April Movies: Fantastic Beasts, Morbius, Sonic the Hedgehog & Ambulance

[Mark Vader]

The Spring Season of movies comes to an end with the month of April. As usual these are the appetizers before the much bigger offerings of Summer begin in May.

Action movies mostly dominate this month, but the biggest title is another return to the wizarding world before Harry Potter's time.

 

Eddie Redmayne & Jude Law star in Warner Bros. "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore". Albus Dumbledore assigns Newt and his allies with a mission related to the rising power of Grindelwald. Despite a lackluster reaction to the previous movie, Warner Bros. is still committed to making more in this series. Although switching the scheduling from November to April was probably a wise decision. Also starring Ezra Miller, Mads Mikkelsen & Katherine Waterston. Directed by David Yates.

 

Sony/Columbia Pictures continues it's venture into the Marvel universe with "Morbius". Biochemist Michael Morbius tries to cure himself of a rare blood disease, but he inadvertently infects himself with a form of vampirism instead. Starring Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona & Jared Harris.

 

James Marsden & Jim Carrey return in Paramount Pictures "Sonic The Hedgehog 2". When the manic Dr Robotnik returns to Earth with a new ally, Knuckles the Echidna, Sonic and his new friend Tails is all that stands in their way. Also starring Ben Schwartz, Idris Elba & Tika Sumpter.

 

Jake Gyllenhaal stars in Universal's "Ambulance". Two robbers steal an ambulance after their heist goes awry. Also starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eiza Gonzalez & Garret Dillahunt. Directed by Michael Bay(oh boy).

 

Mark Wahlberg & Mel Gibson star in "Father Stu". Follows the life of Father Stuart Long, a boxer-turned-priest who inspired countless people during his journey from self-destruction to redemption. Also starring Jacki Weaver & Faith Jefferies.

 

Liam Neeson stars in "Memory". An assassin-for-hire finds that he's become a target after he refuses to complete a job for a dangerous criminal organization. A remake of the 2003 Belgian film 'The Memory of a Killer'. Also starring Ray Stevenson, Monica Belluci & Guy Pearce.

 

Chris Pine is, "The Contractor". A discharged U.S. Special Forces sergeant, James Harper, risks everything for his family when he joins a private contracting organization. Also starring Gillian Jacobs, Sander Thomas, Toby Dixon, Ben Foster & Kiefer Sutherland.

 

Alexander Skarsgard is, "The Northman". An action-filled epic that follows a young Viking prince on his quest to avenge his father's murder. Also starring Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke, Anya Taylor-Joy & Willem Dafoe.

 

Nicolas Cage stars in "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent". A cash-strapped Nicolas Cage agrees to make a paid appearance at a billionaire super fan's birthday party, but is really an informant for the CIA since the billionaire fan is a drug kingpin and gets cast in a Tarantino movie. Also starring Pedro Pascal, Demi Moore, Jacob Scipio, Tiffany Haddish & Neil Patrick Harris.

 

In Dreamworks/Universal's animated "The Bad Guys", Several reformed yet misunderstood criminal animals attempt to become good, with some disastrous results along the way. Starring Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina & Craig Robinson.

 

Finally, in "You Won't Be Alone", In an isolated mountain village in 19th century Macedonia, a young girl is kidnapped and then transformed into a witch by an ancient spirit. Starring Noomi Rapace, Annamaria Marinca, Alice Englert & Sara Klimoska.

 

 

Calendar with Trailers

 

4/1

"Morbius":  https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/morbius

 

"The Contractor":   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7glvM8Xh0w

 

"You Won't Be Alone":   https://www.focusfeatures.com/you-wont-be-alone/watch/

 

4/8

"Sonic The Hedgehog 2":   https://www.sonicthehedgehogmovie.com/

 

"Ambulance":   https://www.ambulance.movie/

 

4/13

"Father Stu":   https://www.fatherstumovie.com/

 

4/15

"Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore":   https://www.fantasticbeasts.com/

 

4/22

"The Northman":   https://www.focusfeatures.com/the-northman

 

"The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent":   https://www.nickcage.movie/

 

"The Bad Guys":    https://www.dreamworks.com/movies/the-bad-guys

 

4/29

"Memory":    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye63hQLDj4k

 

There you have it. Be back with the May Movies soon. Until then.....Enjoy!

 

 

 

[Westside]

Thanks Mark!!

I always enjoy reading your reviews! As usual, another awesome review!!

[LeGOATski]

Definitely seeing The Northman. I can't wait. Eggers hit it out of the park with his last two films, The VVitch and The Lighthouse.

 

Previews for The Northman seem to indicate that he's done it again. The trailer looks awesome.

[BillsFan4]

Anyone have a home theater?

 

I started building my home theater back when Covid first hit. I cleaned out my attic as a pandemic project and set up a home theater with equipment I had laying around. I’ve upgraded everything since then and I actually just upgraded my subwoofer for a 2nd time (selling the old one if anyone’s interested! 😁).

 

I kind of went overboard this time. Went with an 18” pro grade subwoofer (B&C tour grade driver - same one used in large concert venues and by professional bands) with a 2000wt amp. It plays down to about 8-10hz in room. It’s pretty crazy.

 

Next up are new front L + R tower speakers.

 

This was the box the new subwoofer shipped in. It wasn’t fun getting it to my 2nd floor… 

Edited April 18, 2022 by BillsFan4

[dpberr]

The Contractor is a bland movie with great actors mailing it in while on vacation in Europe. 

 

The only streaming service produced action movie that's worth anything remains Extraction.  I'd argue it's one of Chris Hemsworth's best films to date.