Indie Film Release Guide: July 14th [An ONTD Original]
This is a very big weekend for the film industry! Theaters have slowly been getting their audiences back in large numbers, and there are many new films in theaters, both of which are positive trends for the industry. But unfortunately, the greed of the studios has forced a simultaneous SAG and WGA strike for the first time since the 1960’s, so no one will be promoting upcoming film releases, like the ones 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: July 7th, June 30th, and June 23rd.
Afire
Click to viewStars: Paula Beer, Thomas Schubert, Langston Uibel, Enno Trebs
Writer/Director: Christian Petzold
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot: A group of friends in a holiday home by the Baltic Sea where emotions run high as the parched forest around them catches fire.
What you should know: It’s in German.
Where to watch: In theaters
Theater Camp
Stars: Ben Platt, Molly Gordon, Noah Galvin, Jimmy Tatro
Writer: Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman, Noah Galvin
Director: Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman
Genre: Comedy
Plot: The eccentric staff of a rundown theater camp in upstate New York must band together with the beloved founder's bro-y son to keep the camp afloat.
What you should know: This marks the directorial debuts of Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Jewel Thief
Director: Landon Van Soest
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Storyline: The unbelievable first-hand account of Gerald Blanchard, one of the most creative, calculating and accomplished criminal masterminds in modern history.
What you should know: Director Landon Van Soest has previously directed several other documentaries.
Where to watch: Hulu
The Flood
Stars: Casper Van Dien, Nicky Whelan, Louis Mandylor, Randy Wayne
Writer: Chad Law, Josh Ridgway
Director: Brandon Slagle
Genre: Action, Horror, Thriller
Plot: A daring jail break during a dangerous Louisiana hurricane is interrupted by a horde of large hungry alligators.
What you should know: Australian actress Nicky Whelan is best known for her stint on Neighbours.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Black Ice
Writer: Darril Fosty
Director: Hubert Davis
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Exposes a history of racism in hockey through the untold stories of Black hockey players, both past and present, in a predominantly white sport.
What you should know: Won the People’s Choice Award for Best Documentary at TIFF 2022.
Where to watch: In AMC theaters
The Miracle Club
Stars: Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates, Agnes O'Casey, Laura Linney
Writer: Joshua D. Maurer, Timothy Prager, Jimmy Smallhorne
Director: Thaddeus O'Sullivan
Genre: Comedy
Plot: Three generations of close friends from Ballygar, a hard-knocks community in Dublin, have one tantalizing dream: to win a pilgrimage to the sacred French town of Lourdes, that place of miracles that draws millions of visitors each year.
What you should know: Producers Joshua D. Maurer and Alixandre Witlin have been trying to make this project for 17 years. The project was originally sold by Maurer to HBO in 2005 with writer James Smallhorne also attached to direct with a cast that included Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates, Joan Allen, Claire Danes and Brenda Blethyn, but the project did not go forward.
Where to watch: In theaters
Lakota Nation vs. United States
Writer: Layli Long Soldier
Director: Jesse Short Bull, Laura Tomaselli
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A provocative, visually stunning testament to a land and a people who have survived removal, exploitation and genocide - and whose best days are yet to come.
What you should know: This is the feature-length documentary directorial debut for both Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli.
Where to watch: In theaters
Gray Matter
Stars: Mia Isaac, Jessica Frances Dukes, Andrew Liner, Isabella Ferreira
Writer: Philip Gelatt
Director: Meko Winbush
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Plot: Aurora has known all her life from her mother that the superhuman abilities they have also make them dangerous. Now, Aurora will discover if her mother was speaking the truth on one fateful and fatal night.
What you should know: The production of this movie was documented on season five of the HBO Max reality competition series Project Greenlight.
Where to watch: Max
Bird Box: Barcelona
Stars: Mario Casas, Georgina Campbell, Diego Calva, Naila Schuberth
Writer: Josh Malerman, David Pastor, Àlex Pastor
Director: David Pastor, Àlex Pastor
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Plot: After an entity of mysterious origin annihilates the world's population causing those who observe it to take their lives, Sebastián and his daughter begin their own great adventure of survival in Barcelona.
What you should know: Spin-off from the 2018 film Bird Box.
Where to watch: Netflix
Psycho-Pass: Providence
Stars: Kana Hanazawa, Noriko Hidaka, Takako Honda, Shizuka Itô
Writer: Makoto Fukami, Tow Ubukata, Gen Urobuchi
Director: Naoyoshi Shiotani
Genre: Animation, Anime, Action, Crime
Plot: January 2118. Chief Inspector of the Criminal Investigation Department, Akane Tsunemori, receives a report of an incident on a foreign vessel. Reunited with Shinya Kogami, a former fugitive from the Criminal Investigation Department, Akane grapples with a case that quickly escalates beyond their expectations.
What you should know: This film’s release marks the 10th Anniversary of the Psycho-Pass series.
Where to watch: In theaters
More New Releases
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (Trailer) from Paramount
Belle (Trailer)
20 Days in Mariupol (Trailer)
Two Tickets to Greece (Trailer)
Final Cut (Trailer)
End Times (Trailer)
Have You Got it Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (Trailer) on Netflix
Quicksand (Trailer) on Shudder
A Little White Lie (Trailer) on Hulu
Vesper (Trailer) on Hulu
65 (Trailer) on Netflix
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?