April is here and it’s coming strong out of the gate with not one but two competing blockbusters, but that’s not the only game in town, so let’s see what’s in store for us this weekend.
Shazam!
Directed by: David F. Sandberg
With: Zachary Levi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Borth, and Mark Strong
What is it about? We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson’s case, by shouting out one word – SHAZAM! – this streetwise fourteen-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult superhero Shazam.
Heads Up? DC is in a much needed winning streak with Shazam! after last year’s smashing success of Aquaman. This one has been certified fresh by rotten Tomatoes, not to mention the high buzz it has been enjoying since it premiered at SXSW Film Festival. This should be a fun film to watch with your friends or family.
Pet Sematary
Directed by: Kevin Kölsch, Dennis Widmyer
With: Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, Jeté Laurence, and John Lithgow
What is it about? Dr. Louis Creed and his wife, Rachel, relocate from Boston to rural Maine with their two young children. The couple soon discover a mysterious burial ground hidden deep in the woods near their new home. When tragedy strikes, Louis turns to his neighbour Jud Crandall, setting off a perilous chain reaction that unleashes an unspeakable evil with horrific consequences.
Heads Up? The new adaptation of the beloved Stephen King book also premiered at SXSW to quite the positive critical approval and fanfare. If you are a horror fan, then this one should be a must-see.
Romeo Akbar Walter
Directed by: Robbie Grewal
With: John Abraham, Jackie Shroff, and Mouni Roy
What is it about? John Abraham plays Ravindra Kaushik, an ex-RAW agent whose spy mind benefited India during the 1971 war. The movie tracks his infiltration of the Pakistan Army and leak of secrets to India.
Heads Up? An espionage thriller that is set in the 70’s and is based on true story. It’s yet another film we get this year about the many India-Pakistan past and present conflicts (after URI: The Surgical Strike, Battalion 609, and last year’s Raazi). Even though the movie has a good premise for a thriller, the trailer doesn’t inspire much confidence in the treatment (unlike say, John Abraham‘s Madras Cafe). Skip it unless you are a fan of the lead.
My Hero Academia: Two Heroes
Directed by: Kenji Nagasaki
With: Daiki Yamashita, Kenta Miyake, Nobuhiko Okamoto, and Ayane Sakura
What is it about? All Might and Deku accept an invitation to visit a floating man-made city called I Island where they meet a girl and battle against a villain who takes the island hostage.
Heads Up? For the fan of the manga/anime series My Hero Academia this film is set between the second and third season. I don’t think people who aren’t already fans would have interest in this film.
