The Watch List: 10 Fantastic February Film Releases
10 new releases worth watching this month.
1. Keeping Cool
Chasing Ice
Jeff Orlowski’s film-winner of the People’s Choice Award at last year’s Hot Docs-follows National Geographic photojournalist James Balog as he heads to the Arctic to document the effects of climate change on ancient ice formations. Vogue Theatre, Fernie, B.C., Feb. 4.
3. Behind Closed Doors
The Sessions
Character actor extraordinaire John Hawkes steps into the spotlight as a polio-stricken man who hires a professional sex surrogate (Helen Hunt) to help him lose his virginity. Galaxy Cinemas, Cambridge, Ont., Feb. 7.
4. To Russia, With Love
Anna Karenina
Tolstoy’s timeless tragedy comes to the big screen the way the author always intended, no doubt: with lavish dance numbers and Keira Knightley. Acadia Cinema, Wolfville, N.S., Feb. 3.
6. Back in the Cockpit
Top Gun 3-D
Tony Scott’s macho masterpiece zooms back into theatres in Imax 3-D-allowing viewers to experience, on the big screen, just how weird it is that Tom Cruise hasn’t aged since 1986. In theatres Feb. 8.
7. A Bitter Pill
Side Effects
Director Steven Soderbergh and People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive, Channing Tatum, reteam after the magic that was Magic Mike. A different kind of witchcraft, this thriller is about a man released from prison who returns to a high-strung, medication-addled wife. In theatres Feb. 8.
8. Guitar Hero
Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet
This uplifting doc peers into the life of Jason Becker, a prolific heavy metal guitarist diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Undaunted, Becker has kept composing, thanks to a cleverly designed piece of computer software and an iron will. Second Street Theatre, Grande Prairie, Alta., Feb. 10.
9. Southern Comforts
Beautiful Creatures
Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl’s bestselling young adult novel about star-crossed teen lovers makes the leap to the big screen, with a cast rounded out by Viola Davis and Jeremy Irons. In theatres Feb. 13.