War on Everyone

Director John Michael McDonagh

Genre Comedy

Cast Alexander Skarsgård, Michael Peña, Tessa Thompson, and Theo James

Rating R

Release Date February 3rd, 2017

“Two corrupt cops set out to blackmail and frame every criminal unfortunate enough to cross their path, however, events are complicated by the arrival of someone who appears to be even more dangerous than they are.”

From director John Michael McDonagh (The Guard, Calvary), War on Everyone is an action comedy starring Alexander Skarsgård, Michael Peña, Tessa Thompson, and Theo James. It looks like it might be a bit over the top and borderline goofy but the cast alone has me intrigued. Check out the official trailer below.

The Comedian

Director Taylor Hackford

Genre Comedy

Cast Robert De Niro, Leslie Mann, Danny DeVito, Hannibal Burress

Rating R

Release Date February 3rd, 2017

“A look at the life of an aging insult comic.”

From director Taylor Hackford, who received an Oscar Nomination for 2004's Ray, The Comedian is a comedy with a stellar cast including Robert De Niro, Leslie Mann, Danny DeVito, Hannibal Burress, and many others. Check out the trailer below.

Dark Night

Director Tim Sutton

Genre Drama

Cast Anna Rose Hopkins, Robert Jumper, Karina Macias, Conor A. Murphy

Rating Unrated

Release Date February 3rd, 2017

“The lives of six strangers intersect at a suburban Cineplex where a massacre occurs.”

Well received at Sundance Film Festival after its debut in 2016, Dark Night is a drama loosely based on the movie theater shooting that took place in Aurora, Colorado, in 2012 during a midnight screening for The Dark Knight Rises. Critics are calling the film chilling and after watching the trailer I would have to agree. The cast includes Anna Rose Hopkins, Robert Jumper, Karina Macias, and Conor A. Murphy. Check out the trailer for yourself below.

Don't Knock Twice

Director Caradog W. James

Genre Horror

Cast Katee Sackhoff, Lucy Boynton, Javier Botet, Nick Moran

Rating PG-13

Release Date February 3rd, 2017

“A mother desperate to reconnect with her troubled daughter becomes embroiled in the urban legend of a demonic witch.”

Directed by Caradog W. James (The Machine, Little White Lies), Don't Knock Twice is a horror film centered on the power of a demonic witch. The cast includes Katee Sackhoff (Longmire, Oculus), Lucy Boynton (Singstreet), Javier Botet (Mama, The Conjuring 2), and Nick Moran. It will be a limited release as the initial release date is specifically for Russia, but it looks like it might be worth watching out for. Check out the trailer below.

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter

Director Paul W.S. Anderson

Genre Action | Horror | Sci-Fi

Cast Milla Jovovich, Iain Glen, Ali Larter, Shawn Roberts

Rating R

Release Date January 27th, 2017

“Picking up immediately after the events in Resident Evil: Retribution, humanity is on its last legs in Washington D.C. As the only survivor of what was meant to be humanity’s final stand against the undead hordes, Alice must return to where the nightmare began - Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the only remaining survivors of the apocalypse.”

Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter is the final entry in the film series based on the video games. I grew up playing Resident Evil so I have a special place in my heart for the franchise in general and I WILL be seeing this in IMAX 3D. Also, the films tend to be good old fashioned popcorn entertainment so why not right?! The cast includes Milla Jovovich, Ruby Rose, Ali Larter, and Iain Glen. Check out the official trailers below.

A Dog's Purpose

Director Lassie Hallstrom

Genre Comedy | Drama | Family

Cast Britt Robertson, Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton

Rating PG

Release Date January 27th, 2016

“A dog looks to discover his purpose in life over the course of several lifetimes and owners.”

From director Lasse Hallstrom (Chocolat, Safe Haven), A Dog's Purpose is a heartfelt comedy drama based on the book by W. Bruce Cameron. I'm not ashamed to admit that the trailer tears me up each and every time! Also, I read the book which I really enjoyed. Can't wait for this! The film stars Britt Robertson, Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid, and Peggy Lipton. Check out the official trailer below.

Gold

Director Stephen Gaghan

Genre Adventure | Drama | Thriller

Cast Matthew McConaughey, Edgar Ramirez, Bryce Dallas Howard, Toby Kebbell

Rating R

Release Date January 27th, 2017

“An unlikely pair venture to the Indonesian jungle in search of gold.”

