By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
Get ready, the madness of March kicks off with a guaranteed box office winner and ends with a monstrous showdown. After last month that featured two early contenders for worst film of the year, let’s hope for an improvement in quality. There will be sci-fi, drama, action/adventure, horror, a comedy, and a little family animation thrown in, so this month has a wide variety of film releases that will satisfy most audiences.
March 1st
The month begins with the most anticipated sequel of the year. “Dune: Part Two” finally hits theaters after all the delays from strikes, and it’s a guaranteed winner. Under the visionary direction of Denis Villeneuve and featuring the same cast from the first film along with new cast members like Christopher Walken, Florence Pugh, and Austin Butler, this is a sci-fi epic that is sure to thrill and delight. So, stop what you’re doing and purchase tickets in advance as showtimes are sure to sell out quickly.
March 8th
This week features a major change of pace with a trio of very dissimilar films. First up is “Love Lies Bleeding,” a high-octane action film with a different kind of vibe. Featuring Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian, two lovers find themselves in a violent conflict with criminals as they make their way to Las Vegas for a bodybuilding competition. This may be unique and exciting enough to be worth a trip to the theater, but best to wait for reviews before rushing to see it. Be warned, early test screenings in New York were said to have audience members getting physically ill from the excessive gore.
The month wouldn’t be complete without a horror movie of course. “Imaginary” is the latest from Blumhouse Productions (“Five Nights at Freddy’s” and “M3gan”), and once again features an inanimate object coming to life to terrorize everyone it sees. This time it’s a teddy bear, and it’s very angry. If it’s anything like those prior two productions, this film is going to be a stinker, so it’s recommended to stay clear.
The first major animated film of the year also releases this week and it’s a sequel from a successful franchise. “Kung Fu Panda 4” brings back Po (Jack Black) and all his friends for another adventure that is certain to entertain parents and kids alike as the previous installments have done. At least this should be a viable option for something to do as a family this weekend.
March 15th
“Arthur the King” is based on the true story of an endurance racer who adopts a stray dog mid-race, helping each other survive the grueling competition. The movie stars Mark Wahlberg and is directed by Simon Cellan Jones, who has had plenty of success with TV series on various streaming platforms. This could be a feel-good type of inspirational story that will appeal to dog lovers.
Finally, a comedy releases this week, albeit a bit of an unusual one. “The American Society of Magical Negroes” is a comical fantasy of a young man who is recruited into a secret society for the specific purpose of making white people’s lives easier. Justice Smith (no relation to Will Smith) has the starring role, and he does have comical talent as shown in last year’s “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.” This is the directorial debut for Kobi Libii, so the film could go either way, depending on his abilities. Keep an eye on early reviews of this one.
March 22nd
Our favorite ghost hunting team is back for another comical adventure. “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” is the sequel to 2021’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” and once again unites the young cast with the old. Gil Kenan, who helped write the 2021 film but did not direct, takes over the directorial duties with this new sequel. This is a bit concerning, considering he was responsible for the dismal remake of “Poltergeist” in 2015. This may be a highly entertaining film for all ages, or it could falter without prior director Jason Reitman behind the wheel.
March 29th
Last but certainly not least for March comes another sequel of titanic proportions. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” is the latest franchise film featuring these massive behemoths. Not to be confused with the most recent Japanese made movie “Godzilla Minus One,” this film is the follow up to 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong.” Adam Wingard returns as the director, so expect another visual monstrosity of titans clashing and cities being leveled. If you’re not a fan of the previous films, then you definitely won’t enjoy this one.
