This is the first week in a while where I haven’t gone out and seen at least one of the movies on the schedule, but my cinematic week has been pretty full regardless. Civil War seems to be dominating the conversation online after early showings on Monday helped drum up more interest in conjunction with Alex Garland’s apparent retirement from filmmaking. However, it’s not the top of my to-do list and that’s just a good sign there’s plenty to pick from this week.
New In Theaters
Civil War (+IMAX)
Written & Directed by: Alex Garland
Stars: Kirsten Dunst, Nick Offerman, Cailee Spaeny
The trailer makes it seem like it’s part of The Purge family but I am hoping it’s more than that. I have heard good things from people I know who did get the chance to see it, the cast is good, and I generally like Garland so I am going to see it at some point soon.
Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead
Director(s): Wade Allain-Marcus | Writer(s): Chuck Hayward, Neil Landau, Tara Ison
Stars: Jermaine Fowler, June Squibb, Iantha Richardson
Of all the remakes we didn’t know we didn’t need, this might be the most unneeded of the bunch. The good news is the bar is so low it should be fairly easy to hop over. I’ll let someone else take the leap.
Sting
Written & Directed by: Kia Roache-Turner
Stars: Tony J Black, Alyla Browne, Alcira, Carpio
A pet spider hulks out and goes crazy…say no more! I don’t have expectations but “creature features” are usually fun. The only thing better would be if we got Sting (the wrestler) and Sting (the musician) somehow involved, even if it’s just a cameo. I won’t hold my breath on that, but this has midday matinee written all over it for me.
The Long Game
Director(s): Julio Quintana | Writer(s): Paco Farias, Julio Quintana, Jennifer C. Stetson, Humberto G. Garcia (novel)
Stars: Dennis Quaid, Jay Hernandez, Gillian Vigman
This seems like a really cool story and an interesting bit of history. Plus I like golf. I’m into it.
Limited Release
Indigo Girls: It’s Only Life After All (April 10th)
Director(s): Alexandria Bombach
Stars: Amy Ray, Emily Saliers, Winona LaDuke
With no prior knowledge of this film’s existence, I was just talking to my wife about the Indigo Girls. I’m going to take this as a sign from the universe, to embrace the wave of music docs.
*Arcadian – Editor’s Pick*
Director(s): Benjamin Brewer | Writer(s): Michael Nilon
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell, Maxwell Jenkins
If you know me, even a little, you will know that I’m partial to Nicolas Cage. And I’d be lying if I said that didn’t play a contributing role in making this my Editor’s Pick. He’s a living legend! However, Jaeden Martell is a good young actor as well and the general Quiet Place vibes makes for a setting I wanna check out.
Sasquatch Sunset
Director(s): David Zellner, Nathan Zellner | Writer(s): David Zellner
Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Riley Keough, Christophe Zajac-Denek
The other primary competition for Editor’s Pick went to this one. I mean…just look at it. Maybe it doesn’t work and falls flat under the weight of its idea, but I like risks.
Damaged (+VOD)
Director(s): Terry McDonough | Writer(s): Paul Aniello, Gianni Capaldi, Koji Steven Sakai
Stars: Samuel L. Jackson, Vincent Cassel, Gianni Capaldi
Sam Jackson and Vincent Cassel are far too good of actors for this to be getting a straight-to-VOD double release. Even if the movie ends up being horrendous (which I don’t think it will), Sam and Vincent are enough for me. I’m in.
LaRoy, Texas
Written & Directed by: Shane Atkinson
Stars: Steve Zahn, John Magaro, Dylan Baker
The cast is really good, and small-town Western vibes are up my alley. Looks quirky with some fun performances. Sold!
Sweet Dreams
Written & Directed by: Lije Sarki
Stars: Johnny Knoxville, Bobby Lee, Kate Upton
Seeing Johnny Knoxville doing dramatic roles is weird, but he’s surrounded by a lot of good comedians who might help lighten the load. Plus, it has a recovery-focused message and I believe in second chances. I will most likely wait for it to become available digitally.
Wes is Dying
Director(s): Parker Seaman | Writer(s): Devin Das, Parker Seaman
Stars: Devin Das, parker Seaman, Wes Schlagenhauf
Yeah…I’m here for this energy! This one definitely climbed the rankings of what I want to see this weekend.
Unsinkable
Director(s): Cody Hartman | Writer(s): Brian Hartman, Cody Hartman, Eileen Enwright Hodgetts
Stars: Karen Allen, Fiona Duriff, Jayne Wisener
This isn’t going to be a Big Jim Cameron spectacle. It’s probably interesting and I like Karen Allen, but I’ll wait it out.
The Absence of Eden
Director(s): Marco Perego | Writer(s): Marco Perego, Rick Rapoza
Stars: Zoe Saldana, Adria Arjona, Garret Hedlund
I’m getting some Sicario vibes, and that’s a good thing. The stakes are high, the cast is good, and you know things are going to be intense. Alright, I’m in.
