Indie Film Release Guide: April 14th [An ONTD Original]
It’s the Mario Bros world, and we are just living in it. This weekend’s big studio new releases, Universal’s Renfield and Sony’s The Pope’s Exorcist, may provide some counterprogramming, but neither one stands a chance of taking Mario out of the top spot at the box office. Read on for more films that will be absolutely stomped by a pair of animated plumbers.
The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Five” - Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Walt Disney Pictures, and Columbia Pictures.. 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: April 7th, March 31st, and March 24th.
Beau is Afraid
Click to viewStars: Joaquin Phoenix, Parker Posey, Amy Ryan, Nathan Lane
Writer/Director: Ari Aster
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Horror
Plot: Following the sudden death of his mother, a mild-mannered but anxiety-ridden man confronts his darkest fears as he embarks on an epic, Kafkaesque odyssey back home.
What you should know: The film, formerly known as Disappointment Blvd., shot in Canada.
Where to watch: In select theaters; expands next weekend
Mafia Mamma
Stars: Toni Collette, Monica Bellucci, Sophia Nomvete, Alessandro Bressanello
Writer: Amanda Sthers, J. Michael Feldman, Debbie Jhoon
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
Plot: An American mom inherits her grandfather's mafia empire in Italy. Guided by the firm's consigliere, she hilariously defies everyone's expectations as the new head of the family business.
What you should know: Director Catherine Hardwicke also directed Twilight.
Where to watch: In theaters
Suzume
Stars: Nanoka Hara, Hokuto Matsumura, Eri Fukatsu, Shôta Sometani
Writer/Director: Makoto Shinkai
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Plot: A modern action adventure road story where a 17-year-old girl named Suzume helps a mysterious young man close doors from the other side that are releasing disasters all over in Japan.
What you should know: It’s in Japanese.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die
Stars: Alexander Dreymon, Elaine Cassidy, Mark Rowley, Arnas Fedaravicius
Writer: Bernard Cornwall, Martha Hillier
Director: Edward Bazalgette
Genre: Action, Drama, History
Plot: In the wake of King Edward's death, Uhtred of Bebbanburg and his comrades adventure across a fractured kingdom in the hopes of uniting England at last.
What you should know: Follows the events of the series The Last Kingdom.
Where to watch: Netflix
Everything Went Fine
Stars: Sophie Marceau, André Dussollier, Géraldine Pailhas, Charlotte Rampling
Writer: Emmanuèle Bernheim, François Ozon, Phillippe Piazzo
Director: François Ozon
Genre: Drama
Plot: When André, 85, has a stroke, Emmanuelle hurries to her father's bedside. Sick and half-paralyzed in his hospital bed, he asks Emmanuelle to help him end his life. But how can you honor such a request when it's your own father?
What you should know: It’s in French.
Where to watch: In theaters
Sweetwater
Stars: Everett Osborne, Robert Ri’chard, Cary Elwes, Eric Roberts
Writer/Director: Martin Guigui
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Plot: Hall of Famer, Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton, makes history as the first African American to sign an NBA contract, forever changing how the game of basketball is played.
What you should know: Filmed in Los Angeles.
Where to watch: In theaters
Sick of Myself
Stars: Kristine Kujath Thorp, Eirik Sæther, Fanny Vaager, Sarah Francesca Brænne
Writer/Director: Kristoffer Borgli
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Horror
Plot: Signe and Thomas are in an unhealthy, competitive relationship that takes a vicious turn when Thomas suddenly breaks through as a contemporary artist. In response, Signe makes a desperate attempt to regain her status by creating a new persona hell-bent on attracting attention and sympathy.
What you should know: Actor Anders Danielsen Lie has a cameo as a doctor; he is also a doctor in real life.
Where to watch: In theaters
Nefarious
Stars: Sean Patrick Flanery, Jordan Belfi, James Healy, Jr., Eric Hanson
Writer/Director: Chuck Konzelman, Cary Solomon
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: On the day of his scheduled execution, a convicted serial killer gets a psychiatric evaluation during which he claims he is a demon, and further claims that before their time is over, the psychiatrist will commit three murders of his own.
What you should know: This film is a prequel to the novels A Nefarious Plot (2016) and A Nefarious Carol (2020) by Steve Deace.
Where to watch: In theaters
Rare Objects
Stars: Julie Mayorga, Katie Holmes, Alan Cumming, Derek Luke
Writer: Katie Holmes, Phaedon A. Papadopoulos, Kathleen Tessaro
Director: Katie Holmes
Genre: Drama
Plot: A young woman with a traumatic past seeks to rebuild her life when she begins working at a New York City antique shop.
What you should know: This is the third feature film directed by Katie Holmes.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Wild Life
Director: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A sweeping portrait of conservationists Kris and Doug Tompkins chronicling their fight to preserve one of the last truly wild places on earth.
What you should know: Directors Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi also filmed Free Solo.
Where to watch: In theaters; streaming on Disney+ May 25th
More New Releases
Renfield (Trailer) from Universal
The Pope’s Exorcist (Trailer) from Sony
The Lost Weekend: A Love Story (Trailer)
Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman (Trailer)
One of These Days (Trailer)
Hilma (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Marry Me (Trailer) on Peacock
Flux Gourmet (Trailer) on Hulu
The Offering (Trailer) on Hulu
Ticket to Paradise (Trailer) on Amazon
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?