Indie Film Release Guide: January 26th [An ONTD Original]
This weekend brings one of the slowest months of the year for new films to a close, with no new big studio releases in sight. Naturally, there are plenty of indies to fill that void, including offerings from Lionsgate, IFC Films, Oscilloscope, Vertical, Magnet, and more. There are also a couple of foreign language films that were submitted but did not make the cut for the Best International Film category of this year’s Academy Awards.
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: January 19th, January 12th, and January 5th.
Miller’s Girl
Click to viewStars: Martin Freeman, Jenna Ortega, Bashir Salahuddin, Gideon Adlon
Writer/Director: Jade Halley Bartlett
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: A creative writing assignment yields complex results between a teacher and his talented student.
What you should know: This is writer and director Jade Halley Bartlett’s debut feature film.
Where to watch: In theaters
American Star
Stars: Ian McShane, Thomas Kretschmann, Nora Arnezeder, Adam Nagaitis
Writer: Nacho Faerna
Director: Gonzalo López-Gallego
Genre: Thriller
Plot: An assassin on a final assignment in Fuerteventura, to kill a man he has never met. When his target is delayed, he finds himself drawn to the island, people and a ghostly shipwreck.
What you should know: Actor Ian McShane is also a producer on the film.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Sometimes I Think About Dying
Stars: Daisy Ridley, Dave Merheje, Parvesh Cheena, Marcia DeBonis
Writer: Stefanie Abel Horowitz, Kevin Armento, Katy Wright-Mead
Director: Rachel Lambert
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot: Fran, who likes to think about dying, makes the new guy at work laugh, which leads to dating and more. Now the only thing standing in their way is Fran herself.
What you should know: Nominated for the Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2023.
Where to watch: In theaters
Tótem
Stars: Naíma Sentíes, Montserrat Marañon, Marisol Gasé, Saori Gurza
Writer/Director: Lila Avilés
Genre: Drama
Plot: Seven-year-old Sol is spending the day at her grandfather's home, for a surprise party for Sol's father, Tonatiuh. As daylight fades, Sol comes to understand that her world is about to change dramatically.
What you should know: Official submission of Mexico for the Best International Feature Film category of the 96th Academy Awards in 2024.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Underdoggs
Stars: Snoop Dogg, Tika Sumpter, Mike Epps, Elias Ferguson
Writer: Isaac Schamis, Danny Segal, Constance Schwartz-Morini, Snoop Dogg
Director: Charles Stone III
Genre: Comedy, Sport
Plot: Jaycen "Two Js" Jennings is a washed-up ex-professional football star who has hit rock bottom. When Jaycen is sentenced to community service coaching an unruly pee-wee football team, he sees it as an opportunity to turn his life around.
What you should know: Snoop Dogg has 297 credits on IMDB.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
The Peasants
Stars: Kamila Urzedowska, Robert Gulaczyk, Mirosław Baka, Sonia Mietielica
Writer: Wladyslaw Stanislaw Reymont, DK Welchman, Hugh Welchman
Director: DK Welchman, Hugh Welchman
Genre: Animation, Drama, History
Plot: Jagna is a young woman determined to forge her own path in a late 19th century Polish village - a hotbed of gossip and on-going feuds, held together, rich and poor, by adherence to colorful traditions and deep-rooted patriarchy.
What you should know: Official submission of Poland for the Best International Feature Film category of the 96th Academy Awards in 2024.
Where to watch: In theaters
Godzilla Minus One Minus Color
Stars: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Sakura Ando, Kuranosuke Sasaki
Writer/Director: Takashi Yamazaki
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Plot: Post war Japan is at its lowest point when a new crisis emerges in the form of a giant monster, baptized in the horrific power of the atomic bomb.
What you should know: This is the same Oscar-nominated film that was released several months ago, but this version is in black and white.
Where to watch: In theaters, for one week only
Hundreds of Beavers
Stars: Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, Olivia Graves, Wes Tank, Doug Mancheski
Writer: Mike Cheslik, Ryland Brickson Cole Tews
Director: Mike Cheslik
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Plot: In this 19th century, supernatural winter epic, a drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become North America's greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers.
What you should know: Filmed in Wisconsin.
Where to watch: In theaters
Badland Hunters
Stars: Ma Dong-seok, Lee Joon-young, No Jeong-ee, Jun Hee Lee
Writer: Kim Bo-Tong, Kwak Jae-Min
Director: Heo Myeong Haeng
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Plot: A major earthquake transforms Seoul into an apocalyptic wasteland.
What you should know: It’s in Korean.
Where to watch: Netflix
Queen Rock Montreal
Director: Saul Swimmer
Genre: Music
Storyline: One of the world's most iconic rock bands performs an unforgettable setlist of their greatest hits including "We Will Rock You," "Somebody To Love," "Under Pressure," Bohemian Rhapsody," "Another One Bites the Dust," and "We Are The Champions."
What you should know: Missed this limited release in last week’s roundup, but it was extended to this weekend.
Where to watch: In select IMAX theaters, this weekend
More New Releases
Gurren Lagann The Movie: The Lights in the Sky are Stars (Trailer) Rerelease
Beautiful Wedding (Trailer)
Junction (Trailer)
Cold Copy (Trailer)
Blue Star (Trailer)
The Seeding (Trailer)
Mambar Pierrette (Trailer)
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?