Upcoming Releases, February

We're on the cusp of February. It's a short month that's often toothless at the Box Office. While Academy Award nominees continue to get wide release, we get a smattering of new films. Often we see a glut of movies aimed at capturing the Valentine's Day date crowd as well. This year offers a few options depending on your tastes.

Friday, February 3:
The Space Between Us -- This film finally gets a release! Ads starting appearing last Spring, when the film looked to get a summer 2016 release. Then it was pushed to fall 2016. Then moved to February, where its romance elements could capture that Valentine's Day crowd. We'll see how it does.

Rings -- This is a sequel/re-make/re-imagining of "The Ring." It looks sufficiently creepy, and like a film traveling a well-trod path. But cheap horror movies are profitable, so they will never go out of style.

Friday, February 10:
Lego Batman Movie -- You had me at Batman. But, seriously, Batman was one of the best parts of the "Lego Movie," and now he gets his own movie. I have high hopes.

John Wick 2 -- The first "John Wick" film became a surprise action hit. Now Keanu Reeves is back, and he again can't be stopped. We'll see if that's true of his Box Office receipts.

Fifty Shades Darker -- Another Valentine's Day release, this one the much-anticipated sequel to "Fifty Shades of Grey." This one continues the the "romance" between Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele. The first one was incredibly profitable, and this will no doubt follow suit.

Friday, February 17:
The Great Wall -- This film has drawn a lot of controversy because Matt Damon is the star in a story set in China. But this looks to be an interesting action movie about monsters attacking an ancient monument. There's potential here.

A Cure for Wellness -- This creepy psychological thriller stars Dane DeHaan and Jason Isaacs. Doubtless this will be among the creepiest releases of the month.

Fist Fight -- This comedy starring Charlie Day and Ice Cube is about a pair of teachers that clash. The trailer looks hilarious and this could be a good bit of counter programming in the month.

Friday, February 24:
Get Out -- This is another creepy and strange horror movie, this one written and directed by Jordan Peele. It appears to have serious racial undertones. The cast includes Bradley Whitford and Allison Williams of "Girls."

Collide -- An action thriller that has an amazing cast that includes Felicity Jones, Anthony Hopkins, and Ben Kingsley. But given the release date and lack of promotion, I'm suspicious that looks can be deceiving with this film.

Rock Dog -- Finally a film for the kids. While  the "Lego Batman Movie" is animated, it has a more adult vibe. This one, about a dog who dreams of making it in the music business, looks to be more aimed at younger viewers. It offers some nice counter programming to the rest of the month.