Best Movies of April 2018

With movies that dominated at festivals last year, low-budget horror films that thrilled, and massive event films that changed the game for blockbuster filmmaking, April had a ton of different, solid films that pleased moviegoers everywhere.  April is the last month before the standard summer movie season in the film industry, and studios release a wide variety of films to get them out into theaters before the massive tentpoles hit theaters in May.  As a result, April is normally a very hit-or-miss month.  But, as the best movies of April 2018 elucidate below, this particular month was definitely a success.

Here are the best movies of April 2018:

#3: A Quiet Place

John Krasinski’s latest directorial effort is exactly what Paramount needed, and they’ve already put a sequel into development to capitalize on the film’s solid box office success.

A Quiet Place has a great hook as a high-concept thriller with monsters that prey on their victims with sound, and they have interesting designs as well with little compartments that open up when a loud sound is nearby.  Based on the premise, the entire film is built on dread and tension, and it certainly makes for a great communal experience in the theater if you’re among a respectable audience that doesn’t have an issue with staying quiet.

The film does suffer from what is called “refrigerator logic” in that the logic of the film holds up in the moment and it’s flaws may not come apparent until you have time to process the film some time later (say, when you open your fridge once you get home).  There’s plenty of smaller logical flaws that can build up in that regard, but A Quiet Place is still a great time at the theaters and deserves the praise it gets.

*To read my full review of A Quiet Place, please click here.

image via Business Insider

#2: Chappaquiddick

The Kennedys are an institution in American politics, and Chappaquiddick deserves praise merely for attempting to tackle such a troubling event as the Chappaquiddick incident.

Rather than pick a side in the event, the film stands back and tells its story in an incredibly impartial manner, allowing the audience to make the decision for itself as to whether Ted Kennedy is vile or not.

Jason Clarke embodies Ted Kennedy with a striking resemblance and also holds the weight of the situation on his shoulders as a troubled individual that just wants to live up to the Kennedy name.  Dare I say, it’s probably the best performance of his career thus far.

Chappaquiddick might not interest every movie fan out there, but its taut story and history-changing stakes are bound to please its intended audience.

*To read my full review of Chappaquiddick, please click here.

image via Variety

#1: Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero

Every so often, you see a film that makes you want to stand up and cheer, and Sgt. Stubby is that kind of movie.

Told through the eyes of a lovable dog, Sgt. Stubby is the amazing true story of the most decorated war dog of World War I.  Not only did Stubby act as the mascot of a squadron, he also warned people of an incoming mustard gas attack.  Talk about man’s best friend!

Still, the film manages to show the horrors of war despite a PG rating.  The film touches on questions of cease-fire after a surrender while hinting at death and injury, yet it continues to have a sweet, disarming tone that’ll bring a smile to your face.

Sgt. Stubby will most likely end up as one of my favorite films of 2018, and it deserves more press than it’s currently receiving.

*To read my full review of Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero, please click here.

image via Hollywood Reporter

In Case You (Or I) Missed It

Other than the top three films above, April had plenty other solid films that dazzled in their own, specific ways, adding to the eclectic nature of the month as a whole:

Blockers

The raunchy comedy from the writer behind the Pitch Perfect films is a nice change to the usual coming-of-age comedy with a pleasant feminist twist.  However, the film soars due to some great comedic timing and chemistry between the parents played by John Cena, Leslie Mann, and Ike Barinholtz  and the their children played by a trio of up-and-comers.

Paterno

HBO made a splash when its trailer for Paterno dropped online, and Penn State fans everywhere became enraged as a result.  However, the movie itself is pretty damn effective, highlighted by a stand-out performance from Al Pacino who channels his former self in the role.  Still, the film’s best attribute is that it focuses on the victims in the entire ordeal while showing how many people failed to do so.

Avengers: Infinity War

This cinematic event (which Marvel humorously called “the most ambitious crossover event in history”) was the best version of what it could have been.  Although it flies around from place to place to give each character their due, the Russo brothers still managed to give every single character a moment to shine.  Not to mention that it added some solid stakes that many are already lampooning on Twitter.

image via CNET

Thank you for reading! What are your thoughts on the best movies of April 2018? Do you think we missed any? Comment down below!

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