February 2016
Books on Screen
February 2016
What better way to warm up on a brisk February day than to watch some of the latest book-to-screen adaptations? For a sinister twist on Jane Austen's classic novel, check out Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, a tale of romance, violence and heartbreak. In this comedic reimagining of Austen's novel, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton --- and the dead are coming back to life! Elizabeth Bennet is determined to defeat the zombies but is soon distracted by the imperious Mr. Darcy. Seeking a few laughs and thousands of rotting corpses? Than this film is for you!
Or perhaps, you're looking for something romantic to watch with that special someone this Valentine's Day. In that case, grab the chocolates --- and possibly some tissues --- and check out The Choice. In a story of love found and lost, Travis --- a man who seemingly has everything he wants --- is thrown off guard when he meets his new neighbor Gabby. This film will ultimately force you to consider the harrowing question: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?
So shake off the snow, grab some hot chocolate, and watch as the worlds you immersed yourself in are brought to life (or undead) on screen!
In Theaters:
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Cast: Lily James, Sam Riley, Jack Huston, Bella Heathcote, Douglas Booth, Matt Smith, Lena Headey, Charles Dance
Director: Burr Steers
Distributor: Sony Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Release Date: February 5th
Based on: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES by Seth Grahame-Smith
A zombie outbreak has fallen upon the land in Jane Austen's classic tale of the tangled relationships between lovers from different social classes in 19th-century England. Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is a master of martial arts and weaponry and the handsome Mr. Darcy is a fierce zombie killer, yet the epitome of upper class prejudice. As the zombie outbreak intensifies, they must swallow their pride and join forces on the blood-soaked battlefield.
Cast: Teresa Palmer, Benjamin Walker, Alexandra Daddario
Director: Ross Katz
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Release Date: February 5th
Based on: THE CHOICE by Nicholas Sparks
When feisty medical student Gabby Holland moves in next door to perennial ladies' man Travis Shaw, it sends them both on a romantic journey neither ever dreamed possible. Travis has always believed a serious relationship with a woman would cramp his easygoing lifestyle, while Gabby is all set to settle down with her long-term boyfriend --- until an irresistible attraction between the unlikely couple upends both of their well-planned lives. After a whirlwind courtship, Gabby and Travis wed and build a family together, making every decision hand-in-hand until one of them is forced to make the most important choice of their life alone. A poignant and life-affirming celebration of love, marriage and family that explores the most heart-wrenching question of all: How far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?
Cast: Sophie Nélisse, Glenn Close, Julia Stiles, Kathy Bates, Octavia Spencer
Director: Stephen Herek
Distributor: Freestyle Releasing
MPAA Rating: N/A
Release Date: February 19th (limited)
Based on: THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS by Katherine Paterson
Eleven-year-old Gilly has been stuck in foster families for as long as she can remember, and she's despised them all. She has a county-wide reputation for being smart, assertive and out of control. So when she's sent to live with the Trotters, far and away the strangest family to ever take her in, Gilly comes up with a crafty little scheme get her real mother to come "rescue" her. But things don't unfold the way she'd planned. And when time comes to go, the great Gilly Hopkins starts to think that maybe with the Trotters isn't so shabby after all.
On TV:
Cast: Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Rick Cosnett, Danielle Panabaker, Carlos Valdes, Tom Cavanagh, Jessie L. Martin
Network: The CW
Air Dates: Tuesdays at 8pm ET
Based On: THE FLASH: DC Comics character created by Robert Kanigher, John Broome and Carmine Infantino
Following the defeat of Barry Allen's arch-nemesis Eobard Thawne (a.k.a. Reverse Flash), Team Flash quickly turned their attention to the singularity swirling high above Central City, which fans last saw consuming everything in its path. Armed with the heart of a hero and the ability to move at super speeds, Barry charged into the eye of the singularity, but will he actually be able to save his city from impending doom?
Cast: Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende, David Castro
Network: Freeform
Air Dates: Tuesdays at 9pm ET
Based On: THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
On her 18th birthday, a woman discovers that she's an angel-human hybrid who hunts demons. After her mother is kidnapped, Clary must venture into the dark world of demon hunting in order to find clues that can help her find her mother.
“The Shannara Chronicles” (limited series)
Cast: Poppy Drayton, Austin Butler, Manu Bennett, Aaron Jakubenko, Ivana Baquero, John Rhys-Davies
Network: MTV
Air Dates: Tuesdays at 10pm ET
Based On: ELFSTONES OF SHANNARA, Book 2 in the Shannara series by Terry Brooks
An elf, a human and a half-elf, half-human set out to stop a demon army from destroying the world in this fantasy drama adapted from the book series by Terry Brooks.
Cast: Stephen Amell, Colin Donnell, Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey, Willa Holland, Susanna Thompson, Paul Blackthorne
Network: The CW
Air Dates: Wednesdays at 8pm ET
Based On: DC Comics character Green Arrow created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp
After defeating his most formidable foe to date and riding off into the sunset with longtime flame Felicity Smoak, Oliver Queen (aka The Arrow) left Starling City with the hopes of beginning a new life. But will Oliver ever truly be able to leave behind his past as the Arrow, and, if so, what becomes of the team he has worked so hard to assemble? Will Diggle, Thea and Laurel be left to continue Oliver’s crusade without him? And with Malcolm Merlyn having ascended to the top of the League of Assassins as the new Ra's al Ghul, is anyone really safe?
Cast: Victor Garber, Brandon Routh, Caity Lotz, Arthur Darvill, Ciara Renée, Franz Drameh, Wentworth Miller, Dominic Purcell, Casper Crump
Network: The CW
Air Dates: Thursdays at 8pm ET
Based On: DC Comics characters
A time-traveling rogue assembles a group of heroes and villains to prevent the world's destruction.
On DVD:
Secret in Their Eyes
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts
Director: Billy Ray
MPAA Rating: PG-13
DVD Release Date: February 23rd
Based on: THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES by Eduardo Sacheri
A tight-knit team of rising investigators --- Ray and Jess, along with their supervisor Claire --- is suddenly torn apart when they discover that Jess's teenage daughter has been brutally and inexplicably murdered. Now, thirteen years later, after obsessively searching every day for the elusive killer, Ray finally uncovers a new lead that he's certain can permanently resolve the case, nail the vicious murderer, and bring long-desired closure to his team. No one is prepared, however, for the shocking, unspeakable secret that will reveal the enduring, destructive effects of personal vengeance on the human soul.
Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Finn Wittrock, Robin Tunney
Director: Angelo Pizzo
MPAA Rating: PG
DVD Release Date: February 23rd
Based on: COURAGE BEYOND THE GAME: The Freddie Steinmark Story by Jim Dent
From Angelo Pizzo, the writer of Rudy and Hoosiers, comes My All-American --- the true story of one of legendary UT Austin football Coach Darrell Royal's most beloved players, Freddie Steinmark, an underdog who led his team to a championship season and was an inspiration both on and off the field.
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson
Director: John Crowley
MPAA Rating: PG-13
DVD Release Date: February 23rd
Based on: BROOKLYN by Colm Tóibín
BROOKLYN tells the profoundly moving story of Eilis Lacey, a young Irish immigrant navigating her way through 1950s Brooklyn. Lured by the promise of America, Eilis departs Ireland and the comfort of her mother's home for the shores of New York City. The initial shackles of homesickness quickly diminish as a fresh romance sweeps Eilis into the intoxicating charm of love. But soon, her new vivacity is disrupted by her past, and Eilis must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.
