April Watch-List: From Amy Schumer’s Latest Comedy to Infinity War
Although we’re only just easing into April, 2018 has already been a massive year in film. None have been bigger than Ryan Coogler’s epic juggernaut Black Panther, which has made history (several times over) since its February 16 release, and is now one of top ten highest-grossing films of all time. Just this past weekend, John Krasinki’s masterful horror film A Quiet Place followed up on its critical acclaim with a massive opening weekend (read our interview with the film’s cinematographer here).
The rest of April is gonna be big, with one of the largest films of all time bookending the month. So here’s your brief guide for what’s coming out for the next three weeks:
Beirut – April 11.
This is a film for fans of war dramas, and especially for fans of Michael Clayton writer/director Tony Gilroy. Gilroy wrote this story, which is set in the titular Lebanese city in the ’80s, with Jon Ham starring as Mason Skiles, a U.S. diplomat who fled Lebanon in 1972 after a horrible accident, only to be called back 10-years later. The person summoning him is Rosamund Pike’s CIA operative Sandy Crowder—Skiles needs to return to help negotiate for the life of the friend he left behind. He’s got plenty of problems that might make this even more difficult than it already is.
Rampage — April 13
It’s Dwayne Johnson to the rescue—again—and we’re really okay with that. The last trailer was a joyous jolt of gonzo action, as any film based off of the ’80s video game should be. Rampage centers on the story of Davis Okoye (Johnson) who is a primatologist who prefers the company of primates over people. His best friend is a silver backed gorilla named George, who he rescued when George was only a little chimp. George changes, however, when he comes in contact with a mysterious gas that alters his DNA to the point where the once docile gorilla becomes the size of a building and goes on the titular rampage. George is the least of Okoye’s problems, however—there’s also a flying wolf and a colossal crocodile to contend with. It’s pure mayhem, with Hollywood’s most likable star front and center to save the day. Again.
Truth or Dare — April 13
An innocent game we all played at some point when we were younger takes a truly dark turn in this horror flick starring Lucy Hale and Tyler Posey. What starts as some fun and sun during a vacation in Mexico turns into the game of survival for a couple of teenagers playing Truth or Dare, a rite of passage amongst teens that, in this film, turns into a bloody hellscape in which someone, or something, begins punishing those who lie instead of telling the truth or chicken out from taking the dare.
I Feel Pretty — April 20
I Feel Pretty feels like pure Amy Schumer. The Trainwreck star, here paired with directors Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, stars asRenee Bennett, a deeply insecure young woman who wakes up after a fall believing she’s the most beautiful and capable lady on the planet. How long will Renee’s newfound super confidence last? What will happen when she realizes she looks exactly the same as she always has? Co-starring Michelle Williams, Emily Ratajkowski, Busy Phillips and Tom Hopper, I Feel Pretty feels like it could be another hit for the ever hilarious Schumer.
Super Troopers 2 — April 20
The sequel that’s been 16-years in the making is finally here. An international border dispute that arises between the U.S. and Canada means the Super Troopers are back in action, prepared to royally muck things up. Mac, Thorny, Foster, Rabbit and Farva are called in to set up a new Highway Patrol station in the disputed area, and to generally make sure the dispute gets worse. And worse. And worse.
Traffik — April 20
Traffik is a thriller starring Paula Patton and Omar Epps about a vacation gone wrong. Consider it your Truth or Dare for adults, and swap out the supernatural for the just terrifying and mean. John (Epps) and Brea (Patton) are a couple who take the vacation of their dreams on a remote island, where they meet up with another couple and go about having a perfect little getaway. All sounds perfect! And everything is going great until a violent biker gang begins to torment them, resulting in a fight for a survival.
Avengers: Infinity War — April 27
Have you heard of this little film? It’s from a tiny, boutique studio called Marvel? Yeah, of course you have—this is the epic, ten-years-in-the-making superhero smash we’ve been waiting for. The Avengers join forces with some new friends in their fight to stop ultimate super villain Thanos (Josh Brolin) from destroying half—only half—of the universe. This movie is going to be absolutely massive, and the stakes are high—Infinity War is the first in a two-part saga that was filmed back-to-back by directors Joe and Anthony Russo, and will likely mean the end for some of our favorites. Nothing this good can last forever.
Featured image: Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR. Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans). Photo: Chuck Zlotnick. ©Marvel Studios 2018
