Indie Film Release Guide: January 17th [An ONTD Original]

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This weekend’s big studio offerings are Sony’s Bad Boys For Life and the critically hammered Dolitte from Universal. There are only a handful of indie releases detailed in this post, but with the Oscars coming up in a few weeks, many theaters are bringing back the nominees that had already left theaters. So be sure to check and see what’s playing near you that you may have missed the first time around.

The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Columbia/Sony 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 10th, January 3rd, and December 27th.

Weathering With You

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Stars: Kotaro Daigo, Nana Mori, Sei Hiraizumi, Yûki Kaji
Writer/Director: Makoto Shinkai
Genre: Animation, Drama, Fantasy
Plot: A high-school boy who has run away to Tokyo befriends a girl who appears to be able to manipulate the weather.
What you should know: This film is from the same writer/director as 2016’s popular Your Name. There is also an English dub version of the film; please check and see which version is playing near you to avoid disappointment.
Opens in: Currently in theaters as a Fathom Event, and opens as a regular release in select theaters tomorrow.



The Host

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Stars: Maryam Hassouni, Mike Beckingham, Dougie Poynter, Nigel Barber
Writer: Finola Geraghty, Brendan Bishop, Laurence Lamers
Director: Andy Newbery
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: A chance opportunity arises for Robert Atkinson, a London banker who risks his bank's money to leave the mundane behind and start a new life. To take advantage, he unwittingly signs up with a Chinese cartel to transport a briefcase to Amsterdam. But all is not as it seems in a city veiled by dark secrets. Fuelled by power players, drugs, seduction and violence, Robert awaits his turn in a deadly game of choice and consequence.
What you should know: Filmed in Amsterdam.
Opens in: Select cities and available VOD.

My Hindu Friend

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Stars: Willem Dafoe, Maria Fernanda Cândido, Reynaldo Gianecchini, Selton Mello
Writer: Hector Babenco, Guilherme Moraes Quintella
Director: Hector Babenco
Genre: Drama
Plot: Diego is a film director very close to death, surrounded by people who are having trouble dealing with his current tempestuous mood. Chances are he won't survive, but if he does, that means he needs to relearn how to live.
What you should know: The film is from 2015, and was originally titled “Meu Amigo Hindu”. It’s in English and Portuguese.
Opens in: Select cities

The Wave

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Stars: Justin Long, Donald Faison, Tommy Flanagan, Sheila Vand
Writer: Carl W. Lucas
Director: Gille Klabin
Genre: Sci-Fi
Plot: Frank, an opportunistic insurance lawyer, thinks he’s in for the time of his life when he goes out on the town to celebrate an upcoming promotion with his co-worker, Jeff. But their night takes a turn for the bizarre when Frank is dosed with a hallucinogen that completely alters his perception of the world, taking him on a psychedelic quest through board meetings, nightclubs, shootouts, and alternate dimensions. As Frank ping-pongs between reality and fantasy, he finds himself on a mission to find a missing girl, himself… and his wallet.
What you should know: This is director Gille Klabin’s first feature film.
Opens in: Select cities

Feedback

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Stars: Eddie Marsan, Paul Anderson, Ivana Baquero, Richard Brake
Writer: Pedro C. Alonso, Alberto Marini
Director: Pedro C. Alonso
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: A radio star experiences the worst night of his life when stalkers assault the radio station where he's working.
What you should know: This is the director's first English language film.
Opens in: VOD, and in select theaters January 31st

Intrigo: Death of an Author

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Stars: Ben Kingsley, Tuva Novotny, Michael Byrne, Veronica Ferres
Writer: Daniel Alfredson, Birgitta Bongenhielm
Director: Daniel Alfredson
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Plot: Henny and Agnes were once very close, until disaster tore them apart. Now, Henny has returned to Agnes' life and asks her for a favor: to help plot the murder of her husband, David.
What you should know: This film is the first part of an anthology of Intrigo films, based on the novels by Håkan Nesser, which will all star different people.
Opens in: Select cities

Disturbing the Peace

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Stars: Guy Pearce, Devon Sawa, Barbie Blank, Dwayne Cameron
Writer: Chuck Hustmyre
Director: York Alec Shackleton
Genre: Action
Plot: A small-town marshal who hasn't carried a gun since he left the Texas Rangers after a tragic shooting, must pick up his gun again to do battle with a gang of outlaw bikers that has invaded the town to pull off a brazen and violent heist.
What you should know: The director starred in Season 3 of the MTV series Undressed.
Opens in: Select cities

Jai Mummy Di

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Stars: Sunny Singh, Sonnalli Seygall, Supriya Pathak, Poonam Dhillon
Writer/Director: Navjot Gulati
Genre: Comedy
Plot: Puneet and Saanjh are in love with each other but both don't have the courage to tell their mothers, Laali and Pinky, who at one point used to be best friends, but are now sworn enemies and can’t stand each other. When their mothers fix their marriages with different people, Puneet and Saanjh decide to pull off an impossible con with the blessings of their crazy mothers.
What you should know: It’s in Hindi.
Opens in: Select cities

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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?