What are April’s Best Cinema Servings?

April has been a massive month for cinema, we’ve had a range of art house flicks, some tent pole action films and the stinker which is Morbius. It feels like for the first time since the pandemic we are starting to get a mix of fresh and slightly crazy ideas break into the mainstream on the big screen. Regrettably, I have not had the chance to see Sonic 2 or The Bad Guys yet.. So here are April’s stinkers, surprises and solid gold.

1. Everything everywhere all at once

Swiss Army Man directors Daniels return with one of the most original films to ever hit the big screen. Their nearly two and a half hour long sci-fi, action, comedy reflects on love, family and the best ways to adapt in the face of changing generational values. While those may seem like heavy themes to handle, the film knocks it out of the park. Michelle Yeoh is the incredibly hilarious protagonist, Evelyn, who is pulled into the multiverse after her husband (played by the dynamic Ke Huy Quan) asks for a divorce and she is pulled into a disagreement at the tax office. It’s a film that’s best experienced blind and is perfect for hanging out with friends, a date night or just something to distract yourself from the uni grind.

Ranking: Solid Gold

2. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Nicholas Cage returns to the big screen as… Nic Cage? it’s a premise that is not as one note as it sounds. Much to his disbelief, Nic is on his way out, his star twinkling not as bright as it once was and (I swear it’s a coincidence) he’s also going through a divorce with his wife played by Sharon Horgan (watch Catastrophe on Stan if you haven’t). Cage is invited to Spain to attend the birthday of a millionaire/Nic Cage super fan played by Pedro Pascal, who’s hiding a massive secret. It’s a crazy action comedy, that is just that, an incredibly enjoyable time at the cinema. While it’s nothing revolutionary and the CIA sub plot was a bit lame, it’s undeniably everything you want out of an ode to Nicholas Cage. Nic Cage makes out with a younger version of himself, the film Paddington 2 is somehow a vital plot point and there’s a stellar supporting cast.

Rating: Surprise

3. The Northman

Holy shit, this film is brutal. If you haven’t seen any of the trailers I recommend going in blind as you don’t want the action spoiled. It’s undeniable Robert Eggers’ films have a unique historical flair, channeling the stories of the past, they don’t hold back on bringing historical lore, styling and language with them. The Northman is if nothing else, a roller coaster ride of carnage. It has this medieval goriness that I haven’t seen since the higher points of Game of Thrones. I really like the way Eggers experiments with his films, completely rejecting the path well trodden. Alexander Skarsgard and Nicole Kidman really put their hearts into their performances, fully immersing themselves in the politics and nuances of the world. Undeniably there were moments I was uncomfortable, the age gaps between Skarsgard, Kidman and Anya Taylor-Joy are a little weird to think about and I think I need to see the film again to flesh out my feelings on Eggers’ framing of the human form. Yet, The Northman is still an achievement in filmmaking and while I don’t think it emotionally hits as well as it wanted it delivers a style and efficiency in storytelling that’s rarely seen.

Ranking: Solid Gold

4. Ambulance

Michael Bay is back and I’m not going to lie, I really enjoyed this film. Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II are a great on screen duo and are relentlessly engaging. The action feels real and not like cgi overload, drones are used to create some shots that wouldn’t have been possible ten years ago and I’m a sucker for whenever California Dreaming is used in a movie. The film handles America and the flaws with it’s heath system with a little more nuance than some some of Bay’s previous films but the morally virtuous American serviceman is still present. It’s a tense race against the clock, that is as tense as it is absurd. There’s a medical operation instructed over zoom and a couple of great shoot outs. It’s a lot of fun, probably could be twenty minutes shorter but definitely is not a waste of time.

Rating: Surprise

5. The lost city

After the Jump Street movies, any comedy with Channing Tatum is pretty much a must watch for me. Bullock, Tatum and Pitt really show off their comedic chops in a film that blends one liners with a few great moments of physical comedy. It’s by no means ground breaking and it’s definitely one of those films you watch once, enjoy and forget about. The worst part of this movie, is without a shadow of a doubt, the plot, yet I don’t think that’s what anyone is turning up for. If you want to see stoner soldier Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock pull leaches of Channing Tatum’s butt and Daniel Radcliffe’s best attempt at being menacing, this might be the perfect movie to watch after a few drinks.

Ranking: A surprise but also nothing special

6. Fantastic Beasts: The secrets of Dumbledore

I have nothing much to say about this film, that I have not already said here. It’s another Fantastic Beast film directed by David Yates, except this time with the addition of Mads Mikkelsen (the best part of the film). Only see this film if you have exhausted every other option on this list.

Ranking: Stinker

7. morbius

Not worth dwelling on.

Ranking: Stinker