This Week In Movies: ‘Colossal,’ ‘The Void,’ ‘Aftermath,’ ‘Truman’

We begin April with some very popular and auteur directors releasing films this week. First, Spaniard director Nacho Vigalondo gets together with a solid cast that includes Anne Hathaway in what is a crazy sci-fi/comedy called Colossal. Also, former Spider-Man director Marc Webb tries to tug at the heart with his new film Gifted and Romanian helmer Cristian Mungiu who made the indelible “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days” gives us Graduation that delves into the role parents play today with their grown children. And how can we forget Arnold? He returns to the screen in Aftermath, written by a Latino writer named Javier Gullón. You definitely have a lot to look for this weekend. Enjoy the trailers and listen to our podcast for our in-depth reviews of this week’s releases and more!

WIDE RELEASE

Smurfs: The Lost Village (PG, 1hr 29m, Animation, Family)
Director: Kelly Asbury
Voice Cast: Ariel Winter, Michelle Rodriguez, Joe Manganiello, Julia Roberts
Synopsis: In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting race through the Forbidden Forest leading to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history.

Going in Style (PG-13, 1hr 36m, Comedy)
Director: Zach Braff
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Joey King, Ann-Margret, Michael Caine
Synopsis: Desperate to pay the bills and come through for their loved ones, three lifelong pals risk it all by embarking on a daring bid to knock off the very bank that absconded with their money.

The Case for Christ (PG, 112m, Drama)
Director: Jon Gunn
Cast: Mike Vogel, Erika Christensen, Faye Dunaway, Robert Forster
Synopsis: An investigative journalist and self-proclaimed atheist sets out to disprove the existence of God after his wife becomes a Christian.

INDIE & LIMITED RELEASES

Colossal (R, 110m, Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi)
Director: Nacho Vigalondo
Cast: Dan Stevens, Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis, Tim Blake Nelson
Synopsis: A woman discovers that severe catastrophic events are somehow connected to the mental breakdown from which she’s suffering.

The Void (1hr 30m, Horror)
Director: Jeremy Gillespie, Steven Kostanski
Cast: Ellen Wong, Kathleen Munroe, Kenneth Welsh, Aaron Poole
Synopsis: Shortly after delivering a patient to an understaffed hospital, a police officer experiences strange and violent occurrences seemingly linked to a group of mysterious hooded figures.

TRUMAN (NR, 1hr 48m, Foreign, Comedy)
Director: Cesc Gay
Cast: Ricardo Darín, Javier Cámara, Dolores Fonzi
Synopsis: Diagnosed with terminal cancer, Julián has decided to forgo treatment, and spend his final days tying up loose ends. When childhood friend Tomás pays his ailing friend an unexpected visit, he quickly realizes he won’t be able to change his mind.

Gifted (PG-13, 101m, Drama)
Director: Marc Webb
Cast: Jenny Slate, Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace, Octavia Spencer
Synopsis: Frank, a single man raising his child prodigy niece Mary, is drawn into a custody battle with his mother.

Aftermath (R, 1h 34m, Drama, Thriller)
Director: Elliott Lester
Voice Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maggie Grace, Kevin Zegers
Synopsis: Two strangers’ lives become inextricably bound together after a devastating plane crash.

Graduation (R, 128m, Crime, Drama)
Director: Cristian Mungiu
Cast: Adrian Titieni, Maria-Victoria Dragus, Rares Andrici, Lia Bugnar
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Synopsis: A film about compromises and the implications of the parent’s role.

Alive and Kicking (88m, Documentary, Music)
Director: Susan Glatzer
Cast: Hilary Alexander, Evita Arce, Kimberly Clever, Sharon Davis
Synopsis: Alive and Kicking gives the audience an intimate, insider’s view into the culture of the current swing dance world while shedding light on issues facing modern society.

Their Finest (R, 117m, Comedy, Drama, Romance)
Director: Lone Scherfig
Cast: Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin, Bill Nighy, Jack Huston
Synopsis: A British film crew attempts to boost morale during World War II by making a propaganda film after the Blitzkrieg.

Your Name (PG, 106m, Animé, Drama)
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Cast: Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Mone Kamishiraishi, Ryô Narita, Aoi Yuki
Synopsis: Two strangers find themselves linked in a bizarre way. When a connection forms, will distance be the only thing to keep them apart?

SHOT! The Psycho-Spiritual Mantra of Rock (95m, Documentary, Music)
Director: Barney Clay
Cast: Mick Rock
Synopsis: This is an odyssey into the colorful and bohemian tales of rock ‘n’ roll’s history. A cinematic adventure that delves deep into the mind of one of rock’s greatest living photographers.