Indie Film Release Guide: October 15th [An ONTD Original]
We’re already halfway through the month of October, and with that comes the return of Laurie Strode in Universal’s Halloween Kills. The weekend’s other wide release is 20th Century’s The Last Duel, which has several big names in Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Adam Driver and Jodie Comer, but is likely to underperform at the box office. Both films will face competition from last week’s big name, No Time to Die, but for now it looks like Michael Myers will win out over James Bond.
The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Studios, Universal, Columbia/Sony and Disney. 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: October 8th, October 1st, and September 24th.
Bergman Island
Click to viewStars: Vicky Krieps, Tim Roth, Mia Wasikowska, Anders Danielsen Lie
Writer/Director: Mia Hansen-Løve
Genre: Drama
Plot: A couple retreat to the island that inspired Ingmar Bergman to write screenplays for their upcoming films when the lines between reality and fiction start to blur.
What you should know: Nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
The Velvet Underground
Writer/Director: Todd Haynes
Genre: Documentary, Music
Storyline: Explores the multiple threads that converged to bring together one of the most influential bands in rock and roll.
What you should know: Nominated for the Golden Eye at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters, and on Apple TV+
Needle in a Timestack
Stars: Frieda Pinto, Leslie Odom Jr., Orlando Bloom, Cynthia Erivo
Writer/Director: John Ridley
Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi
Plot: Nick and Janine live in marital bliss until Janine's ex-husband warps time to try to tear them apart. As Nick's memories disappear, he must decide what he's willing to sacrifice in order to hold onto - or let go of - everything he loves.
What you should know: Based on the book by Robert Silverberg.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Luzzu
Stars: Frida Cauchi, Jesmark Scicluna, Michela Farrugia, Uday McLean
Writer/Director: Alex Camilleri
Genre: Drama
Plot: A man risks everything to provide for his wife and newborn son by entering Malta's black-market fishing industry.
What you should know: Selected as Malta's submission for Best International Feature Film at the 94th edition of the Academy Awards
Where to watch: In theaters and virtual cinemas.
Hard Luck Love Song
Stars: Michael Dorman, Sophia Bush, Dermot Mulroney, RZA
Writer: Justin Corbsie, Craig Ugoretz
Director: Justin Corbsie
Genre: Drama, Music, Romance
Plot: A gritty love story about a charismatic but down-on-his-luck troubadour living out of cheap motels and making bad decisions.
What you should know: Based on the song “Just Like Old Times” by Todd Snider.
Where to watch: In theaters
Introducing, Selma Blair
Director: Rachel Fleit
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A deeply intimate and raw portrait of Selma Blair after she is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and tries to slow the progression of her disease.
What you should know: Won the Special Jury Award for Documentary Feature at SXSW 2021.
Where to watch: In theaters; on Discovery+ October 21st
Breaking Them Up
Stars: Stephen Schneider, Kelen Coleman, Jakob Wedel, Tess Aubert
Writer: Dev Wadhwa
Director: Scott Dow
Genre: Comedy
Plot: When resourceful 15 year-old Damien decides that his parents are all wrong for each other, he enlists best friend Erin to help him set them up with other people.
What you should know: This is director Scott Dow’s second feature film after 2015’s The Walking Deceased.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses
Director: Steven Latham, Conrad Stanley
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: There are more than 80,000 wild horses on our federal lands and more than 50,000 in government corrals. This film takes audiences on an odyssey throughout America to places few people have seen or even know about, and understand why the protection of our wild horses and our public lands are worth fighting for.
What you should know: Features music by Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson and an original song written by Diane Warren and performed by Blanco Brown
Where to watch: In theaters and virtual cinemas
Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy
Stars: Kotone Furukawa, Kiyohiko Shibukawa, Katsuki Mori, Fusako Arabe
Writer/Director: Ryûsuke Hamaguchi
Genre: Drama, Romance
Plot: An unexpected love triangle, a failed seduction trap and an encounter that results from a misunderstanding, told in three movements to depict three female characters and trace the trajectories between their choices and regrets.
What you should know: It’s in Japanese.
Where to watch: In theaters and virtual cinemas
Sons of Monarchs
Stars: Tenoch Huerta, Paulina Gaitan, William Mapother, Electra Avellan
Writer/Director: Alexis Gambis
Genre: Drama
Plot: A Mexican biologist living in New York returns to his hometown, nestled in the majestic butterfly forests of Michoacán. The journey forces him to confront past traumas and reflect on his hybrid identity, sparking a personal metamorphosis.
What you should know: It’s in English and Spanish.
Where to watch: In theaters; premieres on HBO Max November 2nd
Also Opening
Halloween Kills (Trailer) from Universal
The Last Duel (Trailer) from 20th Century Studios
Held for Ransom (Trailer)
Deep Blues (1993) (Trailer) 4K rerelease
Breathless (1960) (Trailer) 4K rerelease
Possession (Trailer) 4K rerelease
New on Streaming
Akilla’s Escape (Trailer) on Amazon
The Trip (Trailer) on Netflix
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?