March 26, 2014: April movie releases to look forward to! Or not!

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER

Release Date: April 3, 2014

What it’s about: Captain America teams up with the Black Widow and the Falcon to unravel a mysterious conspiracy and battle an enigmatic enemy known as…The Winter Soldier.

What it’s got working for it: The trailer suggests a good-looking movie.

What’s it’s got going against it: Also looks a little hokey.

DRAFT DAY

Release Date: April 11, 2014

What it’s about: The general manager of the Cleveland Browns attempts to pull of a huge deal on draft day.

What it’s got working for it: The rare participation of the NFL in a feature film.  And some possible insight into the draft day process.

What’s it’s got going against it: Given the NFL’s participation, don’t expect any hard-hitting or surprising insights.

OCULUS

Release Date: April 11, 2014

What it’s about: Ten years after the disappearance of their parents, a brother and sister look for answers in an antique mirror.

What it’s got working for it: There is that promisingly cool scene where the brother and sister see themselves through the open window.

What’s it’s got going against it: Everything else in that trailer?  Been there; seen that.

RIO 2

Release Date: April 11, 2014

What it’s about: Those birds from the first movie vacation in the amazon.

What it’s got working for it: If you like the first one, you’ll probably enjoy the sequel as well.

What’s it’s got going against it: The trailer?  Let’s assume they’re saving the funny bits for the actual big screen experience.

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL

Release Date: April 16, 2014

What it’s about: A boy survives a near-death experience and returns with knowledge of things he couldn’t possibly know about.

What it’s got working for it: An interesting and hopeful premise.  ”Inspired by a true story”.

What’s it’s got going against it: The more pessimistic will question the honesty of the source material.

THE RETRIEVAL 

Release Date: April 18, 2014

What it’s about: In 1864, a young African-American boy is enlisted by bounty hunters to entrap a fugitive freedman.

What it’s got working for it: An interesting dilemma for our young hero who must struggle to choose between fear and respect, old and newfound loyalties.

What’s it’s got going against it: If you watch the trailer, you’ll note he doesn’t struggle very long.  Looks fairly straightforward.

TRANSCENDENCE

Release Date: April 18, 2014

What it’s about: The singularity is here!  A scientist becomes the surprising catalyst for the Artificial Intelligence he seeks to create.

What it’s got working for it: Not exactly original, but Johnny Depp’s involvement holds promise.

What’s it’s got going against it: Remember The Tourist?  Dark Shadows?

BRICK MANSIONS

Release Date: April 18, 2014

What it’s about: In one of his final films, Paul Walker plays an undercover cop who must team with an ex-con to take on a ruthless criminal hiding within the walls of a fortified future Detroit.

What it’s got working for it: Luc Besson’s movies can be fun (ie. The Professional, The Transporter, The Fifth Element).

What’s it’s got going against it: And, other times, horrendous.  Anybody catch The Family?

Tagged: Brick Mansion, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Draft Day, Heaven is for Real, Oculus, Rio 2, The Retrieval, Transcendence