Despite being at the tail end of the month, the conversation regarding upcoming films is likely going to be dominated by the latest Marvel entry, “Avengers: Infinity War,” and for good reason, as it’s the beginning of the culmination of a decade of unprecedented work by the studio. Luckily, for those superhero-averse (or simply fatigued) despite it carrying loudest surrounding dialogue, it’s hardly the only one worth talking about. April hasn’t always felt like the best month for films – and this year doesn’t stray too far from that course – especially as earlier months in the year have begun stacking themselves with interesting films. With new original horrors, the return of Lynn Ramsay, broad comedies, foreign films that have been on our radar for quite some time now and Dwayne Johnson fighting side by side with a genetically enhanced gorilla, there’s no faulting the month for a lack of genres to choose from.
“A Quiet Place”
Cast: John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Noah Jupe, Millicent Simmonds
Synopsis: A family is forced to live in silence while hiding from creatures that hunt by sound.
What You Need To Know: Following the abysmal reception to his first feature-length film “The Hollars,” director and star John Krasinski returns with a different approach. Capitalizing on the fear forced silence and creatures lurking in the corner of your eye dread, “A Quiet Place” carves out a spot for Krasinski as an innovating and exciting horror director. With a small cast, it makes for an intimate horror film, one full of terrifying moments despite being slapped with a PG-13 rating. Our critic who saw it at SXSW said, “Krasinski struggled to find his directorial voice in the past, but his facility here indicates a stark clarity and talent for the horror genre.”
Release Date: April 6th
“You Were Never Really Here”
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Judith Roberts, Ekaterina Samsonov
Synopsis: A traumatized veteran, unafraid of violence, tracks down missing girls for a living. When a job spins out of control, Joe’s nightmares overtake him as a conspiracy is uncovered leading to what may be his death trip or his awakening.
What You Need To Know: In the last eight years director Lynne Ramsay has only directed three full-length feature films. When those films consist of “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” “Morvern Callar” and now “You Were Never Really Here,” it gives weight to the idea of quality over quantity. A visionary director who handles violence with grace and commits to character studies even in the most bleak settings, her team up with Joaquin Phoenix is a further revelation to both talents as, according to our critic, hit a sort of “synergy” that can be best compared to work between Martin Scorsese and his muses. In her glowing review, our critic went on to say, “’You Were Never Really Here’ cannot be described as ‘arthouse goes genre’ because from Ramsay’s vantage point, so stratospherically far above the majority of mere mortal filmmakers, those distinctions don’t exist. There is just filmmaking of the purest, most inventive and energizing kind.”
Release Date: April 6th
“Blockers”
Cast: John Cena, Leslie Mann, Kathryn Newton
Synopsis: Three parents try to stop their daughters from having sex on Prom night.
What You Need To Know: There wasn’t much very enticing when “Blockers” was first announced and then when the first trailer dropped. Between the groan-inducing synopsis which, with no context, sounds far from progressive and the trailer that highlighted shock value body humor, “Blockers” inspired little confidence. However, the reviews began rolling in, calling this a surprise delight and focused on how current and prominent the story of the three daughters were. John Cena has been proving his comedic chops for a while now in supporting roles and will get to go big and broad here while Leslie Mann has always possessed a considerable talent which she isn’t always allowed to demonstrate but is supposed to shine here. In a sea of remakes and reboots, sequels and spinoffs, seeing an original, successful comedy (directed by a woman, no less, Kay Cannon) is a refreshing sight.
Release Date: April 6th
“6 Balloons”
Cast: Abbi Jacobson, Dave Franco
Synopsis: A woman learns that her brother has relapsed on heroin.
What You Need To Know: The “indie comedy stars in serious, low-fi dramas” has carved out its very own genre subsection and in it are both gems and duds. “Broad City” star Abbi Jacobson and Dave Franco (best known for the sillier fare) play brother and sister, the brother an addict and the sister a possible enabler and, from the sounds of it, craft a quiet but moving portrait of what it means to watch a loved one completely self-destruct. The first time feature by Marja-Lewis Ryan and running at a very brief 74 minutes, it’s a showcase for both Ryan, Jacobson, and Franco to see what they’re fully capable of. Our critic who saw it at SXSW said, regardless of flaws, “…the no-bull, minimalist approach employed by this first time director makes for a distressing, sometimes excruciating, experience.”
Release Date: April 6th (Netflix)