April’s Top Movies

April 7

• Little Women

  Director Greta Gerwig’s modern adaptation of the timeless masterpiece that draws on both the classic novel and the writings of Louisa May Alcott, and unfolds as the author’s alter ego, Jo March, reflects back and forth on her fictional life as the film tells the story of the March sisters — four young women each determined to live life on their own terms — is both timeless and timely. “Little Women” is only the third Best Picture nominee in history to have been written, directed and produced entirely by female filmmakers. Vitals: Director: Greta Gerwig. Stars: Saoirse Ronan Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Chris Cooper, Meryl Streep. 2019, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 135 min., Drama, Box office gross: $107.769 million, Sony. Extras: “A New Generation of Little Women” featurette; “Making a Modern Classic” featurette; “Greta Gerwig: Women Making Art” featurette; “Hair & Make-Up Test Sequence”; “Little Women Behind the Scenes”; “Orchard House, Home of Louisa May Alcott” featurette about Louisa May Alcott’s real-life Orchard House in Concord, Mass.

• Dolittle

  After losing his wife, Dolittle(Robert Downey Jr.) — the man who talks to animals — hermits himself away behind the high wall of his manor but is forced to set sail on an epic adventure when the queen falls gravely ill. Helping Dolittle in search of a rare cure are his rambunctious animal friends—including Chee-Chee (Rami Malek), an anxious, self-conscious gorilla; Dab-Dab (Octavia Spencer), an enthusiastic but bird-brained duck; the bickering duo of cynical, neurotic ostrich Plimpton (Kumail Nanjiani) and chilly-but-chill polar bear Yoshi (John Cena); as well as a headstrong parrot named Polynesia (Emma Thompson). Vitals: Director: Stephen Gaghan. Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, Harry Collett, Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, John Cena, Kumail Nanjiani, Octavia Spencer, Tom Holland, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez, Marion Cotillard. 2020, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 101 min., Family Adventure, Box office gross: $64.782 million, Universal. Extras: “Talk to the Animals,” “Robert Downey Jr. & Harry: Mentor And Mentee,” “Becoming The Good Doctor,” “Antonio Banderas: Pirate King,” “The Wicked Dr. Müdfly,” “A Most Unusual House.”

• Cats

  Director Tom Hooper reimagines Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-shattering musical. Starring James Corden, Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson and introducing Royal Ballet principal Francesca Hayward. With a world-class cast of dancers showcasing styles from classical ballet to contemporary, hip-hop to jazz, street dance to tap, this film reimagines the stage musical for a new generation. Vitals: Director: Tom Hooper. Stars: James Corden, Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson, Francesca Hayward. 2019, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 150 min., Fantasy Musical, Box office gross: $27.158 million, Universal. Extras: “Making Music.” “Singing Live,” “Cat School,” “Making Macavity,””9 Lives: The Cast of Cats,” “The Dancers,” “The Art of Dance,” “Scaling Up,” “A Director’s Journey,” “A Little Magic.”

 

April 14

• Underwater

  The crew of the Kepler undersea mining rig knew there would be hardships on their current mission, but nothing prepared them for the terrors they’re about to face. The adventure begins when a devastating earthquake damages the rig, including its communication devices and escape vehicle. Although the quick-thinking mechanical engineer manages to temporarily stave off imminent disaster, the need to evacuate escalates quickly. Their only hope is to walk across the ocean floor to an abandoned vessel, in hopes that its communication equipment still works. As if their journey isn’t treacherous enough, they begin to sense that they’re not alone in the murky ocean depths. Vitals: Director: William Eubank. Stars: Kristen Stewart, T.J. Miller, Vincent Cassel, Jessica Henwick, John Gallagher Jr., Mamoudou Athie, Gunner Wright. 2020, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 95 min., Action Thriller, Box office gross: $17.247 million, Fox. Extras: Blu-ray extras: Alternate ending; deleted scene; six extended scenes; two featurettes: “Real Bunny Montage” and “Making Underwater”; commentary.

• Just Mercy

  Powerful true story follows young lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) and his history-making battle for justice. After graduating from Harvard, Bryan had his pick of lucrative jobs. Instead, he heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned or who were not afforded proper representation, with the support of local advocate Eva Ansley (Brie Larson). One of his first, and most incendiary, cases is that of Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx), who, in 1987, was sentenced to die for the notorious murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite a preponderance of evidence proving his innocence and the fact that the only testimony against him came from a criminal with a motive to lie. In the years that follow, Bryan becomes embroiled in a labyrinth of legal and political maneuvering and overt and unabashed racism as he fights for Walter, and others like him, with the odds – and the system – stacked against them. Vitals: Director: Destin Daniel Cretton. Stars: Brie Larson, Rafe Spall, Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Tim Blake Nelson. 2019, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 136 min., Drama, Box office gross: $35.489 million, Warner. Extras: TBA.

 

April 21

• Bad Boys For Life

  The original Bad Boys, Mike Lowry (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence), are back. After a string of assassinations and an attempt on Mike’s life, he convinces a hesitant Marcus to hold off retirement and partner one last time. Together, they team up with AMMO, the new hotshot division of the Miami PD, to take down the merciless head of the Aretas Cartel. Vitals: Director: Adil El Arbi (as Adil), Bilall Fallah (as Bilall). Stars: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Charles Melton, Paola Nuñez, Kate del Castillo, Nicky Jam, Joe Pantoliano. 2020, CC, MPAA rating: R, 124 min., Action Comedy, Box office gross: $204.417 million, Sony. Extras: Extended & alternate scenes, outtakes & bloopers. Blu-ray adds “Ride or Die: Making Bad Boys for Life”; “Partners in Crime: Behind-the-Scenes”; “It’s About Time”: 25 years of “Bad Boys” history with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the cast and crew; Easter Eggs.

