February (2024)

February Watch List

February is where the fun begins!


This month I’ll be covering the prestigious Berlinale Film Festival for the first time, with my coverage running from February 15th to the 25th.

I’ve listed some watches I’ll be covering, and others I might not get around to but stories I still think are worth bringing to your attention.

Let me know what you're most excited for on the Instagram page!

Now let's get started...

Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a sleek, stylized, and witty reinterpretation of a story that was well worth the remake. I've seen all 8 episodes, and I'm glad to note that you can too - as all of the episodes will release on February 2nd. 

Summary:
Two strangers land jobs with a spy agency that offers them a life of espionage, wealth, and travel. The catch: new identities in an arranged marriage. 

Starring:
Donald Glover and Maya Erskine.
Episodes:
8
Runtime:
40mins

This is either going to be awesome, or dragged out - and the 2 hour 19 minute runtime makes me worry its the latter. I'll probably get around to this once it hits streaming.

Summary:
A reclusive author who writes espionage novels about a secret agent and a global spy syndicate realizes the plot of the new book she's writing starts to mirror real-world events, in real time. 

Starring:
Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O'Hara, Dua Lipa, Ariana DeBose, John Cena, and Samuel L. Jackson. 
Runtime:
2hrs19mins

I'll have an early review up for this on Feb 6th. Stay tuned for my thoughts!

Summary:
While caring for her brother along with her audacious mother , a teenager strikes up a friendship with an eccentric activist who is protesting one of the most landmark medical cases of all time. 

Starring:
Laura Linney, Nico Parker and Woody Harrelson 
Runtime:
1hr49mins

This is the perfect family friendly way to ring in the Chinese New Year. My early review will be up February 1st!

Summary:
Tom Lee, a Chinese-American boy, after the death of his grandmother, has to be apprenticed to the talking tiger Mr. Hu and learn ancient magic to become the new guardian of an ancient phoenix. 

Starring:
Henry Golding, Lucy Liu, Brandon Soo Hoo, Bowen Yang, Jo Koy, Sherry Cola, Leah Lewis, Sandra Oh, and Michelle Yeoh. 
Runtime:
1hr39mins

Some people have The Office or Friends, but my favourite comfort watch is Abbott Elementry. I really hope we finally get to see Janine and Gregory take the next step in their brewing romance. It's reaching Ross and Rachel levels - can't wait!

Summary:
A workplace comedy centered around a group of dedicated teachers - and an oblivious principal - in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. 

Starring:
Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, William Stanford Davis and Sheryl Lee Ralph. 
Episodes:
14
Runtime:
20mins

This is one of my all-time favorite shows. I was so worried it wouldn't be renewed for a second season because it felt like it had no traction or buzz after the first. Stay tuned for my review right after the finale.
Season 1 Review.

Summary:
A Western journalist working for a publication in Tokyo takes on one of the city's most powerful crime bosses. 

Starring:
Ansel Elgort, Ken Watanabe, Rachel Keller, Hideaki Itō, and Show Kasamatsu.
Episodes:
10
Runtime:
55mins

Valentines is just around the corner, and what better way to start the month then being reunited with a lost love. My review should be up before, or on the release date. 

Summary:
Emma and Dexter meet for the first time on the night of their graduation. Tomorrow they must go their separate ways. 

Starring:
Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall. 
Episodes:
14
Runtime:
N/A

Check out my full review here. 

Summary:
Three British teenage girls go on a rites-of-passage holiday - drinking, clubbing and hooking up, in what should be the best summer of their lives. 

Starring:
Anna Antoniades, Mia McKenna-Bruce, and Lara Peake.
Runtime:
1hr31mins

Nothing is more impossible while adulting than finishing a Korean show. The hour plus runtimes are almost impossible to binge. I've had so many on my watchlist but never get the time to finish them, so I'm not committing to this but will say I LOVE the premise. 

Summary:
A man who accidentally murders a serial killer and a detective who pursues him relentlessly. 

Starring:
Choi Woo-shik, Son Suk-ku, and Lee Hee-joon. 
Episodes:
8
Runtime:
60mins

I'm intrigued... not sure if I'll get around to it though. 

Summary:
A coming of RAGE love story about a teenager and her crush, who happens to be a corpse. After a set of horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a journey to find love, happiness - and a few missing body parts. 

Starring:
Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Liza Soberano, Henry Eikenberry, Joe Chrest, and Carla Gugino. 
Runtime:
1hr41mins

Ninja Kamui is directed by Sunghoo Park, who also directed of Banana Fish, and Season One of Jujutsu Kaisen. This looks INCREDIBLE but I'll be impatiently waiting for the Japanese dub. 

