We have another strong month of films ahead of us in March. The return of the Titans, a return to school, and the much awaited adaptation of a popular novel are just some of the films we can look forward to watching over the next 30 days. Without further ado, hit the jump for details on which 9 films are on my radar this month. Because I love nice round numbers.
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This Means War (Out NOW) Bane vs Kirk…
What’s it about? Tuck (Tom Hardy) and FDR (Chris Pine) are best buds and highly trained CIA agents. When they both start dating Lauren (Reese Witherspoon), a ‘war’ ensues as they use their skills and resources to gain her affections.
What to expect: A predictable yet entertaining watch that both genders will enjoy. Read my review here.
Starring | Tom Hardy, Chris Pine, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Vandervoort, Til Schweiger, Chelsea Handler, Abigail Spencer and Angela Bassett.
Director | McG Certificate | 12A Run Time | 1 hour 38 minutes
Cleanskin (Out March 9) This has nothing to do with good hygiene…
What’s it about? Ewan (Sean Bean) is a secret service agent tasked with hunting down suicide bomber Ash (Abhin Galeya, most recently seen in the season finale of British TV show Hustle). Simultaneously, Ash his a crisis of conscience as he looks back on his road to terrorism.
What to expect: A hard-hitting action thriller elevated by the performance of the always good Sean Bean. Let’s hope he doesn’t die in this one, his track record when it comes to action movies (GoldenEye, Equilibrium, Lord of the Rings) is not comforting!
Starring | Sean Bean, Abhin Galeya, Charlotte Rampling, Peter Polycarpou, Tuppence Middleton, Tom Burke, Sam Douglas and Michelle Ryan.
Director | Hadi Hajaig Certificate | 15 Run Time | 1 hour 48 minutes
John Carter of Mars (Out March 9) A curious case of planet-trotting…
What’s it about? Based on the classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the film tells the story of civil war veteran John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes involved in an epic struggle between its inhabitants. With the planet on the brink of collapse, Carter must rediscover his humanity before it is too late.
What to expect: With incredible looking visuals and a stellar cast (see below), this looks to be an epic fantasy adventure with plenty of eye-pleasing action. Keep an eye out for my forthcoming review.
Starring | Taylor Kitsch, Williem Dafoe, Mark Strong, James Purefoy, Thomas Haden Church, Lynn Davies, Ciarán Hinds and Dominic West.
Director | Andrew Stanton Certificate | 12A Run Time | 2 hours 12 minutes
The Raven (Out March 9) What happens in books stays in books. Or not…
What’s it about? In the last days of his life, esteemed writer Edgar Allen Poe (John Cusack) helps the police track down a serial killer who is bringing murders from his stories to life.
What to expect: James McTeigue (V for Vendetta, Ninja Assassin) is at the helm of this one, and the trailer suggests they’ll be violence aplenty to go along with what looks to be intriguing ‘whodunnit’ crime narrative. An excellent supporting cast featuring Brendan Gleeson and Luke Evans is another reason to be optimistic.
Starring | John Cusack, Luke Evans, Alice Eve, Brendan Gleeson and Oliver Jackson-Cohen.
Director | James McTeigue Certificate | 15 Run Time | 1 hour 51 minutes
Contraband (Out March 16) The things we do for family…
What’s it about? Chris Farraday (Mark Walhberg) must return to his life of crime when his brother-in-law Andy (Caleb Landry Jones) botches a drug deal for a ruthless boss. To settle Andy’s debt, Farraday must assemble a crew, head to Panama, and return with millions in counterfeit bills before time runs out.
What to expect: Although the ‘coming out of retirement’ plot is nothing new, Contraband still looks to be an action-packed heist movie, and if they can manage to keep things fresh and throw a couple of surprises our way, it’ll make a great watch. Big names such as Kate Beckinsale and Ben Foster could also add some much needed heft to the film if properly utilised.
Starring | Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster, J.K. Simmons, Giovanni Ribisi and Caleb Landry Jones.
Director | Baltasar Kormakur Certificate | 15 Run Time | 1 hour 50 minutes
21 Jump Street (Out March 16) Get schooled…
What’s it about? Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) were enemies in high school who became unlikely friends in the Police Academy. Now adult cops and partners, they must go undercover as teenagers in a local high school to bring down a drug ring. But school is a little different this time round…
What to expect? The combination of Hill and Tatum is an intriguing one, and judging by the hilarious trailer it looks to have paid off. If you enjoyed Superbad, chances are you’re going to love this. Review coming soon.
Starring | Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube and Rob Riggle.
Directors | Phil Lord & Chris Miller Certificate | 15 Run Time | 1 hour 49 minutes
The Hunger Games (Out March 23) Worst. Game. Ever.
What’s it about? In a not-too-distant dystopian future America has collapsed and is now called Panem, a country divided into 12 impoverished districts all ruled by a militant capitol. Every year the capitol televises ‘The Hunger Games’, a battle royal where 1 male and female from each district fight against each other for the entertainment of the capitol. When Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) sacrifices herself to save her little sister Prim from the games, she must fight for survival as the nation watches on.
What to expect: An adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ novel (which I’m halfway through, and I’m loving it!), we will hopefully be treated to epic battle sequences in addition to the excellent character story of Katniss. I say hopefully as little has been shown of the actual ‘games’ in the previews. Perhaps it could take a hint or two from the Avengers in that regard. With an excellent blend of young and experienced actors (see below), I have high hopes for this one. Now to finish that book…
Starring | Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Hensworth, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci and Donald Sutherland.
Director | Gary Ross Certificate | 12A Run Time | TBC
The Pirates: Band of Misfits (Out March 28) Pirates of Aardman Animation…
What’s it about? The Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant) sets out on a mission to outdo his rivals Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven) and Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek) for the Pirate of the Year award.
What to expect: Those of you who watched great animation flicks Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit will no doubt recognize the aesthetics of Aardman animation. The voice-acting from the star-studded cast sounds phenomenal, and judging by the trailer the film looks set to offer many funny moments. Will it be pilfering your money come March 28?
Starring | Hugh Grant, Salma Hayek, David Tennant, Jeremy Piven, Imelda Staunton, Brendan Gleeson, Martin Freeman and Lenny Henry.
Directors | Peter Lord and Jeff Newitt Certificate | U Run Time | TBC
Wrath of the Titans 3D (Out March 30) *ONE TO WATCH* Kronos reignites the Titans franchise…
What’s it about? Taking place a decade after the events of Clash of the Titans, Perseus is enjoying a quiet life as a village fisherman with his 10-year old son Helius. However, he cannot ignore his true calling when a betrayal causes Kronos – leader of the Titans and father of Zeus, Hades and Poseidon – to be unleashed, triggering Hell on Earth. Allying with Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike), Poseidon’s son Argenor (Toby Kebbell) and fallen God Hephaestus, Perseus embarks on a quest to overthrow the Titans and save mankind.
What to expect: If the excellent trailer is anything to go by, we can expect epic action sequences as Perseus & co try and combat the fearsome looking Titans. There are already some noticeable changes to Clash, with Rosamund Pike’s replacement of Alexa Davalos as Queen Andromeda just one of the ways Wrath looks to improve on its predecessor. Let’s hope the 3D is better this time round…
Starring | Sam Worthington, Rosamund Pike, Liam Neeson, Danny Huston, Toby Kebbell, Ralph Fiennes, Bill Nighy and Édgar Ramírez.
Director | Jonathan Liebesman Certificate | TBC Run Time | TBC
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