson thriller On the Line (February 23) are among the titles heading for online rental services.
After looking through the schedules, Stuff to Watch has come up with this list of the 12 movies most worth checking out.
Aftersun (February 23, Cinemas)
Nominated for four Bafta Awards, this acclaimed British drama focuses on Sophie (Frankie Corio), an 11-year-old Scottish girl treasuring rare time with her loving and idealistic father Calum (Paul Mescal) at a Turkish resort on the eve of his 31st birthday. ‘‘For all that Aftersun can be described as gentle, contemplative and even beautiful, it’s also the kind of film that feels as if it’s teetering on the edge of a cliff,’’ wrote The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (February 16, Cinemas)
Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe launches with Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly’s characters accidentally opening access to the Quantum Realm.
Newcomers include Bill Murray and the trailer also promises to introduce Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), after a variant of the character appeared in Disney+’s Loki.
Cocaine Bear (February 23, Cinemas)
Keri Russell, O’Shea Jackson Jr, Alden Ehrenreich and Jesse Tyler Ferguson star in this comedy thriller based on the bizarre true-life 1985 story about an American black bear that ingested a duffel bag full of cocaine. It also features one of the final performances by Ray Liotta.
Magic Mike’s Last Dance (Thursday, Cinemas)
Channing Tatum’s Mike Lane takes to the stage once again when a business deal that went bust leaves him broke and bartending in Florida. Steven Soderbergh returns for this third instalment and Salma Hayek also has a key role.
Missing (February 23, Cinemas)
Like 2018’s Searching, this is a thriller told entirely through screens. A Wrinkle in Time’s Storm Reid plays June Allen, a teenager who tries to find her mother (Nia Long) after she disappears while holidaying in Colombia with her new boyfriend (Ken Leung).
Sharper (February 17, Apple TV+)
Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, Justice Smith and John Lithgow join forces for this thriller of secrets and lies, set among New York City’s bedrooms, boardrooms and bar rooms.
Directed by Andor’s Benjamin Caron, the plot revolves around a young man (Stan) out for revenge on his family and to gain the wealth he believes he deserves.
The Son (Thursday, Cinemas)
Like his last film The Father, Florian Zeller’s latest work has already been described as ‘‘bold, incisive and harrowing’’.
Hugh Jackman and Vanessa Kirby are facing a crisis when the former’s teenage son from a previous relationship comes to live with them. Suffering from severe depression, it’s an extra strain on a household who have just experienced the joy of a much smaller new addition. An adaptation of Zeller’s internationally acclaimed 2019 play.
True Spirit (Today, Netflix)
Kiwis Cliff Curtis and Anna Paquin team up with Australian newcomer Teagan Croft for this dramatisation of the amazing true story of Gold Coast teen Jessica Watson’s attempt to become the youngest person to sail around the world solo, nonstop and unassisted.
Born to New Zealand parents, the 16-year-old’s 2009 journey was expected to take eight months, as she covered an estimated distance of 23,000 nautical miles.
The Whale (On now, Cinemas)
Former The Mummy star Brendan Fraser returns to the spotlight with this drama about a reclusive English professor struggling with self-acceptance and personal relationships.
Mother! director Darren Aronofsky is the one calling the shots for Samuel D Hunter’s adaptation of his 2012 play.
What’s Love Got to Do with It? (February 16, Cinemas)
Lily James, Shazad Latif, Asim Chaudhry and Emma Thompson are part of the ensemble assembled for this London and Lahore-set crosscultural rom-com about a documentary film-maker who tries to capture her childhood neighbour’s attempts to secure an arranged marriage.
‘‘Gives the heart and the funny bone the attention they deserve,’’ wrote The Hollywood Reporter’s Michael Rechtshaffen.
Women Talking (February 16, Cinemas)
Sarah Polley’s adaptation of Miriam Toews’ 2018 novel of the same name, this drama focuses on a group of women in an isolated religious community who have gathered together to make a decision that will affect all their lives. The wondrous cast includes Jessie Buckley, Frances McDormand, Rooney Mara and Claire Foy.
‘‘A powerful, moving tribute to quiet strength – and, unexpectedly, to hope,’’ wrote Seattle Times’ Moira MacDonald.
Your Place or Mine (February 10, Netflix)
Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher team up for this rom-com about two friends who swap houses for a week. He agrees to look after her son while she chases a lifelong dream. It also marks the directorial debut of The Devil Wears Prada, We Bought a Zoo and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna.