February’s Top Movies

Allied

Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard star as intelligence officer Max Vatan and French Resistance fighter Marianne Beauséjour, two of the world’s deadliest spies, who fall in photo for Alliedlove while undercover on a top-secret mission and marry during World War II. But when Max learns his wife may be secretly conspiring with the enemy, he has only 72 hours to prove her innocence and save his family before he must do the unthinkable. Vitals: Director: Robert Zemeckis. Stars: Brad Pit, Marion Cotillard, Lizzy Caplan, Matthew Goode, Raffey Cassidy, Jared Harris.
2016, CC, MPAA rating: R, 124 min., Action Drama, Box office gross: $39.988
million, Paramount.

Blu-ray extras: “Story of Allied” featurette, “From Stages to the Sahara: The Production Design of Allied,” “Through the Lens: Directing With Robert Zemeckis,” “A Stitch in Time: The Costumes of Allied,” “‘Til Death Do Us Part: Max and Marianne,” “Guys and Gals: The Ensemble Cast,” “Lights, Pixels, ACTION! The Visual Effects of Allied,” “Behind the Wheel: The Vehicles of Allied,” “Locked and Loaded: The Weapons of Allied,” “That Swingin’ Sound: The Music of Allied.”
2 stars
Available: 02/28.
 

Arrival

When mysterious spacecrafts touch down across the globe, an elite team — lead by expert linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) — is brought together to investigate. As tensions photo for Arrivalmount between fearful governments, Banks discovers the aliens’ true purpose and, to avert global war, takes a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity.
Vitals: Director: Denis Villeneuve. Stars: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mark O’Brien.
2016, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 116 min., Science Fiction, Box office gross: $94.213
million, Paramount.

Blu-ray extras: “Xenolinguistics: Understanding Arrival,” “Acoustic Signatures: The Sound Design,” “Eternal Recurrence: The Score,” “Nonlinear Thinking: The Editorial Process,” “Principles of Time, Memory & Language.”
3 stars
Available: 02/14.
 

Bad Santa 2

Sequel to 2003’s cult hit. Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie (Billy Bob Thornton) teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to photo for Bad Santa 2knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is “the kid” — chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie’s sliver of humanity. Mommy issues arise when the pair are joined by Willie’s horror story of a mother, Sunny Soke (Kathy Bates). A super butch super bitch, Sunny raises the bar for the gang’s ambitions, while somehow lowering the standards of criminal behavior. Willie is further burdened by lusting after the curvaceous and prim Diane(Christina Hendricks), the charity director with a heart of gold and libido of steel.
Vitals: Director: Mark Waters. Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Tony Cox, Christina Hendricks, Brett Kelly, Ryan Hansen.
2016, CC, MPAA rating: R, 92 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $17.544 million, Broad Green Pictures/Miramax.
Extras: “Thurman Then & Now” featurette; “Just Your Average Red Band” featurette”; “Jingle Balls,” an adult version of the classic holiday song; gag reel; alternate opening and ending; deleted scenes. Blu-ray adds “That’s My Willie” original animated series.
2 stars
Available: 02/21.
 

Doctor Strange

The story of world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident renders his hands useless. When photo for Doctor Strangetraditional medicine fails him, he travels to the remote Kamar-Taj in search of a cure, but instead discovers the mystical arts and becomes a powerful sorcerer battling dark forces bent on destroying our reality. From Marvel Studios and Marvel Comics.
Vitals: Director: Scott Derrickson. Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg, Scott Adkins, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton.
2016, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 115 min., Fantasy Action Adventure, Box office gross: $231.279 million, Marvel/Disney.
Blu-ray extras: Five featurettes: “A Strange Transformation” bringing the Marvel character to life; “Strange Company” behind-the-scenes; “The Fabric of Reality” look at the movie’s sets, costumes and production elements; “Across Time and Space” dance and fight choreography; “The Score-cerer Supreme” with composer Michael Giacchino and a full orchestra during live recording sessions; “Marvel Studios Phase 3 Exclusive Look” early peek at Marvel’s upcoming films, including “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” “Thor: Ragnarok,” “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Infinity War”; “Team Thor: Part 2” partnership between Thor and his roommate Darryl in this satirical short; deleted scenes; gag reel; audio commentary by director Scott Derrickson.
2 stars
Available: 02/28.
 

The Edge of Seventeen

An honest, comedic look at what it’s like to grow up as a young woman today. Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) and Krista (Haley Lu Richardson) are inseparable best friends photo for The Edge of Seventeenattempting to navigate high school together. But then Nadine’s world gets turned upside down when she finds out that Krista has been secretly dating her popular older brother (Blake Jenner) behind her back. Now with her best friend as her worst enemy, Nadine has to deal with being an awkward loner, while discovering that what may feel like the end of the world is really just the beginning of growing up.
Vitals: Director: Kelly Fremon Craig. Stars: Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Kyra Sedgwick, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner.
2016, CC, MPAA rating: R, 105 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $14.102 million, Universal.
Extras: Gag reel, deleted scenes.
2 stars
Available: 02/14.
 

Hacksaw Ridge

The extraordinary true story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) who, in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, saved 75 men without firing or carrying a gun. He was the photo for Hacksaw Ridge only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon, as he believed that while the war was justified, killing was nevertheless wrong. As an army medic, he single-handedly evacuated the wounded from behind enemy lines, braved fire while tending to soldiers, was wounded by a grenade, and hit by snipers. Doss was the first conscientious objector to ever earn the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Vitals: Director: Mel Gibson. Stars: Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Vince Vaughn.
2016, CC, MPAA rating: R, 139 min., Drama, Box office gross: $65.362 million, Lionsgate.
Extras: Deleted scenes, Veterans Day greeting with Mel Gibson. Blu-ray adds “The Soul of War: Making Hacksaw Ridge” documentary.
2 stars
Available: 02/21.
 

