Indie Film Release Guide: August 18th [An ONTD Original]
Barbie has had a great run at the top of the box office for the last month, but this weekend, Blue Beetle should be able to knock her off her perch. That is Warner Bros on Warner Bros violence, however; the competition is really Universal’s Strays, which should prove to be no competition for either film.
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 11th, August 4th, and July 28th.
Birth/Rebirth
Click to viewStars: Marin Ireland, Judy Reyes, Monique Gabriela Curnen, Rina Mejia
Writer: Laura Moss
Director: Laura Moss
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: A single mother and a childless morgue technician are bound together by their relationship to a little girl they have reanimated from the dead.
What you should know: Won the Audience Award for Narrative Feature at the 2023 Independent Film Festival of Boston.
Where to watch: In theaters
Landscape with Invisible Hand
Stars: Asante Blackk, Tiffany Haddish, Kylie Rogers, Brooklynn MacKinzie
Writer: Cory Finley, M.T. Anderson
Director: Cory Finley
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi
Plot: When an occupying alien species' bureaucratic rule and advanced technology leaves most of Earth impoverished and unemployed, two teenagers hatch a risky plan to ensure their families' futures.
What you should know: Director Cory Finley’s first feature film was 2017’s Thoroughbreds.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Adults
Stars: Michael Cera, Sophia Lillis, Hannah Gross, Wavyy Jonez
Writer/Director: Dustin Guy Defa
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: The plan to make a trip back home as short as possible begins to unravel as Eric finds himself balancing the challenging relationship with his two sisters and his addiction to a local poker game.
What you should know: Filmed in New Windsor, NY.
Where to watch: In theaters
Back on the Strip
Stars: Wesley Snipes, Tiffany Haddish, Spence Moore II, J.B. Smoove
Writer: Eric Daniel, Chris Spencer
Director: Chris Spencer
Genre: Comedy
Plot: A young man moves to Las Vegas to pursue his dream of being a magician, only to end up joining a male stripper group.
What you should know: Director and co-writer Chris Spencer is a prolific awards show writer.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Monkey King
Stars: Jimmy O. Yang, Bowen Yang, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Jo Koy
Writer: Steve Bencich, Ron J. Friedman, Rita Hsiao
Director: Anthony Stacchi
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Plot: A Monkey and his magical fighting Stick battle demons, dragons, gods and the greatest adversary of all - Monkey's ego.
What you should know: Inspired by an epic Chinese tale.
Where to watch: Netflix
Miguel Wants to Fight
Stars: Tyler Dean Flores, Christian Vunipola, Imani Lewis, Suraj Partha
Writer: Shea Serrano, Jason Concepcion
Director: Oz Rodriguez
Genre: Comedy
Plot: A coming of age comedy about a 17-year-old in who asks his three best friends to help him get in his first fight ever before he moves to a new city.
What you should know: This is co-writer Shea Serrano and Jason Concepcio’s first feature film.
Where to watch: Hulu
Dead Shot
Stars: Aml Ameen, Colin Morgan, Máiréad Tyers, Mark Strong
Writer: Ronan Bennett, Tom Guard, Charles Guard
Director: Tom Guard, Charles Guard
Genre: Action, Thriller
Plot: A retired Irish paramilitary witnesses the fatal shooting of his pregnant wife by an SAS officer. After outwitting the SAS, now wounded, and presumed dead, he escapes, taking his revenge to the dark and paranoid streets of 1970's London.
What you should know: Filmed in Glasgow, Scotland.
Where to watch: In theaters
Mutt
Stars: Lio Mehiel, Cole Doman, MiMi Ryder, Alejandro Goic
Writer/Director: Vuk Lungulov-Klotz
Genre: Drama
Plot: Within the space of 24 hours, Feña is swept through the extremes of human emotion when people who seemed to disappear when he transitioned are suddenly back in his life.
What you should know: Actor Lio Mehiel was the winner of the Sundance 2023 Winner U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting.
Where to watch: NYC; expands to LA next week
Simone: Woman of the Century
Stars: Elsa Zylberstein, Rebecca Marder, Élodie Bouchez, Judith Chemla
Writer/Director: Olivier Dahan
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Plot: Simone Veil's life story told through the pivotal events of the 20th Century. Her childhood, her political battles, her tragedies. An intimate and epic portrait of an extraordinary woman who eminently challenged and transformed her era defending a humanist message still keenly relevant today.
What you should know: It’s in French.
Where to watch: In theaters
Reinventing Elvis: The ‘68 Comeback
Writer/Director: John Scheinfeld
Genre: Documentary, Music
Storyline: The true story of Elvis and director Steve Binder teaming up to defy manager Colonel Tom Parker and creating an iconic special - bringing to the world an unforgettable moment in TV and music history.
What you should know: Writer and director John Scheinfeld has made many other music documentaries.
Where to watch: Paramount+
More New Releases
Blue Beetle (Trailer) from Warner Bros
Strays (Trailer) from Universal
Madeline Collins (Trailer)
Haunting of the Queen Mary (Trailer)
The Owners (Trailer)
Oldboy (Trailer) Re-release
New to Streaming
Cocaine Bear (Trailer) on Amazon Prime
Of An Age (Trailer) on Amazon Prime
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?