Summary:
Former ninja Joe Higan is ambushed by assassins who seek bloody revenge on him and his family for their betrayal, after escaping his clan and fleeing into rural America. 

Starring:
N/A
Episodes:
12
Runtime:
20mins

Kinglsey Ben-Adir is one of the best working actors we have right now, and from body language to mannerisms, he has embodied the eternal legend - Bob Marley.

I'll be watching this ahead of its release date, so keep an eye out for that review.

Summary:
The story of how reggae icon Bob Marley overcame adversity, and the journey behind his revolutionary music. 

Starring:
Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, and James Norton. 
Runtime:
1hr44mins

Madame Web is such a cool character, and with all the multiverse storylines going on right now, it's no surprise she is finally getting her big screen debut. I'll be seated opening weekend. 

Summary:
Cassandra Webb develops the power to see the future. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women bound for powerful destinies, if they can all survive a deadly present. 

Starring:
Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O'Connor, Isabela Merced, and Tahar Rahim. 
Runtime:
1hr56mins

Food and Love. Two great things to ring in Valentines day with. I've been dying to watch this since the Vancouver International Film Festival.

I'm hoping to have a review up by February 6th. 

Summary:
The story of Eugenie, an esteemed cook, and Dodin, the fine gourmet with whom she has been working for over the last 20 years. 

Starring:
Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel.  
Runtime:
2hrs15mins

Ninjas? Say less.

Summary:
The Tawara family, the last ninja clan. It had abandoned its roots after an incident in the past, but now the family must take on the greatest crisis in Japanese history, one that threatens to shake the nation to its core. 

Starring:
Kento Kaku, Yôsuke Eguchi, and Tae Kimura
Episodes:
N/A
Runtime:
N/A

Going back to what I mentioned above, one of the reasons Abbott Elementary is so great is because the kooky cast of characters they bring in - which includes LBC's own, Vince Staples.

Vince Staples is a scene stealer in whatever he shows up in, so I cannot wait to see what he does when he has free reign.

Summary:
Kind of famous and sort of rich, rapper and actor Vince Staples navigates the challenges and surprises of everyday life in his hometown of The Beach. 

Starring:
Vince Staples.
Episodes:
5
Runtime:
N/A

Perfect Days has been an award season, and critical darling. Not something I think I'll get around to but one I thought some of you might enjoy.

Summary:
A janitor in Japan drives between jobs listening to rock music. 

Starring:
Kōji Yakusho  
Runtime:
2hrs03mins

Bad Batch has not lived up to it's predecessor (star Wars: Clone Wars) but has still delivered some excellent isolated stories, when it allows itself to dive into the more mature side of the Clone saga.

I'll be catching this early but due to embargo my full review wont be up until May 1st. 

Summary:
The 'Bad Batch' of elite and experimental clones make their way through an ever-changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone Wars. 

Starring:
Ming-Na Wen, Dee Bradley Baker, and Michelle Ang.
Episodes:
15
Runtime:
20mins

A seemingly grounded story on the secrets of space travel? I'm in. 

Summary:
Jo returns to earth after a disaster in space and discovers that there are missing pieces in her life, so she sets out to expose the truth about the hidden secrets of space travel and recover what she has lost. 

Starring:
Noomi Rapace, Jonathan Banks, and James D'Arcy
Episodes:
8
Runtime:
50mins

I've never seen a single episode of the animated series but it's something I get recommended all the time.

 I'll definitely be watching this to see if all the hype is real.

Summary:
A young boy known as the Avatar must master the four elemental powers to save a world way, and fight against an enemy bent on stopping him. 

Starring:
Gordon Cormier, Dallas Liu, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Elizabeth Yu and Daniel Dae Kim. 
Episodes:
8
Runtime:
50mins

Anytime I get the chance to watch anime on the big screen, I'll be there. It's that simple.

Summary:
Tanjiro undergoes rigorous training with the Stone Hashira, Himejima, in his quest to become a Hashira. Meanwhile, Muzan continues to search for Nezuko and Ubuyashiki. 

Starring:
Natsuki Hanae, Kengo Kawanishi, and Akari Kitô
Runtime:
1hr44mins

I can't talk about this until the embargo is up but I've seen it, and it's a MUST watch.

Add it to your watch list, create a reminder because this is can't miss TV!

Summary:
When a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village, Lord Yoshii Toranaga discovers secrets that could tip the scales of power and devastate his enemies. 

Starring:
Anna Sawai, Cosmo Jarvis, and Hiroyuki Sanada.
Episodes:
10
Runtime:
60mins