What’s On – February 2020 – Dawn of the Tapes

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February is here at last, after what’s felt like an eternal January, and it brings with it two of the biggest award ceremonies in the film calendar (the BAFTAs and the Oscars, in case you were unaware). As a result, many of this month’s releases are those that proved rather popular at the big film festivals last year, so we are quite spoilt for choice this month! So much so that choosing a top four was especially challenging. It’s worth checking out the trailers for most of the films releasing this month, as chances are you’ll find at least one to your liking. So, without further ado, let’s check out some choices for your February viewing pleasure…

Emma. (14th)

As the poster professes, Emma. (with a ‘.’, for some reason), is indeed based on the novel by the incomparable Jane Austen. There have been ever so many television adaptations of the story (the BBC apparently can’t get enough), and perhaps the most famous movie to be based on Emma is the ever-brilliant Clueless with Alicia Silverstone. But this particular version has something of a Yorgos Lanthimos flavour to it, with director Autumn de Wilde giving the classic story of the young matchmaker an extra kick. Also, you can’t really go wrong with Anya Taylor-Joy in the titular role. If you enjoyed Little Women, perhaps this is the next female-centric period picture to enthrall you.

Olympic Dreams (14th)

It’s perhaps no coincidence this movie (and many others of a similar genre) is releasing on Valentine’s Day. It comes across as just a lovely little love story between an Olympic competitor and a volunteer doctor at the 2016 Winter Olympics. It’s got quite a classic feel to it, and the lead actors give us a glimpse of something that already feels like a natural onscreen chemistry. The trailer boasts quite a lot, so if you’re looking for a date night movie on the day of St. Valentine, this could be the one for you.

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Guns Akimbo (28th)

Perhaps a different kind of date movie, Guns Akimbo may be a slightly out-there choice, but the trailer itself is absolutely thrilling and will likely gear you up for a really exciting action adventure with a ton of jeopardy thrown in. Daniel Radcliffe has made some very interesting (in a good way) choices since his Harry Potter days, shaking off the role that shot him to international fame exceedingly well by expanding his horizons and stretching his acting chops. This film looks to be no different, in case you couldn’t tell from the guns nailed to his hands in the poster, and with support from one of Hollywood’s newest and brightest, the awesome Samara Weaving, this movie could do you just as well if over-the-top romance ain’t your thing.

Non-English Language Choice:

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Parasite (기생충) (7th)

The South Korean film that’s got everybody talking and award panels throwing accolades and trophies at it left, right and centre, this one will be absolutely worth your time. If you’re one of those people who doesn’t like to watch subtitled films, it’s highly recommended you adjust your attitude and let director Bong Joon-ho and his cast entertain you. It’s a crying shame that the UK (and Ireland) is the last country to see the film’s release, especially just two days before the Academy Awards, but at least we’ve got it. Check out the five-star review of Parasite here, then go and book your ticket immediately. (The alternate poster for the movie shown above was created by Andrew Bannister for the Curzon Artificial Eye release of the movie.)

Other February releases

2nd
One Piece: Stampede
Uncut Gems

5th
Her Sketchbook

7th
And Then We Danced
Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn
Come to Daddy
Daniel Isn’t Real
Dolittle
Horse Girl
Mr. Jones
My Spy
Plus One
Underwater