The Film Fix: Reviews of February’s Top Films in Theaters, Streaming
By JONATHAN W. HICKMAN, Special to The Paper
Below are reviews and capsules of various films this month in theaters and/or streaming.
Review rating … A “Fix” is recommended with a rating between 6 and 10. A “No Fix” is not recommended with a rating between 1 to 5.
Theaters
The Promised Land (February 2) – Fix Rating 8/10 – This was Denmark’s submission for the Best International Feature Film at this year’s Oscars, and it made the shortlist but failed to garner a nomination. It was a strong year for international films, and “The Promised Land” is a very good movie.
In this period-set historical drama, Mads Mikkelsen played Ludvig Kahlen, a soldier who returns from the field of battle in hopes of becoming a farmer and gaining a title from the King. He decides to take possession of a barren piece of property that is thought incapable of sustaining crops. But the resourceful Kahlen has a secret plan and the determination to execute on it.
His attempts run afoul of a local land baron, who looks down upon his lower-class status and does not want him to succeed. Naturally, things turn violent, but the foppish local ruler isn’t prepared for Kahlen’s killer instincts, formed in war. “The Promised Land” is a grueling and bloody film with a rewarding love story. Mikkelsen is terrific, as is the rest of the cast in this engaging tale.
The Taste of Things (February 14) – Fix Rating 8/10 – Many critics were shocked when France passed over “Anatomy of a Fall” and submitted “The Taste of Things” for the Best International Feature Film this year. And the critics may have been right about the Oscar submission choice, but that doesn’t mean that “The Taste of Things” isn’t worthy of recognition.
This film will make you hungry. Juliette Binoche plays Eugénie, the cook for a fine gourmet named Dodin Bouffant. Much of the picture concerns their intricate ballet as Eugénie and her assistants execute and cook Dodin’s menus. The process is splendid to behold, but when Eugénie falls ill, Dodin, who loves her deeply, must cope with the possibility of losing his partner in the kitchen and in life.
“The Taste of Things” is about a love affair with food and between two loyal souls.
Streaming Selects
PARAMOUNT+
Tiger’s Apprentice (February 2) – This animated adventure has teen Tom Lee (voice of Brandon Soo Hoo) apprenticed to Mr. Hu (voice of Henry Golding) after Tom’s grandmother dies. Tom must hone his skills to become the guardian of an ancient phoenix. This fantasy action film features an all-star cast, including Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh, Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh, and Saturday Night Live’s Bowen Yang.
PEACOCK
Oppenheimer (February 16) – Fix Rating 10/10 – After dominating the Oscar nominations last month, Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece finds its way to the smallish screen (readers with home theaters will be most excited). While this complex biopic of a father of the atomic bomb might not play as well at home as it did in the movie theater, watching it where you can start and stop it will allow the viewer to concentrate on the intricate narrative. After all, Nolan’s script was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, along with thirteen other nominations.
NETFLIX
Avatar: The Last Airbender (season 1 premiere, February 22) – Not to be confused with James Cameron’s 3D blockbuster franchise, this is a live-action adaptation of the beloved animated series that ran from 2005 through 2008 and was created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. Netflix appears to have pulled out all the stops and spared no expense in crafting this story of Airbender Aang (Gordon Cormier) and his companions who try to figure out a way to defeat the Fire-Nation.
AMAZON PRIME
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (season 1, February 2) – Fix Rating 7/10 – Are you a “Smith?” Maybe you know a charming “Smith” couple. In Amazon Prime’s dramatic action series “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” Donald Glover and Maye Erskine play John and Jane Smith, spies in training who are matched by a mysterious organization. After a cryptic job interview, they are given a spacious brownstone in the city outfitted with all manner of toys and spy gear. Together they must navigate the perils of the espionage life while figuring out how to reconcile their arranged union. This reboot of the 2005 film starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie leans into the emotional toll that the spy life can have on a participant and a marriage.
DISNEY+
The Marvels (February 7) – Fix Rating 7/10 – While this MCU entry failed to meet box office expectations when it was released last November, I think many readers should check it out on the Disney Plus streaming platform. I found the comic goofiness of it to be charming. The team-up story brings together three heroines–Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), and Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani). The chemistry between the three leads is excellent, and the film benefits from the wacky Flerken, cat-like creatures that are this team’s secret weapon.
APPLE TV+
Constellation (season 1, February 21) – This eight-part science fiction series stars Noomi Rapace and “Better Call Saul’s” Jonathan Banks. Rapace plays an astronaut named Jo, who returns to Earth after surviving a disaster in space. But the Earth she remembers is much different than the one she now occupies. Like Apple’s hit “For All Mankind,” “Constellation” continues the platform’s substantial investment in fascinating science fiction stories.
Theatrical Teasers
Argylle (February 2) – Director Matthew Vaughn (see the “Kingsman” franchise) dives into another spy tale with “Argylle,” the story of an introverted novelist who is pulled into the wrong-doings of an underground syndicate. Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, and others make up the attractive ensemble.
Restore Point (February 8) – Based on the trailers, this science fiction crime tale looks incredible. The story takes place in central Europe in the year 2041. A detective named Em (Andrea Mohylová) investigates the murder of a couple. She’s assisted by something referred to as the restoration team, who can bring one of the murdered back to life. The visuals look sumptuous and reminiscent somewhat of “Blade Runner.”
Lisa Frankenstein (February 9) – Oscar-winning writer Diablo Cody (see 2008’s “Juno”) pens what’s been colorfully dubbed a “coming of RAGE story.” When the teenage crush of Lisa (Kathryn Newton) dies and is then fantastically brought back to life, the two seek love and happiness while leaving a trail of comic death and satirical destruction in their wake.
Suncoast (February 9) – This drama was originally to debut on Hulu, but it’s getting a small theatrical push. “Suncoast” is a semi-autobiographical story of a teen girl dealing with the grave illness of her brother while also trying to have a regular high school life—Nico Parker stars along with Laura Linney and Woody Harrelson.
Bob Marley: One Love (February 14) – Kingsley Ben-Adir (see “One Night in Miami…”) stars as the legendary reggae artist Bob Marley in this glimpse at a pivotal time in his life. Trailers tease an immersive and handsomely shot film that captures the turmoil of the time and the music that helped to define the conflicts and protests.
Madam Web (February 14) – Apart from the MCU, Sony’s Marvel projects have been responsible for the likes of the “Spider-Man” and “Venom” films, and “Madam Web” is an attempt to expand its footprint with another comic book adaptation from the same collection of minor characters. Dakota Johnson stars as Cassandra Webb, a New York City EMT who develops clairvoyance. This new power forces her to protect three young women from a superpowered villain who seeks to kill them.
Drive-Away Dolls (February 23) – Director Ethan Coen, one half of the Oscar-winning brother duo the Coen Brothers, goes it alone in bringing this comedy thriller to the screen. Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan play Jamie and Marian, two young women drawn into a world of crime when they take a trip to Tallahassee in hopes of a fresh start. From watching the trailers, things get wild, as the car they rent might have something valuable in the trunk. The cast is deep with talent featuring Colman Domingo, Pedro Pascal, Matt Damon, and a host of recognizable faces.
Jonathan W. Hickman is an entertainment attorney, filmmaker, college professor, and novelist. More about Jonathan can be found by visiting: filmproductionlaw.com. Folks can also follow him at dailyfilmfix.com.
