February’s Top Movies

A Bad Moms Christmas

Three under-appreciated and over-burdened women rebel against the challenges and expectations of the Super Bowl for moms: Christmas. And if creating a more perfect holiday for their families wasn’t hard enough, they have to do all of that while hosting and entertaining their own mothers. By the end of the journey, our moms will redefine how to make the holidays special for all and discover a closer relationship with their mothers. Sequel to 2016’s sleeper hit “Bad Moms.”
Vitals: Director: Scott Moore, Jon Lucas. Stars: Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Christine Baranski, Susan Sarandon, Cheryl Hines, Jay Hernandez, Wanda Sykes, Peter Gallagher.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: R, 104 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $71.358 million, Universal.
Extras: Gag reel, additional scenes, crew music video, trailers.

Available: 02/06.

Coco

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael Garci­a Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
Vitals: Director: Lee Unkrich. Stars: Anthony Gonzalez, Benjamin Bratt, Gael Garcia Bernal.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 109 min., Animated Family, Box office gross: $193.543 million, Disney.
Extras: Filmmaker commentary; “Dante”: How the crew fell in love with the uniquely Mexican breed of Xoloitzcuintli (or “Xolo”) dogs that inspired Dante. Blu-ray adds “The Music of Coco”; “Paths to Pixar: Coco”; “Welcome to the Fiesta”; “How to Draw a Skeleton”; “A Thousand Pictures a Day” travelogue through Mexico, visiting families, artisans, cemeteries, and small villages during the Día de los Muertos holiday; “Mi Familia”; “Land of Our Ancestors” in which Pixar artists lovingly construct layer upon layer of architecture from many eras of Mexican history, bringing the Land of the Dead to life; “Fashion Through the Ages”; “The Real Guitar”; “How to Make Papel Picado”; “Un Poco Coco” montage of original animated pieces used to promote “Coco”; “Coco” trailers.
Available: 02/27.

Daddy’s Home 2

When it comes to raising their kids, Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) and Brad (Will Ferrell) finally have the “Daddy’s Home” co-parenting thing down. That is, until Dusty’s macho dad (Mel Gibson) and Brad’s sweet-natured father (John Lithgow) come to town, throwing the whole family into complete chaos. As old rivalries create new problems, Dusty and Brad’s partnership is put to the ultimate test in this hilarious and heartwarming comedy that gives new meaning to the term “blended family.”
Vitals: Director: Sean Anders. Stars: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini, John Cena, John Lithgow, Mel Gibson.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 100 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $102.961 million,
Paramount.
Blu-ray extras: “Making a Sequel,” “Look Who’s Back,” “Co-Dads: Will & Mark,” “The New Dads in Town: Mel & John,” “Captain Sully,” deleted/extended/alternate scenes, gag reel.

Available: 02/20.

Darkest Hour

Within days of becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman) must face one of his most turbulent and defining trials: exploring a negotiated peace treaty with Nazi Germany, or standing firm to fight for the ideals, liberty and freedom of a nation. As the unstoppable Nazi forces roll across Western Europe and the threat of invasion is imminent, and with an unprepared public, a skeptical King, and his own party plotting against him, Churchill must withstand his darkest hour, rally a nation, and attempt to change the course of world history. Nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor (Oldman).
Vitals: Director: Joe Wright. Stars: Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Mendelsohn, Lily James, Ronald Pickup, Stephen Dillane, Nicholas Jones, Samuel West.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 125 min., Drama, Box office gross: $41.085million, Universal.
Extras: “Into Darkest Hour,” “Gary Oldman: Becoming Churchill,” feature commentary with director Joe Wright.

Available: 02/27.

The Florida Project

Gloriously alive story of a precocious six year-old and her ragtag group of friends whose summer break is filled with childhood wonder, possibility and a sense of adventure while the adults around them struggle with hard times. On a stretch of highway just outside the most magical place on earth, Disney World, Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) and her playmates spend an unforgettable summer at The Magic Castle, a budget motel managed by Bobby (Willem Dafoe). Bobby’s stern exterior hides a deep reservoir of kindness and compassion as he watches over the kids’ adventures, protecting them from some of the harsher realities of life.
Vitals: Director: Sean Baker. Stars: Willem Dafoe, Brooklynn Prince, Bria Vinaite, Valeria Cotto, Caleb Landry Jones.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: R, 111 min., Drama, Box office gross: $5.740 million, Lionsgate.
Extras: “Under the Rainbow: Making The Florida Project” featurette, bloopers and outtakes, cast and crew interviews.

Available: 02/20.

