Indie Film Release Guide: May 12th [An ONTD Original]
It’s the second weekend of release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Though Marvel movies may not be the unstoppable box office juggernauts they once were, the major studios are still not releasing any competition this weekend just in case. Fortunately, there are many indie releases coming out, and you can check those out below.
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: May 5th, April 28th, and April 21st.
BlackBerry
Click to viewStars: Jay Baruchel, Glenn Howerton, Matt Johnson, Cary Elwes
Writer/Director: Matt Johnson
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Plot: The story of the meteoric rise and catastrophic demise of the world's first smartphone.
What you should know: Based on the book Losing the Signal by Jacquie McNish and Matthew Miller.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Starling Girl
Stars: Eliza Scanlen, Lewis Pullman, Jimmi Simpson, Wrenn Schmidt
Writer/Director: Laurel Parmet
Genre: Drama
Plot: 17-year-old Jem Starling struggles with her place within her Christian fundamentalist community. But everything changes when her magnetic youth pastor Owen returns to their church.
What you should know: Nominated for awards at Sundance and SXSW.
Where to watch: In select theaters
Monica
Stars: Trace Lysette, Emily Browning, Patricia Clarkson, Adriana Baraza
Writer: Andrea Pallaoro, Orlando Tirado
Director: Andrea Pallaoro
Genre: Drama
Plot: The intimate portrait of a woman who returns home to care for her dying mother. A delicate and nuanced story of a fractured family, the story explores universal themes of abandonment, aging, acceptance, and redemption.
What you should know: Won the Arca CinemaGiovani Award at the 2022 Venice Film Festival.
Where to watch: In select theaters
Fool’s Paradise
Stars: Charlie Day, Ken Jeong, Kate Beckinsale, Adrien Brody
Writer/Director: Charlie Day
Genre: Comedy
Plot: A down on his luck publicist gets his lucky break when he discovers a man recently released from a mental health facility looks just like a method actor who refuses to leave his trailer.
What you should know: This was filmed in 2018, before Ray Liotta’s death in 2022.
Where to watch: In theaters
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie
Director: Davis Guggenheim
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Follows the life of beloved actor and advocate Michael J. Fox, exploring his personal and professional triumphs and travails, and what happens when an incurable optimist confronts an incurable disease.
What you should know: Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 at age 29.
Where to watch: Apple TV+
The Mother
Stars: Jennifer Lopez, Joseph Fiennes, Lucy Paez, Omari Hardwick
Writer: Andrea Berloff, Peter Craig, Misha Green
Director: Niko Caro
Genre: Action, Thriller
Plot: While fleeing from dangerous assailants, an assassin comes out of hiding to protect her daughter she left earlier in life.
What you should know: Jennifer Lopez previously worked with Joseph Fiennes's brother, Ralph Fiennes, in Maid in Manhattan.
Where to watch: Netflix
It Ain’t Over
Writer/Director: Sean Mullin
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: An intimate portrait of a misunderstood American icon, this emotional and uplifting documentary about Yogi Berra takes us beyond the caricatures and "Yogisms," and into the heart of a sports legend whose unparalleled accomplishments on the baseball diamond were often overshadowed by his off-the-field persona.
What you should know: Won awards at the Nantucket and Boulder Film Festivals.
Where to watch: in theaters
L’immensita
Stars: Penélope Cruz, Vincenzo Amato, Luana Giuliani, Patrizio Francioni
Writer: Emanuele Crialese, Francesca Manieri, Vittorio Moroni
Director: Emanuele Crialese
Genre: Drama
Plot: Clara and her emotionally distant husband Felice relocate to Rome to raise a family in the 1970’s. Their eldest child, Andrew, yearns for another life - an outsized, vibrantly-realized vision of a world where he gets to live as the boy he knows himself to be. As an outsider ostracized for her own eccentricities, Clara instinctively strives to protect her son despite not fully understanding him.
What you should know: It’s in Italian.
Where to watch: In theaters
Hypnotic
Stars: Ben Affleck, Alice Braga, JD Pardo, Dayo Okeniyi
Writer: Robert Rodriguez, Max Borenstein
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Genre: Action, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: A detective investigates a mystery involving his missing daughter and a secret government program.
What you should know: Robert Rodriguez collaborated with his family members on the project - Rebel (full-time composer), Racer Max (co-writer/producer), Sid (special effects technician), Rhiannon (storyboards) and Rocket (editing).
Where to watch: In theaters
Book Club: The Next Chapter
Stars: Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen
Writer: Bill Holderman, Erin Simms
Director: Bill Holderman
Genre: Comedy
Plot: Follows the new journey of four best friends as they take their book club to Italy for the fun girls trip they never had.
What you should know: A sequel to 2018’s Book Club.
Where to watch: In theaters
More New Releases
Knights of the Zodiac (Trailer)
Rally Road Racers (Trailer)
Crossfire (Trailer)
IB 71 (Trailer)
Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Till (Trailer) on Amazon Prime
Air (Trailer) on Amazon Prime
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?