The big news for Netflix in February is that “House of Cards” season three hits the streaming service on Feb. 27. Not only is this Emmy-winning series wonderful in every way, but Kevin Spacey just won a Golden Globe for his stellar performance as corrupt politician Francis Underwood. If you haven’t checked out “House of Cards” yet, there’s plenty of time to get caught up before season three premieres.
Other notable upcoming titles include “Magic City,” one of my favorite shows in recent years. It only got two seasons on Starz, but the 1950’s-era Miami setting is a feast for the eyes, as is Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays Hotelier Ike Evans. Take it from me — it’s the perfect way to heat up those cold winter nights.
Also check out “White Bird in a Blizzard,” starring the amazing Shailene Woodley, as well as “Mako Mermaids,” the little Netflix show with a die-hard fan base. And “Gucci: The Director” takes a look at the life and work of Frida Giannini, creative director of one of the world’s great fashion houses.
Available Feb. 1:
Bleach the Movie: Hell Verse: This 2010 Japanese animated film, directed by Noriyuki Abe, follows a group of vicious Sinners who plot to escape from this eternal prison in Hell. They discover that Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo is the key to their freedom. The Sinners launch an attack and, in the process, kidnap Ichigo’s younger sister.
Dark Ride: Years after a series of grisly murders shut down a roadside theme park, six college students make an impromptu visit and tempt fate by taking the dormant Dark Ride for a spin. But the killer still looms in the bowels of the park. Jamie-Lynn Sigler of “The Sopranos” fame stars in this 2006 horror flick.
Departures: Seasons 1-2: Best friends Scott and Justin leave everything behind to take off on a yearlong world wide adventure. From Asia to the Middle East and even the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, the guys are out to see it all. The people they meet are just as outstanding as the places they explore.
Gimme Shelter: After running away from her abusive mother, a streetwise teen (Vanessa Hudgens) seeks refuge with her father, but he rejects her when he learns that she’s pregnant. Rosario Dawson and Brendan Fraser also star in this 2013 drama.
Gucci: The Director: This intriguing look at the life and work of Gucci’s creative director, Frida Giannini, traces her career at one of the world’s great fashion houses.
Hot Pursuit: This 1987 comedy stars John Cusack as Dan, a plucky but unlucky prep school kid who plans to join his girlfriend, Lori, on a Caribbean cruise. But the plans go haywire when he misses the flight. To catch up, he’ll have to foil pirates, drug runners and other shady islanders.
Houseboat: Tired of living with her father, a beautiful socialite (Sophia Loren) signs on as a housekeeper for a widowed lawyer (Cary Grant )and his three children, and soon, sparks fly in this 1958 classic film.
Into the Blue 2: The Reef: Two scuba divers hired to recover the lost treasure of Columbus think they’ve hit the jackpot but soon realize their employers have another agenda in this 2009 action thriller.
Joe: When ex-con Joe hires 15-year-old Gary to help clear trees for a lumber company, he doesn’t expect to become a father figure for the abused boy. Nicolas Cage and Tye Sheridan star in this 2013 drama.
King Arthur: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table struggle to hold power amid a shaky political landscape in this take on the myth of Camelot.
Magic City: Seasons 1-2: Ike Evans (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is a king in Miami thanks to his hotel, which hosts celebrities of all types. But things change when Castro’s rebels take over Cuba in 1959.
MASH: Seasons 1-5: Inspired by Robert Altman’s Oscar-winning satire of the Vietnam conflict, this long-running medical dramedy about a mobile Army surgical hospital tasked with tending the wounded during the Korean War picked up 14 Emmys over the course of 11 seasons.
Naruto Shippuden: The Movie: The adventures of adolescent ninja Naruto Uzumaki continue as he’s tasked with protecting a priestess from a demon. To do so, however, he must die.
Now: In the Wings on a World Stage: Kevin Spacey, Sam Mendes and the Bridge Project Company go on the road in NOW across three continents and over 200 performances, revealing some of the most intimate moments behind the scenes of their staging of Richard III. Witness Spacey’s revelatory interpretation of Richard III in each brief excerpt from the play. For those who have never seen Spacey on stage, this is a rare opportunity. NOW chronicles the first collaboration between Spacey and Mendes since both won Oscars for their work on “American Beauty.”
Proof: A devoted daughter must face her fears as she comes to terms with the death of her father, a brilliant mathematician crippled by mental instability. Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins and Jake Gyllenhaal star in this 2005 drama.
Spartacus: Complete Series: A Thracian man is condemned to a brutal death in the arena, only to outlast his executioners and be reborn as the enslaved gladiator Spartacus.
