Must-See: Buzz-Worthy Movies of February

Despite being the shortest month of the year, February is always a surprisingly active time for the film industry, and this year looks to keep that trend alive.

The excitement of the 2014 movie season is finally dying down (though not before going out with a bang at the Academy Awards on Feb. 22), but the blockbuster season of 2015 is just kicking off with some long-awaited films hitting screens this month.

Jupiter Ascending

Release Date: Feb. 6

Directed by: Andy and Lana Wachoski

Plot:

Unbeknownst to the human race, all life on Earth is the direct result of genetic experimentation by a highly advanced galactic empire known as the House of Abrasax. This empire is unaware that the next heir in line for the throne after the death of the queen is an ordinary, aimless janitor on Earth named Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis). After one of the more ruthless heirs (Eddie Redmayne) places a bounty on Jones’ head in order to claim the throne for himself, a genetically-modified soldier named Caine (Channing Tatum) vows to protect Jones at all costs, and together the pair takes on the Abrasax empire.

Buzz:

More than any other movie hitting theaters this month (or most months, for that matter), this movie seems a little “out there” in terms of plot, but few directors in the history of Hollywood have been able to meld mind-bending visuals with complex-but-engaging plots like the Wachoskis, whose previous work includes the classic sci-fi “Matrix” trilogy, and 2012’s hidden gem “Cloud Atlas” (and the guiltiest of guilty pleasures that was “Speed Racer“), so “Jupiter Ascending” has plenty of potential to be a great picture.

The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

Release Date: Feb. 6

Directed by: Paul Tibbitt and Mike Mitchell

Plot:

The dastardly pirate Burger-Beard (Antonio Banderas) steals a magic book that makes anything he writes come true and uses it to steal the top secret Krabby Patty formula. Devastated, Spongebob and his friends must once again journey above to set things right.

They also get superpowers. That’s worth mentioning.

Buzz:

Very few people expected another “Spongebob” movie, but it’s a testament to the franchise when a movie adaptation still has a chance at being popular nearly 16 years after the cartoon first aired. Early trailers indicate that despite taking the leap into 3D animation for perhaps the first time in “Spongebob” history, the show’s humor and characters thankfully remain intact. With “Spongebob” veteran Paul Tibbitt at the helm, and Mike Mitchell (director of “Shrek Forever After”) handling the 3D scenes, this could easily be one the most entertaining animated films of the year.

Fifty Shades of Grey

Release Date: Feb. 13

Directed by: Sam Taylor-Johnson

Plot:

The life of the ambitious, young literature student Anastasia Steel (Dakota Johnson) changes forever after she becomes involved with charismatic, mysterious billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan).

Buzz:

The long-awaited adaptation of E.L. James’ best-selling erotic novel that everybody and their grandmothers (disturbingly) have been talking about is finally hitting theaters. Not-so-coincidentally being released on Valentine’s Day, look no further if you’re in search of a steamy night of romantic drama.

Kingsman: The Secret Service

Release Date: Feb. 13

Directed by: Matthew Vaughn

Plot:

Gary “Eggsy” Unwin (Taron Egerton) is perfectly satisfied with his day-by-day life as a lowly thug on the streets of South London, which makes it all the more surprising when an old friend of his father’s (Colin Firth) recruits him into Britain’s secret network of spies in order to combat a maniacal billionaire/terrorist (Samuel L. Jackson).

Buzz:

This marks the second time Matthew Vaughn has adapted the work of celebrated comic book writer Mark Millar (the first being 2010’s “Kick-Ass“) and every piece of promotional material indicates that this film will pack just the right amount of stylish action, slick visuals and dry humor that made his past films (“Stardust” and “X-Men: First Class“) so great.

Focus

Release Date: Feb. 27

Directed by: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa

Plot:

A veteran con man (Will Smith) is reunited with a former apprentice/partner/lover (Margot Robbie) when she competes with him for his latest target.

Buzz:

With Will Smith finally getting a substantial lead role in what seems like ages, and “The Wolf of Wall Street” scene-stealer Margot Robbie playing his femme fatale counterpart, this deceptively simple heist thriller could be this month’s most surprising cinematic treat. Being made by the same writer/director duo as comedy gems like “Crazy, Stupid, Love” and “I Love You Philip Morris” doesn’t hurt either.

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