This post was updated Jan. 7 at 8:34 p.m.
This winter, cinema’s blazing lineup promises a fiery start to the new year.
With dreary overcasts and cooling temperatures, this season’s slated films are sure to offer something for every film buff to enjoy. Upcoming releases include a reimagined fairy tale classic, original thrillers and a riveting Marvel adaption – presenting a rich assortment for all moviegoers.
Read on for the Daily Bruin’s burning winter film picks to keep the cold away.
“Captain America: Brave New World” (Walt Disney Studios)
New villains, a new Captain America and a “Brave New World” are coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The fourth installment of the “Captain America” franchise releases Feb. 14, but this time around, a new hero must don the shield – Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie). The world is on the brink of war, with multiple factions vying for power. As the giant Celestial Tiamut emerges from the Earth’s core, world powers come to blows over this new superhuman resource – speculated to be Adamantium. A terrorist organization, the Serpent Society, appears to be gunning after United States President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford). At the center of it all, Captain America must unravel these conspiracies or face the rise of a sinister new world order.
After many test screenings bored audiences, it seems like they will finally receive a sequel worthy of the franchise fit with a stars and stripes studded cast. Because of the poor reception of the Serpent Society, Giancarlo Esposito was brought on to bring villainous gravitas to the role of Sidewinder. Additionally, fans are eagerly anticipating the debut of Red Hulk – even though it was spoiled by a Happy Meal collaboration in May.
With vital stakes, villainous antagonists and countless reshoots, “Captain America: Brave New World” has a lot riding on its hulking shoulders.
-Gavin Meichelbock
“Paddington In Peru” (Columbia Pictures)
With plenty of marmalade sandwiches in tow, Paddington Bear is finally returning home.
Over seven years since the release of the franchise’s last installment “Paddington 2,” the world’s beloved bear is making his long-awaited return to the silver screen Feb. 14. Trading in the streets of London for the rainforests of the Amazon, Paddington Bear’s (Ben Whishaw) latest adventure takes the Brown family on an unexpected bear hunt in search of his revered Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton) following her disappearance from the Home for Retired Bears. Aside from the recasting of Mrs. Brown in the latest film, “Paddington in Peru” adds acclaimed talents Olivia Colman, Emily Mortimer, and Antonio Banderas to the film’s star-studded cast, promising to maintain Paddington’s signature geniality and unwavering curiosity from previous installments.
“Paddington 2’s” 2017 release sparked media buzz as it joined the ranks of critically acclaimed films, maintaining a brief tenure as the highest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes in 2021. Despite bringing in new writers and director Dougal Wilson to the production, “Paddington in Peru” hopes to meet the high standards of its predecessor, upholding the endearing charm and playful clumsiness viewers have come to admire about the titular bear.
From one home to another, Paddington’s latest escapade is sure to mirror the bear himself – unpredictable and full of heart.
– Ruwani Jayasekara
“Last Breath” (Focus Features)
This winter, “Last Breath” will take moviegoers to new depths.
The upcoming thriller from Focus Features is slated to be released Feb. 28, with director Alex Parkinson at its helm. “Last Breath” is a fictional remake of Parkinson’s 2019 documentary of the same title, which depicted the rescue of a deep sea diver trapped at the bottom of the ocean. The film’s cast will be led by “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” star Simu Liu and three-time Oscar nominee Woody Harrelson.
Although the story chronicled in “Last Breath” took place in the North Sea, some of the filming for the project took place in summer 2023 in Malta. The true events that inspired the film occurred in 2012, when diver Chris Lemons was fixing oil well pipes more than 300 feet beneath the surface and his air supply was accidentally snagged. Despite only having five minutes’ worth of oxygen left, Lemons managed to survive after being submerged for more than half an hour.
If “Last Breath” holds its suspensefulness, then it is sure to have theatergoers holding their breath until its final moment.
– Reid Sperisen
“Novocaine” (Paramount Pictures)
Even without pain, audiences have much to gain by watching “Novocaine.”
The action thriller film about a man unable to feel pain slashes into theaters March 14. After Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) witnesses a bank robbery and his girlfriend (Amber Midthunder) is held hostage, Caine chases after the perpetrators and fights with an uncommon advantage: a real and dangerous disorder called congenital insensitivity to pain
Showcasing unique hand-to-hand combat, the film integrates humor into gruesome scenes through Caine’s dialogue. His ability to undergo torture with sarcastic remarks is likely to surprise audiences with how absurd the circumstances are, especially when he pretends to be in pain as someone repeatedly stabs him in the leg. Yet he still faces limitations. Regardless of whether Caine can feel pain, he can still die, and he is forced to confront this possibility as he attempts to save his girlfriend. While Caine’s dedication may be viewed by some as admirable, the risks he takes can be deadly.
With intensely choreographed fights and witty dialogue, enjoying “Novocaine” will be a painless experience.
– Amy Wong
“Snow White” (Walt Disney Studios)
The timeless fairy tale classic “Snow White” is waking up to the 21st century this season.
The live-action musical reimagining of Walt Disney Productions’ 1937 film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” will release March 21 after much anticipation. “Snow White” will reintroduce the beloved characters of the seven dwarfs – Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy and Sneezy, with Rachel Zegler starring as the iconic Disney princess.
Directed by Marc Webb and produced by Marc Platt and Jared LeBoff, “Snow White” will feature all-new original songs from Grammy winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Although the film’s initial trailers elicited controversy related to story changes and casting choices, Zegler’s performance history begs audiences to withhold judgment before the film hits theaters. With the roles of Maria from the 2021 adaptation of “West Side Story,” Lucy Gray Baird in the action film “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” and Juliet in Broadway’s “Romeo + Juliet” under her belt, Zegler promises to stun audiences with her vocals.
“Snow White” is sure to take viewers on a magical journey filled with timeless whimsy.
– Sydney Gaw
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