April (2024)

April Watch List

The spring season is here, which means brand new anime, and April showers brings us the gift of time inside to catch all the great new series set to hit streaming.

 I’ve listed some watches I’ll be covering and others I might not get around to, but stories I still think are worth bringing to your attention.

 | The 5 Watches I’m Excited For In April |

 1. Bartender: Kami no Glass 🥃

2. HBO & A24’s The Sympathizer 🪖

3. Monkey Man 🙉

4. Parasyte: The Grey 🧬
5. A24’s Civil War 📰

Let me know what you're most excited for on the Instagram page!

Now let's get started...

I'm not much of a drinker but I'm starting to appreciate the subtle details that make up a good cocktail. Not only that but I've always wanted to try out Bartending and this feels like the perfect capturing of what type of bartender I would want to be.

I'm all the way in on this so you can expect a review a day after the last episode airs. 

Summary:
Hidden in the backstreets of the Ginza district is Eden Hall, a lone bar operated by Ryuu Sasakura, the prodigy bartender who is said to mix the most incredible cocktails anyone has ever tasted. However, not just anyone can find Eden Hall; rather, it is Eden Hall that must find you. Customers of varying backgrounds, each plagued with their own troubles, wander into this bar. Nevertheless, Ryuu always knows the ideal cocktail to console and guide each distraught soul.  
Episodes:
12
Runtime:
20mins

This is my first foray into the world of Andrew Scott because surprisingly enough, I've never seen anything with him in it. Time to see what all the hype is about.

My review will drop on April 4th.

Summary:
A grifter is drawn into a world of wealth and privilege after taking a unique job in Italy. But to seize the life he wants, he must build a web of lies.
Starring:
Andrew Scott, Dakota Fanning, Johnny Flynn  
Episodes:
8
Runtime:
60mins

Summary:
A young man with synesthesia faces an uncertain future while navigating the pressures of love, family and his Brazilian culture in Newark, N.J.
Starring:
Rudy Mancuso, Camila Mendes, Francesca Reale, Maria Mancuso, J.B. Smoove  
Runtime:
1hr31mins

Not sure if I'll have the time to watch this but I love the idea of music transporting you back to a moment in your life where a certain song had an impact on you, in this case, romantically. 

Summary:
Harriet discovers certain songs can transport her back in time. While she relives the past through romantic memories with her former boyfriend, her time travelling interferes with a burgeoning new love interest in the present.
Starring:
Lucy Boynton, David Corenswet, Justin H. Min  
Runtime:
1hr34mins

These over the top fight animes are only good for the first few episodes before the shtick gets old. I'll probably start it but doubt I'll finish it.

Summary:
Haruka Sakura wants nothing to do with weaklings—he's only interested in the strongest of the strong. He's just started at Furin High School, a school of degenerates known only for their brawling strength—strength they use to protect their town from anyone who wishes it ill. But Haruka's not interested in being a hero or being part of any sort of team—he just wants to fight his way to the top!
Episodes:
12
Runtime:
20mins

I've been recommended the Anime adaptation of Hitoshi Iwaaki's manga Parayste more times than I can count. This seems to have a less comedic approach so I think this might be what finally gets me over the hump of finishing the story.

I will definetly cover this so stay tuned for my review. 

Summary:
When unidentified parasites violently take over human hosts and gain power, humanity must rise to combat the growing threat.
Starring:
Jeon So-nee, Koo Kyo-hwan, Lee Jung-hyun  
Episodes:
N/A
Runtime:
60mins

Dev Patel has been attaching himself to some incredibly creative projects, most recently The Green Knight. This Indian John Wick type flick had a lot of buzz coming out of its premiere at SXSW.

My review will be posted April 4th. 

Summary:
An anonymous young man unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimize the poor and powerless.
Starring:
Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Sobhita Dhulipala, Sikandar Kher, Vipin Sharma, Ashwini Kalsekar, Adithi Kalkunte and Makarand Deshpande.  
Runtime:
2hr00mins

We are getting a double dose of Colin Farrell with Sugar and Batmans: The Penguin, later this year. Not sure if I'll get around to this but the trailer might peak your interest so give it a watch. 

Summary:
Private investigator John Sugar examines the mysterious disappearance of Olivia Siegel, the granddaughter of a legendary Hollywood producer.
Starring:
Colin Farrell, Kirby, Amy Ryan, and James Cromwell.
Episodes:
8
Runtime:
60mins

Summary:
A young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, but encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.
Starring:
Nell Tiger Free, Ralph Ineson, and Sonia Braga
Runtime:
2hrs00mins

I'm worried this will be more comedy than action, but I'll be watching it regardless.

