Reel cool: February movie releases

New movies being released in February 2017 include those starring Renée Zellweger, Matt Damon, Dakota Johnson, Keanu Reeves and Ice Cube.

Same Kind Of Different As Me

Drama

Director: Michael Carney

Starring: Renée Zellweger, Greg Kinnear, Djimon Hounsou

In theaters: Feb. 3

In an effort to save his faltering marriage, a remorseful art dealer befriends a menacing homeless man whom his wife sees in her dreams.

Rings

Evil is reborn.

Drama | Thriller

Director: F. Javier Gutiérrez

Starring: Alex Roe, Johnny Galecki, Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz

In theaters: Feb. 3

The latest installment in this frightening franchise features a young woman who becomes cursed while trying to stop her boyfriend from watching a video that kills the viewer after seven days.

The Red Turtle

Animation | Fantasy

Director: Michael Dudok de Wit

In San Diego theaters: Feb. 3

With music and sound effects - but no spoken dialogue - this animated film chronicles the life of a castaway who lands on an island inhabited by an enormous red turtle.

John Wick: Chapter 2

Never stab the devil in the back.

Crime | Thriller

Directors: Chad Stahelski

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Ruby Rose, John Leguizamo

In theaters: Feb. 10

A retired hitman reluctantly returns to the job when a onetime colleague attempts to usurp control of a secret society of international assassins.

The Lego Batman Movie

Always be yourself ... unless you can be Batman.

Animation | Adventure

Director: Chris McKay

Starring: Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera

In theaters: Feb. 10

In this comical take on the Batman mythos, an irreverent Bruce Wayne tries to keep his alter-ego in check while balancing supervillains on one hand and an adopted boy on the other.

Fifty Shades Darker

Slip into something a shade darker.

Drama | Romance

Director: James Foley

Starring: Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson, Kim Basinger

In theaters: Feb. 10

An oversexed businessman attempts to win back the woman who wounded him, when one of his former lovers threatens to tear the two apart.

Fist Fight

After school. Parking lot. It’s on.

Comedy

Director: Richie Keen

Starring: Ice Cube, Charlie Day, Tracy Morgan

In theaters: Feb. 17

A meek teacher struggles to survive an onslaught of senior pranks on the last day of school when he inadvertently pisses off the faculty’s most feared educator.

A Cure For Wellness

Mystery | Drama

Director: Gore Verbinski

Starring: Dane Dehaan, Jason Isaacs, Mia Goth

In theaters: Feb. 17

After the CEO of a high-profile company sends a cryptic message to the business’s board, a talented up-and-comer agrees to visit the big boss at the eerie European wellness center where he’s holed up.

The Great Wall

1,700 years to build. 5,500 miles long. What were they trying to keep out?

Horror | Sci-Fi

Director: Zhang Yimao

Starring: Matt Damon, Andy Lau, Lu Han

In theaters: Feb. 17

In this historical fantasy set in medieval China, a mercenary held captive at the Great Wall discovers the sinister reason the structure actually exists.

Patient Zero

Drama | Action

Director: Stefan Ruzowitzky

Starring: Natalie Dormer, Matt Smith, Stanley Tucci

In theaters: Feb. 17

After a cataclysmic pandemic transforms most of mankind into a sickening new species, it’s up to one asymptomatic man to communicate with the “Infected” and find a potential cure by locating Patient Zero.

Get Out

Thriller | Horror

Director: Jordan Peele

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Keith Stanfield

In theaters: Feb. 24

In this directorial debut by Jordan Peele, a young black man joins his white girlfriend for a weekend at her family’s home and quickly learns the terrible truth behind their good-natured exterior.