Indie Film Release Guide: May 22nd [An ONTD Original]
There may be a lot of talk about when theaters will be reopening, but even if the current mid-summer predictions are accurate, that leaves us with a couple more months of home releases, at a minimum. This weekend brings one of the first big theatrical releases that was moved directly to streaming rather than VOD - Paramount’s The Lovebirds - and several indie releases, listed below. As usual, let me know if there’s anything I’ve missed!
The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Columbia/Sony and Disney. Check out the posts from the past few weeks for more movies that may have already come to VOD: May 15th, May 8th, and May 1st.
Inheritance
Click to viewStars: Lily Collins, Chace Crawford, Connie Nielsen, Simon Pegg
Writer: Matthew Kennedy
Director: Vaughn Stein
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: A patriarch of a wealthy and powerful family suddenly passes away, leaving his wife and daughter with a shocking secret inheritance that threatens to unravel and destroy their lives.
What you should know: Filmed in Mobile and Birmingham, Alabama
Streams on: Available VOD
The Painter and the Thief
Director: Benjamin Lee
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Desperate for answers about the theft of her 2 paintings, a Czech artist seeks out and befriends the career criminal who stole them. After inviting her thief to sit for a portrait, the two form an improbable relationship and an inextricable bond that will forever link these lonely souls.
What you should know: Premiered at Sundance 2020, winning the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award.
Streams on: Available VOD and via virtual cinemas
The Trip to Greece
Stars: Rob Brydon, Steve Coogan, Kareem Alkabbani, Marta Barrio
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Actors Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan travel from Troy to Ithaca following in the footsteps of the Odysseus.
What you should know: This is the fourth and final of the “Trip” film series.
Streams on: Available VOD
Villain
Stars: Craig Fairbrass, Robert Glenister, Nicholas Aaron, Tomi May
Writer: Greg Hall, George Russo
Director: Philip Barantini
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Plot: Eddie Franks is a former criminal who attempts to help his family by reconnecting with his daughter and clearing his brother's debt. Despite his efforts, he is drawn back into a criminal way of life, with devastating consequences.
What you should know: This is actor/writer/director Philip Barantini’s first feature film.
Streams on: Available VOD
Lucky Grandma
Stars: Tsai Chin, Hsiao-Yuan Ha, Michael Tow, Woody Fu
Writer: Angela Cheng, Sasie Sealy
Director: Sasie Sealy
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Set in New York City's Chinatown, an ornery, chain-smoking Chinese grandma goes all in at the casino, landing herself on the wrong side of luck - and in the middle of a gang war.
What you should know: It’s in English, Mandarin and Cantonese
Streams on: Available in virtual cinemas
Military Wives
Stars: Kristin Scott Thomas, Sharon Horgan, Emma Lowndes, Gaby French
Writer: Rosanne Flynn, Rachel Tunnard
Director: Peter Cattaneo
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: With their partners away serving in Afghanistan, a group of women on the home front form a choir and quickly find themselves at the center of a media sensation and global movement.
What you should know: Director Peter Cattaneo is most well known for directing the 1997 film The Full Monty.
Streams on: Available VOD and via virtual cinemas
Survive the Night
Stars: Bruce Willis, Chad Michael Murray, Lydia Hull, Tyler Jon Olson
Writer: Doug Wolfe
Director: Matt Eskandari
Genre: Action, Thriller
Plot: A disgraced doctor and his family are held hostage at their home by criminals on the run, when a robbery-gone-awry requires them to seek immediate medical attention.
What you should know: This is the director’s second feature starring Bruce Willis, after last year’s Trauma Center.
Streams on: Available VOD
Last Moment of Clarity
Stars: Samara Weaving, Brian Cox, Carly Chaikin, Udo Kier
Writer/Director: Colin Krisel, James Krisel
Genre: Thriller
Plot: Three years after witnessing the murder of his fiancée, a man finds himself a fearful drifter, until one day at a Parisian cinema he sees an actress who looks a lot like his dead love, and eventually he finds the truth about his fiancée.
What you should know: This is the first feature film from this writing and directing duo.
Streams on: Available VOD
Joan of Arc
Stars: Lise Leplat Prudhomme, Annick Lavieville, Justine Herbez, Benoît Robail
Writer: Bruno Dumont, based on the play by Charles Deguy
Director: Bruno Dumont
Genre: Drama
Plot: In the 15th century, both France and England stake a blood claim for the French throne. Believing that God had chosen her, the young Joan leads the army of the King of France. When she is captured, the Church sends her for trial on charges of heresy. Refusing to accept the accusations, the graceful Joan of Arc will stay true to her mission.
What you should know: A sequel to Bruno Dumont’s 2017 musical Jeanette: The Childhood of Joan of Arc.
Streams on: Film at Lincoln Center’s Virtual Cinema; expands May 29th
Not Indie, But New:
The Lovebirds
Stars: Kumail Nanjiani, Issa Rae, Paul Sparks, Anna Camp
Writer: Aaron Abrams, Brendan Gall, Martin Gero
Director: Michael Showalter
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
Plot: A couple experiences a defining moment in their relationship when they are unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery.
What you should know: Was originally scheduled for a theatrical release before being shifted to Netflix.
Streams on: Netflix
New to Digital:
Olympic Dreams (Trailer)
La Belle Époque (Trailer)
Diana Kennedy: Nothing Fancy (Trailer)
Crystal Swan (Trailer)
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What have you been watching lately? Did you know Chace Crawford has a tag?!?