April’s Top Movies

April 2

 

• Bumblebee

  Cybertron has fallen. When Optimus Prime sends Bumblebee to defend Earth, his journey to become a hero begins. Charlie Watson (Hailee Steinfeld), a teenager trying to find her place in the world, discovers and repairs the battle-scarred robot, who’s disguised as a Volkswagen Beetle. As the Decepticons hunt down the surviving Autobots with the help of a secret agency led by Agent Burns (John Cena), Bumblebee and Charlie team up to protect the world. Vitals: Director: Travis Knight. Stars: Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., John Ortiz, Jason Drucker, Pamela Adlon, Stephen Schneider. 2018, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 114 min., Action, Box office gross: $127.150 million, Paramount. Blu-ray extras: Sector 7 Archive: “Agent Burns: Welcome to Sector 7,” “Sector 7 Adventures: The Battle at Half Dome” (all-new motion comic); deleted and extended scenes; outtakes, “Bee Vision: The Transformers of Cybertron”; “Bringing Bumblebee to the Big Screen.”

• Vice

  The story of Dick Cheney, an unassuming bureaucratic Washington insider, who quietly wielded immense power as Vice President to George W. Bush, reshaping the country and the globe in ways that we still feel today. An amazing acting turn by Christian Bale as Cheney; an amazingly black and bleak drama-comedy about our sad state of political affairs. Should have nabbed the Best Picture Oscar instead of the Milquetoast “Green Book.” Vitals: Director: Adam McKay. Stars: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell. 2018, CC, MPAA rating: R, 137 min., Comedy-Drama-Biography-Satire, Box office gross: $47.578 million, Fox. Extras: Three deleted scenes, “Gaming the System: The Making of Vice,” “The Music of Power,” gallery.

• The Mule

  Earl Stone (Clint Eastwood), a man in his 80s who is broke, alone, and facing foreclosure of his business, is offered a job that simply requires him to drive. Easy enough, but, unbeknownst to Earl, he’s just signed on as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel. He does well — so well, in fact, that his cargo increases exponentially, and Earl is assigned a handler. But he isn’t the only one keeping tabs on Earl; the mysterious new drug mule has also hit the radar of hard-charging DEA agent Colin Bates (Bradley Cooper). And even as his money problems become a thing of the past, Earl’s past mistakes start to weigh heavily on him, and it’s uncertain if he’ll have time to right those wrongs before law enforcement, or the cartel’s enforcers, catch up to him. Vitals: Director: Clint Eastwood. Stars: Bradley Cooper, Clint Eastwood, Taissa Farmiga, Andy Garcia, Laurence Fishburne, Alison Eastwood, Dianne Wiest, Manny Montana, Clifton Collins Jr. 2018, CC, MPAA rating: R, 116 min., Drama, Box office gross: $96.7 million, Warner. Extras:

 

April 9

• On the Basis of Sex

  Inspired by the incredible true story of a young Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Felicity Jones), the film depicts a then-struggling attorney and new mother facing adversity in her fight for equal rights. When Ruth takes on a ground-breaking case, she knows the outcome could alter the courts’ view of gender discrimination. Stronger together, Ruth teams up with her husband, Martin Ginsburg (Armie Hammer), to fight for the case before the U.S. Court of Appeals and overturn a century of gender discrimination, catapulting her to become one of the most important public figures of our time. Vitals: Director: Mimi Leder. Stars: Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Cailee Spaeny, Jack Reynor, Kathy Bates, Stephen Root, Sam Waterston, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 2018, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 120 min., Drama, Box office gross: $23.316 million, Universal. Extras: “A Supreme Team: Making On the Basis of Sex,” “Legacy of Justice” deeper look at how Ruth Bader Ginsburg pioneered gender equality in America and gained her seat on the Supreme Court, “Martin and Ruth: A Loving Partnership” intimate look at the symbiotic marriage between Martin and Ruth Ginsburg.

• Holmes & Watson

  Detective Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson join forces to investigate a mysterious murder at Buckingham Palace. It seems like an open-and-shut case as all signs point to Professor James Moriarty, the criminal mastermind and longtime nemesis of the crime-solving duo. When new twists and clues begin to emerge, the world’s greatest sleuth and his trusted assistant must now use their legendary wits and ingenious methods to catch the killer before the queen becomes the next victim. Vitals: Director: Etan Cohen. Stars: Will Ferrell, John Reilly, Rebecca Hall, Rob Brydon, Kelly Macdonald, Pam Ferris, Ralph Fiennes. 2018, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 90 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $30.573 million, Sony. Extras: Line-O-Rama: Laugh-out-loud outtakes with the cast, deleted & extended scenes, “Will & John: Together Again,” “Seriously Absurd: A Look at the Cast,” “Mrs. Hudson’s Men: Exclusive Testimonials With Mrs. Hudson’s Suitors.”

