PREVIEWS - February Movies

Big Miracle

Based on the 1989 book Freeing the Whales by Tom Rose, which covers Operation Breakthrough, the 1988 international effort to rescue gray whales trapped in ice near Point Barrow, Alaska. Big Miracle follows a non-profit aid worker and a government worker spark romantically as they work together in the effort to free three California gray whales who have become trapped in a hole in the ice of the Arctic Circle.

Directed by Ken Kwapis, and starring Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, Kristen Bell, Dermont Mulroney and Tim Blake Nelson.

Opens: February 3, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 47 min. Genre: Drama, Adventure Rated: PG 

Chronicle
Three high school students make an incredible discovery, leading to their developing superhuman abilities. As they learn to control their abilities and use them to their advantage, their lives start to spin out of control, and their darker sides begin to take over.

Starring Michael B. Jordan, Dane Dehaan, Michael Kelly and Ashley Hinshaw; Chronicle is directed by Joshua Trank.

Opens: February 3, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 23 min. Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller Rated: PG 

The Woman in Black

Arthur Kipps is widowed lawyer whose grief has endangered his career. When he is sent to a remote village to sort out the affairs of recently deceased eccentric, it soon becomes clear that everyone in the town is keeping a terrible secret. Although the locals try to hide the town's tragic history from Kipps, he soon learns that his client's house is haunted by the ghost of a woman who is looking for someone and something she had lost, and until she does, no one is safe from her vengeance.

Based on Susan Hill's "The Woman in Black", directed by James Watkins and starring Daniel Radcliffe, Ciarán Hinds, Janet McTeer, Sophie Stuckey and Liz White.

Opens: February 3, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 35 min. Genre: Horror, Thriller Rated: PG-13  

W.E.

In 1998, lonely New Yorker Winthrop is obsessed with what she perceives as the ultimate love story: King Edward VIII's abdication of the British throne for the woman he loved, American divorcee Wallis Simpson.   But Winthrop's research, including several visits to the Sotheby's auction of the Windsor Estate, reveals that the couple's life together was not as perfect as she thought. As she learns more about the sacrifices Wallis made in choosing to be with Edward, Wally finds the courage to follow her own heart and create her own happiness. W.E. tells the story of two fragile but determined women – Wally Winthrop and Wallis Simpson – separated for more than six decades.

Co-written, produced and directed by Madonna, W.E. stars Abbie Cornish, James D'Arcy, Andrea Riseborough, Oscar Isaac and James Fox.

Opens: February 3, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 59 min. Genre: Romance, Drama Rated: R  

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Intrepid young explorer Sean Anderson follows a mysterious distress signal to a remote island that's not on any map, and embarks on a daring rescue mission while encountering a vast array of mythological creatures in this follow-up to 2008's Journey to the Center of the Earth. Unable to stop him from going, Sean's new stepfather, Hank, joins the quest. Together with a helicopter pilot and his beautiful, strong-willed daughter, they set out to find the island, rescue its lone inhabitant and escape before seismic shockwaves force the island under the sea and bury its treasures forever.

Directed by Brad Peyton, and starring Dwayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Michael Caine, Vanessa Hudgens, Luis Guzman and Kristin Davis.

Opens: February 10, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 34 min. Genre: Adventure, Action Rated: PG
 

Safe House

When a group of rebel soldiers from the neighboring region destroy a CIA-operated safe house, the facility's young house-sitter must work to move the criminal who is being hidden there to another secure location.

Directed by Daniel Espinosa, Safe House stars Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard, Vera Farmiga and Sebastian Roché.

Opens: February 10, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 55 min. Genre: Action, Thriller Rated: R

The Vow

Paige and Leo are a happy newlywed couple whose lives are changed by a car accident that puts Paige in a coma. Waking up with severe memory loss, Paige has no memory of Leo, a confusing relationship with her parents, and an ex-fiance she may still have feelings for. Despite these complications, Leo endeavors to win her heart again and rebuild their marriage.

Inspired by true events, The Vow is directed by Michael Sucsy and stars Channing Tatum, Rachel McAdams, Scott Speedman, Sam Neill and Jessica Lange.

Opens: February 10, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 44 min. Genre: Romance, Drama Rated: PG-13

This Means War

Two of the world's deadliest CIA operatives are inseparable partners and best friends - until they discover that they've fallen in love with the same woman. Deciding to keep their friendship a secret from her, they pull out their full arsenal of fighting skills and high-tech gadgetry to defeat their greatest enemy - each other.

Directed by McG, and starring Tom Hardy, Chris Pine, Reese Witherspoon and Chelsea Handler.

Opens: February 14, 2012 Runtime: 2 hr. 0 min. Genre: Comedy, Action Rated: PG-13

Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance

Former stuntman and bounty hunter of rogue demons Johnny Blaze has been living in self-imposed exile, believing that his powers are a curse. But when he is approached by a member of a monastic order who is looking for someone to protect a mother and her son, who are being pursued by the devil in the figure of a man named Roarke, the Ghost Rider takes the case.

Directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor; and starring Nicholas Cage, Ciarán Hinds, Idris Elba, Johnny Whitworth and Violante Placido.

Opens: February 17, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 35 min. Genre: Action, Adventure Rated: PG-13 

The Secret World Of Arrietty

Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered. Arrietty, a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper. Like all little people, Arrietty remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to "borrow" scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts. But when 12-year-old Shawn, a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty's family from the home and straight into danger.

Based on Mary Norton's fantasy novel The Borrowers, The Secret World Of Arrietty is a United States -  english dub of the Japanese animated movie "The Borrower Arrietty" written by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa. With the voice cast that features Bridgit Mendler, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett and David Henrie.

Opens: February 17, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 20 min. Genre: Animated, Adventure, Fantasy Rated: G

Gone

When her sister disappears, Jill is convinced the serial killer who kidnapped her two years ago has returned, and she sets out to once again face her abductor.

Directed by Heitor Dhalia and starring Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer Carpenter, Sebastian Stan and Michael Paré

Opens: February 24, 2012 Runtime: n/a Genre: Thriller Rated: PG-13

Good Deeds

A successful, wealthy businessman, Wesley Deeds has always done what's expected of him, whether it's assuming the helm of his father's company, tolerating his brother's misbehavior at the office or planning to marry his beautiful but restless fiancee, Natalie. But Wesley is jolted out of his predictable routine when he meets Lindsey, a down-on-her-luck single mother who works on the cleaning crew in his office building. When he offers to help her get back on her feet, the chance encounter with someone so far outside his usual circle ignites something in Wesley. This one good deed may finally spark his courage to exchange the life that's expected of him for the life he's always really wanted.

Written, produced, directed and starring Tyler Perry; Thandie Newton, Brian J. White, Rebecca Romijn, Ne-Yo, Jamie Kennedy and Gabrielle Union.

Opens: February 24, 2012 Runtime: 2 hr. 9 min. Genre: Drama, Romance Rated: PG-13

Wanderlust

After an urban couple purchases a place in New York, the husband loses his job. With no other options, the couple leaves for Georgia to live with family. Along the way, they stay at a bed and breakfast hotel that turns out to be a hippie commune.

Diurected by David Wain and starring Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd, Justin Theroux, Malin Åkerman and Ray Liotta

Opens: February 24, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min. Genre: Comedy Rated: R