The Brothers Bloom: The Brothers Bloom made a name as the world’s best con men. Now, the younger is ready to retire, but his brother lures him into one last job. Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo star in this 2008 adventure comedy.
We Could Be King: An intimate and unflinching snapshot of urban America’s education crisis, this 2014 documentary is a celebration of the power of sports to bring young people, neighborhoods and a city together.
We’re No Angels: Two escaped convicts haven’t got a prayer of making it across the U.S.Canadian border unless they successfully pass themselves off as clergymen. Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray star in this 1955 classic.
Zapped: A girl discovers a dog-training app that can get boys to obey her every command. But she soon learns that it isn’t the cure-all she hoped for.
Available Feb. 5:
The Little Rascals Save the Day: Updating the classic 1930s series for a new generation of fans, a mischievous gang of third graders wreaks comedic havoc on their surroundings in this 2014 family comedy.
Available Feb. 6:
Ever After High: Spring Unsprung: The kids of fairytale characters attend a school with two cliques: those who accept their fairytale destinies and those who want to write their own.
Danger 5: Set in a bizarre, 1960’s inspired version of World War II, this action comedy series follows a team of five spies on a mission to kill Adolf Hitler.
Available Feb. 7:
Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead: After medical student Martin escapes from Nazi zombies, he gathers an army to face off against the bloodthirsty, undead battalion in this 2014 sequel to the cult classic “Dead Snow.”
Elsa & Fred: Distraught widower Fred moves into a small apartment where he meets his neighbor Elsa, and discovers it’s never too late for a second chance at life. Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer star in this 2014 romantic dramedy.
Available Feb. 8:
Blood Ties: When 50-year-old Chris is released from prison, his cop brother Frank welcomes him with open arms. But problems arise when Chris can’t stay straight. Clive Owen and Billy Crudup head the all-star cast in this 2013 drama.
Catch Hell: In the middle of a film shoot, once successful actor Reagan Pearce is abducted and imprisoned in a remote shack by two sinister figures harboring a twisted agenda. With no help in sight, Reagan must come up with a creative plan to escape his captors. Ryan Phillipe directed and stars in this 2014 thriller.
Available Feb. 10:
Dwight Howard: In the Moment: This profile of Dwight Howard follows the seven-time NBA all-star from his award-winning high school days to his debut with the Houston Rockets.
Available Feb. 11:
Mr. Peabody & Sherman: Resurrected from the 1960s animated series “Rocky and Bullwinkle,” canine genius Mr. Peabody and young Sherman take a dizzying ride through time in this cute 2014 family flick.
Available Feb. 12:
Young Ones: As Earth withers in drought, a farmer turns to his young son to defend their land when his daughter’s suitor plots to use it for a devious scheme. Nicholas Hoult and Elle Fanning star in this 2014 sci-fi thriller directed by Jake Paltrow.
The Two Faces of January: A tour guide and part-time con artist finds himself caught in a dangerous arrangement when he meets a wealthy couple sightseeing in Greece. Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst star in this 2014 thriller.
Scary Movie 5: Taking aim at not only the horror genre but such films as “Black Swan” and “The Hunger Games,” this movie widens the franchise’s scope of mockery.
Available Feb. 13:
Mako Mermaids: Season 2: A new mermaid named Ondina arrives, afraid that Zac is a threat to all mermaid pods, but she doesn’t realize that there’s another merman in town.
Available Feb. 16:
Save the Date: Sisters Beth and Sarah are a study in contrasts, but both are also involved with men who are best friends and members of the same rock band. Lizzy Caplan and Alison Brie star in this 2012 comedy.
Available Feb. 17:
The Overnighters: This documentary follows North Dakota pastor Jay Reinke as he tries to help the unemployed men drawn to the state’s booming shale oil industry.
Available Feb. 18:
Earth to Echo: When a construction project begins in their neighborhood, four friends start receiving bizarre encoded text messages on their cell phones. Teo Halm, Astro, Reese Hartwig and an adorable alien star in this 2014 family movie.
In Secret: Trapped in a loveless marriage, Therese Raquin seeks solace in the arms of an attentive lover. But her quest for happiness may lead to tragedy. Elizabeth Olsen and Oscar Isaac star in this 2013 crime drama.
The Fluffy Movie: Taking the stage at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, comic Gabriel Iglesias delivers a manic performance featuring wild stories and even wilder impersonations. Iglesias opens the book on his personal background and the strange realities of life on the road.
Available Feb. 19:
White Bird in a Blizzard: When 17-year-old Kat Conners’s mom, Eve, vanishes, the teen relishes her newfound freedom until the reality of her loss sets in. Shailene Woodley and Rosario Dawson star in this 2014 thriller.
