Indie Film Release Guide: December 18th [An ONTD Original]

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We're rapidly approaching the end of 2020 (thank god), and that means we're in for a few weird weeks of the indie release guide. Next week's post will go up on Tuesday or Wednesday, to account for the early releases before Christmas on Friday, and then there may or may not be a post the week after that. Usually nothing new gets released in the last week of the year, and I'm guessing that will be the case this year, too, but we'll see!

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: December 11th, December 4th, and November 25th.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

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Stars: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Colman Domingo, Glynn Turman
Writer: Ruben Santiago-Hudson, August Wilson
Director: George C. Wolfe
Genre: Drama, Music
Plot: Chicago, 1927. A recording session. Tensions rise between Ma Rainey, her ambitious horn player and the white management determined to control the uncontrollable "Mother of the Blues".
What you should know: Based on Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson's play.
Where to watch: Netflix, and in select theaters



Education

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Stars: Kenyah Sandy, Sharlene Whyte, Daniel Francis, Josette Simon
Writer: Alastair Siddons, Steve McQueen
Director: Steve McQueen
Genre: Drama
Plot: When 12-year-old Kingsley is pulled to the headmaster's office for being disruptive in class, he discovers he's being sent to a school for those with "special needs." Distracted by working two jobs, his parents are unaware of the unofficial segregation policy at play, preventing many Black children from receiving the education they deserve, until a group of West Indian women take matters into their own hands.
What you should know: This is the last installment in McQueen’s five part Small Axe series.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart

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Director: Frank Marshall
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: An exploration of the history of the Bee Gees, featuring revealing interviews with oldest brother Barry Gibb, and archival interviews with the late twin brothers Robin and Maurice.
What you should know: Won Best Documentary at the 2020 Philadelphia Film Festival.
Where to stream: HBO Max, available now

Skylines

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Stars: Lindsey Morgan, Rhona Mitra, James Cosmo, Alexander Siddig
Writer: Matthew E. Chausse, Joshua Cordes, Liam O’Donnell
Director: Liam O’Donnell
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Plot: When a virus threatens to turn the now earth-dwelling friendly alien hybrids against humans, Captain Rose Corley must lead a team of elite mercenaries on a mission to the alien world in order to save what's left of humanity.
What you should know: The third film in a trilogy, following Skyline (2010) and Beyond Skyline (2017).
Where to watch: In select theaters and available VOD

Nasrin

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Director: Jeff Kaufman
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: An immersive portrait of one of the world's most courageous human rights activists and political prisoners, Nasrin Sotoudeh, and of Iran's remarkably resilient women's rights movement.
What you should know: Narrated by Olivia Colman.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas

Fatale

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Stars: Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy, Mike Colter, Kali Hawk, Danny Pino
Writer: David Loughery
Director: Deon Taylor
Genre: Thriller
Plot: After a one-night stand, a successful married man finds himself entangled in a cunning police detective's latest investigation.
What you should know: Director Deon Taylor’s most recent work was the 2019 feature Black and Blue.
Where to watch: In theaters

Museum Town

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Writer: Noah Bashevkin, Pola Rapaport, Jennifer Trainer
Director: Jennifer Trainer
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A rural American town suffering economically from factory closures finds an unconventional route to recovery with the help of MASS MoCA.
What you should know: This is director Jennifer Trainer’s first film.
Where to stream: Virtual cinemas

Hunter Hunter

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Stars: Camille Sullivan, Summer H. Howell, Devon Sawa, Nick Stahl
Director: Shawn Linden
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: Joseph and his family live in the remote wilderness as fur trappers, but their tranquility is threatened when they think they are being hunted by the return of a rogue wolf, and Joseph leaves them behind to track it.
What you should know: Director Shawn Linden’s last feature film was 2012’s The Good Lie.
Where to stream: Available VOD

Audrey

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Director: Helena Coan
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: An intimate look at Audrey Hepburn’s life, with access to exclusive never-before-seen footage from her family's personal collection. Providing an unprecedented and insightful view on Audrey, her life and her dreams, aspirations and her everlasting legacy.
What you should know: Helena Coan’s last project was a feature documentary about designer Frank Stephenson called Chasing Perfect.
Where to stream: VOD, available now

The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud

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Stars: Isabelle Allen, Scott Adkins, John Hannah, Lashana Lynch
Writer: Sally Collett, Martin Owen
Director: Martin Owen
Genre: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Plot: When teen gamer Sarah finds an “easter egg” and accidentally opens a portal into her favorite side-scroller, she becomes trapped in a notorious intergalactic prison, home to the galaxy’s most dangerous villains. To escape, she must finish the game with a little help from her not-so-savvy friend on the outside...or remain a 16-bit character forever.
What you should know: Director Martin Owen’s last film was 2019’s Killers Anonymous.
Where to stream: Available VOD

More New Releases

Effigy - Poison and the City (Trailer)
Love Sarah (Trailer)
The Reason (Trailer)
Monster Hunter (Trailer)
Breach (Trailer)
Derek’s Dead

New to Streaming

Wendy (Trailer) on HBO Max
I Used to Go Here (Trailer) on HBO Max
Dirt Music (2019) (Trailer) on Hulu
Blackbird (Trailer) on Amazon Prime

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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?