April 2026 Movie Preview

In this April 2026 movie preview episode of Alternate Ending, host Tim Brayton is joined by guest Andrew Milne for a lively discussion of upcoming releases and recent films. The episode opens with Andrew sharing his exciting plans to hike the 500-mile Scottish National Trail, a journey he’ll document on the podcast’s Discord server. The hosts then dive into their recent movie watches, with Andrew praising the whimsical, heartfelt sci-fi adventure *Project Hail Mary*, calling it a fun, well-cast popcorn film that balances hard sci-fi with emotional depth despite its long runtime. Tim passionately defends the 2004 Senegalese film *Mulade*, countering its grim premise with a glowing endorsement of its vibrant, humanistic storytelling and visual richness, urging listeners to see it despite its lack of HD availability. The bulk of the episode focuses on April’s North American releases, with the hosts expressing skepticism toward the *Super Mario Galaxy* sequel for its chaotic aesthetic and overreliance on nostalgia, while showing cautious interest in *The Drama* (Zendaya and Robert Pattinson) and *Lee Cronin’s The Mummy*, which they both embrace as a body horror departure from the franchise’s usual tone. They also critique the hagiographic *Michael Jackson Story*, calling it a PR stunt, and express curiosity about *The Stranger* (a new adaptation of Camus’ novel) and Steven Soderbergh’s *The Christophers*. The episode ends on a reflective note, with Tim highlighting the importance of supporting the podcast through Patreon and teasing next week’s episode with Mandy Albert. Key takeaways include: 1) *Project Hail Mary* is a standout sci-fi film that balances humor, heart, and hard science; 2) *Mulade* is a vital, life-affirming film that defies expectations despite its serious subject; 3) *Lee Cronin’s The Mummy* could be a genre-redefining horror film; 4) *The Stranger* adaptation of Camus’ novel is a must-watch for art-house enthusiasts; 5) *The Christophers* offers intriguing potential due to Soderbergh and McKellen’s collaboration; 6) Avoid the *Michael Jackson Story* for its whitewashed narrative; 7) *Super Mario Galaxy* is a visual mess that fails to adapt the source material; 8) *The Drama* may be a compelling exploration of relationship anxiety. The overall sentiment is positive, with the hosts enthusiastic about several films and deeply invested in the cultural and artistic value of cinema.