April entertainment planner: 'Avengers,' 'Westworld,' 'Hilarity for Charity' and 'Handmaids' kick off early summer season

"Blockers" (April 6)

This gross-out romp about a group of overly protective parents frantically trying to keep their daughters from losing their virginity on prom night earned raves at this year’s South by Southwest festival for its whip-smart flouting of teen sex comedy conventions. The girls (Kathryn Newton, Gideon Adlon and Geraldine Viswanathan) have got it all under control; it’s the parents (Leslie Mann, John Cena and Ike Barinholtz) who need to sort out their issues. "Blockers" reps the feature-directing debut of “Pitch Perfect” screenwriter Kay Cannon.

"A Quiet Place" (April 6)

Silence is a matter of life or death in this John Krasinski-directed horror flick about a family attempting to evade a pack of monsters that hunt by sound. Krasinski and real-life wife Emily Blunt play the parents who’ve devised a sonically undetectable lifestyle built in large part around the American Sign Language they've learned to communicate with their partially deaf daughter (Millicent Simmonds). Early reviews have been ecstatic.

"Zama" (April 13)

Argentinian filmmaker Lucrecia Martel’s first film in nearly a decade takes on novelist Antonio Di Benedetto’s existentialist classic about an 18th century Spanish colonial awaiting transfer from an increasingly dire posting in Paraguay. Martel’s most ambitious movie to date dazzled critics at last year’s fall film festivals, but when your work is frequently compared to Terrence Malick and Werner Herzog, distribution can prove elusive. As a result, “Zama” will see only limited release in the U.S., but for those seeking new experiences, there’s not a more exciting or skilled filmmaker working today.

"Super Troopers 2" (April 20)

It took them 17 years, but Vermont State Troopers Thorny, Foster, Mac, Rabbit and Farva are finally back in uniform, so you all can relax meow. The long-awaited sequel’s $2 million budget was procured via an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, which assured backers a presold ticket (via Fandango) to see the movie in a theater. Let’s hope the finished film is as inventive as its financing.

"Avengers: Infinity War" (April 27)

Those Infinity Stones that have served as MacGuffin plot devices in the last however many Marvel movies are at last going to serve a very specific purpose that, if you know your comic books, could prove very fatal for some of Earth’s mightiest heroes. Originally slated for a May release, Marvel delighted fans by bumping the theatrical release up a week (thereby crushing the one-week smash-and-grab dreams of the films that had staked out that late April release date). The summer movie season starts early in 2018.

TV

"Jesus Christ Superstar Live" (April 1)

Tell the rabble to be quiet, as we anticipate a riot from Andrew Lloyd Webber nerds on Easter Sunday when NBC airs its live performance of the composer’s gospel rock opera. John Legend stars as Jesus Christ, and he’s joined by a powerhouse ensemble that includes Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene, Brandon Victor Dixon as Judas Iscariot, Ben Daniels as Pontius Pilate and Alice freaking Cooper as King Herod. Come receive the rockin’ Good News!

"Legion" Season 2 (April 3)

The first season of Noah Hawley’s X-Men spinoff veered from exhilarating to downright inscrutable, but it was never less than watchable thanks to Aubrey Plaza’s exquisitely weird portrayal of the Shadow King. She’s back for the second season, which means we’re back, too. Saïd Taghmaoui joins the fun this season as the true form of the Shadow King (it’s way too complicated to explain here, so just watch the darn show).

"Paterno" (April 7)

Al Pacino plays disgraced Penn State coach Joe Paterno in this sure-to-be-controversial HBO biopic. Barry Levinson's film focuses on Paterno’s handling of the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal that nearly brought down one of the most powerful college football programs in the United States. The always great Riley Keough co-stars as Sara Ganim, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who broke the scandal.

"Howards End" (April 8)

James Ivory’s 1992 adaptation of E.M. Forster’s classic novel was one of the best films of that decade. Did we really need another take on this material? This miniseries (which begins its run on STARZ in April after airing to great acclaim last year on British television) stars Hayley Atwell, Matthew Macfadyen, Julia Ormond and Tracey Ullman and boasts a script from “Manchester by the Sea” filmmaker Kenneth Lonergan. So, yeah, we’ll have another go.

"Westworld" (April 22)

The season finale of “Westworld” concluded 16 months ago with the android hosts overrunning the park and murdering their creator, Ford (Anthony Hopkins). HBO has kept plot details of the long-awaited second season under wraps, but it appears from the teaser that the host uprising is still ongoing. For fans who need to know more right now, a site for Delos Destinations is up and running for your perusal (but be careful digging too deep for spoilers because, as co-creator Jonathan Nolan said recently, “we love to f*** with Reddit”).

Streaming

"Miami Blues" (April 1)

It’s hard to keep track of all the library titles that come and go on Amazon Prime, so allow us to hip you to this must-watch, hugely underrated 1990 crime flick from producer Jonathan Demme. Alec Baldwin gives arguably the performance of his career as a psychopath run amok (with a stolen police badge) in George Armitage’s “Miami Blues.” Jennifer Jason Leigh is sensational as the sweet-natured prostitute who falls for the lunatic, while Fred Ward plays the gruff detective who wants his badge (and dentures) back.

"Seth Rogen’s Hilarity for Charity" (April 6)

On March 25, Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller rounded up a bunch of their funny friends and put on an all-star comedy show at the Hollywood Palladium to raise money for the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease. Netflix is set to air the special, which features performances from Tiffany Haddish, Craig Robinson, Sarah Silverman, Michelle Wolf, The Muppets and many more.

