March 27, 2014: April under-the-radar releases to look forward to! Or not!

DOM HEMINGWAY

Release Date: April 2, 2014

What it’s about: Following a near-death experience, an ex-felon safecracker attempts to re-connect with his estranged daughter – and pull off one final score.

What it’s got working for it: The trailer suggests a movie with a Sexy Beast, Layer Cake, Lock Sock and Two Smoking Barrels feel.  Three movies I quite enjoyed.

What’s it’s got going against it: I’m admittedly reluctant to embrace Jude Law as an aging tough.  But I’m perfectly willing to be won over.

THE GALAPAGOS AFFAIR: SATAN COMES TO EDEN

Release Date: April 4, 2014

What it’s about: A documentary on the true life 1930′s murder mystery on the Galapagos Island.

What it’s got working for it: It’s like a very dark Gilligan’s Island.

What’s it’s got going against it: The fact that the truth surrounding the strange events remains a mystery could leave some viewers unsatisfied.

GOODBYE WORLD

Release Date: April 4, 2014

What it’s about: The internet crashes.  Society soon follows.

What it’s got working for it: Rather than focusing on the large-scale destruction of our civilization, this movie instead tells a more personal story about a close-knit group trying to weather the storm.

What it’s got going against it: The trailer doesn’t pack the promised weight.

UNDER THE SKIN

Release Date: April 4, 2014

What it’s about: An alien predator takes human form to hunt her prey but, in time, begins to embrace her humanity.

What it’s got working for it: Looks spooky.  And unique.

What it’s got going against it: It faces the challenge of covering ground already well worn by the Species series.

WATERMARK

Release Date: April 4, 2014

What it’s about: From the barren desert delta to the biggest arch dam in the world, this documentary studies our relationship with water.

What it’s got working for it: Shot in 5k ultra high def.  Stunning scenery.

What it’s got going against it: It’s a movie about water.  90 minutes worth of interesting?  Maybe.

A FRAGILE TRUST

Release Date: April 11, 2014

What it’s about: The story of Jayson Blair, one of the most shocking serial plagiarists in history.

What it’s got working for it: The curiosity factor.  How did he get away with it for so long?

What it’s got going against it: Hopefully not a movie that celebrates this word thief.

13 SINS

Release Date: April 18, 2014

What it’s about: A down on his luck salesman is offered rewards for the completion of 13 sinister tasks.

What it’s got working for it: An intriguing premise.

What it’s got going against it: Nicholas Cage has never been all that picky about the types of movies he’ll do.  Could be very interesting.  Or just plain awful.

PROXY

Release Date: April 18, 2014

What it’s about: Two women in a support group form a bond that engenders dark consequences.

What it’s got working for it: Looks like a suspenseful thriller.  In the tradition of Single White Female?

What it’s got going against it: The performances seem a little shaky…but it could just be the edit.

 

Tagged: 13 Sins, A Fragile Trust, Don Hemingway, Goodbye World, Proxy, The Galapagos Affair: Satan Comes to Eden, Under the Skin, Watermark