All the movies you should see in March
Your guide to the biggest and buzziest movies hitting theaters this month
March 4:
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
What it is: The based-on-a-true-story tale of journalist Kim Barker (Tina Fey), who accepts a post as a war correspondent in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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Why you should care: Tina Fey's 30 Rock is one of the great sitcoms of the past decade, but her subsequent film roles haven't really showcased the full range of her talent. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot looks to be an exception — a role that allows Fey to play a fish out of water in a truly unconventional setting for a Hollywood comedy. And it doesn't hurt that Whiskey Tango Foxtrot's supporting cast is ridiculously stacked, with choice roles for Margot Robbie, Billy Bob Thornton, and Martin Freeman, alongside a host of other top-notch actors.
What else is coming out: Zootopia, a Disney animated film about a booming metropolis full of anthropomorphic animals; London Has Fallen, a weirdly belated sequel to the terrible 2013 action flick Olympus Has Fallen, which moves the action across the pond; The Other Side of the Door, a horror movie about a woman (Sarah Wayne Callies) beset by supernatural forces after she brings her dead son back to life; Knight of Cups, the latest gorgeous, elusive drama from arthouse darling Terrence Malick; The Boy and the Beast, a Japanese animated film about an orphan who forms an unlikely bond with a warrior monster; Cemetery of Splendor, a Thai drama about a mysterious epidemic that puts people to seep; The Wave, a Norwegian disaster movie about a group of people attempting to survive a tsunami; Camino, a thriller about a war photographer (Zoe Bell) on the run from a dictator trying to hide his crimes.
March 11:
10 Cloverfield Lane
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What it is: After waking up in a bomb shelter, a young woman (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) attempts to discover whether the man who brought her there (John Goodman) — who claims the outside world has become uninhabitable — is her savior or her captor.
Why you should care: In 2008, Matt Reeves' found-footage monster movie Cloverfield wowed audiences with a mysterious, unconventional marketing campaign that successfully kept many of the film's details under wraps until its release day. 10 Cloverfield Lane isn't exactly a sequel — producer J.J. Abrams called it a "blood relative" to Cloverfield — but it's following a similarly enigmatic path to the box office. Whatever the truth about 10 Cloverfield Lane's connection, it's an eerie, intriguing premise, with two exceptionally talented actors going head-to-head.
What else is coming out: The Young Messiah, a Christian-themed drama about the adventures of the 7-year-old Jesus Christ (Adam Greaves-Neal); The Brothers Grimsby, an action-comedy about a spy (Mark Strong) forced to complete a mission despite the reemergence of his long-lost doofy brother (Sacha Baron Cohen); The Lobster, an oddball dramedy about a group of people who will be turned into animals if they can't fall in love within 45 days; Eye in the Sky, a political thriller about a military colonel (Helen Mirren) leading a team in a debate over whether to use a drone strike; The Perfect Match, a rom-com about a womanizing bachelor (Terrence J.) who starts to think about changing his ways when he meets the woman of his dreams (Cassie Ventura); Hello, My Name is Doris, a comedy about an older woman (Sally Field) whose humdrum life is turned around by her crush on a young coworker (Max Greenfield); Creative Control, an indie comedy about an ad executive (Benjamin Dickinson) who gets obsessed with a Google Glass-esque device that allows him to reshape his world; Lolo, a French rom-com about a woman (writer/director Julie Delpy) whose new romance is interrupted by her meddling son (Vincent Lacoste); The Automatic Hate, a drama about a pair of estranged cousins (Joseph Cross and Adelaide Clemens) investigating the story behind the schism in their family; Backgammon, an indie thriller about a group of young people spending a bizarre weekend at a remote mansion.
March 18:
Midnight Special
What it is: Chased by both government agents and a religious cult, a father (Michael Shannon) goes on the run to protect his 8-year-old son, who possesses mysterious and supernatural powers.
Why you should care: For his first film since 2012's critical sensation Mud, Jeff Nichols re-teams with Take Shelter star Michael Shannon, who leads an impressive and eclectic cast that also includes Joel Edgerton, Adam Driver, and Kirsten Dunst. At a time when genre fare tends to come in the form of big, explosion-laden blockbusters, Midnight Special's stripped-down, human-sized take on science fiction promises to be a refreshing throwback to films like The Man Who Fell to Earth and Starman.
What else is coming out: The Little Prince, an animated adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupery's beloved novel of the same name, with a voice cast that includes Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, and Paul Rudd; The Divergent Series: Allegiant, the awkwardly-titled third installment in an exceptionally mediocre series of sci-fi thrillers/Hunger Games wannabes; The Program, a dramatization of the downfall of cycling legend Lance Armstrong (Ben Foster); The Confirmation, a comedy about an estranged father and son (Clive Owen and Jaeden Lieberher) bonding as they attempt to track down some stolen goods; The Preppie Connection, a based-on-a-true-story drama about a bunch of rich kids who establish a drug ring; The Bronze, a comedy about an irascible washed-up Olympic gymnast (Melissa Rauch) who returns to her hometown.
March 25:
Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice
What it is: DC Comics' two biggest superheroes, Batman and Superman — played by Ben Affleck and Man of Steel's Henry Cavill, respectively — go head-to-head on the big screen for the first time.
Why you should care: Batman v. Superman is a massive, $200 million swing from Warner Bros., which is clearly desperate to establish its own Avengers-style universe of interconnected superhero movies. As if Batman and Superman punching each other wasn't enough to get fans in seats, the film will also introduce Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg), and Doomsday, the otherworldly villain who famously killed Superman in a 1992 storyline. Worrisome reports from inside sources have led to questions about Batman v. Superman's overall quality — and director Zack Snyder's shaky track record doesn't inspire a lot of confidence — but even if the film is a total fiasco, it should prove to be an interesting one.
What else is coming out: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, a sequel to 2002's breakout hit comedy, in which Toula and Ian (Nia Vardalos and John Corbett) endure a bigger, fatter Greek wedding; The Disappointments Room, a horror movie about a woman (Kate Beckinsale) with a haunted attic; Get a Job, a long-gestating comedy about millennials (Anna Kendrick, Miles Teller) attempting to start their post-graduate careers; I Saw the Light, a biopic of country singer Hank Williams (Tom Hiddleston); Born to be Blue, a stylish drama about legendary jazz trumpeter Chet Baker (Ethan Hawke); Identicals, a sci-fi drama about a future in which people can change their faces to pursue brand-new lives; Seve the Movie, a biopic about the life and career of famed Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros (Jose Luis Gutierrez); Mia Madre, an Italian drama about a film director (Margherita Buy) in the midst of a midlife crisis.
Scott Meslow is the entertainment editor for TheWeek.com. He has written about film and television at publications including The Atlantic, POLITICO Magazine, and Vulture.
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