April showers bring May flowers, but they also force us to stay indoors for the next four weeks. This unfortunate reality is still, of course, a sacrifice we’re willing to make every year. The sheer anticipation for the beginning of summer is something that makes patio barbecues that much more amazing. The sky is looking incredibly grey lately, and while the meteorologists promise warmer weather, it’s a heck of a lot safer to stay in a controlled environment. Look, we hate to sound like introverts over here, but there are so many reasons to bunker in this month. If the early spring weather has you feeling a tad bit gloomy, we have the perfect cure for you! Here are the best entertainment options on the horizon for April 2017.
The Fate of the Furious (April 14)
Every bro in the world is likely to see The Fate of the Furious when it lands in theatres this month, and who could blame them? The high-octane film is yet another addition to the extremely popular ongoing series, and this time, they have a tank. If you’re into nonstop action, you’ll want to go ahead and book your tickets way in advance. Opening day will see a swarm of superfans lining up to catch the flick, and F8 will surely top the weekend box office because of this dedication. With Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Vin Diesel, and Charlize Theron all attached, look for a star powered cinematic experience.
Also In Theatres Various (Dates)
We know The Fate of the Furious isn’t for everyone, so we’ve rounded out the rest of April’s noteworthy releases. For some reason, the month is chock-full of dramatic thrillers with Ben Wheatley’s Free Fire and James Gray’s Lost City of Z both arriving on screens in the forthcoming weeks. The aforementioned films chronicle the exploits of a British criminal organization and the discovery of an Amazonian civilization respectively. Speaking of lost cities, the latest Smurfs adventure (Smurfs: The Lost Vilage) is your best bet for a family outing. Finally, The Circle is an under the radar Tom Hanks vehicle about a man who lands a “dream job” with a powerful technology company. Horror aficionados will want to check out Phoenix Forgotten, which aims to make your screen crawl using alien-laced “found footage”.
Netflix (Various Dates)
Louis CK is returning to the small screen with 2017, his latest stand-up special and first in two years. The brand new hour lands on Netflix this week, and will likely be referenced by coworkers at the water cooler, so best keep yourself in the loop. Bill Nye the Science Guy is about to give us a hefty dose of nostalgia with the streaming series, Bill Nye Saves the World. It’ll likely be a tertiary take on science and technology, but it’ll certainly be fun to learn from the 90s icon once again. Meanwhile, everyone’s favourite guilty pleasure, Riverdale, returns from a brief hiatus this month so plan your Thursdays accordingly. Old favourites like Mad Max and Titanic are also being added to your Netflix library this April.
NHL Playoffs (April 12)
It’s a good year to be a Canadian hockey fan, as the nation’s top teams are just a few days away from clinching a spot in the NHL playoffs. After years of struggling near the bottom of the standings, the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs are armed with young talent and poised to compete in the postseason this month. It’s said that Lord Stanley’s cup is one of the hardest trophies to win, and you can see why: The NHL playoffs start on April 12 and run all the way through early June. It’s one of the greatest spectacles in sport, so you’ll definitely want to strap in when the puck drops. If you’re looking for an added edge of excitement to your life, consult your cable provider to see which games are available in your region.
In Your Ears (Various Dates)
Kendrick Lamar is slated to release a project on April 7, and if the album’s two singles are any indication, we’re in for something totally special. K-Dot will set social media on fire this week and the dude’s track record signifies that the upcoming drop will be of the utmost quality. Not to be lost in the hype is Pro Era captain, Joey Badass. The Brooklyn rapper is preparing to unleash, All Amerikkkan Badass, which is packed with incendiary imagery and politically conscious bars. Electronica producer, Arca, is set to debut his self-titled album this month, and it’s sounding like his most personal offering yet. Father John Misty has been one of alternative music’s most outspoken stars this year, and now he’ll have to show that he practices what he preaches. The release date of his album, Pure Comedy is right around the corner. Finally, Canadian indie darling, Feist will be gifting us with new material this month, as well as the criminally cool R&B singer, JMSN.