Available Feb. 20:
Richie Rich: Season 1: Richie Rich is just a normal kid, except that he has a trillion dollars. Following his overnight success, he moves his father, Cliff, and his sister, Harper, into his newly built mansion. He also shares his success with his two best friends, Darcy and Murray. Richie now lives the coolest life of anyone his age where his opportunities for fun and adventure are limitless. Whether its exploring Antarctica, making a movie with his friends, or meeting famous celebrities, there’s never a dull moment in Richie’s new life. This Netflix original stars Jake Brennan as the little rich boy.
Available Feb. 21:
RoboCop: Critically injured in the line of duty, a cop (“The Killing’s” Joel Kinnaman) is transformed into an experimental crimefighting cyborg in this 2014 reboot of the 1980s sci-fi classic.
Available Feb. 24:
Hawaii Five-0: Seasons 1-4: Book ’em, Danno! Hawaii’s top cops are reborn in this update of the iconic TV show. They may work in paradise, but there’s enough crime to keep them working overtime.
1,000 Times Good Night: After a near death experience, top war photojournalist Rebecca (Juliette Binoche) is forced to choose between her work and the family on whom she depends. Putting family first, the conviction that her photos make a difference remains, making it difficult to walk away entirely. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau also stars in this 2013 drama.
Available Feb. 26:
Open Windows: Nick’s a lucky guy; he’s having dinner with Jill Goddard, the hottest actress on earth. Then a guy named Chord calls, and dinner’s been cancelled. And it’s Jill’s fault. But Chord’s got something better… A 21st Century “Rear Window.” Elijah Wood and Sasha Grey star in this 2014 crime thriller.
Russell Brand: Messiah Complex: Russell Brand takes on Icons, corporations, commercial exploitation, cult of personality, celebrity worship, sex, drugs and his own hypocrisy in a hilarious and scathing performance filmed live at London’s Historic Hammersmith Apollo.
Available Feb. 27:
Ralphie May: Unruly: Ralphie May spreads his comedic wealth further than ever by tackling topics that will make you think and occasionally squirm.
House of Cards: Season 3: This Emmy-winning Netflix original stars Kevin Spacey as ruthless Congressman Francis Underwood, who will stop at nothing to conquer the halls of power in Washington D.C. His secret weapon: his gorgeous, ambitious, and equally conniving wife Claire (Golden Globe winner Robin Wright).
Boys: While training for an all important relay race, talented teen athletes Sieger (Gijs Blom) and Marc (Ko Sandvliet) begin a friendship that leads to mutual attraction. Though Sieger also becomes involved with a young woman, the magnetism between he and Marc continues to grow in this 2014 drama.
LAST CALL FOR NETFLIX!
If you haven’t had a chance to see these titles yet, work them into your schedule ASAP! They’re rotating off Netflix in February. In other words, get your fix of Bond … James Bond.
Leaving Feb. 1:
Blackadder: Seasons 1-4: Rowan Atkinson stars as Edmund Blackadder, a brilliant rogue who attempts to get rich while serving an assortment of boorish, idiotic monarchs.
Airheads: A heavy metal band with big dreams and a demo nobody will play hijack a radio station and hold the deejays hostage until they agree to play the tape.
Apocalypse Now: During the Vietnam War, Capt. Willard is sent to Cambodia on a top secret mission to terminate Col. Kurtz, who’s gone completely insane.
Apocalypse Now Redux: The re-edit of this Vietnam War epic that follows an Army captain’s search for a renegade colonel features new footage and a fade to black ending.
Babes in Toyland: Victor Herbert’s operetta comes to life in this 1961 fantasy starring Annette Funicello as Mary Contrary, whose fiancé is abducted by a pair of goons.
Batman & Robin: Along with crime-fighting partner Robin and new recruit Batgirl, Batman battles the dual threat of frosty genius Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy.
Batman Forever: Batman has new villains to vanquish and a new sidekick as millionaire Bruce Wayne goes up against psychotic TwoFace and the Riddler.
Batman Returns: Batman battles three new villains plotting to take over the city, including a corrupt businessman, the hideous Penguin and the mysterious Catwoman.
Cocoon: The Return: In this sequel to “Cocoon,” the senior citizens who left Earth in exchange for eternal youth return home to visit the loved ones they left behind.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: A small time con man butts heads with a successful swindler. Hoping to get rid of one another, they make a “loser leaves” bet to scam an heiress.
Down Periscope: A bumbling Navy lieutenant who’s been given one last chance to clean up his record is assigned to a submarine that can barely keep afloat.
