4 films you need to see in April

Each month, q takes a look at the upcoming films we're most excited about. Whether you're looking for an action-filled blockbuster or a poignant documentary about a legendary artist, we've got you covered on what you should go to the theatre for in April. Scroll down to learn more. 

1. The Fate of the Furious (April 14) 

The Fast & Furious franchise has spent seven years building up the importance of family. But in the eighth instalment of the series — which reportedly kicks off the final trilogy of films by Vin Diesel and company — the tagline blows that all up: "Family no more." Sure, we've already seen one character lose her memory and turn on her trusty crew of car bandits-turned-international action heroes, but The Fate of the Furious upends its leader, Dom (Diesel). While the mystery behind his betrayal has not been revealed yet, fans can at least expect to see more cars, a tank and a even giant submarine this time around.

— Melody Lau

2. Chasing Trane: the John Coltrane Documentary (April 14) 

Utilizing reams of impressive archival material and an impressive array of talking heads including Branford Marsalis, Sonny Rollins, Questlove and President Bill Clinton, director John Scheinfeld traces the career and wide-ranging and incalculable influence of jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, whose classic recordings include Blue Train, Giant Steps and A Love Supreme. Voiced by Denzel Washington, the documentary retains an intimate feel and gives us an insightful look into the man behind the music.

— Del F. Cowie

3. The Lost City of Z (April 21)

At the dawn of the 20th century, British explorer Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam, previously of Sons of Anarchy) was obsessed with finding the Lost City of Z, a.k.a. El Dorado. It was believed to have been a city of gold, built deep in the Amazon jungle. The promise of fame and wealth was too irresistible for many travellers, including Theodore Roosevelt, who attempted and failed to find it. Fawcett was particularly obsessed, returning to the jungle many times until his eventual disappearance in 1925. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, The Lost City of Z follows Fawcett's ill-fated journeys into the jungle in an attempt to ultimately find out what happened to him.

— Jesse Kinos-Goodin

4. The Circle (April 28) 

Dave Eggers's 2013 novel, The Circle, is hitting the big screen this month with the help of The Spectacular Now director James Ponsoldt and an all-star roster of actors including Tom Hanks, Emma Watson, John Boyega and Patton Oswalt. The film follows a tech worker (Watson) who rises up the ranks of an internet company that strives to solve any and all problems by breaking down borders of privacy and surveillance. For fans of Black Mirror, The Circle exists in a similar futuristic, dystopian type of universe that's definitely alluring on the surface, but bubbling with something more sinister underneath. — ML