What’s New On Hulu In April
Hulu in April will give “Twilight” fans a huge binging opportunity courtesy of their streaming of all the movie adaptations of the books. This writer will admittedly not be one of these bingers. Taking these vampire films seriously got ruined thanks to hearing the great Rifftrax quip “‘Twilight: Breaking Dawn’…because ‘Bad’ and ‘Wind’ were already taken.”
April is of course also the month when 420 Day happens. Thanks to Hulu, you can make April 420 Month. That’s because two of this month’s new offerings are vintage Cheech and Chong stoner comedies. Yeah, the comedies’ plots are non-existent and the humor has dated a bit. But hey, when you’re lighting one up, “The Power Of The Dog” is definitely not something you’re in the mood for.
For those who want something out of the ordinary without getting stoned first, Hulu has got viewers covered there too. There’s the long-awaited new season of the comedy inspired by former Bay Area cartoonist Keith Knight’s life and work. Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black helms a true crime drama that will make some viewers reconsider the alleged virtue of having a strong religious belief. And “Saturday Night Live”’s Kyle Mooney stars in a film that shows how even an unusual children’s show can positively shape a person’s life.
April 1
Boys On The Side–You may have heard the set-up of Herbert Ross’ comedy-drama before. Musician Jane (Whoopi Goldberg) wants to bounce back after a breakup with both her girlfriend and her band. Real-estate agent Robin (Mary-Louise Parker) needs a driving companion for a cross-country trip. Holly (Drew Barrymore) wants to escape life with abusive druggie boyfriend Nick. These three women get together for a cross-country road trip to California. But their journey takes a few curves in sometimes unexpected directions thanks to love, death, and disease.
Brigsby Bear–This comedy-drama co-written by and starring SNL’s Kyle Mooney gives a decidedly off-kilter treatment to the theme of the emotionally formative influence of pop art. James Pope (Mooney) is a superfan obsessed with the very quirky children’s show “Brigsby Bear Adventures.” Having FOMO feelings because you’ve never heard of the show? Don’t be. The “Brigsby Bear” show has an audience of just one: James. Why that is, and what James ultimately needs from his favorite show is what this movie is about. Actors such as Mark Hamill, Claire Danes, and Andy Samberg bring this decidedly unconventional tale to life.
Cheech And Chong’s Next Movie–-Light up a blunt and then get a blast of old-style pothead humor. Stoners Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong wander around Los Angeles and have misadventures trying to score some pot. Along the way, dull straight characters (e.g. uptight neighbors, cops) are ridiculed while weirdo counterculture types get celebrated. Expect cameos from such folks as Paul “Pee Wee Herman” Reubens and Cassandra “Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark” Peterson. Try not to be jealous that whatever pot you smoke while watching this film won’t have half the effects of snorted space coke.
Copycat–Criminal psychologist Helen Hudson (Sigourney Weaver) has made a name for herself as an expert on serial killer behavior. However, a traumatic encounter with serial killer Daryll Lee Cullum (Harry Connick Jr.) turns Hudson into an agoraphobe. The good news is Cullum eventually winds up behind bars. The bad news is a copycat has been committing a string of murders imitating the crimes of such killers as Son Of Sam and the Boston Strangler. Hudson offers investigating police detective M.J. Monahan (Holly Hunter) her expert insights. This is good, as there are signs Cullum is in contact with the copycat…and Hudson is a future target. Plot turns don’t matter as much as seeing what both lead actresses do with their respective characters.
Kusama: Infinity–Artist Yayoi Kusama regularly produces weirdly evocative art that’s always been far ahead of the curve, whether it’s one of her overflowing sculptures or her famed Infinity Rooms. However, her career has been continually shadowed by male artists prospering off Kusama’s innovations as well as her lifelong struggle with mental illness. This documentary both gives Kusama the due she’s been long denied, and celebrates the art she makes, whether it involves polka dots or mirrorballs.
