Indie Film Release Guide: July 24th [An ONTD Original]

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This week has a pretty eclectic mix of indies available for your consumption, though the studios are clearly still holding back a lot of their offerings for a future of an inderminate date where we can return to movie theaters.

The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Columbia/Sony and Disney. All films listed will be available at their respective sources on Friday unless otherwise noted. Check out the posts from the past few weeks for more movies that may have already come to VOD: July 17th, July 10th, and July 3rd.

Yes, God, Yes

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Stars: Natalia Dyer, Wolfgang Novogratz, Timothy Simons, Susan Blackwell
Writer/Director: Karen Maine
Genre: Drama
Plot: After an innocent AOL chat turns racy, a Catholic teenager in the early 00s discovers masturbating and struggles to suppress her new urges in the face of eternal damnation.
What you should know: This is the feature film adaptation of a short by the same name released in 2017.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas; available VOD on July 28th



The Rental

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Stars: Dan Stevens, Alison Brie, Sheila Vand, Jeremy Allen White
Writer: Dave Franco, Joe Swanberg, Mike Demski
Director: Dave Franco
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: Two couples on an oceanside getaway grow suspicious that the host of their seemingly perfect rental house may be spying on them. Before long, what should have been a celebratory weekend trip turns into something far more sinister, as well-kept secrets are exposed and the four old friends come to see each other in a whole new light.
What you should know: This is Dave Franco’s directorial debut.
Where to stream: Drive in theaters, and available VOD

Radioactive

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Stars: Rosamund Pike, Sam Riley, Aneurin Barnard, Anya Taylor-Joy
Writer: Jack Thorne
Director: Marjane Satrapi
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
Plot: The true-story of Marie Skłodowska Curie and her ground-breaking scientific achievements that revolutionized medicine with her discovery of radium and polonium, ultimately changing the face of science forever.
What you should know: Based on the book by Lauren Redniss.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

Amulet

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Stars: Alec Secareanu, Angeliki Papoulia, Carla Juri, Imelda Staunton
Writer/Director: Romola Garai
Genre: Horror
Plot: An ex-soldier, living homeless in London, is offered a place to stay at a decaying house inhabited by a young woman and her dying mother. As he starts to fall for her, he cannot ignore his suspicion that something sinister is going on.
What you should know: This is actress/director Romola Garai’s directorial debut.
Where to stream: Drive in theaters, and available VOD

Retaliation

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Stars: Orlando Bloom, Janet Montgomery, Charlie Creed-Miles, Anne Reid
Writer: Geoff Thompson
Director: Ludwig Shammasian, Paul Shammasian
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: An adult victim of childhood sexual abuse confronts the horrors of his past.
What you should know: The film is from 2017 and was originally called Romans, but I guess it didn’t get a US release until now.
Where to stream: Available VOD

Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful

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Director: Gero von Boehm
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: One of the great masters of photography, Helmut Newton made a name for himself exploring the female form. Newton's unique and striking way of depicting women has always posed the question: did he empower his subjects or treat them as sexual objects?
What you should know: The film includes interviews with Grace Jones, Charlotte Rampling, Isabella Rossellini, Anna Wintour, Claudia Schiffer, and Marianne Faithfull, among others.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas

Days of the Whale

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Stars: Valeria Castaño Fajardo, Carlos Fonnegra, Julian Giraldo, David Escallón Orrego
Writer/Director: Catalina Arroyave Restrepo
Genre: Drama
Plot: Cristina and Simon are two young graffii artists who paint the city that they live in: Medellín. They defy a criminal gang when they decide to paint over a threat, written in a wall, a mural of a whale. The powerful strength of youth, faces fear, violence and the many risks of growing up.
What you should know: It’s in Spanish, and is the directorial debut from Catalina Arroyave Restrepo.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas

The Kissing Booth 2

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Stars: Joey King, Jacob Elordi, Joel Courtney, Carson White
Writer: Vince Marcello, Jay S. Arnold,
Director: Vince Marcello
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Plot: High school senior Elle juggles a long-distance relationship with her dreamy boyfriend Noah, college applications, and a new friendship with a handsome classmate that could change everything.
What you should know: This is the sequel to 2018's The Kissing Booth, based on the book by Beth Reekles.
Where to stream: Netflix

Animal Crackers

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Stars: Emily Blunt, Danny Devito, John Krasinski, Ian McKellan
Writer: Dean Lorey, Scott Christian Sava
Director: Tony Bancroft, Scott Christian Sava, Jaime Maestro
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Plot: A family must use a magical box of Animal Crackers to save a run-down circus from being taken over by their evil uncle Horatio P. Huntington.
What you should know: This was finished in 2017, but is just now getting a release on Netflix.
Where to stream: Netflix

Fisherman’s Friends

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Stars: James Purefoy, Meadow Nobrega, David Heyman, Maggie Steed
Writer: Piers Ashworth, Meg Leonard, Nick Moorcroft
Director: Chris Foggin
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Ten fisherman from Cornwall are signed by Universal Records and achieve a top ten hit with their debut album of Sea Shanties.
What you should know: Based on a true story.
Where to stream: Available VOD

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What have you been watching, ONTD?