"The Florida Project" (April 6)

Filmmaker Sean Baker transitioned from the iPhone 6-shot “Tangerine” to the lush 35mm of “The Florida Project,” and while critics swooned, audiences didn’t exactly turn out in droves. Starting this month, viewers can log on to Amazon Prime to catch up with one of 2017's very best dramas. The Orlando-set drama isn’t exactly a feel-good experience, but it’s a must-watch for the superb performances from Willem Dafoe and young Brooklynn Prince.

"Lost in Space" (April 13)

This reboot of the beloved 1965 sci-fi series can’t be worse than the 1998 film because, really, nothing’s worse than the 1998 film. “Prison Break” producer Zack Estrin is the showrunner for Netflix’s new adventures of the marooned space family Robinson. Toby Stephens and Molly Parker play the parents, but the real reason to tune in is to see what the incomparable Parker Posey does with the juicy role of saboteur Dr. Smith.

"The Handmaid’s Tale" (April 25)

The critically acclaimed serializing of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel returns for its second season on Hulu after becoming the first show on a streaming platform to win the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series. The expectations couldn’t be higher for the drama set in a near-future America where women are treated as sexual subordinates. Given that the first season basically completed the book’s narrative, this season will be mostly uncharted territory.

Music

April 21 is Record Store Day, so there are all sorts of fun goodies to check out this month – including an exclusive 7-inch Jimi Hendrix release – so there is no excuse not to add to the old tunes collection this month. 

Dr. Octagon – “Moosebumps: An Exploration Into Modern Day Horripulation” (April 6)

Kool Keith, Dan the Automator and DJ Qbert have reunited for a “true” sequel to their 1995 classic “Dr. Octagonecologyst” (Dan and QBert were MIA for Keith’s muddled “The Return of Dr. Octagon”). The first single, “Octagon Octagon,” dropped last February, and it sounds like these wonderful weirdos have picked up right where they left off.

Kylie Minogue – “Golden” (April 6)

The 14th studio album from the Aussie pop chanteuse promises a mix of dance tracks and country music. Yes, country music. Minogue recorded a portion of the album in Nashville, and she was evidently inspired by her surroundings to record a sound that, as she put it, is akin to “Dolly Parton standing on the dance floor.” We’re listening, Kylie.

A Perfect Circle – “Eat the Elephant” (April 13)

Alt-metal heads have waited 14 years for a new album from A Perfect Circle, and while it looked unlikely at times, that blessed event has at last arrived. The supergroup-ish assemblage of Tool’s Maynard James Keenan, Smashing Pumpkins’ James Iha and hotshot guitar tech Billy Howerdel has already released three tracks from the LP, and they’ve met with overall approval from their fan base.

The Melvins – “Pinkus Abortion Technician” (April 20)

The legendary Washington state grunge pioneers celebrate their 35th year of rocking with their first official LP since 2016’s double-album “Basses Loaded.” The title is a fond nod to the Butthole Surfers’ “Locust Abortion Technician” and will feature that band’s bassist, Jeff Pinkus, playing simultaneously with The Melvins’ regular bassist, Jeff McDonald. That’s a lot of bass.

Janelle Monáe – “Dirty Computer” (April 27)

We got a taste of Janelle Monáe’s follow-up to 2013’s amazing “The Electric Lady” last February when she released the singles “Make Me Feel” and “Django Jane,” and, uh, we’re ready to hear the rest. The versatile artist was collaborating with Prince on this latest LP, and his influence is all over “Make Me Feel” in a deliciously nasty way – especially in the video featuring Monáe and Tessa Thompson. It feels like Monáe is about to make a huge leap as an artist; if she pulls this off, “Dirty Computer” could very well be the album of the year.

Sports

The Masters (April 5 – 8)

The “tradition unlike any other” has its sizzle back this year thanks to Tiger Woods’s unexpected re-emergence. The Augusta course is made for Woods’s game, maybe more now than ever given the way he’s hitting greens and sinking putts. Woods is in the hunt for his fifth green jacket, which would place him just one behind Jack Nicklaus’s all-time record of six. This seemed unthinkable a year ago.

Stanley Cup Playoffs (April 11)

The Vegas Golden Knights have already made NHL history by becoming the first expansion team to make the postseason in their inaugural season. But playoff hockey is an entirely different game, and the road to the Cup in the West goes through Nashville, which is hot to avenge its 2017 Final loss to the Penguins. Out of the East, you’ve got Tampa Bay, Boston and a surging Washington. It’s anyone’s guess as to who will be playing in June.

NBA Playoffs (April 14)

There’s been no shortage of drama or, sadly, injuries in the NBA this season. The Golden State Warriors will likely begin their title defense without Steph Curry (out indefinitely with an MCL sprain), while the Boston Celtics are uncertain of Kyrie Irving’s postseason status after knee surgery. The Houston Rockets are the regular season team to beat, but don’t count out that LeBron James fella, who’s currently playing the best basketball of his career.

Boston Marathon (April 16)

Shalane Flanagan was forced to pull out of the 2017 Boston Marathon due to a fracture in her lower back; seven months later, she shocked the world by becoming the first American to win the New York City Marathon in 40 years. The 36-year-old runner was pondering retirement, but she's giving the signature U.S. marathon one more go. She’ll face stiff competition from the defending champ, Edna Kiplagat from Kenya.

NFL Draft (April 26 – 28)

The stakes are sky high for this year’s Cleveland Browns Super Bowl, as the perennial losers from Northeast Ohio are set to pick first and fourth in a draft top-heavy with heavily hyped quarterbacks. Who will be rewarded with the supreme misfortune of lining up behind center for 0-16 Cleveland? Josh Rosen? Sam Darnold? Josh Allen? Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield? All we know for certain is that the Browns will get it hilariously wrong yet again.