Must-watch films, TV shows and documentaries to see in the UAE this February

From groundbreaking #MeToo documentaries to must-see family movies and chilling horror films, we round up this month's most unmissable entertainment

'Velvet Buzzsaw', a thriller about the art world starring Jake Gyllenhaal is available to stream now. Courtesy Netflix 

Velvet Buzzsaw

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Zawe Ashton 
In this horror film set in the world of high-end art, a supernatural force enacts revenge on those who have allowed greed to get in the way of art.

Where to watch: From February 1, on Netflix

At Eternity's Gate 

Starring: Willem Dafoe, Rupert Friend

A look at the tragic life of painter Vincent van Gogh during his self-imposed exile in Arles and Auvers-Sur-Oise.

Where to watch: From February 3, at Cinema Akil, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz

Photocopy 

Starring: Mahmood Hemaidah, Sherine Reda, Farah Youssef

As Mahmoud settles into early retirement, a report about the extinction of dinosaurs changes his life in this Egyptian drama.

Where to watch: From February 3, at Cinema Akil, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz

The Adventures

Starring: Wonjin Hahn, Andy Lau, Shu Qi, Jean Reno, Eric Tsang, Jingchu Zhang
In this Chinese movie – released on Chinese New Year – some of the world's top thieves join forces to pull off the heist of a lifetime.

Where to watch: From February 5, in cinemas across the UAE

The Harvey Weinstein Scandal

The documentary takes a deep look inside Hollywood and the abuse by powerful men in the industry. It includes exclusive interviews with people who knew disgraced producer Weinstein, women who have come face-to-face with him and exclusive re-enactment scenes.
Where to watch: 6 February, 2am on Crime+Investigation

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part 

Starring: Alison Brie, Channing Tatum, Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett
In this sequel to 2014's The Lego Movie, it's been five years since "everything was awesome", now it's not. The Lego needs to toughen up in a now post-apocalyptic wasteland. A feel good family flick.

Where to watch: From February 7, in cinemas across the UAE

What Men Want

Starring: Taraji P Henson, Tracy Morgan

"Stay in your lane" – this loose remake of 2000's What Women Want (starring Mel Gibson) sees a women gain a career edge over the men she works with as a sports agent, when she developed the ability to hear their thoughts.

Where to watch: From February 7, in cinemas across the UAE

Cold Pursuit

Starring: Emmy Rossum, Laura Dern, Liam Neeson, William Forsythe

Taken (in the Snow? Perhaps). This adventure flick sees a snowplough driver attempt to exact revenge over the gang he thinks killed his son.

Where to watch: From February 7, in cinemas across the UAE

The Prodigy

Starring: Jackson Robert Scott, Taylor Schilling

A chilling horror movie about a child genius whose mother, Sarah, thinks he may be being controlled by a supernatural force.

Where to watch: From February 7, in cinemas across the UAE

Dhilluku Dhuddu 2

Starring: Santhanam, Urvashi, Shritha Sivadas

The sequel to 2016's Dhilluku Dhuddu, a Tamil comedy horror about a spirit standing in the way of love.

Where to watch: From February 7, in cinemas across the UAE

Surviving R Kelly

The much-discussed six-part documentary sees women come forward with accusations about the musician's dark past of sexual assault and abuse. The premiere episode in the series explores R Kelly's rise to fame and power as an R&B icon, and his relationships with younger singers and dancers.

Where to watch: February 7, 1am on Crime+Investigation

Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist  

Starring: Christina Hendricks, Kate Moss, Andre Leon Talley

A documentary about fashion industry legend Vivienne Westwood, which looks at her activism, principles and fashion empire.

Where to watch: From February 8, at Cinema Akil, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz

Remastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke

Sam Cooke was the most influential black musician of the Civil Rights Movement and advocated for the rights of black musicians, frustrating the white establishment. This documentary investigates the circumstances and controversy surrounding his murder in 1964.

Where to watch: From February 8, on Netflix

Whitney

Filmmaker Kevin Macdonald examines the life and career of singer Whitney Houston, featuring never-before-seen archival footage, exclusive recordings, rare performances and interviews with the people who knew her best. The documentary airs just two days before the seventh anniversary of her death on February 11.

Where to watch: February 9, 9pm on OSN First HD Home of HBO

The Passage (Season 1)

Starring: Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Saniyya Sidney, Jamie McShane

When a botched US government experiment turns a group of death row inmates into highly infectious vampires, an orphaned girl might be the only person able to stop the ensuing crisis.

Where to watch: February 9, 11pm on OSN Series First HD

Gully Boy

Starring: Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Ranveer Singh

A coming-of-age musical drama based on the lives of street rappers in Mumbai.

Where to watch: From February 14, in cinemas across the UAE

The Vanishing

Starring: Gerard Butler, Peter Mullan

Based on true events: Three men arrive to work on a remote Scottish island where they find a chest of gold, which leads to a series of mysterious events.

Where to watch: From February 14, in cinemas across the UAE

The Umbrella Academy (Season 1)

Starring: Aidan Gallagher, Cameron Britton, Eden Cupid

Reunited by their father's death, a dysfunctional family of superheroes uncover shocking family secrets, and with them a looming threat to humanity.

Where to watch: From February 15, on Netflix

The Rocky Horror Picture Show 

Starring:  Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick

"Wonderfully weird" and "fabulously freaky" – it's time to do the Time Warp, Again... as The Rocky Horror Picture Show comes to Cinema Akil. Prepare for plenty of weird goings-on at the home of Dr Frank-N-Furter.

Where to watch: From February 20, at Cinema Akil, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz

Paddleton

Starring: Mark Duplass, Ray Romano, Alexandra Billings 
An unlikely friendship between two misfit neighbours becomes an unexpectedly emotional journey when the younger man is diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Where to watch: From February 22, on Netflix

Suburra (Season 2)

Starring: Alessandro Borghi, Giacomo Ferrara, Eduardo Valdarnini 
As a fight for land, money and power intensifies, young upstarts Aureliano, Spadino and Lele conspire to seize control of Rome's criminal underworld.

Where to watch: From February 22, on Netflix

Total Dhamaal

Starring: Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani

The third installment of the Dhamaal film series. Expect big laughs in this comedy of disasters.

Where to watch: From February 22, in cinemas across the UAE

Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments (Season 3B)

Starring: Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende 
The saga of Clary Fray and her adventures with angels, demons, vampires and werewolves wraps up in a surprising, thrilling series conclusion.

Where to watch: From February 26, on Netflix

What They Had

Starring: Blythe Danner, Taissa Farmiga, Hilary Swank

Bridget returns home when her brother gets in touch, asking her to help deal with their ailing mother, and her father's reluctance to let go of their life together.

Where to watch: From February 28, in cinemas across the UAE

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