Stress Positions
Director(s): Theda Hammel | Writer(s): Theda Hammel, Faheem Ali
Stars: John Early, Qaher Harhash, Elizabeth Dement
I just saw the trailer for this a few days ago and John Early was arguably the most entertaining part of Search Party, so is his style is leading the way then I will probably have a lot of fun with this one.
Food, Inc. 2 (April 9th)
Director(s): Robert Kenner, Melissa Robledo
I don’t know if I have the strength to be depressed by the state of the American food industry. At least not right now.
Resistance: They Fought Back
Director(s): Paula Apsell, Kirk Wolfinger | Writer(s): Paula Apsell, Jay Owens
Stars: Julie Benko, Joel de la Fuente, Andrew Kishino
Now, this is going to be sad but also hopeful. We don’t see many holocaust portrayals in media where the Jewish people are much more than victims, so a documentary examining their resistance is pretty cool.
Lost Angel: The Genius of Judee Sill
Director(s): Andy Brown, Brian Lindstrom
Stars: Weyes Blood, Jackson Browne, Shawn Colvin
I don’t know who Judee Still is but I know some of the people who are interviewed as part of this and likely inspired by her, so I’m curious.
Pure O
Written & Directed by: Dillon Tucker
Stars: Daniel Dorr, Hope Lauren, Landry Bender
I don’t know if I have seen this kind of stripped-down and honest version of mental health portrayal. The trailer isn’t much to go on, but I work in mental health to help people and if this helps, then I’m for it.
International Marketplace
Augure (aka Omen)
Director(s): Baloji | Writer(s): Baloji, Thomas van Zuylen
Stars: Marc Zinga, Yves-Marina Gnahoua, Marcel Otete Kabeya
Style. Energy. Color. Mystery. I’m still not sure if it’s a horror film or what, but who needs boxes? I’m interested.
In Flames
Written & Directed by: Zarrar Kahn
Stars: Ramesha Nawal, Omar Javaid, Bakhtawar Mazhar
It’s great to see that horror doesn’t have to only exist within a certain range on the spectrum. For my dollar, psychological horror is much more frightening than somebody in a hockey mask with a knife. I’m in.
A Forgotten Man
Written & Directed by: Laurent Nègre
Stars: Michael Neuenschwander, Manuela Biedermann, Yann Philipona
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan
Director(s): Ali Abbas Zafar | Writer(s): Aditya Basu, Vashu Bhagnani, Suraj Ginani, Ali Abbas Zafar
Stars: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Akshay Kumar, Pitobash
I love that there’s a part of Indian cinema that just looks at classic American action films and decides to make their own version of it. My comic book guy had Fighter on recently and was having a blast. Hopefully, this ends up on Netflix soon!
Suga: Agust D Tour ‘D-Day’ The Movie (IMAX)
Stars: Suga, Jimin, Jungkook
Escape From Germany
Director(s): T.C. Christensen | Writer(s): T.C. Christensen, Terry Bohle Montague
Stars: Sebastian Barr, Joseph Batzel, Ischa Bee
I have had an interest in World War II era history for a long time, and I guess that’s pretty common because we can’t seem to let go. This very well may be a good movie, but can we collectively just hit the pause button on Nazi stuff for a year?
Streaming & Digital
Becky (VOD/Digital April 9th)
Written & Directed by: Justin Milton
Stars: Janet Berzins, Larissa Dali, Joe Grisaffi
Not to be confused with Becky from 2020, this one reminds me of films like Obsessed or Unforgettable but with way less money and star power.
North of Normal (VOD/Digital April 9th)
Director(s): Carly Stone | Writer(s): Cea Sunrise Person, Alexandra Weir
Stars: Sarah Gadon, James D’Arcy, Robert Carlyle
I thought this was going in a much different direction from the start of the trailer, but I like the family drama aspect. I’m always looking for a feel-good movie of the year and this may be a good contender.
Ink & Linda (VOD/Digital April 9th)
Director(s): Stuart C. Paul
Stars: Inksap, Linda Lack
I guess I gotta go out more because I live in LA and I haven’t noticed any of these. However, I wasn’t looking either. I like the idea of street art that has risk and reward, so I am going to check this one out.
Brandy Hellville & The Cult of Fast Fashion (MAX April 9th)
Director(s): Eva Orner
Stars: Alyssa Hardy, Liz Ricketts, Kate Taylor
This seems like an interesting story. Not a surprise that a big corporation was doing shady things, but the bigger problem was that this trailer was too good. They really gave away everything to the point where I don’t feel like I need to watch the documentary to find out what happens.
Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp (Netflix)
Director(s): Jonathan A. Rosenbaum | Writer(s): Cory Edwards, Walter Lantz, Jim Martin
Stars: Mary-Louise Parker, Chloe De Los Santos, Josh Lawson
I didn’t realize Woody Woodpecker was still a thing, but if you need something for the kids then this is the one.
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