Loving

The story of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple, whose challenge of their anti-miscegenation arrest for their marriage in Virginia led to a legal battle that photo for Lovingwould end at the US Supreme Court. In 1958, in Virginia, the idea of interracial marriage was not only considered to be immoral to many, it was also illegal. When Richard (Joel Edgerton) and Mildred (Ruth Negga) fall in love, they’re aware of the eyes staring at them and the words said behind their backs. It’s when they get married, however, that words and looks become actions, and the two are arrested. The couple decide to take their case all of the way to the Supreme Court in order to fight for their love.
Vitals: Director: Jeff Nichols. Stars:
Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton, Will Dalton.
2016, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 123 min., Drama, Box office gross: $7.111 million, Universal.
Extras: “Making Loving,” “A Loving Ensemble,” “Loving v. Virginia,” “Virginia: A Loving Backdrop,” commentary with director Jeff Nichols.
3 stars
Available: 02/07.
 

Manchester by the Sea

In “Manchester by the Sea,” the latest film from award-winning writer and director Kenneth Lonergan, the life of a solitary Boston janitor is transformed when he returns to his hometown to take care of his teenage nephew. The story of the Chandlers, a photo for Manchester by the Seaworking-class family living in a Massachusetts fishing village for generations, “Manchester by the Sea” is a deeply poignant, unexpectedly funny exploration of the power of familial love, community, sacrifice and hope. After the death of his older brother Joe (Kyle Chandler), Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is shocked to learn that Joe has made him sole guardian of his nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges). Taking leave of his job, Lee reluctantly returns to Manchester-by-the-Sea to care for Patrick, a spirited 15-year-old, and is forced to deal with a tragic past that separated him from his wife Randi (Michelle Williams) and the community where he was born and raised.
Vitals: Director: Kenneth Lonergan. Stars: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Gretchen Mol, Kara Hayward, Tate Donovan, Heather Burns, Erica McDermott, Lucas Hedges, Susan Pourfar.
2016, CC, MPAA rating: R, 135 min., Drama, Box office gross: $34.158
million, Lionsgate.

Extras: “Emotional Lives: Making Manchester by the Sea,” conversation with director/writer Kenneth Lonergan, deleted scenes.
4 stars
Available: 02/21.
 

Moonlight

Based on Tarell Alvin McCraney’s autobiographical play “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue,” the film chronicles the life of a young black man (Chiron) from childhood to photo for Moonlightadulthood as he struggles to find his place in the world while growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami. It’s profoundly moving portrayal of the moments, people, and unknowable forces that shape our lives and make us who we are. At once a vital portrait of contemporary African American life and an intensely personal and poetic meditation on identity, family, friendship, and love.
Vitals: Director: Barry Jenkins. Stars: Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Trevante Rhodes, André Holland, Janelle Monáe.
2016, CC, MPAA rating: R, 111 min., Drama, Box office gross: $17.764 million, Lionsgate.
Extras: Audio commentary with Director Barry Jenkins, “Ensemble of Emotion: The Making of Moonlight” featurette, “Poetry Through Collaboration: The Music of Moonlight” featurette, “Cruel Beauty: Filming in Miami” featurette. 3 stars
Available: 02/28.
 

Nocturnal Animals”

A “story inside a story,” in which the first part follows a wealthy art gallery owner, Susan (Amy Adams), who receives a book manuscript photo for
Nocturnal Animalsfrom her ex-husband (Jake Gyllenhaal), a man whom she left 20 years earlier, asking for her opinion. The second part follows the actual manuscript, called “Nocturnal Animals,” which revolves around a man whose family vacation turns violent and deadly. It also continues to follow the story of Susan, who finds herself recalling her first
marriage and confronting some dark truths about herself.
Vitals: Director:Tom Ford.
Stars: Amy Adams, Isla Fisher, Jake Gyllenhaal, Armie Hammer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Michael Shannon, Laura Linney, Karl Glusman.
2016, CC, MPAA rating: R, 115 min., Drama Suspense, Box office
gross: $10.587 million, Universal.

Extras: Three part featurette, “The Making of Nocturnal Animals”: “Building the Story,” “The Look of Nocturnal Animals” and “The Filmmaker’s Eye: Tom Ford.”
3 stars
Available: 02/21.
 

Trolls

Based on the crazy-haired toys that were big business in the 80s. “Trolls” features a colorful troupe of lovable characters who love to sing, dance and play. It’s the story photo for Trollsof the overly optimistic Trolls, with a constant song on their lips, and the comically pessimistic Bergens, who are only happy when they have trolls in their stomach. Troll Princess Poppy is given her crown on the same day that a mysterious giant arrives, but he doesn’t want to sing or play. Poppy and Branch go on a rescue mission that takes them further away from home than they’ve ever been. It’s a journey that will challenge their
courage and show their true colors.
Vitals: Director: Mike Mitchell, Walt Dohrn. Stars: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Russell Brand, James Corden, Kunal Nayyar, Ron Funches, Icona Pop, Gwen Stefani.
2016, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 92 min., Family Animation, Box office gross: $148.651
million, Fox.

Extras: “Party Mode” interactive feature to sing, dance and laugh along with the Trolls; “Travel Through Troll Village”; “The Potion for Stop-Motion – Part behind-the-scenes, part stop-motion tutorial explores the process of creating Poppy’s visually stunning scrapbook; “Creating Troll Magic”; “Troll 2 Troll”; “Inside the Bunker”; deleted scenes.
2 stars
Available: 02/07.
 

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