Fawlty Towers: Seasons 1-2: Haughty Basil Fawlty and his bossy wife try to raise the profile of their Fawlty Towers Hotel, but endless mixups arise, leading to farcical lunacy.
For Your Eyes Only: The indomitable 007 must recover a device capable of directing ballistic missiles from nuclear submarines before the Soviets get their hands on it.
From Russia with Love: Sean Connery’s second outing as 007 finds him paying the price for his previous adventure when SPECTRE seeks revenge for Dr. No’s death.
A View to a Kill: Agent 007 must stop a French industrialist aiming to corner the world’s microchip supply by triggering a massive quake in California’s Silicon Valley.
Goldfinger: The third installment in the 007 series finds James Bond trying to thwart baddie Auric Goldfinger and his elaborate gambit to corner the gold market.
Live and Let Die: James Bond is sent to the United States to go after a master criminal scheming to take over the country by turning the populace into heroin junkies.
Never Say Never Again: When two atomic warheads are hijacked by the evil SPECTRE organization, James Bond jumps into a race to save the world from nuclear terrorists.
Hotel Babylon: Seasons 1-4: At a posh urban hotel, the love lives and whims of its wealthy guests are attended to by a hardworking staff who have their own troubles with love.
Jane Eyre: When Jane is hired as governess for the ward of Mr. Rochester, a complex courtship begins in this miniseries adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s novel.
Mad Max: In a postapocalyptic future, a malicious gang murders Max’s family as an act of retaliation, forcing Max to hit the open road seeking vengeance.
MASH (the 1970 movie): Robert Altman’s thinly veiled satire concerns a group of Army doctors fighting military insanity and healing wounded soldiers during the Korean War.
MI5: Seasons 1-10: This award-winning series dramatizes the professional exploits and personal lives of head officer Harry Pearce and the “spooks” of the MI5.
Nacho Libre: When Ignacio learns of an orphanage’s financial woes, he pitches in to help by disguising himself and joining the professional wrestling circuit.
Red Dwarf: Seasons 1-9: Dave Lister wakes from suspended animation to discover everyone around him is dead and he’s three million years into deep space.
Revenge (1990 Movie): In this saga of illicit love, a former fighter pilot (Kevin Costner) is attracted to the sultry wife of his powerful Mexican host (whose name means shark in Spanish).
School Daze: Explore the biases, anxiety and frustration of black students, and examine the social divide and interracial conflict that exist within black schools.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie After exposure to a strange, glowing ooze, four mutant turtles train as ninjas in the sewers and fight crime wherever they find it.
The Juror: A single mother selected as a juror for a high profile trial is forced to make an agonizing decision when a mob enforcer threatens to kill her son.
Wishmaster: To regain human form, a demonic genie sets out to grant three wishes. Though the spirit makes dreams come true, it also wreaks havoc on the wishers.
Zodiac: Based on real events, this chilling drama recounts the actions of a killer who stalked the streets of San Francisco and left clues in the newspaper. One of my favorite crime thriller flicks, this movie is directed by David Fincher and stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo.
Leaving Feb. 2:
Jem and the Holograms: Seasons 1-3: Using a holographic computer she inherited from her father, Jerrica Benton turns herself and her pals into pop music group Jem and the Holograms.
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: Seasons 1-4: Journey to the enchanted land of Equestria, where unicorn Twilight Sparkle and her pals have adventures and learn valuable lessons about friendship.
Pound Puppies: Seasons 1-3: Lucky, Cookie and the rest of the dogs in Shelter 17 have an important secret mission: to help every dog that comes to the pound find a new home.
Transformers Prime: Seasons 1-3: With the help of three human allies, the Autobots once again protect Earth from the onslaught of the Decepticons and their leader, Megatron.
Transformers: Rescue Bots: Follow the adventure of four young transformers, Heatwave, Chase, Blades and Boulder, and their human counterparts: a family of emergency responders.
Leaving Feb. 5:
Arbitrage: As billionaire Robert (Richard Gere) struggles to divest his empire before his fraud is discovered, fate takes a nasty turn and he must trust an unlikely source.
Leaving Feb. 23:
Dredd: In a catastrophic future, the remaining population is crowded into megacities, where all-powerful and ultra-violent cops are hunting for terrorists.
Leaving Feb. 28:
Ali: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali stirred controversy when he ruled the ring, as shown in this biopic that also frames the social climate of his heyday.
Monkey Trouble: When Eva secretly adopts a monkey, her mother and allergic stepfather protest, especially when the animal begins stealing everything in sight!
Panic Room: A woman and her daughter are caught in a game of cat and mouse with burglars in their New York City home and are that forced to retreat inside a vault.
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