Just Getting Started

Morgan Freeman stars as Duke Diver, the freewheeling manager of the luxury Palm Springs resort, the Villa Capri. Diver may have a mysterious past — he’s an ex-mob lawyer in the Witness Protection Program — but he’s a pro at making sure that life for the high-spirited residents is one big, non-stop party. But the status quo is challenged when ex-military charmer and ex-FBI Agent Leo (Tommy Lee Jones) checks in, triggering a competition between Duke and Leo for the top spot of Alpha male, as well as for the affections of Suzie (Rene Russo). When Duke’s past suddenly catches up with him, the rivals put aside their differences and the two men reluctantly team up to stop whoever is trying to kill Duke, and also save the Villa Capri.
Vitals: Director: Ron Shelton. Stars: Morgan Freeman, Glenne Headly, Tommy Lee Jones, Rene Russo, Joe Pantoliano, Jane Seymour.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 91 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $5.973
million, Broad Green Pictures.
Extras: TBA.

Available: 02/27.

LBJ

After Lyndon B. Johnson (Woody Harrelson) loses the 1960 Democratic presidential nomination to John F. Kennedy (Jeffrey Donovan), he agrees to be his young rival’s running mate. Once they win the election, and despite his extensive experience and shrewd political instincts, Johnson finds himself sidelined in the nearly impotent role of vice president. But, that all changes on Nov. 22, 1963, when Kennedy is assassinated and Johnson is suddenly thrust into the presidency. As the nation mourns, Johnson must contend with adversaries as he seeks to honor JFK’s legacy by championing the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Vitals: Director: Rob Reiner. Stars: Woody Harrelson, Michael Stahl-David, Richard Jenkin, Bill Pullman, Jeffrey Donovan, Jennifer Jason Leigh.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: R, 98 min., Bio-Drama, Box office gross: $2.470 million, Sony.

Available: 02/06.

Murder on the Orient Express

A lavish trip through Europe quickly unfolds into a race against time to solve a murder aboard a train. When an avalanche stops the Orient Express dead in its tracks, the world’s greatest detective — Hercule Poirot — arrives to interrogate all passengers and search for clues before the killer can strike again. And everyone’s a suspect, Thrilling mystery based on the best selling novel by Agatha Christie.
Vitals: Director: Kenneth Branagh. Stars: Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penélope Cruz, Judi Dench, Leslie Odom Jr.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 104 min., Mystery, Box office gross: $101.592 million, Fox.
Extras: “Agatha Christie: An Intimate Portrait,” “Let’s Talk About Hercule Poirot,” “Unusual Suspects (Part One, Two and Three),” “The Art of Murder,” “All Aboard: Filming Murder on the Orient Express,” “Music of Murder,” deleted scenes, director commentary by Branagh and screenwriter Michael Green, theatrical trailers, gallery.

Available: 02/30.

Only the Brave

Based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, the heroic team of local firefighters who — through hope, determination and sacrifice — become one of the most elite firefighting teams in the nation. The firefighters forge a unique brotherhood that comes into focus as they fight a fateful fire — the Yarnell Hill Fire in Yarnell, Arizona, in 2013 — to protect the town from destruction.
Vitals: Director: Joseph Kosinski. Stars: Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, James Badge Dale, Taylor Kitsch, Jennifer Connelly.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 134 min., Drama, Box office gross: $18,602 million, Sony.
Extras: Deleted scenes; audio commentary with director Joseph Kosinski and Josh Brolin; three featurettes: “Honoring the Heroes: The True Stories,” “Behind the Brotherhood: The Characters” and “Boot Camp: Becoming a Hotshot”; Dierks Bentley featuring S. Carey’s “Hold The Light” music video & featurette.

Available: 02/06.

Roman J. Israel, Esq.

A dramatic thriller set in the overburdened Los Angeles criminal court system. Denzel Washington stars as a driven, idealistic defense attorney whose life is upended when his mentor, a civil rights icon, dies. When he is recruited to join a firm led by one of the legendary man’s former students — the ambitious lawyer George Pierce (Colin Farrell) — and begins a friendship with a young champion of equal rights (Carmen Ejogo), a turbulent series of events ensue that will put the activism that has defined Roman’s career to the test.
Vitals: Director: Dan Gilroy. Stars: Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo, Amanda Warren, Sam Gilroy.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 122 min., Drama Thriller, Box office gross: $11.854 million, Sony.
Extras: Eight deleted scenes, three featurettes: “Denzel Washington: Becoming Roman,” “The Making of Roman J. Israel, ESQ.,” “Colin Farrell: Discovering George.”
Available: 02/13.

