As we near the first weekend in February the Nerds sit down (at their separate desks) for a brief discussion of the movies coming out this month that we’re most excited about.
Kyle Bown: I seem to remember February generally being a slow month for movies. But not this year. Somehow there’s at least one movie coming out every week I want to see. And there’s something for everyone out there too. Whether you want superheroes, romantic comedies, a heist, or even an investigation into whether Jesus rose or not (judging by the fact that they have a specific line for group sales at the end of the trailer, I’m guessing the movie says he did). So, I ask you Nerds, what movie are you most excited for, other than Deadpool?
Josh Moorhead: February is unusually, optimistically stacked for a time in the release calendar that just ten years ago was a dead zone or a place studio misfires went to die. Granted, that could still be the case if all these suck but that seems unlikely. I’m writing the names Zoolander 2 and Hail, Caesar! on the covers of notebooks and putting dreamy hearts and rainbows around them. Comedy sequels almost never pan out but Zoolander looks silly strong — or strong silly? And Caesar! has the best cast we might find in anything all year with the Coen brothers behind it and a Hollywood caper at it’s gooey center. I will love it.
Daniel Villalobos: January is the new dump month other than the Awards Hopefuls who get their wide releases after limited ones in December. I think the reason for it is simple, summer movie season is happening earlier. March is now a summer movie month. Looking at this month’s release schedule, there at least 10 flicks I want to see. And since Deadpool and now Hail Caesar! are off the table, I’d have to put Race, the story of Olympic runner Jesse Owens and Eddie the Eagle, which delightfully recalls the spirit of Cool Runnings, as my most anticipated.
Joshua Potter: The OTHER movie I’m really looking forward to is a biographical documentary called, The Last Man On The Moon. It chronicles the career/life of Apollo Astronaut Eugene Cernan and includes some rare archival footage from NASA. I’m excited to see something that hearkens back to the glory days of our space program, and the Cold War Era’s “race to the moon.” That energy and drive is something we’ve lost sight of as a nation.
KB: I’m with both of you on Hail Caesar! I can not wait! It’s probably the movie I’m most excited for this month. I’ve loved the Coen Bros since Raising Arizona. Even better than the trailers is a clip of Ralph Fiennes trying to direct Aiden Ehrenreich to say a simple line. Kills me every time I watch it. I hadn’t heard of that doc Potter, I’m very intrigued.
KB: So, Dan mentioned both Eddie the Eagle and Race. So, before we get top Deadpool I’m going to make you all choose. Which one are you most interested in? In the same vein, which of the other movies this month most excites you? Pride & Prejudice & Zombies? How to be Single? Risen? Something I’m forgetting?
DV: Of the two olympian movies, tough choice because I am very interested in seeing Taron Egerton in another type of role. He’s almost unrecognizable here from his Kingsman character. But the Jesse Owens story fascinates me and so does seeing Jason Sudeikis in a very serious role. Tough choice, might have to see the trailers again, back to back to decide that one. Literally talking to Kyle and Moorhead right now has got me intrigued on the faith based Risen.
JM: P&P&Z was much more exciting to me when it was a Mike White vehicle then a David O. Russell vehicle and then a Natalie Portman movie and now who knows what. It doesn’t look like the fun it ought to have been. More fascinating Valentine’s Day counterprogramming though. Anyway as an Ohio State Buckeye I’m duty bound to appreciate the story of Jesse Owens. I traversed many places named after him. And probably puked near the tree he got from Hitler. I forget where it’s at on campus. But as a human being and not a poisonous nut I’m more excited about seeing Eddie The Eagle.
KB: I vote for Eddie the Eagle and How to be Single (that cast is amazing) My girlfriend wants to see it, and I’m guessing I’ll enjoy it more than her, so that’s a win-win situation! Now for the moment the nerds have been waiting for. There isn’t really a ton to say about Deadpool that hasn’t been said elsewhere, so I’ll just ask you all for a couple of words, maybe a sentence, about the merc with the mouth.
DV: Deadpool. You look like an avocado fucked an older avocado. I’ve been in since the test footage.
JP: I can’t wait to get a load of Deadpool this month. Maybe even multiple loads (Puns intended. The marketing for the movie is brilliant).
JM: To be honest I don’t know a ton about Deadpool besides it’s a movie, so I wanna see it. But in all seriousness I’ve been a fan of Ryan Reynolds since “Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place” and the movie looks effective both as raunch-com and superhero actioner. Moving that all into R rated territory is also a fascinating development that I’m eager to see play out. It’s a great character. Also deep down I admit that I kind of want Gina Carano to beat the shit out of me.
KB: So, “a couple of words, maybe a sentence” to Josh is a paragraph. Thanks for your brevity. I can’t wait for Deadpool. TJ Miller! And on that note, enjoy your February of films!