• A Dog’s Way Home

  The film chronicles the heartwarming adventure of Bella, the brave and adventurous dog that embarks on an epic 400-mile journey home after she is separated from her beloved human, Lucas. Based on the bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron. Vitals: Director: Charles Martin Smith. Stars: Bryce Dallas Howard, Ashley Judd, Barry Watson, Alexandra Shipp, Edward James Olmos, Wes Studi. 2019, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 96 min., Family Adventure, Box office gross: $42.004 million, Sony. Extras: “DIY Doggie Treats With Shelby,” “Unforgettable Journey” with novelist W. Bruce Cameron, director Charles Martin Smith and the cast and crew, “Dog Days: Shelby’s Production Diary,” deleted scenes.

• Welcome to Marwen

  When a devastating attack by five men left him for dead, Mark Hogancamp (Steve Carell)’s life is shattered — all his memories are wiped away and no one expected his recovery. Putting together pieces from his old and new life, Mark meticulously creates a wondrous town where he can heal and be heroic. As he builds an astonishing art installation — a testament to the most powerful women he knows—through his fantasy world, he draws strength to triumph in the real one. Vitals: Director: Robert Zemeckis. Stars: Steve Carell, Eiza Gonzalez, Leslie Mann, Diane Kruger, Gwendoline Christie, Janelle Monae. 2018, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 116 min., Drama Comedy, Box office gross: $10.763 million, Universal. Extras: “Marwen‘s Citizens” in which the cast discuss their experiences; “A Visionary Director”; “Building Marwen” behind-the-scenes look at how the wondrous town of Marwen and its residents were crafted; “Living Dolls VFX featurette.

 

April 16

 

• Glass

  Writer-Director M. Night Shyamalan (“The Sixth Sense”) completes a mind-bending “superhero” trilogy created nearly 20 years ago. From “Unbreakable,” Bruce Willis returns as David Dunn as does Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price, known also by his pseudonym Mr. Glass. Joining from “Split” are James McAvoy, reprising his role as Kevin Wendell Crumb and the multiple identities who reside within, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke, the only captive to survive an encounter with The Beast. Following the conclusion of “Split,” Glass finds Dunn pursuing Crumb’s superhuman figure of The Beast in a series of escalating encounters, while the shadowy presence of Price emerges as an orchestrator who holds secrets critical to both men. Vitals: Director: M. Night Shyamalan. Stars: James McAvoy, Bruce Willis, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sarah Paulson, Samuel L. Jackson. 2019, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 129 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $111.035 million, Universal. Extras: Alternate opening; deleted scenes; “A Conversation with James McAvoy and M. Night Shyamalan.” Blu-ray adds “The Collection of Main Characters”; “Bringing the Team Back Together”; “David Dunn vs. The Beast”; “Glass Decoded”; “Breaking Glass: The Stunts”; “Connecting the Glass Universe” explore Shyamalan’s stylistic approach to the Glass trilogy and the unconventional concept of a comic book movie grounded in reality; “M. Night Shyamalan: Behind the Lens”; “Enhancing the Spectacle” VFX featurette; “Raven Hill Memorial” in which the cast and crew describe the eerie location as its own character in the film; “Night Vision – A look at the early stages of Glass by examining the storyboards and their remarkable similarity to the final shots in the film.

• Replicas

  Keanu Reeves stars as William Foster, a neuroscientist on the verge of transferring human consciousness into a computer when his beloved wife (Alice Eve) and children are tragically killed in a car crash. Desperate to resurrect his family, William recruits a fellow scientist (Thomas Middleditch) to help secretly clone their bodies and create replicas. When William learns that he can only replicate three of the four family members, he makes a decision with fateful consequences. Vitals: Director: Jeffrey Nachmanoff. Stars: Keanu Reeves, Alice Eve, Thomas Middleditch, Emily Alyn Lind, Emjay Anthony, John Ortiz. 2018, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 107 min., Sci-Fi Thriller, Box office gross: $4.406 million, Lionsgate. Extras: Audio commentary with director Jeffrey Nachmanoff and executive producer James Dodson, “Imprint Complete: The Making of Replicas” featurette, deleted scenes.

