Entertainment / Get Reel Digital: February 2015 Must-Watch List

Get Reel Digital: February 2015 Must-Watch List

Entertainment Feb 19, 2015

by Matthew Currie

This Month’s Blu-Ray Round-Up Includes A Uniquely Mind-bending Sci-Fi Adventure, A Heart-Melting Pop Star Romance And The Career Rebirth Of Keanu Reeves

John Wick (now available, eOne)

Image Courtesy of Sony/The Buzz Media

Keanu Reeves enjoyed an unexpected career resurgence playing the title character in this acclaimed sleeper-hit revenge drama. Mourning the death of his wife, former hitman Wick is comforted by her final gift to him — an adorable puppy. But when the arrogant son of a Russian mobster breaks in, kills the dog and swipes his vintage muscle car, Wick comes out of retirement and unleashes all-out mayhem on the kid, his pals and an entire underworld full of colourful criminals. Blood, bullets and snappy fight choreography ensue.

Nightcrawler (Now Available, Universal)

Image Courtesy of Universal/Collider

One of the breakout flicks of TIFF 2014, Nightcrawler earned raves for star Jack Gyllenhaal’s remarkable transformation (emotionally and physically speaking) into sleazy opportunist Lou Bloom, whose pursuit of the American Dream turns into a living nightmare for anyone who gets in his way. Stumbling upon the world of underground crime reporting in LA, Lou slowly builds a rep for himself as a man who can deliver the blood and mayhem that local news stations crave — but the promise of big bucks and professional esteem quickly prompts him to start taking a more active role in the atrocities he’s “covering.” Riz Ahmed provides comic relief and a much-needed dose of heart to the pitch-black satire as Bloom’s put-upon intern.

Predestination (Now Available, Sony)

Image Courtesy of Sony/alt-uk.net

Prepare to have your brain all twisted up in knots with this adaptation of the classic Robert A. Heinlein sci-fi story "All You Zombies." Ethan Hawke plays a time-cop sent back through the ages to stop an infamous terrorist bomber. Undercover as a barkeep, he strikes up a conversation with a transgender romance columnist (Australian newcomer Sarah Snook, in a breakout performance), who has one doozy of a story to tell. To reveal any more would be to spoil this superlative mind-bender, but let’s just say that as soon as the credits start rolling, you’ll want to start the film all over again just to see how directors the Spierig Brothers (Daybreakers) managed to pull the rug out from under you.

Whiplash (February 24, Sony)

Image Courtesy of Sony/MoviePilot.net

Ambitious young drummer Andrew (Miles Teller) desperately wants a seat in the top jazz band at his prestigious New York music school. Be careful what you wish for, Andrew. Taken under the wing of Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), the school’s most revered teacher, Andrew finds himself subjected to an unending torrent of verbal and occasionally physical abuse as the man seeks to mould him into one of the greats — or destroy Andrew trying. What ensues is a film-long game of psychological warfare that rivals most horror films in terms of tension and peeking-through-your-fingers moments.

Beyond the Lights (February 24, eOne)

Image Courtesy of eOne/IndieWire

This under-the-radar musical romance provides another sterling showcase for up-and-coming British thesp Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Belle). Here she plays Noni, a pop superstar on the verge of suicide courtesy of the pressures and personal upheaval that have accompanied her success. Enter Kaz (Nate Parker), a young cop who captures her heart and, in the process, allows her to uncover her true artistic voice. Shades of The Bodyguard abound in what has proven to be a heartwarming critical and audience favourite.

_{Feature Image Courtesy of imdb, photo by Chuck Zlotnick}

Matthew Currie

Author

A long-standing entertainment journalist, Currie is a graduate of the Professional Writing program at Toronto’s York University. He has spent the past number of years working as a freelancer for ANOKHI and for diverse publications such as Sharp, TV Week, CAA’s Westworld and BC Business. Currie ...

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