Indie Film Release Guide: May 10th [An ONTD Original]
This weekend’s biggest release is another example of studios returning to mine the IP they already own, as 20th Century unleashes Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Though the newest trilogy only released its last film in 2017, it was well-received enough that it was only a matter of time before more films were made. This one is not a reboot, but set 300 years after the last one. Otherwise, it’s a pretty low-key release weekend, and you can read on for more info.
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 3rd, April 26th, and April 19th.
Poolman
Click to viewStars: Chris Pine, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Danny DeVito, Annette Bening
Writer: Chris Pine, Ian Gotler
Director: Chris Pine
Genre: Comedy, Mystery
Plot: Darren Barrenman is an unwavering optimist and native Angeleno who spends his days looking after the pool of the Tahitian Tiki apartment block and fighting to make his hometown a better place to live.
What you should know: Premiered at TIFF 2023 to extremely poor reviews.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Last Stop in Yuma County
Stars: Jim Cummings, Jocelin Donahue, Richard Brake, Nicholas Logan
Writer/Director: Francis Galluppi
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Plot: While stranded at a rural Arizona rest stop, a traveling salesman is thrust into a dire hostage situation by the arrival of two bank robbers with no qualms about using cruelty-or cold, hard steel-to protect their bloodstained fortune.
What you should know: This is writer/direcor Francis Galluppi’s first feature film.
Where to watch: In theaters
Not Another Church Movie
Stars: Jamie Foxx, Vivica A. Fox, Mickey Rourke, Tisha Campbell
Writer/Director: Johnny Mack
Genre: Comedy
Plot: Taylor Pherry is commanded by God to write a movie inspired by his crazy, dysfunctional family, but the Devil has his own devious plans..
What you should know: The tagline is “This is not a Tyler Perry Movie”.
Where to watch: In theaters
Force of Nature: The Dry 2
Stars: Eric Bana, Anna Torv, Deborra-Lee Furness, Robin McLeavy
Writer: Robert Connolly
Director: Robert Connolly, Jane Harper
Genre: Thriller
Plot: Five women participate in a hiking retreat but only four come out the other side. Federal agents Aaron Falk and Carmen Cooper head into the mountains hoping to find their informant still alive.
What you should know: The film was originally set to open last August, but was delayed due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Gasoline Rainbow
Stars: Tony Aburto, Micah Bunch, Nichole Dukes, Nathaly Garcia
Writer: Dave Ramsey, Bill Ross IV, Turner Ross
Director: Bill Ross IV, Turner Ross
Genre: Adventure
Plot: Follows 5 teenagers from small-town Oregon who, with high school in the rearview, decide to embark on one last adventure: to make it to a place they've never been -the Pacific coast, 500 miles away. Their plan, in full: "F**k it."
What you should know: Nominated for the Venice Horizons Award at the 2023 Venice Film Festival.
Where to watch: In NYC; expands throughout the month
Hazard
Stars: Gene Bervoets, Frank Lammers, Monic Hendrickx, Jennifer Heylan
Writer: Trent Haaga
Director: Jonas Govaerts
Genre: Action, Comedy
Plot: Noah really loves his girlfriend, his daughter, and his car. But after accepting a driving job, he gets into a race that will result in either losing his life, his family or his beloved car.
What you should know: Most of the film is seen from the perspective of a car.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Aisha
Stars: Letitia Wright, Josh O’Connor, Lorcan Cranitch, Denis Conway
Writer/Director: Frank Berry
Genre: Drama
Plot:While caught for years in Ireland's immigration system Aisha Osagie develops a close friendship with former prisoner Conor Healy. This friendship soon looks to be short lived as Aisha's future in Ireland comes under threat.
What you should know: Earned several nominations and a couple of wins at the 2023 Irish Film and TV Awards.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
East Bay
Stars: Daniel Yoon, Constance Wu, Kavi Ramachandran Ladnier, Edmund Sim
Writer: Daniel Yoon, Michael Kang, Gordon Dailley, Steffi Tupe
Director: Daniel Yoon
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: After a string of crushing personal and professional humiliations, Jack Lee accepts that at age 39 he is a failure. Worst of all, he's let down his selfless immigrant parents. To get back on track, Jack reaches out to others: an almost famous guru, a respected arts administrator, and two fellow computer programmers, all of whom have problems of their own.
What you should know: Actor, writer and director Daniel Yoon last wrote and directed 1999’s Post Concussion.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Mother of the Bride
Stars: Brooke Shields, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Sean Teale
Writer: Robin Bernheim
Director: Mark Waters
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot: Lana's daughter Emma returns from London and announces that she's getting married next month. Things become more complicated when Lana learns that the man who stole Emma's heart is the son of the man who broke hers years ago.
What you should know: Director Mark Waters also directed Freaky Friday and Mean Girls.
Where to watch: Netflix
A Prince
Stars: Antoine Pirotte, Pierre Creton, Grégory Gadebois, Vincent Barré
Writer: Vincent Barré, Pierre Creton, Mathilde Girard, Cyril Neyrat
Director: Pierre Creton
Genre: Drama
Plot: Pierre-Joseph goes to an apprenticeship college to train as a gardener. There he meets a series of characters - Françoise Brown, the principal, Alberto, his botany teacher, and Adrien, his employer - who will prove decisive in his apprenticeship story and in unleashing his sexuality. Forty years later Kutta appears, Françoise Brown’s adoptive child whom he has heard so much about but never met. But Kutta, who is now the owner of a strange château, seems to be looking for more than just a gardener.
What you should know: It’s in French.
Where to watch: In theaters
More New Releases
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (Trailer) from 20th Century Studios
Aggro Dr1ft (Trailer)
Lazareth (Trailer)
New to Streaming
The Iron Claw (Trailer) on Max
Eileen (Trailer) on Hulu
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?