Directed by Stephen Gaghan (Siriana), Gold is an adventure drama starring Matthew McConaughey, Edgar Ramirez, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Toby Kebbell. Check out the official trailer below.

I Am Michael

Director Justin Kelly

Genre Biography | Drama

Cast James Franco, Zachary Quinto, Emma Roberts, Daryl Hannah

Rating Unrated

Release Date January 27th, 2017

“A gay activist and magazine founder is saved from his homosexuality after turning to God.”

From director Justin Kelly (King Cobra), I Am Michael is the incredible true story of Michael Glatze, a high profile Gay activist who caused a public uproar when he decided he was no longer Gay and became a Christian pastor. The cast includes James Franco, Zachary Quinto, Emma Roberts, and Daryl Hannah. I am somewhat indifferent as far as what I expect from this film but the impressive cast has me intrigued. Check out the trailer below.

Raees

Director Rahul Dholakia

Genre Action | Crime | Thriller

Cast Shah Rukh Khan, Sunny Leone, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Mahira Khan

Rating Unrated

Release Date January 25th, 2017 (India)

“Criticizing the prohibition of alcohol, prostitution and illegal drugs in Gujarat, this film unfolds the story of a cruel and clever bootlegger, whose business is highly challenged by a tough cop.”

“The film is set in the early 80’s and 90’s in Gujarat. The fictitious story of a man who builds an empire in the state of Gujarat, the only state that still follows prohibition. It’s a story about his rise and his relationships, which help him become the single most powerful man in the state.”

Split

Director M. Night Shyamalan

Genre Horror | Thriller

Cast James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Kim Director, Haley Lu Richardson

Rating PG-13

Release Date January 20th, 2017

“Kevin, a man with at least 23 different personalities, is compelled to abduct three teenage girls. As they are held captive, a final personality - “The Beast” - begins to materialize.”

Split is a horror thriller directed and written by mastermind M. Night Shyamalan (The Visit, The Sixth Sense), and looks to be a very effective and intense film. Actually who am I kidding, I can't wait to see this! The impressive cast includes James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Kim Director, and Haley Lu Richardson. Check out the official trailer below.

xXx: Return of Xander Cage

Director D.J. Caruso

Genre Action | Adventure | Thriller

Cast Vin Diesel, Samuel L. Jackson, Nina Dobrev, Ruby Rose

Rating PG-13

Release Date January 20th, 2017

“Xander Cage is left for dead after an incident, though he secretly returns to action for a new, tough assignment with his handler Augustus Gibbons.”

Directed by D.J. Caruso (Disturbia, I am Number Four, Eagle Eye), xXx: The Return of Xander Cage stars Vin Diesel, Samuel L. Jackson, Nina Dobrev, and Ruby Rose. Check out the official trailer below.

The Founder

Director John Lee Hancock

Genre Biography | Drama | History

Cast Michael Keaton, Linda Cardellini, Patrick Wilson, Nick Offerman

Rating PG-13

Release Date January 20th, 2017

“The story of McDonald’s founder, Ray Kroc.”

The Founder is directed by John Lee Hancock, who previously directed The Rookie, The Blind Side, and Saving Mr. Banks. The film is based on true events and chronicles how Ray Kroc became the founder of the fast-food empire, McDonald's. According to the studio, the release was moved from November 2015 to August 2016 because they felt it will be a legitimate Academy Awards Contender. With the cast consisting of Michael Keaton, playing the role of Ray Kroc, and supporting roles from John Carroll Lynch and Nick Offerman, they might be right. Check out the trailer below.

20th Century Women

Director Mike Mills

Genre Comedy | Drama

Cast Annette Bening, Elle Fanning, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup

Rating R

Release Date January 20th, 2017

“The story of three women who explore love and freedom in Southern California during the late 1970s.”

Written and directed by Mike Mills, 20th Century women is a comedy drama with a very solid cast. The film stars Annette Bening, Elle Fanning, Greta Gerwig, and Billy Crudup. Check out the official trailer below. 

Detour

Director Christopher Smith

Genre Thriller

Cast Emory Cohen, Tye Sheridan, Stephen Moyer, Bel Powley

Rating R

Release Date January 20th, 2017

“A young law student who, while grieving for his dying mother, struggles to decide whether he should kill his unfaithful step-father.”

