Movies of February

January, to me, felt like it lasted a long time but also came and went at the same time. I only am seeing new movies now. Usually, in a normal year, I would have seen 4-8 new movies already. Now? It’s just movies quietly releasing and every week there is one that gets some attention. Not even because of quality. It just has big stars and is on a big streaming service.

Sundance is happening now and I am enjoying getting to see new festival movies at home. But it is still not the same. Not going to go on and on with that again. I will say that Emily and I have been participating in Wes JANDERSON. Watching all of Wes Anderson’s movies this month to get ready for The French Dispatch later this year. I’ve really enjoyed it and I was never a huge fan of his despite liking almost all his movies. On rewatch almost all of them grew in my admiration. I think they are all good and some are great. I’ll post my rankings maybe at some point.

For now, February is here and has some big releases. Here is what I’m looking for or at least felt was worth mentioning. These will be out Theaters and VOD unless otherwise written.

FEBRUARY 5

Falling - Written & Directed by Viggo Mortensen - Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Lance Henriksen, Laura Linney, and Hannah Gross

Viggo makes his debut with a story about having an old fashioned father come visit his son who has a very different life. Haven’t seen much about it but I know it will feature good acting. Hopefully Viggo is as good behind the camera.

A Glitch in the Matrix - Directed by Rodney Ascher (Room 237)

A documentary that deals with the question if we are living in a simulation. He made a good documentary about the conspiracies surrounding The Shining and now he is back with some more weirdness. I missed it at Sundance but I’ll check it out when it hits VOD.

Little Fish - Written by Mattson Tomlin from a story by Aja Gabel & Directed by Chad Hartigan - Starring: Olivia Cooke and Jack O’Connell

A virus spreads across the world, but it impacts memory, and a couple fights to keep their relationship under the threat of getting the virus. It is a solid movie. We got to see it from the STL Film Fest last year. Olivia Cooke is one of our best young actors and I think any movie about a virus feels more relevant but not necessarily better during this time. If you like melancholy romances give it a shot. Sort of a Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind lite.

Malcolm & Marie - Written & Directed by Sam Levinson - Starring: Zendaya & John David Washington - on Netflix

A director and his girlfriend returning from his movie premiere await critic responses and argue. I am excited to check this out on Netflix soon, but I also have my spidey senses tingling. The filmmaker made a kinda bad and annoying movie Assassination Nation that means well but made me pretty frustrated. Then made Euphoria, a show I have not seen, but seems like a very over the top teenage sex and drugs aggressive in your face show. He may just not be for me. Nepotism aside, I’m prepared to be dubious of a movie that probably is about his own insecurities and having a black man complain about them so it’s more okay. I’m projecting but that’s just what I’m feeling about this guy.

The Wanting Mare - Written & Directed Nicolas Ashe Bateman - Starring: Jordan Monaghan

A strange low budget movie that was apparently made mostly in a storage container. I’m expecting some trippy weirdness that might be hard to understand. But I’ll take any weird swings I can get.

FEBRUARY 12

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar - Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig and Directed by Josh Greenbaum - Starring: Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo, Jamie Dornan, Damon Wayans Jr., Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Vanessa Bayer

It’s been almost 10 years since Bridesmaids and the writing team is back and with what seems like it will be much more ridiculous. That sounds wonderful to me. I hope this rules and becomes another hit but hitting VOD this month will make it hard without that crowd laughing feeling. But I will be watching immediately.

Judas and the Black Messiah - Written by Will Berson & Shaka King and Directed by Shaka King - Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons, Martin Sheen, Dominique Fishback, Ashton Sanders, Jermaine Fowler, and Lil Rel Howery - HBO Max

The story of how the FBI murdered Fred Hampton and I can say it was my favorite thing I saw at Sundance. Kaluuya should get his 2nd oscar nomination and LaKeith Stanfield is incredible. Better than movies like this usually are and directed with real style without taking things away from the importance of the story. See this one.

Minari - Written & Directed by Lee Isaac Chung - Starring: Steven Yeun, Yeri Han, Alan S. Kim, and Will Patton

One of the most acclaimed 2020 movies comes to theaters and although not many will see it I think you will be hearing about it come awards time.

The World to Come - Written by Ron Hansen, Jim Shepard & Directed by Mona Fastvold - Starring: Katherine Waterston, Vanessa Kirby, Christopher Abbott, and Casey Affleck

Her second feature will be met with much more attention than her first with stars like these. Mona Fastvold has been one of those names I read about of people who will make something great one day I hope this is it.

Willy’s Wonderland - Written by G.O. Parsons, and Directed by Kevin Lewis - Starring: Nicolas Cage, Caylee Cowan, and Beth Grant

This could be complete shit but I want to see it. Cage is a janitor who has to fight animatronics at a theme park after they become demonically possessed. I don’t much care how bad it is, I want to see.

The Vigil - Written & Directed by Keith Thomas - Starring: Dave Davis, Menashe Lustig, and Fred Melamed

A low budget horror movie that premiered at TIFF in 2019 and is finally out. I hear good things from it and I plan on turning off the lights and checking out this Jewish supernatural movie.

The Father - Written & Directed by Florian Zeller - Starring: Olivia Colman, Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Williams, and Imogen Poots

One that feels like it is only here for Oscars but I have a feeling it will be worth more than that. It is a play adaptation so that’s really all I need to know. Olivia Colman will get me to see anything.

I plan on posting a Sundance Rankings update when I am done. Watch some movies!