• The Kid Who Would Be King

  Alex thinks he’s just another nobody, getting bullied at school and told what to do by his teachers, until he stumbles upon the mythical Sword in the Stone, Excalibur. Now, with the help of the legendary wizard Merlin, he must unite his friends and school yard enemies into an allied band of knights to defeat the wicked enchantress Morgana. With the future at stake, Alex must become the great leader he never dreamed he could be and save the world. Vitals: Director:. Stars: Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Denise Gough, Dean Chaumoo, Tom Taylor, Rhianna Dorris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Noma Dumezweni, Rebecca Ferguson. 2019, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 117 min., Family Action Adventure, Box office gross: $16.788 million, Fox. Extras: Deleted scenes, “Origins of a King,” “Young Knights,” hair, makeup & costume tests, “Merlin’s Magic.” Blu-ray adds *Knight School,” “The Two Merlins,” “Meet Morgana,” “Movie Magic,” “Be the King,” “Lay Lay music video.

 

April 23

 

• Escape Room

  An intriguing invitation brings six strangers together. Initially, they think they have gathered for a highly immersive escape room, but they soon make the sickening discovery that they are pawns in a sadistic game of life and death. Together, they move from one terrifying scenario to the next as they must find clues and solve puzzles. But the players soon learn that exposing their darkest secrets may hold the key to survival. Vitals: Director: Adam Robitel. Stars: Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Deborah Ann Woll, Jay Ellis, Tyler Labine, Nik Dodani, Yorick van Wageningen. 2019, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 99 min., Horror, Box office gross: $56.792 million, Sony. Extras: Alternate ending; alternate opening; deleted scenes; three featurettes: “Games, Set, Match,” “The Lone Survivors” and “Would You Ever Part 1 & 2.”

• Destroyer

  Destroyer follows the moral and existential odyssey of LAPD detective Erin Bell (Nicole Kidman) who, as a young cop, was placed undercover with a gang in the California desert with tragic results. When the leader of that gang re-emerges many years later, she must work her way back through the remaining members and into her own history with them to finally reckon with the demons that destroyed her past. Vitals: Director: Karyn Kusama. Stars: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Tatiana Maslany, Sebastian Stan, Scoot McNairy, Bradley Whitford. 2018, CC, MPAA rating: R, 121 min., Drama, Box office gross: $1.533 million, Fox. Extras: Commentary with director Karyn Kusama, commentary with writers Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi, “Breakdown of an Anti-Hero: The Making of Destroyer,” gallery.

 

April 30

 

• Arctic

  Mads Mikkelsen stars as Overgård, a resourceful yet increasingly desperate man stranded in a remote, snow-covered wilderness. After a plane crash in an icy wasteland, Overgård must live by his wits as he waits for help to arrive. But when a long-awaited rescue effort fails, he faces a life-or-death decision: remain in the relative safety of his camp and hope to be found, or embark on an arduous trek that may be the only hope for both him and a critically injured stranger. Vitals: Director: Joe Penna. Stars: Mads Mikkelsen, Maria Thelma Smaradottir. 2019, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 97 min., Drama, Box office gross: $2.315 million, Universal. Extras: Deleted scenes, “The Story Behind Arctic,” Mads Mikkelsen featurette.

• Miss Bala

  Gloria (Gina Rodriguez), drives to Tijuana, Mexico to visit her best friend who is competing in the local “Miss Baja” beauty pageant. During a night out, her friend is abducted and Gloria finds herself a pawn in a dangerous game being played by the CIA, the DEA and a charismatic yet ruthless cartel kingpin. Finding power she never knew she had, Gloria plays one organization against the other, as she seeks to rescue her friend. Surviving will require all of her cunning, inventiveness, and strength. Based on the 2011 Spanish-language film. Vitals: Director: Catherine Hardwicke. Stars: Gina Rodriguez, Ismael Cruz-Córdova, Anthony Mackie, Matt Lauria. 2019, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 104 min., Action Thriller, Box office gross: $15.006 million, Sony. Extras: Eight deleted scenes and extended scenes; three featurettes: “Gina: The Unstoppable Strength of a Woman,” “The Bigger the Bang: Action on Set” and “Making of Miss Bala”; “A Look into the Stunts and Costumes with Catherine Hardwicke”; feature commentary with director Catherine Hardwicke, executive producer Jamie Marshall, and associate producer Shayda Frost.

• Serenity

  Baker Dill (Matthew McConaughey) is a fishing boat captain leading tours off a tranquil, tropical enclave called Plymouth Island. His quiet life is shattered, however, when his ex-wife Karen (Anne Hathaway) tracks him down with a desperate plea for help. She begs Dill to save her — and their young son — from her new, violent husband (Jason Clarke) by taking him out to sea on a fishing excursion, only to throw him to the sharks and leave him for dead. Karen’s appearance thrusts Dill back into a life he’d tried to forget, and as he struggles between right and wrong, his world is plunged into a new reality that may not be all that it seems. Vitals: Director: Steven Knight. Stars: Diane Lane, Anne Hathaway, Matthew McConaughey, Jason Clarke, Djimon Hounsou. 2019, CC, MPAA rating: R, 107 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $8.457 million, Universal. Extras: TBA.