Indie Film Release Guide: October 9th [An ONTD Original]
This weekend’s release slate is full of films that debuted at Sundance back in January, as well as a lot of films from multi-hyphenates. Once again, the big studios have skipped releasing anything major - Universal has Tales from the Hood 3, and Sony has Yellow Rose, but that's about it. This is also the last weekend of the New York Film Festival - there are still virtual screenings available, so check those out if you get a chance!
The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Columbia/Sony and Disney. All films listed will be available at their respective sources on Friday unless otherwise noted. Check out the posts from the past few weeks for more movies that may have already come to VOD: October 2nd, September 25th, and September 18th.
The 40 Year-Old Version
Click to viewStars: Radha Blank, Imani Lewis, Reed Birney, Welker White
Writer/Director: Radha Blank
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Radha is a down-on-her-luck NY playwright, who is desperate for a breakthrough before 40. Reinventing herself as rapper RadhaMUSPrime, she vacillates between the worlds of Hip Hop and theater in order to find her true voice.
What you should know: Won the Dramatic Directing Award at Sundance 2020.
Where to stream: Netflix, and available in select theaters
The Wolf of Snow Hollow
Stars: Jim Cummings, Riki Lindhome, Robert Forster, Chloe East
Writer/Director: Jim Cummings
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Thriller
Plot: Terror grips a small mountain town as bodies are discovered after each full moon. Losing sleep, raising a teenage daughter, and caring for his ailing father, officer Marshall struggles to remind himself there's no such thing as werewolves.
What you should know: This is the final film of the late Robert Forster.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Hubie Halloween
Stars: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Julie Bowen, Ray Liotta
Writer: Tim Herlihy, Adam Sandler
Director: Steve Brill
Genre: Comedy, Mystery
Plot: Despite his devotion to his hometown of Salem (and its Halloween celebration), Hubie Dubois is a figure of mockery for kids and adults alike. But this year, something is going bump in the night, and it's up to Hubie to save Halloween.
What you should know: From the director of Little Nicky, with appearances from all the Sandler-adjacent regulars.
Where to stream: Netflix, available now
Yellow Rose
Stars: Eva Noblezada, Liam Booth, Lea Salonga, Gustavo Gomez
Writer: Andy Bienen, Annie J. Howell, Diane Paragas, Celena Cipriaso
Director: Diane Paragas
Genre: Drama, Music
Plot: A Filipina teen from a small Texas town fights to pursue her dreams as a country music performer while having to decide between staying with her family or leaving the only home she has known.
What you should know: Okay, so this is technically from Sony and doesn’t belong in this post, but I sure as fuck haven’t seen them promoting it, so...
Where to watch: In select theaters
Aggie
Director: Catherine Gund
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: An exploration of the nexus of art, race and justice through the story of art collector Agnes Gund who sold Roy Lichtenstein's painting "Masterpiece" in 2017 for $165 million to start the Art for Justice Fund to end mass incarceration.
What you should know: The director, who is responsible for other documentaries, is the subject’s mother.
Where to stream: Virtual theaters
Time
Director: Garrett Bradley
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Fox Rich fights for the release of her husband, Rob, who is serving a 60-year sentence in prison.
What you should know: Won the Documentary Directing Award at Sundance 2020.
Where to stream: In theaters; streaming on Amazon October 16th
Major Arcana
Stars: Lane Bradbury, Rachel Donahue, Collen Doyle, Tara Summers
Writer/Director: Josh Melrod
Genre: Drama
Plot: A long-troubled itinerant carpenter returns home to small town Vermont and attempts to build a log cabin by hand, hoping to free himself from a cycle of poverty and addiction.
What you should know: This is writer/director Josh Melrod’s first narrative feature film.
Where to stream: Virtual theaters; available VOD November 6th
The Planters
Stars: Alexandra Kotcheff, Hannah Leder, Phil Parolisi, Pepe Serna
Writer/Director: Alexandra Kotcheff, Hannah Leder
Genre: Comedy
Plot: Awkward telemarketer Martha Plant lives a lonely existence burying treasure and eating split pea soup. When she takes in a vagrant with multiple personalities, she discovers having three friends in one may be more than she can handle.
What you should know: This is the first feature film directed by star/writer/director duo Alexandra Kotcheff and Hannah Leder.
Where to stream: Virtual theaters; available VOD on December 8th
The Walrus and the Whistleblower
Director: Nathalie Bibeau
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A whistleblower is sued for $1.5 million for plotting to steal a walrus and launches into a personal quest against the backdrop to end marine mammal captivity.
What you should know: MarineLand, the amusement park featured in the film, refused to participate in the film.
Where to stream: Virtual theaters (follow their social media for more info); available VOD on November 24th
Faith Based
Stars: Luke Barnett, Tanner Thomason, Lance Reddick, Jason Alexander
Writer: Luke Barnett
Director: Vincent Masciale
Genre: Comedy
Plot: When two friends realize all "faith based" films make buckets of cash, they set out on a mission to make one of their own.
What you should know: Director Vincent Masciale’s last film was 2018’s Fear, Inc..
Where to watch: In theaters and available VOD
More New Releases
The War With Grandpa (Trailer)
F11 and Be There (Trailer)
Wine and War (Trailer)
Song Lang (Trailer)
Tales From the Hood 3 (Trailer)
I Am Lisa (Trailer)
Charm City Kings (Trailer)
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?