Indie Film Release Guide: June 10th [An ONTD Original]
Top Gun: Maverick has had a hold on the box office for two weeks running, but new competition from Universal is getting ready to stomp into theaters. Sure, Jurassic World: Dominion is the worst reviewed film of the new trilogy, but how many other new movies are offering dinosaurs and Laura Dern? The answer is none, and that’s why it is gonna make piles of money regardless of quality.
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: June 3rd, May 27th, and May 20th.
The Janes
Click to viewDirector: Tia Lessin, Emma Pildes
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Police arrested seven women who were part of a clandestine network. Using code names, blindfolds and safe houses, they built an underground service for women seeking safe, affordable, illegal abortions calling themselves JANE.
What you should know: Nominated for the Grand Jury Documentary Prize at Sundance 2022.
Where to watch: HBO Max, available now
Hustle
Stars: Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah, Juancho Hernangomez, Ben Foster
Writer: Will Fetters, Taylor Materne
Director: Jeremiah Zagar
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sport
Plot: A washed-up basketball scout discovers a phenomenal street ball player while in Spain and sees the prospect as his opportunity to get back into the NBA.
What you should know: Filmed in Philadelphia, PA.
Where to watch: Netflix
Lost Illusions
Stars: Benjamin Voisin, Cécile De France, Vincent Lacoste, Xavier Dolan
Writer: Jacques Fieschi, Xavier Giannoli, Yves Stavrides
Director: Xavier Giannoli
Genre: Drama, History, Romance
Plot: Lucien de Rubempré, an ambitious and unknown aspiring poet in 19th century France, leaves his provincial town for Paris. He agrees to write rave reviews for bribes, achieving material success at the expense of his conscience, and soon discovers that the written word can be an instrument of both beauty and deceit.
What you should know: This is a French adaptation of Honoré de Balzac’s epic novel.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Walk
Stars: Justin Chatwin, Malcolm McDowell, Jeremy Piven, Terrence Howard
Writer: Daniel Adams, George Powell
Director: Daniel Adams
Genre: Drama
Plot: In 1974, a Boston Irish cop confronts fierce social pressure after being assigned to protect black high school students as they are bused into all-white South Boston High.
What you should know: Terrence Howard replaced Morris Chestnut, who had to bow out due to scheduling conflicts.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Story Won’t Die
Director: David Henry Gerson
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A look at a young generation of Syrian artists who use their work to protest and process what is currently the world’s largest and longest ongoing displacement of people since World War II.
What you should know: Won Best Director at the 2021 DOC LA Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
I’m Charlie Walker
Stars: Mike Colter, Monica Barbaro, Emma Caulfield Ford, Dylan Baker
Writer/Director: Patrick Gilles
Genre: Biography, Drama
Plot: Charlie Walker, an earnest entrepreneur working in the construction and trucking industries in 1971 San Francisco, tries to save the coastline after an environmental disaster while grappling with pervasive racism from the company that hired him.
What you should know: Based on a true story.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Small Town Wisconsin
Stars: David Sullivan, Bill Heck, Kristen Johnston, Tanya Fischer
Writer: Jason Naczek
Director: Niels Mueller
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: After losing a custody battle, perpetual teenager Wayne Stobierski steals his son away for one last father-son weekend to the city of their dreams - Milwaukee, Wisconsin. What's supposed to be a light-hearted adventure, transforms into a journey of profound redemption.
What you should know: This is director Niels Mueller’s first feature since 2004’s The Assassination of Richard Nixon.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
1982
Stars: Mohamad Dalli, Fidel Badran, Gia Madi, Ghassan Maalouf
Writer/Director: Oualid Mouaness
Genre: Drama, History, Romance
Plot: During the 1982 invasion of Lebanon at a private school on the outskirts of Beirut, 11-year-old Wissam tries to tell a classmate about his crush on her, while his teachers on different sides of the political divide, try to mask their fears.
What you should know: This is the debut feature film from writer and director Oualid Mouaness.
Where to watch: In theaters
Tahara
Stars: Madeline Grey DeFreece, Rachel Sennott, Daniel Taveras, Bernadette Quigley
Writer: Jess Seidman
Director: Olivia Peace
Genre: Drama, LGBT
Plot: A queer, coming-of-age drama set in Rochester, NY about an anxious teen girl who is manipulated into a romantic encounter with her best friend during the funeral service of their former Hebrew school classmate.
What you should know: Between this and Shiva Baby, Rachel Sennott appears to be the go-to for characters who have romantic entanglements at Jewish memorial services.
Where to watch: In theaters
Ninja Badass
Stars: Ryan Harrison, Darrell Francis, Mitch Schlagel, Steven C. Rose
Writer/Director: Ryan Harrisonlgb
Genre: Comedy
Plot: The Ninja VIP Super Club is doing a slow drag across the American Midwest, culminating in female sacrifice. When they kidnap a super hot babe, Rex, has his eyes on-it 's up to him to become a ninja and to steal her back from them.
What you should know: The film’s estimated budget is $80,000.
Where to watch: In theaters and virtual cinemas
More New Releases
Jurassic World: Dominion (Trailer) from Universal
Source 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?