By Kim Hollis

Ah, April. It’s a month where flowers begin to blossom, allergies run rampant, and we all bide our time for The Matrix Reloaded. At least the studios saw fit to include films featuring both Colin Firth and John Cusack.

April 4th

A Man Apart

The plot:
A cop from the hood looks for vengeance after a personal tragedy strikes home. Stars Vin Diesel, Larenz Tate, and Timothy Olyphant.

Why you might want to see it:
Despite the fact that his star has faded somewhat, Vin Diesel is a much more compelling actor than he is usually credited for being.

Why you might want to avoid it:
Dreadful trailers and ads are probably an accurate portrayal of this seeming by-the-numbers action/revenge flick.

Phone Booth

The plot:
A guy answers the phone and discovers he’s the target of a sniper who will kill him if he hangs up. Stars Colin Farrell, Forrest Whitaker, Kiefer Sutherland, and Katie Holmes.

Why you might want to see it:
The film is shot in real time and has an intriguing concept.

Why you might want to avoid it:
“Directed by Joel Schumacher…”

What a Girl Wants

The plot:
A teenage girl travels to England to meet the stuffy, upper-class father she never knew. Stars Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth, and Kelly Preston.

Why you might want to see it:
Duh. Colin Firth.

Why you might want to avoid it:
You’re not a teenage girl.

Also opening in limited release are five films very worthy of mention. Cowboy Bebop is a film adaptation of the anime series. Dysfunktional Family is a unique take on the comedy concert movie from Eddie Griffin, including outtakes of actual family members on whom his routine is based. 9/11 drama The Guys has received strong critical notice, and Finnish film The Man without a Past was nominated for the Academy Award for foreign language film.

April 11th

Anger Management

The plot:
A mild-mannered guy is forced to take anger management classes from a fellow who happens to have rage issues of his own. Stars Adam Sandler, Jack Nicholson and Marissa Tomei.

Why you might want to see it:
Adam Sandler is funny. Jack Nicholson wielding a golf club is even funnier.

Why you might want to avoid it:
You’ve actually already seen the entire movie in the trailers and the commercials.

At long last, also opening in limited release is the long-delayed and frequently shuffled House of 1000 Corpses from thrash metal hero Rob Zombie. If you have creepy clown issues, it’s probably not a film for you.

April 18th

Bulletproof Monk

The plot:
Based on a popular comic book series, Bulletproof Monk is about a mysterious and immortal Tibetan kung fu master who travels the world to protect an ancient scroll, and takes a young guy from the street under his wing to mentor him in the ways of the warrior. Stars Chow Yun Fat, Seann William Scott, and Jaime King. (Opens April 16th.)

Why you might want to see it:
Chow Yun Fat is a god.

Why you might want to avoid it:
Stiffler is a poor Owen Wilson substitute.

Chasing Papi

The plot:
Hoping to following in the footsteps of its cultural cousin, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Chasing Papi follows three Hispanic women who all learn that they are having a relationship with the same man, and band together to track him down. Stars Roselyn Sanchez, Jaci Velasquez, Sofia Vergara, and Eduardo Verastegui. (Opens April 16th.)

Why you might want to see it:
It genuinely looks like a lot of fun.

Why you might want to avoid it:
Your name is Steven, you recently starred on Real World Las Vegas, and the premise makes you uncomfortable for some reason.

Holes

The plot:
A boy is sent to a juvenile camp for a crime he didn’t commit, and the warden forces them to dig a gigantic hole every single day - could it be for a long-lost treasure? The film is based on a Newberry Award-winning book by Louis Sachar and has a strong following amongst kids. Stars Sigourney Weaver, John Voight, Shia LeBeouf, and Rick Fox.

Why you might want to see it:
Goonies never say die!

Why you might want to avoid it:
The book is valuable for its lessons about accepting other people for who they are, but the story itself is fairly contrived in an annoying way.

Malibu’s Most Wanted

The plot:
A white guy acts like he’s a black guy, and his politician father has to take action to make sure it doesn’t affect his campaign. Stars Jamie Kennedy, Ryan O’Neal, Anthony Anderson, and Taye Diggs.

Why you might want to see it:
Pretty Fly for a White Guy is your theme song.

Why you might want to avoid it
Vile trailer. Awful premise. Why, Jamie Kennedy, why?

April 25th

Confidence

The plot:
A con man gets in trouble with the mafia after he victimizes an accountant who just happens to work for the mob. Even as the con man works to pull off a job so he can get back in their good graces, the mob is shadowing him so that they can collect on what he owes them. Stars Edward Burns, Andy Garcia, Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, Donal Logue, and Rachel Weisz.

Why you might want to see it:
Last year’s April release from Lions Gate (Frailty) was one of the best films of the year.

Why you might not want to see it:
Lions Gate passed it over as Oscar bait.

Identity

The plot:
A group of people are all trapped at the same hotel when suddenly, they all start dying.  Who is the killer and what is the commonality?  Stars John Cusack, Amanda Peet, and John C. McGinley.

Why you might want to see it:
You see all of John Cusack's movies (hello, me!).

Why you might want to avoid it:
The trailer gives away a dumb secret - hopefully it's a red herring.

It Runs in the Family

The plot:
A dysfunctional but successful New York family tries to reconcile their feelings for one another. (Royal Tenenbaums, anyone?) Stars Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas, Rory Culkin and Bernadette Peters.

Why you might want to see it:
The true familial combination of Douglases is very compelling. Television commercials are terrific.

Why you might not want to see it:
Has been delayed several times, which can be a warning sign.

View other columns by Kim Hollis