April doesn’t exactly inspire lots of fun trips to the movies this year:
SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE
The Good: You can catch a nap while your kids laugh at fart jokes and puns.
The Bad: When has a Smurf movie been good, like ever?
Prediction:
Your 4 year old will love this. That’s it.
GOING IN STYLE
The Good: It’s hard to not enjoy a movie with Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Alan Arkin riffing off each other.
The Bad: Zach Braff(!) is actually directing this, and Theodore Melfi (Hidden Figures aside) does more schmaltz than nuance.
Prediction:
The old guys get some paychecks and fun scenes, but this will be forgettable and a waste of talent, like Zach Braff.
THE CASE FOR CHRIST
The Good: Based on a respected Christian novel and a decent cast.
The Bad: Relatively untested creative team and the studio famous for pushing propaganda over story (GOD’S NOT DEAD HE’S SURELY ALIVE!!!!)
Prediction:
Should be well made, but too pushy with its agenda.
THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS
The Good: The formula works: over the top action, kick ass superheroes (they are), and a yearly addition of a respected thespian (Hi Charlize Theron!). Plus strong acting and the writer of the previous 5 films.
The Bad: Except for the last one, these movies don’t exactly deliver anything except the movie version of empty calories.
Prediction:
Hot cars and girls, and references to family despite no one having offspring, the Rock’s cocoa butter arms fighting Jason Statham? Guaranteed stupid fun.
GIFTED
The Good: The leads are all good actors, starting with Captain America.
The Bad: Marc Webb fell off a cliff after 500 Days of Summer, untested writer, and a stupid premise (my gifted daughter can’t go to special school! Then she won’t be normal!!! Boo hoo).
Prediction:
I’ve seen this trailer at least a dozen times, and I can hear the maudlin strings of the violin begging for my tears. Not buying it.
UNFORGETTABLE
The Good: Katherine Heigl turning her offscreen persona into an onscreen one. And one not terrible horror writer.
The Bad: Meta jokes aside, this story looks tired and a waste of Rosario Dawson.
Prediction:
Katherine Heigl will not be ignored, but people will find a way to ignore her anyway.
THE LOST CITY OF Z
The Good: Up and coming cast with an interesting director and strong Apocalypse Now overtones.
The Bad: Anytime a films release date gets delayed, that’s usually a bad sign.
Prediction:
This film is hard to pin down; could be great, but the delay could lead to a very expensive haughty flop.
FREE FIRE
The Good: A really strong cast letting loose and an intriguing director, plus A24, the star production company at the moment, is involved.
The Bad: Is there enough material to sustain a feature length film?
Prediction:
The trailer makes this super fun, and watching great actors with what appears to be a strong script always reaps dividends.
THE CIRCLE
The Good: The Ponsoldt and Eggers have a proven record for quality (teen) filmmaking, and Tom Hanks and Emma Watson lead a very strong cast.
The Bad: The premise would have been fresher 10 years ago, but now it seems stale: wait, large internet companies like spying on people in different ways? Seen it.
Prediction:
The one giant red flag is the premise, but the strong talent everywhere around the film has me interested in their spin on the tired story.
HOW TO BE A LATIN LOVER
The Good: What appears to be solid acting talent, and a not terrible story.
The Bad: Very untested behind the scenes group, with an actor directing and unknowns writing.
Prediction:
There’s a great story in here somewhere, but my guess is this will be a one joke premise that gets tired very quickly.