Indie Film Release Guide: May 17th [An ONTD Original]
The big studio release of the weekend comes from Paramount in the form of IF, which is John Krasinski’s fourth film in the director’s chair. Back to Black, a fictionalized look at the life of Amy Winehouse, is also getting a release this weekend. There are plenty of other films coming out, too, so please 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 10th, May 3rd, and April 26th.
The Strangers: Chapter 1
Click to viewStars: Madelaine Petsch, Froy Gutierrez, Ryan Bown, Ben Cartwright
Writer: Alan R. Cohen, Alan Freedland
Director: Renny Harlin
Genre: Horror
Plot: After their car breaks down in an eerie small town, a young couple is forced to spend the night in a remote cabin. Panic ensues as they are terrorized by three masked strangers who strike with no mercy and seemingly no motive.
What you should know: The third film of a series and the first film of a new trilogy. All films of the trilogy are directed by Renny Harlin.
Where to watch: In theaters
Back to Black
Stars: Marisa Abela, Eddie Marsan, Jack O’Connell, Lesley Manville
Writer: Matt Greenhalgh
Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Plot: The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.
What you should know: Marisa Abela did most of the singing in the film herself.
Where to watch: In theaters
Power
Writer: Yance Ford
Director: Yance Ford, Ian Olds
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Driven to contain threats to social order, American policing has exploded in scope and scale over hundreds of years. Now, it can be described by one word: power.
What you should know: Yance Ford is an Oscar nominated director and producer based in New York City.
Where to watch: Netflix
Babes
Stars: Ilana Glazer, Michelle Buteau, Hasan Minhaj, John Carroll Lynch
Writer: Ilana Glazer, Josh Rabinowitz
Director: Pamela Adlon
Genre: Comedy
Plot: Inseparable childhood best friends Eden and Dawn, having grown up together in NYC, now firmly in different phases of adulthood. When carefree and single Eden decides to have a baby on her own after a one-night stand, their friendship faces its greatest challenge.
What you should know: This is writer and actress Pamela Adlon’s feature directorial debut.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Blue Angels
Director: Paul Crowder
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Follows the veterans and newest class of Navy and Marine Corps flight squadron as they go through intense training and into a season of heart-stopping aerial artistry.
What you should know: Director Paul Crowder has worked primarily as an editor.
Where to watch: In IMAX; on Prime Video May 23rd
Taking Venice
Writer/Director: Amei Wallach
Genre: Documentary
Plot: At the height of the Cold War, the U.S. government is determined to fight Communism with culture. The Venice Biennale, the world’s most influential art exhibition, becomes a proving ground in 1964. Alice Denney, Washington insider and friend of the Kennedys, recommends Alan Solomon, an ambitious curator making waves with trailblazing art, to organize the U.S. entry. Together with Leo Castelli, a powerful New York art dealer, they embark on a daring plan to make Robert Rauschenberg the winner of the Grand Prize.
What you should know: Nominated for the Grand Prize at the 2023 DOC NYC festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
You Can’t Run Forever
Stars: J.K. Simmons, Fernanda Urrejola, Allen Leech, Isabelle Anaya
Writer: Carolyn Carpenter, Michelle Schumacher
Director: Michelle Schumacher
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: A teenage girl suffering from anxiety due to a tragic event from her past finds herself hunted through the woods by a sociopath on a murderous rampage.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Thelma the Unicorn
Stars: Brittany Howard, Will Forte, Jon Heder, Daran Norris
Writer: Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess, Aaron Blabey
Director: Jared Hess, Lynn Wang
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Plot: When a rare pink and glitter-filled moment of fate makes Thelma the Pony's wish of being a unicorn come true, she rises to instant international pop-superstar stardom, but at an unexpected cost.
What you should know: Based on the best-selling books.
Where to watch: Netflix
Film Geek
Writer/Director: Richard Shepard
Genre: Documentary
Plot: A joyous and emotional look back at a movie obsessed kid growing up in New York City, and his relationship with his mysterious father. Crafted entirely out of film clips from over 200 movies, as well as his personal archives, Emmy and DGA award-winning director mines the material for clues to understand his own cinematic DNA.
What you should know: Richard Shepard’s most famous film is 2005’s The Matador with Pierce Brosnan.
Where to watch: In theaters
Nightwatch: Demons are Forever
Stars: Fanny Leander Bornedal, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Alex Høgh Andersen, Sara Viktoria Bjerregaard
Writer/Director: Ole Bornedal
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: Martin's daughter, Emma, takes up a night watch job to find out what happened to her parents almost thirty years ago. A meeting with Wörmer in his cell pulls the serial killer out of his coma and sets in motion a chain of fateful events.
What you should know: It’s in Danish.
Where to watch: Shudder
More New Releases
IF (Trailer)
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?