• Ip Man 4: The Finale

  Donnie Yen reprises his role as the legendary Wing Chun master in the grand finale of the revolutionary martial arts series. Following the death of his wife, Ip Man travels to San Francisco to ease tensions between the local kung fu masters and his star student, Bruce Lee, while searching for a better future for his son. Vitals: Director: Wilson Yip. Stars: Donnie Yen, Scott Adkins, Kwok-Kwan Chan, Vanness Wu. 2019, CC, MPAA rating: NR, 106 min., Action Drama, Box office gross: $3.956 million, Well Go USA. Extras: Making-of” featurette.

• Like a Boss

  Best friends, Mia and Mel (Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne) are living their best lives, running their own cosmetics company until a villainous beauty mogul (Salma Hayek) conspires to steal it from under them. When her devious plan drives the besties apart, Mia and Mel learn that sticking together is the only way to turn the tables and take their company back. The beauty business is about to get ugly. Vitals: Director: Miguel Arteta. Stars: Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Coolidge, Billy Porter. 2020, CC, MPAA rating: R, 83 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $22.169 million, Paramount. Blu-ray extras: “With Coworkers Like These, Who Needs Friends?” featurette, “Get Some With Ron and Greg,” deleted scenes.

• The Turning

  A young governess is hired by a man who has become responsible for his young nephew and niece after their parents’ deaths. A modern take on Henry James’ novella “The Turn of the Screw.” Newly appointed nanny Kate is charged with the care of two disturbed orphans, Flora and Miles. Quickly though, she discovers that both the children and the house are harboring dark secrets and things may not be as they appear. Vitals: Director: Floria Sigismondi. Stars: Mackenzie Davis, Finn Wolfhard, Brooklynn Prince, Mark Huberman, Karen Egan. 2020, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 94 min., Horror, Box office gross: $15.367 million, Universal. Extras: Alternate ending, deleted scenes, “Behind The Turning.”

• The Gentlemen

  Action-comedy follows American expat Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) who built a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. When word gets out that he’s looking to cash out of the business forever, it triggers plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him. Vitals: Director: Guy Ritchie. Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Colin Farrell, Henry Golding, Hugh Grant, Jason Wong. 2019, CC, MPAA rating: R, 113 min., Action Comedy, Box office gross: $33.894 million, Universal. Extras: “Best Gentlemanly Quips,” “Glossary of Cannabis,” “Behind the Scenes of The Gentlemen,” photo gallery.

• The Last Full Measure

  The true story of William H. Pitsenbarger, a U.S. Air Force medic who personally saved over 60 men before making the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam’s bloodiest battle. Three decades later, Pentagon staffer Scott Huffman investigates a Congressional Medal of Honor request made by Pitsenbarger’s mission partner and parents. Huffman interviews Army vets to learn more about Pitsenbarger’s courageous acts — and uncovers a high-level conspiracy behind the medal’s denial. Vitals: Director: Todd Robinson. Stars: Sebastian Stan, Christopher Plummer, William Hurt, Peter Fonda, Diane Ladd, Amy Madigan, Bradley Whitford, Ed Harris, Samuel L. Jackson. 2019, CC, MPAA rating: R, 116 min., War Drama, Box office gross: $2.949 million, Lionsgate. Extras: “The Women of The Last Full Measure” featurette, “Medal of Honor Ceremony Shoot” featurette, “The Others May Live: Remembering Operation Abilene” featurette, “USAF Museum Screening With Veterans & Pitsenbarger Family” featurette, “The Music of The Last Full Measure” featurette, “William Pitsenbarger Tribute” photo gallery.

 

April 28

• The Rhythm Section

  Blake Lively stars as Stephanie Patrick, a woman on a path of self-destruction after her family is tragically killed in a plane crash. When she discovers the wreck was no accident, Stephanie enters the dark, complex world of international espionage seeking vengeance. Her search leads to Iain Boyd (Jude Law), a former MI6 agent who trains her to hunt down those responsible. With nothing left to lose, Stephanie transforms from victim to assassin and discovers that neither revenge nor the truth are what they appear. Vitals: Director: Reed Morano. Stars: Blake Lively, Jude Law, Sterling K. Brown, Max Casella, Raza Jaffrey, Daniel Mays, Richard Brake, Geoff Bell. 2020, CC, MPAA rating: R, 109 min., Action Thriller, Box office gross: $5.437 million, Paramount. Blu-ray extras: Deleted and extended scenes, multiple featurettes.

• Guns Akimbo

  Miles’s (Daniel Radcliffe) nerdy existence as a video game developer takes a dramatic turn when he inadvertently gets caught up as the next contestant with SKIZM, an underground gang livestreaming real-life death matches. While Miles excels at running away from everything, that won’t help him outlast Nix (Samara Weaving), a killer at the top of her game. Vitals: Director: Jason Lei Howden. Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Samara Weaving, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Ned Dennehy, Grant Bowler, Edwin Wright, Rhys Darb. 2019, CC, MPAA rating: R, 98 min., Action Comedy, Box office gross: $.956 million, Lionsgate. Extras: Audio commentary with writer-director Jason Lei Howden, “Welcome to SKIZM” featurette, “Nix vs. Dane Stunt Sequence Exploration” featurette.