Must-Watch Movies in March

Logan
March 2 | Starring: Hugh Jackman
 
Aussie sensation Hugh Jackman returns to the X-Men universe, reprising his role as formidable fan favourite Wolverine in what is being touted as Jackman’s final film in the franchise.
 
Following on from X-men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and The Wolverine (2013), Logan sees an aged and grisly Wolverine caring for an ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart) in a hideout on the Mexican / U.S. border, hiding out from rogue scientists on a mission to catch and catalogue mutants.
 
Plot details are sketchy. We know it’s loosely based on the Old Man Logan comic by Mark Millar, but it’s not clear just how far the film will delve into the post-apocalyptic tone of the comic. Judging from the trailer there’s a strong western feel and we’ll most likely see Jackman training a young protegee named Laura, played by Dafne Keen.
 
Stephen Merchant, Richard E. Grant and Boyd Holbrook also star.
 
Kong: Skull Island 3D
March 9 | Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Bree Larson
 
Fans of big budget blockbusters have been waiting with bated breath for the release of this fast paced action film.
 
Featuring a diverse cast of fan favourites including Tom Hiddleston (Loki from Avengers), Brie Larson (Room) John Goodman and John C. Riley, Kong: Skull Island sees a group of explorers stranded on a strange island in the South Pacific, unaware that they’re crossing territory inhabited by the world’s biggest gorilla. Strap yourself in for giant monsters, big explosions and a few laughs amongst the mayhem.
 
Loving
March 16 | Starring: Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga
 
Ruth Negga and Australia’s Joel Edgerton star as Mildred and Richard Loving in this true life story about a couple trying to navigate the complex racial landscape of 1950’s America. Poignant, beautifully paced and acted with depth and honesty, Loving’s central pairing are supported by outstanding supporting turns from Michael Shannon, Nick Kroll and Alano Miller. Written and directed by Jeff Nichols (Midnight Special) Loving is more than just a history lesson, it’s a love story of enduring hope that feels refreshingly modern.
 
Beauty and the Beast
March 23 | Starring: Emma Watson
 
Harry Potter’s Emma Watson stars as Belle in this live action adaption of the classic Disney fairytale involving a beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle.
 
Maintaining the original score by Oscar winner Alan Menken, and featuring Emma Thompson, Kevin Kline and Luke Evans in key supporting roles, Beauty and the Beast is a modern take on the animated version that retains much of the charm of the original while delivering a slightly more dramatic tone (and adding a few new tunes as well).
 
It’s been awhile since we’ve seen Emma Watson in a big budget production, so fans of Hermione Granger should be excited to see this much anticipated film finally released on March 23.
 
Power Rangers
March 23 | Starring: Bryan Cranston, Dacre Montgomery, Elizabeth Banks
 
Power Rangers casts a brand new set of young hopefuls into the role of butt-kicking ninjas with skills, attitude and a whole bunch of fireworks in the first feature film for the series in two decades.
 
Led by Australian actor Dacre Montgomery (A Few Less Men, also released this month) It also features a number of excellent cameos including Bryan Cranston as Zordon, Elizabeth Banks as Rita Repulsa and comedian Bill Hader as the voice of Alpha 5.
 
Fans of hammy action sci fi, martial arts, gymnastics or just those who want to watch a light-hearted film should head to the cinema on March 23rd to watch the Power Rangers try to save Angel Grove.
 
Ghost in the Shell
March 30 | Starring: Scarlett Johansson
 
Based on the hugely popular manga / anime created by Masamune Shirow, Ghost in the Shell takes place in a cyberpunk future (think Bladerunner with more action and CGI) where technology has progressed far enough that folks can get around in full body synthetic augmentation (i.e cyborgs).
 
Johansson plays one such cyborg, ‘The Major’, field commander for ‘Section 9’ a counter-cyberterrorism agency tasked to hunt down an unknown enemy who plans to wipe out advancements in cyber technology.
 
Combining action, intrigue and a bit of matrix-esque philosophy of identity, Ghost in the Shell is shaping up to be a box office hit, with fans of the series new and old excited to see the first live action iteration of this popular franchise. The film also stars Michael Pitt, Takeshi Kitano and Juliette Binoche.
 
The Lego Batman Movie
March 30 | Starring: Jenny Slate, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes
 
Lego Batman finally makes it’s way to our shores, bringing animated comedy and action to the big screen. Fun for the whole family, Lego Batman goes beyond Gotham City into the expanded Lego universe as perennial bad guy The Joker is joined by an assortment of notorious villains from Lord Voldemort to King Kong, Sauron and The Wicked Witch of the West.
 
Featuring the vocal talents of Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Ralph Fiennes and Rosario Dawson, kids will love the adventures of the caped crusader, while parents will chuckle along with the tongue-in-cheek humour in another well-written and animated Lego movie.
 
Head to Birch Carroll and Coyle Cinemas in the Strand to watch most of these films and more this March.