Weekend Preview: Feb 6, 2015 – Jupiter Ascending, Seventh Son, SpongeBob
Jupiter Ascending
A young, penniless caretaker (Mila Kunis) learns that she may the be heir of a powerful, alien society who seeded the human population on Earth long ago. She travels with a genetically-engineered warrior (Channing Tatum) to the alien homeworld to challenge the despotic rule of a powerful family that threatens to wipe Earth out. Current Oscar nominee Eddie Redmayne and Sean Bean co-star.
This is the first non-sequel, non-adaptation from Andy and Lana Wachowski since The Matrix, and would seem to be a big risk, since their only films following the Matrix sequels – Speed Racer and Cloud Atlas – did not turn a profit. The fact that Jupiter Ascending was delayed from last summer and dumped in February does not bode well, either, but the Wachowskis making original sci-fi should be a selling point for anyone who has seen their 1999 masterpiece. (Meanwhile, we can only hope that the great Sean Bean gets another epic death scene.)
Can’t make it to the theater? Try these other films instead:
- Avengers director Joss Whedon‘s sci-fi space adventure, Serenity
- Luc Besson‘s quirky sci-fi romp, The Fifth Element
- Sci-fi adventure of the most classic kind in Forbidden Planet
Seventh Son
Thomas Ward (Ben Barnes) is recruited by grizzled monster hunter Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges) to fight evil spirits. He finds the challenge of his life when the evil witch Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore) escapes from her confinement to wreak havoc.
Another big-budget film that has suffered horrible production delays, Seventh Son is directed by Sergey Bodrov and co-stars Djimon Hounsou, Olivia Williams and Kit Harington of Game of Thrones fame.
Can’t make it to the theater? Try these other films instead:
- Director Bodrov’s 2007 historical epic, Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan
- The classic sword-and-sorcery action film, Highlander
- Or Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s fantasy adventure, Conan the Barbarian
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water
SpongeBob Squarepants and his pals leave Bikini Bottom and enter the human world to battle the villainous pirate, Burger-Beard (Antonio Banderas). Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke reprise their voice roles as SpongeBob and Patrick from the television series and 2004‘s The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie.
Can’t make it to the theater? Try these other films instead:
- The ultimate live-action/animation hybrid, Who Framed Roger Rabbit
- More toons colliding with the real world in Looney Tunes: Back in Action
- The Muppets, for more family-friendly adventure based on classic television
Ballet 422
This documentary is a behind-the-scenes look at the prestigious New York City Ballet, as young choreographer Justin Peck has been commissioned to create the company’s 422nd original ballet program.
wow, Jupiter Ascending sounds badass. I need to see that.