Worst Movies of February 2018

February saw the release of many great films, but that doesn’t mean that the month was bereft of atrocities to the art form.  From futuristic films that missed the mark to unromantic romances that did more to displease than fill audiences with love, the list of the worst movies of February 2018 is full of films that you should do your best to avoid — or never see again if it’s already too late.

#3: Mute

The main character’s backstory (a former member of the Amish community that lives life as a mute) is merely window dressing for another Cyberpunk film that fails to add anything new to the subgenre.  In a time where this style has become standard, it just isn’t enough to show neo-noir-styled skyscrapers anymore.

Duncan Jones has been trying to make Mute for quite some time, and Netflix finally helped out the director to bring his vision to the big screen.  However, after seeing the final product, it’s pretty easy to see why other studios weren’t chomping at the bit to bring the film to life.  Jones attempts to weave two diverging stories together for a long-winded narrative that never quite links up like it should, making for a film where nothing feels incredibly satisfying,

When you add unlikable and boring characters into the mix as well, there’s not much to get excited about in Mute — you merely passively watch it until it’s over.

*To read my full review of Mute, please click here.

image via Nerdist

#2: The 15:17 to Paris

Clint Eastwood’s latest attempt to tell a harrowing, true story is a serious misfire from the opening voice over.  There’s something to appreciate about honoring true heroes that sacrificed their safety for the greater good of the people around them, but Eastwood set his first-time actors up to fail in almost every scene.

It’s no secret that Eastwood had a laid back directing style. On most sets, he won’t even say, “action.”  This style works when he’s working with seasoned veterans like Tom Hanks, but it never works when working with people who have never taken a single acting class. The three stars of the film seem lost, unaware of the proper emotion for each scene — resorting to wooden performances with little to no charisma.

However, the biggest crime is The 15:17 to Paris’ script, which fails to create anything compelling until the actual event on the train.  Our main characters are left to walk aimlessly through Europe and talk about taking selfies.

*To read my full review of The 15:17 to Paris, please click here.

image via The New York Times

#1: Fifty Shades Freed

Well, you probably knew this one was coming.

The Fifty Shades franchise is an easy target for derision due to its subject matter and ties to Twilight.  But, many remarks that take jabs at Fifty Shades Freed are pretty accurate.

The most unhealthy romance in film continues to get less healthy as Christian Grey’s awkward obsessions continue.  Naturally, things “heat up” in some of the most unsexy sex scenes ever put to film as both Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson awkwardly move through the motions — doing more to make audiences cringe and laugh rather awaken some type of sexual sensation.

These issues could be forgiven if the film had a tight script that captivated its audience, but Fifty Shades Freed‘s failure to do so is its biggest flaw.  Scenes happen in Fifty Shades Freed without a narrative through-line or clear purpose, making the entire endeavor feel pointless and frustrating.

*To read my full review of Fifty Shades Freed, please click here.

image via The New York Times

In Case You (Or I) Missed It

Here’s some other subpar films that are worth mentioning among the worst movies of February 2018:

Winchester

Winchester is one of those films where nothing is very interesting.  From a premise that never gets the amount of scares it should to uninspired storytelling, Winchester leaves Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke stranded in a film that’s DOA.

When We First Met

This romantic comedy is riddled with clichés to the point where I listed them out in my review for the film.  Adam Devine is doing his usual thing, but the script doesn’t offer any help, leading to a movie that you’ll forget as soon as it’s over.

image via Collider

Peter Rabbit

This update of the classic story is not without its merits.  Domhnall Gleeson is quite hilarious as a cartoonish villain, but he can’t save a film that panders to the lowest common denominator with pop songs galore and a style that is best suited for an individual with a six-second attention span.

Thanks for reading!  What are your thoughts on the worst movies of February 2018?  Comment down below!

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