After a universally miserable year, 2017 is finally upon us. We’ve successfully pushed through December, enjoyed our holidays, collected our gifts, and spent time with family and friends. Now it’s time to wind down at home and get things back to normal. While January is a notoriously weak month for entertainment options, there are still some solid reasons to visit the theatres, purchase an album, or click the play button on your remote control. It’s a perfect time to use up those gifts cards because let’s be honest, they’re going to expire if you wait for a “rainy day”. Grab a pen and mark these dates down on your calendar. Here are the movies, music, shows, and games you can’t miss this January 2017.
Sherlock: The Final Problem (January 15)
Steven Moffat’s monstrous hit, Sherlock, reaches its climax this month with the debut of The Final Problem. The episode is the usual cinematic length, and by all accounts, will be full of dramatic surprises. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman reprise their roles, and audiences will hopefully get some closure during this special season finale. The show is being screened in British theatres, but for fans in North America, you can catch it on BBC.
Also In Theatres (Various Dates)
Rogue One and Fantastic Beasts will likely top the box office for the foreseeable future, but don’t forget about these brand new flicks. The Pharrell Williams production, Hidden Figures, had its worldwide release this week, but it will garner most of its buzz during January. Meanwhile, the Ben Affleck mob drama, Live by Night, and the Mark Wahlberg thriller, Patriots Day, enter theatres this month. Underworld: Blood Wars is the latest instalment in the popular vampire franchise, and while it won’t turn heads come award season, it could be your guilty pleasure.
Netflix (Various Dates)
Netflix’s main attraction this month, is the live adaptation of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. The dark children’s tale stars Neil Patrick Harris as the vile Count Olaf, and will evoke plenty of nostalgia in millennials everywhere. The first eight episodes land on the small screen January 13. If you’re a fan of stand up comedy, then Netflix has you covered. Everyone’s favourite dad, Jim Gaffigan, unleashes his latest hour of material this month. Entitled, Cinco, the special gets its wide release on January 10. You can keep the laughs coming with Jen Kirkman: Just Keep Livin’?, which stars the titular comedian bringing her observational humour to the main stage. Disney’s underrated adventure, Big Hero 6, closes out yet another solid month of streaming options.
Video Games (Various Dates)
PS4 owners get the best collection of new video games in January. Firstly, the controversial open world, Yakuza 0, will be available for purchase this month. Like its spiritual brother, Grand Theft Auto, the Japanese title immerses players in the twisted world of organized crime. You can pick up the english version of Yakuza on the 24th. Beloved survival adventure, Resident Evil, will keep your skin crawling with the seventh edition of the series, Biohazard. The game still pits players against zombies, but it also reverts back to the first-person viewpoint of previous entries. Biohazard is ready for purchase on the 24th as well. Double Dragon IV is a great choice for fans of multiplayer missions. The beat ’em up game requires a buddy to bring the experience to its peak enjoyment. If you’d prefer to go solo, Urban Empire is a PC simulation that places users in charge of a growing metropolis. Empire is a slow burn, and it’s the perfect way to test your strategic prowess.
More Life (TBD)
Drake teased his latest full-length release during an October episode of OVO Sound Radio. We previewed the project last month, as the 6 God himself planned on dropping it in December. When the month came and went, the rapper announced that More Life would now arrive “at the top of 2017”. Judging by the mixtape’s two lead singles, we’re in for some lavish production, catchy hooks, and a multitude of guest appearances. Like any Drake release, More Life will be an event, and it’ll be hard to escape once it hits Apple Music.
In Your Ears (Various Dates)
Aside from Drizzy, 2017 is starting things off right in the world of music. British trio, The xx, will be making their triumphant return with, I See You. The album is the band’s first release in five years, and will likely transport the listener to another ethereal and wistful plane. Alt rockers Band of Horses and Japandroids, will turn it up to eleven this January as both outfits will gift us with new material. Toronto group, Austra, are planning to drop their latest project, Future Politics, and it’ll be a sure hit with fans of synth pop and new wave.