Same Kind of Different as Me

Based on The New York Times best-selling book, and recipient of the Dove Foundation seal of approval for ages 12+, the film follows successful art dealer Ron Hall (Greg Kinnear) and his wife Debbie (Renée Zellweger), who seemingly have the perfect life. But when their faith and family are tested, an unlikely bond with a homeless drifter (Djimon Hounsou) leads them on a remarkable journey that forges an everlasting friendship.
Vitals: Director: Michael Carney. Stars: Renée Zellweger, Greg Kinnear, Jon Voight, Djimon Hounsou, Olivia Holt.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 119 min., Drama, Box office gross: $6.377 million, Paramount.
Blu-ray extras: Commentary by director Michael Carney, writer Ron Hall and writer Alexander Foard; “Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind — The Making of Same Kind of Different As Me”; “Filming in Mississippi”; deleted and extended scenes.

Available: 02/20.

The Star

Animated family film follows a small but brave donkey named Bo (voiced by Steven Yeun), who yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth (voiced by Aidy Bryant), a lovable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key), a dove with lofty aspirations, along with three wisecracking camels voiced by Tracy Morgan, Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey. Bo and his new friends follow the star and become accidental heroes in the first Christmas.
Vitals: Director:Timothy Reckart. Stars: Voices of Steven Yeun, Aidy Bryant, Keegan-Michael Key, Tracy Morgan, Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Kelly Clarkson, Anthony Anderson, Ving Rhames, Gabriel Iglesias, Patricia Heaton, Kristin Chenoweth, Christopher Plummer.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 86 min., Animated Family, Box office gross: $40.481 million, Sony.
Extras: “Star-aoke: Sing-Along with Bo & Friends”; “Life Is Good Dance-Along”; “Lyric Sing-Along Videos”: “The Star” by Mariah Carey, “Can You See” by Fifth Harmony, “Children Go Where I Send You” by Kelsea Ballerini, “We Three Kings” by Kirk Franklin, “Life Is Good” by A Great Big World; craft video “Sweet and Sparkly Stars”: Create star-themed cookies to be enjoyed year round; craft video: “Star Mason Jar Votives”: Let the light shine with this simple craft; “Faith All Year Round with DeVon Franklin”: A children’s sermon discussing the themes of the film; “An All-Star Cast”: Meet the stars.

Available: 02/20.

Suburbicon

Suburbicon is a peaceful, idyllic, suburban community with affordable homes and manicured lawns — the perfect place to raise a family, and in the summer of 1959, the Lodge family is doing just that. But the tranquil surface masks a disturbing reality where nothing is as it seems, and husband and father Gardner Lodge (Matt Damon) must navigate the town’s dark underbelly of betrayal, deceit and violence when a break-in leads to the shocking murder of his wife. Gardner must now figure out how to protect his family from further harm. This is a tale of very flawed people making very bad choices.
Vitals: Director: George Clooney. Stars: Matt Damon, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Julianne Moore.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: R, 105 min., Mystery, Box office gross: $5.775 million, Paramount.
Blu-ray extras: Commentary by George Clooney and writer Grant Heslov, “Welcome to Suburbicon” featurette, “The Unusual Suspects: Casting,” “Scoring Suburbicon.”

Available: 02/06.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

A darkly comic drama from Academy Award nominee Martin McDonagh (“In Bruges”). After months have passed without a culprit in her daughter’s murder case, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) makes a bold move, painting messages on three billboards leading into her town with a controversial message directed at William Willoughby (Woody Harrelson), the town’s revered chief of police, who has been unable to solve the crime. When his second-in-command Officer Dixon (Sam Rockwell), an immature mother’s boy with a penchant for violence, gets involved, the battle between Mildred and Ebbing’s law enforcement is only exacerbated.
Vitals: Director: Martin McDonagh. Stars: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Abbie Cornish, Lucas Hedges, Caleb Landry Jones, Clarke Peters, Samara Weaving, John Hawkes, Peter Dinklage.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 116 min., Drama Comedy, Box office gross: $37.010
million, Fox.
Extras: “Crucify ‘Em: The Making of Three Billboards,” “Six Shooter” (short film).

Available: 02/27.

Wonder

Based on the New York Times bestseller, the film tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman. Born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school, Auggie becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade. As his family, his new classmates, and the larger community all struggle to discover their compassion and acceptance, Auggie’s extraordinary journey will unite them all and prove you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.
Vitals: Director: Stephen Chbosky. Stars: Jacob Tremblay, Owen Wilson, Izabela Vidovic, Julia Roberts.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 113 min., Drama, Box office gross: $123,306,
million, Lionsgate.
Extras: Audio Commentary with Stephen Chbosky and R.J. Palacio, “Brand New Eyes” music video, “Wonder Soundtrack: Behind-the-Scenes” featurette. Blu-ray adds “A Child’s Sense of Wonder” featurette, “What a Wonderful World” featurette, “Summer of Fun” five-part documentary: “A (com)Passion Project,” “Family Matters,” “A Technical Wonder,” “A Note of Kindness,” “We All Deserve a Standing Ovation at Least Once in Our Lives.”

Available: 02/13.