Indie Film Release Guide: August 11th [An ONTD Original]
The major studio release schedule is getting a little quieter after a jam-packed summer. The only big studio film coming out this weekend is Universal’s The Last Voyage of the Demeter, with Sony’s Gran Turismo doing some preview screenings here and there ahead of its actual release at the end of the month.
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: August 4th, July 28th, and July 21st.
Jules
Click to viewStars: Ben Kingsley, Harriet Sansom Harris, Zoe Winters, Jane Curtin
Writer: Gavin Steckler
Director: Marc Turtletaub
Genre: Drama
Plot: Milton lives a quiet life of routine in a small western Pennsylvania town, but finds his day upended when a UFO and its extra-terrestrial passenger crash land in his backyard.
What you should know: Writer Gavin Stecker previously wrote for the TV shows Review and Playing House.
Where to watch: In theaters
Heart of Stone
Stars: Gal Gadot, Jamie Dornan, Alia Bhatt, Matthias Schweighöfer
Writer: Greg Rucka, Allison Schroeder
Director: Tom Harper
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Plot: An intelligence operative for a shadowy global peacekeeping agency races to stop a hacker from stealing its most valuable and dangerous weapon.
What you should know: Director Tom Harper previously directed The Aeronauts and Wild Rose.
Where to watch: Netflix
Aporia
Stars: Judy Greer, Edi Gathegi, Payman Maadi, Faithe Herman
Writer/Director: Jared Moshé
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Plot: Since losing her husband, Sophie has struggled to manage grief, a full-time job, and parenting her devastated daughter, but when a former physicist reveals a secret time-bending machine, Sophie will be faced with an impossible choice
What you should know: Writer and director Jared Moshé’s last film was 2017’s The Ballad of Lefty Brown.
Where to watch: In theaters
Red, White & Royal Blue
Stars: Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine, Thomas Flynn, Bridget Benstead
Writer: Casey McQuiston, Matthew López, Ted Malawer
Director: Matthew López
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Plot: When the feud between the son of the American President and Britain's prince threatens to drive a wedge in U.S./British relations, the two are forced into a staged truce that sparks something deeper.
What you should know: Based on the novel by Casey McQuiston.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Medusa Deluxe
Stars: Clare Perkins, Kayla Meikle, Lilit Lesser, Debris Stevenson
Writer/Director: Thomas Hardiman
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Plot: At a competitive hairdressing contest, extravagance and excess collide, as the death of a contestant sows seeds of division in a community whose passion for hair verges on obsession.
What you should know: Nominated for awards at several film festivals, picking up two wins.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
King Coal
Writer: Shane Boris, Heather Hannah, Logan Hill
Director: Elaine McMillion Sheldon
Genre: Documentary
Plot: The cultural roots of coal continue to permeate the rituals of daily life in Appalachia even as its economic power wanes. The journey of a coal miner's daughter exploring the region's dreams and myths, untangling the pain and beauty.
What you should know: Premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Pod Generation
Stars: Emilia Clarke, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rosalie Craig, Vinette Robinson
Writer/Director: Sophie Barthes
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Plot: In a not-so-distant future, tech giant Pegazus offers couples the opportunity to share their pregnancies via detachable artificial wombs or pods. And so begins Rachel and Alvy's wild ride to parenthood in this brave new world.
What you should know: Won the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
King on Screen
Director: Daphné Baiwir
Genre: Documentary
Plot: 1976, Brian de Palma directs Carrie, the first novel by Stephen King. Since then, more than 50 directors have adapted the master of horror's books, in more than 80 films and series.
What you should know: According to the documentary, King is the most adapted living author.
Where to watch: In theaters; available VOD September 8th
Love in Taipei
Stars: Ashley Liao, Ross Butler, Nico Hiraga, Chelsea Zhang
Writer: Mackenzie Dohr, Charlie Oh, Abigail Hing Wen
Director: Arvin Chen
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Plot: When Ever Wong goes to Taipei for a cultural immersion program, she is surprised to discover that she hasn’t signed up for homework and history lessons, but instead for a summer-long free-for-all the locals and other students call “Loveboat.”
What you should know: Director Arvin Chen previously directed another film with Taipei in the title - 2010’s Au revoir Taipei.
Where to watch: Paramount+
All Up in the Biz
Writer: Sacha Jenkins, Andre Wilkins
Director: Sacha Jenkins
Genre: Documentary
Plot: Shines a spotlight on the life and rhymes of the ‘clown prince of hip-hop’, Biz Markie, best known for his Top 40 hit, “Just a Friend.” A who’s who of legends like rappers Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Doug E Fresh and actor/comedian Tracy Morgan share how Markie’s playful approach to the genre made him a hip-hop icon.
What you should know: Director Sacha Jenkins has directed several other documentaries.
Where to watch: Showtime
More New Releases
The Last Voyage of the Demeter (Trailer) from Universal
Operation Napoleon (Trailer)
The Eternal Memory (Trailer)
Inside Man (Trailer)
Love Life (Trailer)
Go West (Trailer)
Expanding
Passages (Trailer)
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?