April at the Movies
In a bid to get caught up on these recommendations, I’m posting the missed months one at a time, at a regular clip. We’ll see how well I do, but I’ll hopefully be fully caught up before it’s time to post September’s films!
Sinners – Theaters, April 4th, streaming on HBO Max
Set in 1930s Mississippi, Sinners follows twin brothers (Michael B Jordan and Michael B Jordan) who return home to open a juke joint, only to confront supernatural forces and racial tensions that threaten their community. Blending Southern Gothic horror with blues music and historical drama, the film explores themes of family, redemption, and the power of art in the face of darkness. A part of me wishes I had missed the online chatter about vampires, because my wife went into this movie blind except for the trailer and had a blast. One of the best movies of the year. Give Ryan Coogler a blank check and let him cook.
A Nice Indian Boy – Theaters, April 4th, steaming on Hulu
This heartfelt romantic comedy centers on Naveen (Karan Soni), an Indian-American doctor, and Jay (Jonathan Groff), his white fiancé adopted by Indian parents, as they navigate cultural expectations and family dynamics. I missed this in theaters, but I’m very keen to watch it on streaming (currently on Hulu). I loved Karan’s over the top performance in the Deadpool movies, and Jonathan Groff goes 100% in any movie/play/musical he’s in. I look forward to seeing the two work off one another.
The Amateur – Theaters, April 11th, streaming on Hulu
A CIA cryptographer (Rami Malek), devastated by personal loss, demands to be trained for fieldwork to uncover the truth behind a terrorist attack and seek justice. The echoes of Mr. Robot are evident, though Malek flexes much more of his action hero muscles. It all looks to be a fun action-thriller, with supporting roles by Jon Bernthal and Laurence Fishburne. I’d follow Morpheus anywhere.
The Legend of Ochi – Theaters, April 25th, available for rent
In a mystical land, a brave young girl defies her village’s fears to help a wounded creature called an Ochi, embarking on a journey that challenges everything she’s been taught. Relative newcomer Helena Zengel stars – with supporting roles by Finn Wolfhard, Emily Watson, and Willem Dafoe – along side one of the cutest sci-fi/fantasy creatures I’ve seen in years. That the creature is also a puppet operated by 7 performers just boggles the mind, though the return of practical effects in films has been a welcome movement in my eyes. As often seems to be the case, A24 films just resonate with me, and this one is no exception.
