April sprinkles some charming, but probably forgettable fare into the cineplexes:
RINGS
The Good: Samara was one of the scariest movie characters of the new millennium.
The Bad: Emphasis on WAS.
Prediction:
There will be BOO! moments, and “Boo” moments in equal measure.
GOD’S NOT DEAD 2
The Good: Melissa Joan Hart is alive.
The Bad: Sequel to a surprise hit is almost always gonna fail.
Prediction:
A message movie with overly simplistic logic and a pandering message.
GREEN ROOM
The Good: Weird premise with pieces of Deliverance.
The Bad: Feels like its going to go for shocks only.
Prediction:
Green Room feels like it will get overhyped only to underwhelm a little. It will probably be scary though.
THE BOSS
The Good: Melissa McCarthy is almost always reliably funny.
The Bad: McCarthy and her husband (as director) teamed up last with Tammy, a mediocre broad road trip comedy.
Prediction:
McCarthy driven films not by Paul Feig are shaky at best, and this feels like it will push the physical humor too hard.
DEMOLITION
The Good: Jake Gyllenhaal joins with the Dallas Buyers Club and Wild director.
The Bad: The writer is a relative newcomer.
Prediction:
Gyllenhaal can make most any film captivating, and where the movie will go is a complete mystery based on early watches.
HARDCORE HENRY
The Good: A literal first person shooter film, a very bold premise with some crazy action sequences lined up.
The Bad: The inevitable video game/movie merger is directed by a first timer? Not smart.
Prediction:
Hardcore Henry is either going to be a revolutionary stepping stone for the action movie or something completely stupidly bonkers. Either way, should be fascinating.
THE JUNGLE BOOK
The Good: A great story in which the CGI has caught up to real life, and directed by a guy who can stage an action sequence or two.
The Bad: Favreau hasn’t had a whole lot of success since Tony Stark featured prominently in his films.
Prediction:
Mowgli and his lovely pack of animals should be popcorn entertainment for everyone, plus Bill Murray!
EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!!
The Good: The director of this movie is one of the best working directors today, Richard Linklater, and he already made a version of this film, Dazed and Confused.
The Bad: I guess the cast is relatively untested?
Prediction:
If you’re feeling especially nostalgic for college, the 80s, baseball, or good movie dialogue, then this film should be your ticket.
SING STREET
The Good: John Carney is one of the best directors at weaving music into his films, which are also captivating stories.
The Bad: Lots of unknown Irish and English actors and potentially for some, 80s music.
Prediction:
John Carney has directed in my opinion the greatest musical of all time, and another fantastic one. I doubt he’ll stop here, especially since it’s at his home country.
THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR
The Good: Kristen Stewart is replaced by Emily Blunt AND Jessica Chastain.
The Bad: Creative overhaul of a borderline crappy original given to a first time director does not sound too great.
Prediction:
The campier this movie gets, the better it will be, since that will match the gaudy sets and costumes.
KEANU
The Good: Key and Peele are electric comedians: and now with an adorable kitten.
The Bad: Key and Peele have never starred in a movie before.
Prediction:
Even with the cautious “this looks like a sketch dragged out for an hour and a half” warning signs, creative people find ways to make your time worth it.
MOTHER’S DAY
The Good: A thing you can do with your Mom if you don’t want to talk to each other.
The Bad: When’s the last time Kate Hudson, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, and especially Garry Marshall made anything relevant?
Prediction:
Schmaltzy Crap.