There is one type of film genre that has indeed stood the test of time in the history of film, and that is the treasure hunt film.
It has all the elements of pure escapism, high drama, risk taking, death-defying action sequences, all for pirates’ treasure or priceless historic artefacts.
And now, thanks to the forever busy actor Tom Holland (Spider-Man) and Mark Wahlberg (Ted), we have Uncharted (out February 17), where the two join forces to recover a $5 billion fortune lost by explorer Ferdinand Magellan 500 years ago.
“What starts as a heist job for the duo becomes a globe-trotting, white-knuckle race to reach the prize before the ruthless Moncada (Antonio Banderas), who believes he and his family are the rightful heirs,” states the official synopsis.
UK-based Golden Way Media Films breaks down why these films are “timeless and universally appealing”.
“A treasure hunt movie is more than people looking for treasure. It is really about the realisation of dreams.
“What the characters in a treasure hunt film want to be when they find the prize offers a universal appeal. Just as people buy up lottery tickets when the grand prize reaches absurd amounts of money, so too can people relate to the characters in a treasure hunt film.
“There is also the air of mystery.
“Movie genres come and go much like fashion trends. But certain genres remain timeless because they appeal to the child in all of us … [they] tap into the imagination of what we might become,” it wrote.
The Indiana Jones franchise, classic kids action flick The Goonies, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, National Treasure (Nicolas Cage), The Maltese Falcon (Humphrey Bogart), The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Clint Eastwood), Time Bandits, Aladdin and, of course, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (Angelina Jolie), all share a common thread.
They’re all in search of the Holy Grail.
Tweet from @SonyPictures
If the genre doesn’t quite fit with your February viewing, here’s what else is on offer this month.
Keep in mind movies these days tend to last as a cinematic release for only a few weeks before streaming, so grab the popcorn and choc top while they last.
The Fallout
The chilling moment two teenage girls hear gunshots ring out down the corridor of their US high school sets the stage for what comes afterwards.
Survivor’s guilt, striking up new friendships amid the tragedy and learning how to process risk taking.
Warner Bros describes this as a “raw and honest coming-of-age story for our generation”.
January 27 (Binge)
My Best Friend Anne Frank
A timely release given recent news stories about an investigation into Anne Frank and her family’s betrayer to the Nazis, this film is based on the real-life friendship between Anne Frank and Hannah Goslar, from Nazi-occupied Amsterdam to their harrowing reunion in a concentration camp.
Goslar, now 92, told the UK’s Times in October her friend Anne “was ebullient, precocious, boy-crazy”.
February 4 (Netflix)
Belfast
Up for multiple awards at the Oscars next month, this is UK actor Kenneth Branagh’s memoir/dramatisation of his childhood spent growing up in Belfast in the late 1960s when The Troubles began.
Seen through the eyes of a nine-year-old boy, this movie is full of love, laughter and family.
Starring Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench and Jamie Dornan, critics are labelling it an early candidate for the film of the year.
February 3
Tweet from @MoonfallFilm
Moonfall
Instead of an out-of-control meteor hurtling towards Earth to wipe us all out, this time it’s all about the Moon losing its orbit after a mid-galaxy collision, propelling it our way.
Halle Berry stars as NASA executive and former astronaut Jo Fowler, and she’s on a mission to save us.
She reaches out to an astronaut from her past, Brian Harper (Patrick Wilson) and conspiracy theorist KC Houseman (John Bradley), and it’s shaping up to be a great two hours of seat-of-your pants action.
February 3
The Beatles: Get Back – The Rooftop Concert
Much has already been written about the Peter Jackson three-part documentary series released in November so we all know a lot about their recording history and their complex relationships.
So for the die-hard Beatles fan, this film features – for the first time in its entirety – The Beatles’ last live performance as a group, the unforgettable rooftop concert on London’s Savile Row, as well as music from the band’s final two albums, Abbey Road and Let It Be.
February 10
Death on the Nile
Kenneth Branagh is also having a busy month.
With an A-list cast of suspects by his side – Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders and Letitia Wright – this crime drama ticks all the boxes for box-office success.
February 10
Marry Me
Marrying a stranger?
Hey, it’s been done before, but this musical comedy starring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson packs a romantic punch (there’s a few little Bodyguard-esque moments), and breaks down those old chestnuts of celebrity, marriage and social media.
What could go wrong? How does it end? Do they stay together?
February 10
Cyrano
Game of Thrones’ Peter Dinklage delivers a unique interpretation of Cyrano de Bergerac in this reimagining of the classic tale.
It’s a love triangle, it’s full of poetry and sword fights, and it’s sitting right up there for Oscar nominations.
February 24
Off the Rails
Variety labels it corny and a film that sticks to a well-worn narrative (four friends reunite and take a nostalgic trip across Europe), as well as being tragically overshadowed by the appearance of the late wife of John Travolta, Kelly Preston, in her final film role.
“Laughs, tears, healing and incessant Blondie songs are all part of its rickety package, none of which is likely to help it make inroads with audiences when it debuts in theatres.”
February 24
No Exit
Filmed in New Zealand, this suspense thriller is about a young woman en route to a family emergency, and is stranded by a blizzard and forced to find shelter at a highway rest area with a group of strangers.
“When she stumbles across an abducted girl in a van in the parking lot, it sets her on a terrifying life-or-death struggle to discover who among them is the kidnapper,” reads the official film synopsis.
February 25 (Disney+)
