New in Theaters April 6, 2018 "Isle of Dogs," "The Miracle Season," "Blockers" and "A Quiet Place"

The Miracle Season

Starring: Helen Hunt and William Hurt

Rated PG  

Based on true events, the film tells the story of high school athlete Caroline Found and the West High School Trojans' girls volleyball team. After Caroline "Line" Found dies tragically, her team must band together under the guidance of their tough-love coach in hopes of winning the state championship.

“The Miracle Season” is not a bad film, despite its heavy handed heart tugging. The film hits all the notes it should and offers a few well paced and heartfelt moments.

William Hurt, who plays Caroline's kind and compassionate grieving father is counterbalanced by Helen Hunt's more direct and seemingly insensitive Coach Bresnahan. The juxtaposition of the pair seems to reflect the two sides of the grieving process.

However that being said, the film just can't seem to get out of second gear as it trudges along to its inevitable wet hanky ending.

“The Miracle Season” ends up being a run of the mill sports film with a spattering of better than average moments.

It gets a C and is rated PG.

Isle of Dogs

Starring the voices of: Bryan Cranston and Jeff Goldblum

Rated PG-13   

After all the dogs contract a disease, the canines are banished to an island where they must fight to survive. But everything changes when a 12-year old boy arrives looking for his pet.

“Isle of Dogs” is a cautionary tale about bigotry, political power, love and truth. The film is wonderfully eccentric, funny and touching at the same time.

It gets a B and is rated PG-13.

Blockers
Starring: John Cena and Leslie Mann

Rated R   

In this modern day sex romp, three high school graduates decide to lose their virginity on prom night and make a solemn oath to do so. When their parents find out about the pact, they go off on a quest to stop their daughters.

“Blockers” is a very funny raunch fest. Although the roles have been reversed from other teen sex films like “American Pie,” “Super Bad,””The Girl Next Door,” “She's Out of My League” and others, but the formula still works when handled correctly.

“Blockers” isn't really breaking any new ground, but it does deliver on its promise to make you laugh and at times... uncomfortably.

It gets a B and is rated R.

A Quiet Place
Starring: John Krasinski and Emily Blunt
Rated PG-13   

Written, directed and starring John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, the film takes place in a few years from now and focuses on a family who must live in complete silence as they are surrounded by creatures that hunt by sound. One sound can summon these horrifying aliens who shred anything in their path.

Last year the horror film “Get Out,” was a surprise hit because the film took its time to unwind for the audience, building the horror and the intensity slowly.

This year, “A Quiet Place,” which also paces itself meticulously, is an early offering for the best horror film of the year and a sign that the horror genre, overall, is heading for a kind of rebirth.

If you're a fan of the thriller / horror genre,“A Quiet Place” is a must see.

It gets an A and is rated PG-13.