From director Christopher Smith, Detour is a stylistic indie drama with an impressive cast of up-and-coming acting talent. The cast includes Emory Cohen (The Place Beyond the Pines, Brooklyn), Tye Sheridan (Mud, Joe), Stephen Moyer (True Blood), and Bel Powley (The Diary of a Teenage Girl). I am a huge fan of Cohen and Sheridan so I am excited to check this one out, the trailer looks pretty damn cool as well. Also it will be interesting to see Stephen Moyer in a role other than that of the vampire, Bill, in HBO's series Trueblood. The release seemed to come out of nowhere so I am crossing my fingers hoping it gets a wide-release, although that is unlikely.  Check out the official trailer below.

Trespass Against Us

Director Adam Smith

Genre Action | Crime | Drama

Cast Michael Fassbender, Brendan Gleeson, Lyndsey Marshal, Georgie Smith

Rating R

Release Date January 20th, 2017

“A man looks to find a way to escape the criminal ways of his outlaw family.”

Directed by Adam Smith, Trespass Against Us is a crime drama starring Michael Fassbender, Brdendan Gleeson, Lyndsey Marshal, and Georgie Smith. This will be a limited release but it looks like it might be worth checking out. Check out the official trailer below.

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone

Director Dallas Jenkins

Genre Comedy | Drama | Family

Cast Brett Dalton, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Shawn Michaels, and Neil Flynn

Rating PG

Release Date January 20th, 2017

“A washed-up former child star, forced to do community service at a local megachurch, pretends to be a Christian to land the part of Jesus in their annual Passion Play, only to discover that the most important role of his life is far from Hollywood.”

From director Dallas Jenkins (What If, The Ride), The Resurrection of Gavin Stone is an inspirational comedy that hopes to entertain the entire family. The cast includes Brett Dalton, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Shawn Michaels, and Neil Flynn. Check out the official trailer below.

Patriots Day

Director Peter Berg

Genre Drama | History | Thriller

Cast Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Michelle Monaghan, J.K. Simmons

Rating R

Release Date January 13th, 2017

“An account of Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis’s actions in the events leading up to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the aftermath, which includes the city-wide manhunt to find the terrorists behind it.”

Directed by Peter Berg (Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon), Patriots Day is a powerful film that revisits a traumatic day in U.S. History, the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. The film stars Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Michelle Monaghan, and J.K. Simmons. Check out the official trailer's below.

Live by Night

Director Ben Affleck

Genre Crime | Drama

Cast Ben Affleck, Zoe Saldana, Chris Sullivan, Elle Fanning

Rating R

Release Date January 13th, 2017

“A story set in the Prohibition Era and centered around a group of individuals and their dealings in the world of organized crime.”

Actor director Ben Affleck, who was behind the camera for hits such as Gone Baby Gone, The Town, and Argo, seems to have a knack for films centered around crime and violence. His upcoming film, Live by Night, is a crime drama set in the prohibition era with Affleck in the lead role. Live by Night is based on the Dennis Lehane novel of the same name. Lehane is a widely respected author, having written best-sellers such as Gone Baby Gone, Mystic River, Shudder Island, etc. This is the second Lehane book Affleck will have turned into a film, the first being Gone Baby Gone. The cast also includes Zoe Saldana, Chris Sullivan, Elle Fanning, Scott Eastwood, Sienna Miller, Brendan Gleeson, and many more. I am a huge fan of prohibition era films like Lawless and shows such as Boardwalk Empire so I am pretty excited about this one. Check out the official trailer below.

Want more?! Check out the official final trailer for the film below.

Silence

Director Martin Scorsese

Genre Drama | History

Cast Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson, Adam Driver, Ciarán Hinds

Rating R

Release Date January 13th, 2017

“In the seventeenth century, two Jesuit priests face violence and persecution when they travel to Japan to locate their mentor and propagate Christianity.”

Directed by mastermind Martin Scorsese, Silence is a powerful historical drama starring Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson, Adam Driver, and Ciarán Hinds. I know this is a serious film and I am sure it will be amazing considering Scorsese's eye for directing and ability to produce only quality films, I can't help but find humor in the fact that this time around Neeson is the guy people are searching for. Check out the official trailer below. 

Sleepless

Director Baron bo Odar

Genre Action | Crime | Thriller

Cast Jamie Foxx, T.I., Michelle Monaghan, Dermot Mulroney

Rating R

Release Date January 13th, 2017

“A cop with a connection to the criminal underworld scours a nightclub in search of his kidnapped son.”

Directed by Baron bo Odar, Sleepless crime drama starring Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, Dermot Mulroney, and David Harbour. Jamie Foxx is not Denzel but this looks to be his best attempt at a Training Day of his own, check out the official trailer below.