What’s worth catching at the movies during Feb? Movie critic Spling provides a few suggestions.

Jupiter Ascending
6 February

A young toilet cleaner predestined for greatness gets targeted for assassination by the Queen of the Universe. While it sounds like a video game plot for a Space Quest sequel, this is The Wachowski Starship’s latest endeavour. Mila Kunis plays the titular star, Jupiter Jones, opposite Channing Tatum, a genetically engineered ex-military hunter and Terminator style catalyst.

While the Wachowskis managed to shave hundreds of pages off the original script, no one’s sure what to make of their latest effort. Cloud Atlas was incredibly ambitious and while they may never live up to The Matrix, we must admire their quest to stretch filmic possibilities.

Kingsman: The Secret Service
13 February

Colin Firth is not an action man. He’s distinctly British and you’d imagine him going for a spot of tea over a Martini. He did however play an agent in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and he’s doing it all over again for Matthew Vaughn (X-Men: First Class) in the adaptation of the acclaimed comic book, Kingsman: The Secret Service.

This action-adventure and espionage comedy will undoubtedly expose us to a different side of Firth, who is supported by Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Caine and Mark Strong. We’re just hoping it’s fresh and funny enough to avoid turning into a half-baked Bond film or half-witted Johnny English.

Whiplash
20 February

Whiplash focuses on the complex relationship between a promising young drummer and a respected professor at a prestigious music academy. Miles Teller stars opposite J.K. Simmons in this intense music drama. The young actor has stolen the spotlight with solid performances in The Spectacular Now, Divergent and now Whiplash with a starring role as Mr. Fantastic in the Fantastic Four reboot.

Critics and audiences are raving about this electrifying film from writer-director, Damien Chazelle. Whiplash is already a hot favourite this awards season, racking up numerous accolades with J.K. Simmons garnering much acclaim for his supporting role.

American Sniper
20 February

Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper are two respected names in Hollywood. While Cooper hasn’t become part of the furniture just yet, their collaboration is promising as they tackle the true story of legendary pinpoint-accurate Navy SEAL sniper, Chris Kyle.

Eastwood introduces us to the most lethal sniper in U.S. history, who after four tours of duty returns home to his family. From the outset, American Sniper echoes aspects from the marksman actioner, Shooter and war drama The Hurt Locker. While you may feel as though you’ve seen this film before, it’s bound to break new ground and with Eastwood we should be in safe hands.

The Theory of Everything
27 February

The Theory of Everything is an adaptation of Jane Hawking’s book, Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, which deals with her relationship with the famous physicist. Man on Wire director, James Marsh has composed an intimate and quietly powerful account on the back of outstanding performances from Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones.

Marsh brings great depth and beauty to this biographical romance drama, which deals with life before Hawking was confined to a wheelchair and the ensuing physical and relational difficulties. The Theory of Everything elicited genuine heartfelt emotion from Hawking himself and is a strong contender this awards season.

Article first appeared in TechSmart 137, which you can find here.