April Movies: United 93 & Scary Movie 4....

[Mark Vader]

Before we get our third helping of mutant heroes & villains. Before Tom Hanks unlocks an ancient code. Before Tom Cruise takes on a third impossible mission.

Before a race car learns there is more to life than fame and fortune. Before Paul Giamatti finds a mermaid in a swimming pool. Before Mel Gibson's Mayan epic.

Before we set sail for a second time with Captain Jack Sparrow. Before Samuel L.Jackson takes on an airplane full of snakes. And before the silver screen welcomes back the long awaited return of the Man of Steel, we have the month of April to look forward too with their offerings, before we get to the big summer season.

 

This month has less surefire hits than usual, with the independant films probably being the best offerings. More on that later.

 

April is targeting more movies with laughs than thrills this year, so here is what we have to look forward too.

 

David Zucker is in the director's chair and Anna Faris is back as Cindy Campbell in "Scary Movie 4". This time out our heroine must save the earth from a deadly Tr-iPod attack. The rest you can guess for yourself.

 

In the first of two 9/11 movies this year, Universal & director Paul Greengrass present "United 93". Based on the events of United Airlines Flight 93, this movie is set in real time as the events occurred. You will find no major stars in this movie, as that is how Greengrass wanted it to be.

 

An impressive ensemble cast heads the dark comedy/crime thriller "Lucky Number Slevin". Josh Hartnett plays Slevin, and due to a case of mistaken identity, winds up in the middle of a war between two crime bosses( Morgan Freeman & Ben Kingsley). Bruce Willis, Stanley Tucci, & Lucy Liu co-star.

 

Director Paul Weitz, the man who brought us "American Pie", now presents us with, "American Dreamz". The movie's poster pretty much sums up the plot of this satirical comedy. "Imagine a country where the president never reads the newspaper, where the government goes to war for all the wrong reasons, and where more people vote for a pop idol than their next president".

Dennis Quaid, Hugh Grant, Mandy Moore, & Willem Dafoe star.

 

Rob Schneider, David Spade, & Jon Heder are "The Benchwarmers". Three childhood friends who try to right things from their pasts by forming a three man baseball team and taking on local little league teams.

 

Michael Douglas plays a special agent wanted for treason in the thriller "The Sentinel". Kiefer Sutherland & Kim Basinger co-star.

 

Kiefer Sutherland also lends his voice to "The Wild". The latest computer animated film by Disney. Sutherland plays Samson, a lion living in the New York zoo. When his son is accidentaly shipped from the zoo to Africa, Samson enlists help from other zoo animals to get him back. James Belushi and Eddie Izzard also star.

 

In the thriller "Silent Hill", a mother loses her sick daughter in a town which appears to be controlled by a dark force.

 

Robin Williams tries to bring his family closer together by taking them on a cross country trip in "RV".

 

From the creators of "Bring It On" now comes, "Stick It" starring Missy Peregrym & Jeff Bridges. Think "Bring it On" set in the world of gymnastics.

 

"Take the Lead" stars Antonio Banderas who plays a dance instructor who volunteers to teach in a New York public school. Think "Mad Hot Ballroom" meets "Dangerous Minds".

 

"Akeelah and the Bee" stars Angela Bassett & Laurence Fishburne, in this story about a young girl who goes from South L.A. to the National Spelling Bee.

 

Here's the calendar with trailers.

 

4/7

 

"The Benchwarmers" http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thebenc...enchwarmers.php?

 

"Take the Lead" http://www.taketheleadmovie.com/

 

"Lucky Number Slevin" http://www.slevin-movie.com/

 

4/14

 

"Scary Movie 4" http://www.scarymovie.com/

 

"The Wild" http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/thewild/

 

4/21

 

"American Dreamz" http://www.americandreamzmovie.com/index2.html

 

"Silent Hill" http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/silenthill/index.html

 

"The Sentinel" http://www.sentinelthemovie.com/

 

4/28

 

"United 93" http://www.united93movie.com/index.php

 

"Stick It" http://stickit.movies.go.com/

 

"Akeelah and the Bee" http://www.akeelahandthebee.com/splash.html

 

"RV" http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/rv/index.html

 

Independant Movie watch.

 

As I said earlier there are some independant movies this month that will be worth a look. Here are a few of them.

 

"Friends with Money" stars Jennifer Aniston, Joan Cusack, Catherine Keener, & frances McDormand. Aniston plays an unemployed teacher, who now has to think about her future and her relationship with her rich friends.

 

"Hard Candy" stars Patrick Wilson & Ellen Page, a thriller in which a photographer winds up in a strange game of cat and mouse with the teenage girl he met online.

 

Gretchen Mol stars as "The Notorious Bettie Page". This bio-pic follows the life of the famous 50's pin-up girl and her affect on American culture.

 

Here is the calendar and trailers. Remember these dates are for their initial limited release.

 

4/7

 

"Friends with Money" http://www.sonyclassics.com/friendswithmoney/

 

4/14

 

"Hard Candy" http://hardcandymovie.com/

 

"The Notorious Bettie Page" http://www.thenotoriousbettiepage.com/

 

That's all for now. See you next time when the Summer Season starts.