Love Me Season 1–This Australian series set in modern-day Melbourne is a remake of Swedish series “Alska mig.”. Clara is a woman in her late 30s searching for the right person while practicing “ethical non-monogamy.” Aaron is a 20-ish law student who takes his studies seriously but also leaves room for sexy times. Glenn (Hugo Weaving) is a middle-aged man married to the standoffish and chronically ill Christine. These three characters turn out to belong to the same family, but a tragic event will send them on three different emotional paths in their search for love.
Night Raiders–In 2043 post-war North America, children are supposed to be surrendered to the state so they can be trained as future soldiers. For the adults, state citizenship is reserved only for the white, wealthy, or those willing to submit to the regime. Cree mother Niska and pre-teen daughter Waseese have used their tribal customs and traditions to live off the land and evade the authorities aka the “jingos.” But on a trip into the city, the pre-teen gets kidnapped and sent to a military school-like institution for training and indoctrination. Niska must now work with the underground Cree vigilante organization known as the Night Raiders in a desperate effort to rescue Waseese and other kidnapped children. Danis Goulet’s film is executive produced by Taika Waititi.
The Runaways–Los Angeles teen Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning) dreams of rock stardom. Teen Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) has the same dream and pitches to record producer Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon) the idea of an all-girl rock band. Jett encounters Currie while searching for possible band members. After a rocky audition, Currie becomes part of the band (and a lot more to Jett). At first, The Runaways enjoy roaring success. But personal jealousy and Currie’s own drug abuse problem endangers the band’s future. Floria Sigismondi helms this biopic adapted from Currie’s memoir “Neon Angel: The Cherie Currie Story.”
April 3
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2–For the newbies, this anime series concerns a 34-year-old shut-in whose life of being bullied and scorned abruptly ends when he’s fatally hit by a car. In an unexpected twist of fate, he’s reborn in a magical world as the infant Rudeus Grayrat. The reincarnation has not wiped out the skills or memories from his previous existence, and he wants to make the most of his second chance at life. However, as the new season begins, Rudeus’ plans to earn money and recognition via adventuring have fallen through for the moment. A mysterious anomaly has stranded him, his older cousin Eris, and a new party member Ruijerd on the Demon Continent. Rudeus’ teacher Roxy sets out to rescue her pupil. But who’s responsible for causing the anomaly?
April 6
Hardy Boys Season 2–It’s the return of the “Riverdale/Nancy Drew”-like reboot of this teen mystery series. (Think “teen detectives with strong touches of the supernatural.”) The new season starts up about six months after the end of the previous season. Joe and Frank Hardy and their amateur detective friends have a new case: finding a local Bridgeport teen who’s gone missing. But could that disappearance be connected with the new shadowy corporation that just moved into town?
April 8
Let The Right One In–Presumably Hulu will be screening the Swedish original version of this tale. Meek 12-year-old Oskar has moved into a Stockholm suburb with his mother. But perpetual bullying at school leaves him impotently dreaming of revenge. One night, he meets a mysterious new neighbor girl named Eli, who looks about his age yet insists they can’t be friends. As it turns out, Eli’s a vampire and the two children may be more alike than Oskar thinks. The horror here is leavened with touches of dark comedy, including a scene involving a cat attack.
Woke Season 2–It’s the much awaited return of this comedy loosely based on former Bay Area cartoonist Keith Knight’s life. For those tuning in, rising Black cartoonist Keef Knight felt he could go through life avoiding taking controversial stances. His wake-up call comes from a traumatic encounter with some aggressive cops who harassed him because he “fit the description” of a perpetrator. As a consequence of that encounter, the cartoonist now has the unexpected ability to see and hear inanimate objects talking to him about racism. In the new season, Keef has become a rising popular activist. Can he parlay his fame to bring about real change, or will the business of wokeness cause his personal and political integrity to take a huge dive?
