Indie Film Release Guide: August 31st [An ONTD Original]

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This week, John Cho’s Searching expands to more cities and joins newcomers Operation Finale and Kin in wide release. In indies, we have some dramas, some comedies, a couple of horror films, a documentary about guide dog puppies, and that Winona/Keanu movie I've been hearing so much about (though I'd avoid the reviews if you want to keep up your enthusiasm).

Note that some of the movies listed are in their first week or two of limited release in the USA, so it may take them a few more weeks (or months) to show up in your local arthouse theater or on VOD. Check out the posts from the past few weeks for more movies that may have just opened near you: August 24th, August 17th, and August 10th.

The Little Stranger

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Stars: Domhnall Gleeson, Ruth Wilson, Charlotte Rampling, Will Poulter
Writer: Lucinda Coxon
Director: Lenny Abrahamson
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Plot: After a doctor is called to visit a crumbling manor, strange things begin to occur.
What you should know: Based on the novel by Sarah Waters
Opens in: Select cities


Destination Wedding

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Stars: Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Dj Dallenbach, Greg Lucey
Written and directed by: Victor Levin
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot: The story of two miserable and unpleasant wedding guests, Lindsay and Frank, who develop a mutual affection despite themselves.
What you should know: This is the fourth film featuring Winona & Keanu.
Opens in: NYC & LA

Let the Corpses Tan

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Stars: Elina Löwensohn, Stéphane Ferrara, Bernie Bonvoisin, Michelangelo Marchese
Written and directed by: Hélène Cattet, Bruno Forzani
Genre: Thriller
Plot: A grizzled thug and his gang head to an island retreat with a haul of 250 kilograms of gold bullion to lay low; however, a bohemian writer, his muse, and a pair of gendarmes further complicate things, as allegiances are put to the test.
What you should know: Based on the novel by Jean-Patrick Manchette and Jean-Pierre Bastid, the film is in French.
Opens in: NYC & LA

Active Measures

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Director: Jack Bryan
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Russian president Vladimir Putin attacks the 2016 American Presidential Election in collaboration with The Trump Campaign.
What you should know: This is the first feature-length doc about the connections between Trump and Russia. The director is doing Q&A’s at the IFC Center in NYC.
Opens in: NYC & LA

Pick of the Litter

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Director: Don Hardy, Jr., Dana Nachman
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Following five spirited puppies from the moment they're born through their quest to become guide dogs for the blind.
What you should know: It’s a movie starring dogs, what else do you need to know?!
Opens in: NYC & LA

Blood Fest

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Stars: Zachary Levi, Robbie Kay, Seychelle Gabriel, Tate Donovan
Written and directed by: Owen Egerton
Genre: Comedy, Horror
Plot: Fans flock to a festival celebrating the most iconic horror movies, only to discover that the charismatic showman behind the event has a diabolical agenda. As festival attendees start dying off, three teenagers - more schooled in horror-film cliches than practical knowledge about neutralizing psycho killers - must band together and battle through various madmen and monstrosities to survive.
What you should know: Produced by Rooster Teeth, who also released Lazer Team and its upcoming sequel.
Opens in: Select cities

Reprisal

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Stars: Bruce Willis, Frank Grillo, Jonathon Schaech, Olivia Culpo
Writer: Bryce Hammons
Director: Brian A. Miller
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Plot: A bank manager haunted by a violent heist that took the life of a coworker teams up with his ex-cop neighbor to bring down the assailant, initiating an explosive counterattack that brings all three men to the breaking point.
What you should know: This currently holds a 0% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, kind of remarkable tbh!
Opens in: Select cities

Boarding School

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Stars: Luke Prael, Sterling Jerins, Will Patton, Samantha Mathis
Written and directed by: Boaz Yakin
Genre: Horror
Plot: A young boy becomes fascinated with the persona of his dead grandmother and is sent to an isolated boarding school for misfits run by a mysterious headmaster and his wife.
What you should know: The main character is played by the same young man that Kayla is crushing on in Eighth Grade.
Opens in: LA

Ya Veremos

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Stars: Mauricio Ochmann, Fernanda Castillo, Emiliano Aramayo, Erik Hayser
Writer: Alberto Bremer
Director: Pitipol Ybarra
Genre: Drama
Plot: A boy makes a list of places to visit and things to see after learning that he could lose his eyesight. To fulfill his dreams, his estranged parents agree to come together and take their son on an adventurous and wacky journey of discovery.
What you should know: It’s in Spanish.
Opens in: Select Cities

An Actor Prepares

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Stars: Jeremy Irons, Jack Huston, Ben Schwartz, Matthew Modine
Writer: Steve Clark, Thomas Moffett
Director: Steve Clark
Genre: Comedy
Plot: After suffering a heart attack, a world famous, hard-drinking actor is forced to drive cross country with his estranged son (who testified against him in his parents' divorce) on one last madcap adventure.
What you should know: OP wonders if her fave will ever be in a good movie again.
Opens in: NYC & LA

S.M.A.R.T. Chase

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Stars: Orlando Bloom, Lei Wu, Simon Yam, Hannah Quinlivan
Writer: Kevin Bernhardt, Terence O’Keefe, Robby Henson
Director: Charles Martin
Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime
Plot: A washed-up private security agent has to escort a valuable Chinese antique out of Shanghai but is ambushed en route.
What you should know: Orlando Bloom is still working, so that’s something.
Opens in: NYC & LA

Also opening: Cynthia (Trailer), The Man from Mo’Wax (Trailer), Inventing Tomorrow (Trailer), A Paris Education (Trailer)

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What looks good to you? See anything interesting lately, or planning to?