[R. Rich]

Even though Scary Movie 4 seems ridiculous, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. I thought the last one was funnier than the 2nd one, though not as funny as the original.

[stuckincincy]

There was a syndicated article in my local paper this A.M about objections to showing the trailer to "United 93". I'd object too - trying to make $ off of that... IIRC theaters are going to stop showing it.

 

As always, thanks for the reviews.

[Ghost of BiB]

I absolutely can't wait to watch every movie coming out. I will watch them only because you told me what to watch and not, Mark. With everyone else here I thank you so much for telling me what to think, and I thank you so much for my own opinions.

[Kevbeau]

Looks like a big pile of crap. Maybe some of the indies might be worthwhile.

 

...holding out for May.

 

Thanks Mark.

[Mark Vader]

stuckincincy Posted Today, 01:43 PM

  As always, thanks for the reviews.

 

You're welcome

 

Kevbeau Posted Today, 01:48 PM

  Looks like a big pile of crap. Maybe some of the indies might be worthwhile.

 

...holding out for May.

 

Thanks Mark.

You're welcome

 

Ghost of BiB Posted Today, 01:46 PM

  I absolutely can't wait to watch every movie coming out. I will watch them only because you told me what to watch and not, Mark. With everyone else here I thank you so much for telling me what to think, and I thank you so much for my own opinions.

Ehhhhhhh, Ok.

[Chef Jim]

Ehhhhhhh, Ok.   

654460[/snapback]

 

Read his sig line and you'll understand?

 

And Paul, do you really want to live to be 120?

[EC-Bills]

Read his sig line and you'll understand?

 

And Paul, do you really want to live to be 120? 

654593[/snapback]

 

What do you mean 120?!? He's going to be 250 in the next couple of months

[ajzepp]

Thanks for takign the time to keep me/us updated on the film scene, Mark. I look forward to your movie posts I've seen the previews for most of the April films coming out this month, and I have to say I can't really peg many of them as surefire hits. 'Benchwarmers' looks like it has some potential for those of us who enjoy a good, dumb flick that can make you laugh. I always place a premium on films that can make me laugh consistently throughout, but too often I'm less disappointed.

 

I was lukewarm to the Superman Returns film at first, but the more I read about it the more I get excited. I also thought it was funny when, at the Academy awards this year, Brandon Routh came out to present with someone and he said something in the Clark Kent voice that was TOTALLY channeling Christopher Reeve. It really put a smile on my face, cause CR's Superman was the one I grew up with. My very first "date" as a kid was to go to see Superman II.....good times

[eball]

"Friends with Money" sounds like it could be a decent date night flick. Besides, I'll go see just about anything w/ Aniston (for obvious reasons) or Keener (she won me over in "Being John Malcovich").

 

Thanks, Mark, for your efforts.

[Ghost of BiB]

Read his sig line and you'll understand?

 

And Paul, do you really want to live to be 120? 

654593[/snapback]

 

It's my duty to contaminate each and every entertainment thread.

 

Was screwing around, MarkVaderr, figured you knew my reputation on that score and took it tongue in cheek.

 

That said, nothing catching my eye. But, as with everyone else - I'm waiting to see next years academy winner...

 

Snakes on a Plane.

[Chilly]

This month sucks more than ultraviolet.

[Mark Vader]

ajzepp Posted Today, 12:35 AM

I was lukewarm to the Superman Returns film at first, but the more I read about it the more I get excited. I also thought it was funny when, at the Academy awards this year, Brandon Routh came out to present with someone and he said something in the Clark Kent voice that was TOTALLY channeling Christopher Reeve. It really put a smile on my face, cause CR's Superman was the one I grew up with. My very first "date" as a kid was to go to see Superman II.....good times 

 

I am still waiting for Warner Bros. to release a full trailer for this film. The teaser they have now is good, but did'nt blow me away.

Still I keep hearing very positive buzz about it, and I'm sure it will be the top money maker this summer.

I also have to admit that Brandon Routh sure does look the part. Great job in casting.

[Mark Vader]

BlueFire Posted Today, 01:23 PM

  This month sucks more than ultraviolet.

Yeah nothing to get too excited about.

I do think Hard Candy looks good, even though it looks to be very disturbing. BTW the girl in that movie, Ellen Page, is also playing the part of Kitty Pride/Shadowcat in X-Men: The Last Stand.

 

I also think The Notorious Bettie Page will be good too. Gretchen Mol certainly looks the part.

[Fan in Chicago]

"Lucky Number Slevin"  http://www.slevin-movie.com/

 

654204[/snapback]

 

Saw this movie last night not knowing what to expect. Must say I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Smart, witty dialog (I may have to see it again to make sure I caught everything), excellent performances and well developed story line.

[Ghost of BiB]

Yeah nothing to get too excited about.

I do think Hard Candy looks good, even though it looks to be very disturbing. BTW the girl in that movie, Ellen Page, is also playing the part of Kitty Pride/Shadowcat in X-Men: The Last Stand.

 

I also think The Notorious Bettie Page will be good too. Gretchen Mol certainly looks the part.

655994[/snapback]

 

Saw a couple clips and trailers. Hard Candy might be worth a look. "Disturbing" could also mean refreshing. Not too many good psycho-dramas floating about.