Indie Film Release Guide: January 25th [An ONTD Original]

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In big studio releases this week, we have an updated look at the Arthurian legend in 20th Century Fox’s The Kid Who Would Be King. Additionally, the well-reviewed but Oscar-slighted Stan and Ollie is expanding this weekend, so check your local listings.

The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Columbia and Disney. 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 18th, January 11th, and January 4th.

Never Look Away

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Stars: Tom Schilling, Sebastian Koch, Paula Beer, Saskia Rosendahl
Writer/Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Genre: Drama, History, Thriller
Plot: German artist Kurt Barnert has escaped East Germany and now lives in West Germany, but is tormented by his childhood under the Nazis and the GDR-regime.
What you should know: The film’s nomination for Best Cinematography was one of the biggest surprise nominations for this year’s Oscars. It’s also nominated for Best Foreign Language Film. It’s in German, and has a running time of over three hours.
Opens in: Select cities, with Q&A’s in NYC



Serenity

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Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Diane Lane, Jason Clarke
Writer/Director: Steven Knight
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: The mysterious past of a fishing boat captain comes back to haunt him, when his ex-wife tracks him down with a desperate plea for help, ensnaring his life in a new reality that may not be all that it seems.
What you should know: Writer/director Knight is responsible for creating both Peaky Blinders and Who Wants to Be A Millionaire.
Opens in: Wide release

King of Thieves

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Stars: Michael Caine, Charlie Cox, Michael Gambon, Ray Winstone
Writer: Joe Penhall, based on the magazine article by Mark Seal
Director: James Marsh
Genre: Crime, Drama
Plot: A true crime film about a crew of retired crooks who pull off a major heist in London's jewelry district. What starts off as their last criminal hurrah quickly turns into a brutal nightmare due to greed.
What you should know: The film was based on true events that happened in April 2015.
Opens in: Select cities

The Invisibles

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Stars: Max Mauff, Alex Dwyer, Ruby O. Fee, Aaron Altaras
Writer: Claus Räfle, Alejandra López
Director: Claus Räfle
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Plot: While Joseph Goebbels infamously declared Berlin "free of Jews" in 1943, 1,700 managed to survive in the Nazi capital through the end of WWII. The Invisibles traces the stories of four young people who learned to hide in plain sight.
What you should know: It’s in German.
Opens in: Select cities

In Like Flynn

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Stars: Clive Standen, Nathalie Kelley, Isabel Lucas, William Moseley
Writer: Steve M. Albert, Marc Furmie and Corey Large
Director: Russell Mulcahy
Genre: Action, Adventure
Plot: Before Errol Flynn became one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood, he was braving cannibals and crocodiles while searching the jungles of Papua New Guinea for gold with his ragtag crew. Flynn is forced to learn what it means to be a master of his own destiny.
What you should know: Based on the novel and screenplay by Errol Flynn
Opens in: Select cities

Dead Ant

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Stars: Tom Arnold, Sean Astin, Jake Busey, Rhys Coiro
Writer: Hank Braxton, Ron Carlson, Dan Sinclair
Director: Ron Carlson
Genre: Adventure, Comedy
Plot: Members of a metal band get a chance at a comeback when they are invited to perform at Coachella. When they become stranded in the desert, they have to fight for their lives against giant ants.
What you should know: This premiered at festivals in 2017, but is being officially released as of Friday.
Opens in: Select cities

Heartlock

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Stars: Alexander Dreymon, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Erik LaRay Harvey, Cedric Young
Writer: Jon Kauffman, Chris Cummings
Director: Jon Kauffman
Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance
Plot: Seasoned inmate Continental takes New York prison newcomer Lee under his wing, hoping to persuade a female guard into helping their escape.
Opens in: Select cities

[TW: Documentary Involving Sexual Abuse]

The 5 Browns: Digging Through the Darkness

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Director: Ben Niles
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Captures the emotional journey of the Juilliard trained, sibling piano prodigies - and their remarkable story of determination, healing and bravery as they come to terms with the sexual abuse the three girls suffered from their father as children.
What you should know: The siblings are using their platform to educate the public and legislators about the statute of limitations for sexual abuse crimes: http://www.the5browns.com
Opens in: Select cities



Almost Almost Famous

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Director: Barry Lank
Genre: Documentary
Plot: Fifty years after trailblazers like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jackie Wilson defined music as we know it today, three world-class tribute artists carry on their legacy. The film explores the lives of three of the world’s top tribute artists and the cost and risks of borrowed fame.
What you should know: This was filmed in Canada and released there last month, but is making its debut in the states this weekend.
Opens in: Select cities, and available VOD.

Qué León

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Stars: Stephany Liriano, Celines Toribio, Ozuna, Clarissa Molina
Writer: Jose Ramon Alama, José A. Paxtor, Frank Perozo
Director: Frank Perozo
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Plot: Nicole and José Miguel has one thing in common: Their last name León. But they comes from very different social backgrounds, and their love will have to deal with opposition of their parents and a great number of situations that will put it to the test.
What you should know: This is in Spanish and I couldn’t find any trailers with subtitles. Also, I think this is the same Ozuna from this post yesterday?
Opens in: Wide release

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Seen anything lately, ONTD? What's on the agenda for this weekend? It's exactly one month until the Oscars.