Upcoming Releases — February

We've hit February. While a few Academy Award nominated films from 2014 continue to leak out in wide release, we've pretty much turned the corner into 2015 original releases. February isn't typically a great month for new films to be released, and it looks like this year will be no different. But, by the way, a highly anticipated, possibly controversial "love story" makes its debut in time for Valentine's Day.

Friday, February 6:
Seventh Son — And so it begins… This film, based on a novel, appears to bring a fantasy element to Young Adult Fiction. Ben Barnes takes the lead position here, but he's flanked by a high profile cast — including Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges. But the trailers look awful, and the story seems pretty murky here.

Jupiter Ascending — Speaking of awful trailers and murky stories, this is the latest from the Wachowskis — who long ago made "The Matrix" and have failed to make a great film in the 16 years since. This film was bumped from last summer to February, never a great sign. It features Channing Tatum, Eddie Redmayne, Mila Kunis, and a somewhat indecipherable plot.

SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water — Um, OK. So my choices to begin February are two strange sci-fi movies with nebulous plots or a live-action "SpongeBob" movie starring Antonio Bandaras. Yes, folks, this is the February doldrums at its worst.

Friday, February 13:
50 Shades of Grey — This is the highly anticipated adaptation of E.L. James best-selling novel about an unconventional relationship. It was originally set for a July release but got pushed back to Valentine's Day. It's already setting records for pre-sale tickets, and I expect it to be a monster hit. Will it be a good film? I'm less convinced.

Kingsman: The Secret Service — This film, based on a comic book, comes from the director of "Layer Cake" and "X-Men: First Class." It has a good cast — including Colin Firth and Samuel L. Jackson — and looks to have plenty of action. It's an odd choice for Valentine's Day Weekend (which is also President's Day Weekend), but it could be good counter-programming to "50 Shades of Grey."

Friday, February 20:
McFarland, USA — This is the latest sports movie starring Kevin Costner. This time he's the coach of a Cross Country team at a high school in the Central Valley of California in the late 1980s. Expect inspiration.

The DUFF — On paper, this is doesn't seem like an incredible film. It's a teen comedy that looks to rely on some pretty serious cliches and plots used in other teen comedies since the beginning of time. That said, the trailer makes me chuckle and, given the February landscape, there are worse options.

Hot Tub Time Machine 2 — Speaking of worse options, here's a sequel to an underwhelming comedy that's now without its original lead actor — John Cusack. Expect some serious R-rated "laughs," and a plot that seems loosely borrowed from other time travel films, like "Back to the Future, Part 2."

Friday, February 27:
Focus — It's been a rough few years for Will Smith, who is in need of a legitimate hit. Hard to tell if this movie, about a veteran grifter and his protege, is the hit he needs. I have hope that it could be interesting and entertaining, but the trailers aren't that impressive.

 The Lazarus Effect — February is also a good time for a creepy horror movie, and based on trailers "The Lazarus Effect" — which is about a group of scientists experimenting with a drug that brings people and pets back from the dead — fits the bill. It's got a good cast — including Olivia Wilde, Mark Duplass, Donald Glover, Evan Peters, and Sarah Bolger — and a creepy trailer.