Stay tuned for my review after it's final episode. 

Summary:
A legendary hitman trained to become the world's best assassin is asked to lay low for a year by the head of his crime family. Episodes:
12
Runtime:
20mins

Summary:
Fallout is the story of haves and have nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have. 200 years after the apocalypse, a peaceful denizen from a cozy fallout shelter is forced to return to the surface--and is shocked to discover the wasteland waiting for her.
Starring:
Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, Walton Goggins.
Episodes:
8
Runtime:
60mins

My expectations are incredibly high for this. It's as buzzy as any film over the last year, and it's from the mind of Ex Machina's Alex Garland, so if anything you will leave the theatre thinking about it well after it's over.

I'll have a short review up on my story April 4th. My full review will be posted the week of its release. 

Summary:
In a dystopian future America, a team of military-embedded journalists races against time to reach Washington, D.C., before rebel factions descend upon the White House.
Starring:
Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Nick Offerman.  
Runtime:
1hr49mins

Diljit Dosanjh is on an insane run and now looks to tackle the tragic death of Punjabi artist Chamkila. This dropping a few years after Sidhu Moose Wala's death, another Punjabi singer who was shot to death, will definitely have people talking

I will have a review up on, or before it's release. 

Summary:
A humble singer's brash lyrics ignite fame and fury across Punjab as he grapples with soaring success and brutal criticism before his untimely death.
Starring:
Diljit Dosanjh, Parineeti Chopra, and Anurag Arora  
Runtime:
2hrs25mins

Summary:
A man working a job far removed from his childhood dreams gets wrapped up in an unexpected situation...!. Becoming a monster, he aims once again to fulfill his lifelong dream.
Episodes:
12
Runtime:
20mins

HBO AND A24?!?! Say no more.

My review will be posted on April 10th. 

Summary:
Near the end of the Vietnam War, a spy who was embedded in the South Vietnam army flees to the United States and takes up residence in a refugee community, where he continues to gather intelligence and report back to the Viet Cong.
Starring:
Robert Downey Jr., Scott Ly, and Hoa Xuande
Episodes:
7
Runtime:
20mins

I didn't review Part One of Rebel Moon because I don't like trashing movies if I can avoid it, and I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt after seeing Part Two. I really hope Part Two delivers, but I'm doubtful. 

Summary:
The rebels gear up for battle against the ruthless forces of the Motherworld as unbreakable bonds are forged, heroes emerge — and legends are made.
Starring:
Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein  
Runtime:
2hrs03mins

As much as I love Anime on the big screen and the overall story of Spy x Family (which is family friendly version of what feels like Mr and Mrs Smith), Anya's whole waku-waku vibe is better suited for a lazy Sunday at home.

Check out my review on Season 1 of Spy x Family here. 

Summary:
A spy and an assassin keep their double lives to themselves while pretending to be the perfect family.
Runtime:
1hr50mins

Summary:
A group of would-be criminals kidnaps the 12-year-old daughter of a powerful underworld figure. Holding her for ransom in an isolated mansion, their plan starts to unravel when they discover their young captive is actually a bloodthirsty vampire.
Starring:
Giancarlo Esposito, Dan Stevens, Matthew Goode, Kathryn Newton, and Angus Cloud.
Runtime:
1hr30mins

Japanese films and TV series are firing on all cylinders, so no time better than the present to check out a story I've had on my manga reading list for ages.

I'm hoping to catch this early, but most likely wont watch it until the weekend it releases. Stay tuned for my review.

Summary:
An exceptional marksman and hopeless playboy, private eye Ryo Saeba reluctantly forms an alliance with his late partner's sister to investigate his death.
Starring:
Ryohei Suzuki, Misato Morita, Masanobu Ando   
Runtime:
1hr4wmins

Zendaya is undeniably magnetic in everything she's in, and this looks like it will be her tour de force. 

Summary:
Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach is married to a champion on a losing streak. Her strategy for her husband's redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against his former best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend.
Starring:
Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor
Runtime:
N/A

As fun as the Sonic the Hedgehog movie was (check out my review here) this looks solely made for the kids. 

Summary:
Knuckles the Echidna teaches deputy Wade Whipple the techniques of the Echidna warrior.
Starring:
Idris Elba, Kid Cudi, and Adam Pally.  
Episodes:
6
Runtime:
N/A

Summary:
Boy, a deaf person with a vibrant imagination, is trained by a mysterious shaman to become an instrument of death after his family is murdered.
Starring:
Bill Skarsgård
Runtime:
1hr51mins