April 10
The Hating Game–In this adaptation of Sally Thorne’s novel, Lucy and Josh are assistants to the co-CEOs of their newly merged publishing house. While both executive assistants have ambition and drive to spare, they get into frequent fights especially since their work styles are markedly different…and their desks are set facing each other mere feet apart. But what’s the line between hating someone and falling in love with them? The two assistants are about to find out thanks to a shiny new job opening which pits Lucy and Josh against each other. Add to the mix more than a few sexually steamy scenes, and the result is a different kind of romantic comedy.
April 13
Family Law Season 1–Lawyer Abigail Bianchi (Jewel Staite, “Firefly”) has just discovered it’s possible to hit career rock bottom. Not only does she have a serious drinking problem, but she becomes professionally radioactive thanks to a viral video catching her vomiting in court. As part of her probation, she goes to work in an office specializing in family law, an area she’s never worked in before. But this law office happens to be run by Abigail’s estranged father Harry Svensson (Victor Garber, “Legends Of Tomorrow”). Also on staff at the office are Daniel and Lucy, the half-siblings Abigail barely knows. Now Abigail must deal with both her office’s frequently dysfunctional clients as well as her own family’s dysfunctions, all while struggling to stay sober. Totally no pressure.
April 15
Compliance–One of Hulu’s most disturbing April offerings is this Craig Zobel-directed drama that’s based on an unfortunately true story. On a busy Friday night, fast food restaurant manager Sandra (Ann Dowd, “The Handmaid’s Tale”) receives a phone call from an Officer Daniels saying that pretty young employee Becky (Dreama Walker) has supposedly stolen money from a customer. Sandra is asked to follow the police officer’s instructions and interrogate Becky. Yet the officer’s instructions soon get increasingly invasive…
Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story Of The National Lampoon–Douglas Tirola’s documentary recounts the story of the National Lampoon magazine and how its media empire changed American comedy and humor. Features interviews with such Lampoon alumni as Matty Simmons, Tony Hendra, and P.J. O’Rourke as well as animated versions of Lampoon illustrations. In addition, there are interviews with such Lampoon fans as John Landis, Judd Apatow, Billy Bob Thornton, and John Goodman.
April 20
Mayans M.C. Season 4–The popular “Sons Of Anarchy” spinoff returns. Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes was once a golden boy who had the American Dream in his grasp. Now he’s become a full-on member of the Mayans Motorcycle Club based out of the southern California border town of Santo Padre. In the new season, war descends on Santo Padre and a new world order will arise. What blowback from other clubs will the Mayans M.C. face for failing to align under one king? Who got shot at the end of the third season? How will EZ emotionally spiral after significant other Gaby leaves him?
April 21
Captive Audience–This true-crime documentary mini-series directed by Jessica Dimmock takes a critical look at how media coverage of a high-profile crime negatively affects the victims of such a crime. Steven Stayner Sr. was the child victim of a high-profile California kidnapping. Stayner Sr. later dies in an accident before children Ashley and Steven Jr. really get to know him. Then in 1972, 7-year-old Steven Jr. fails to return home from school. Mother Kay Stayner faces the double challenge of keeping the media interested in Steven Jr.’s disappearance and keeping her family together. Seven years later, Steven Jr. miraculously returns home, which sets off a media frenzy. But what the media tries to paint as a happy ending doesn’t turn out to be one.
April 28
Under The Banner Of Heaven–-Dustin Lance Black (“Milk”) helms this adaptation of Jon Krakauer’s true crime book. Police detective Jeb Pyre (Andrew Garfield, “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” making his TV debut) is a devout Mormon whose world is seriously rocked by a double murder case. Victims Brenda Wright-Lafferty (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her baby daughter Erica were part of a powerful Mormon family. The investigative trail will lead Detective Pyre to the Mormon fundamentalist group known as the School of Prophets, and what he discovers will cause him to seriously question the nature of his faith.