Indie Film Release Guide: December 24th [An ONTD Original]
The holiday weekend is typically awash with new releases, and this year’s options are more plentiful than last. However, since the total number of films being released is down from a typical weekend, the roundup includes both indie and major studio releases.
Usually the films listed are from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Studios, 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: December 17th, December 10th, and December 3rd.
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Click to viewStars: Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Alex Hassell, Bertie Carvel
Writer/Director: Joel Coen
Genre: Drama, History, Thriller
Plot: A Scottish lord becomes convinced by a trio of witches that he will become the next King of Scotland, and his ambitious wife supports him in his plans of seizing power.
What you should know: Based on the play by William Shakespeare.
Where to watch: In theaters
Parallel Mothers
Stars: Penélope Cruz, Rossy de Palma, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Milena Smit
Writer/Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Genre: Drama
Plot: The story of two mothers who give birth the same day.
What you should know: Penélope Cruz was awarded the Volpi Cup at the 2021 Venice Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
Memoria
Stars: Tilda Swinton, Jeanne Balibar, Juan Pablo Urrego, Daniel Giménez Cacho
Writer/Director: Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Plot: A woman from Scotland, while traveling in Colombia, begins to notice strange sounds. Soon she begins to think about their appearance.
What you should know: In an unconventional move, art-house film distributor Neon is releasing Memoria "from city to city, theater to theater, week by week, playing in front of only one solitary audience at any given time." According to IndieWire, the film will only play in theaters, and it will not become available on DVD, on demand, or on streaming platforms.
Where to watch: NYC
American Underdog
Stars: Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Hayden Zaller, Ser'Darius Blain
Writer: David Aaron Cohen
Director: Andrew Ervin, Jon Ervin
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Plot: The story of NFL MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback, Kurt Warner, who went from stocking shelves at a supermarket to becoming an American Football star.
What you should know: Based on the book by Kurt Warner and Michael Silver.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Velvet Queen
Director: Marie Amiguet & Vincent Munier
Genre: Documentary
Plot: In the heart of the Tibetan highlands, multi-award-winning nature photographer Vincent Munier guides writer Sylvain Tesson on his quest to document the infamously elusive snow leopard. Munier introduces Tesson to the subtle art of waiting from a blind spot, tracking animals, and finding the patience to catch sight of the beasts. Through their journey in the Tibetan peaks, inhabited by invisible presences, the two men ponder humankind’s place amongst the magnificent creatures and glorious landscapes they encounter along the way.
What you should know: Nominated for the Golden Eye award at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
Major Studio Releases
Matrix Resurrections
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jonathan Groff
Writer: Lana Wachowski, David Mitchell, Aleksandar Hemon
Director: Lana Wachowski
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Plot: Return to a world of two realities: one, everyday life; the other, what lies behind it. To find out if his reality is a construct, to truly know himself, Mr. Anderson will have to choose to follow the white rabbit once more.
What you should know: Hugo Weaving was originally approached to reprise his role as Agent Smith, but he had to turn it down due to scheduling conflicts.
Where to watch: In theaters, and on HBO Max
A Journal for Jordan
Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Chanté Adams, Vanessa Aspillaga, Susan Pourfar
Writer: Virgil Williams
Director: Denzel Washington
Genre: Drama
Plot: 1st Sgt. Charles Monroe King, before he is killed in action in Baghdad, authors a journal for his son intended to tell him how to live a decent life despite growing up without a father.
What you should know: Based on the article by Dana Canedy.
Where to watch: In theaters
The King’s Man
Stars: Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Harris Dickinson
Writer: Matthew Vaughn, Karl Gajdusek
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Plot: In the early years of the 20th century, the Kingsman agency is formed to stand against a cabal plotting a war to wipe out millions.
What you should know: This movie has been delayed for over two years - it was originally scheduled for release in November 2019.
Where to watch: In theaters
Sing 2
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Scarlett Johansson, Reese Witherspoon, Taron Egerton
Writer/Director: Garth Jennings
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Plot: Buster Moon and his friends must persuade reclusive rock star Clay Calloway to join them for the opening of a new show.
What you should know: The original Sing! came out five years ago.
Where to watch: In theaters
Licorice Pizza
Stars: Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffmann, Skyler Gisondo, Bradley Cooper
Writer/Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot: The story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.
What you should know: John C. Reilly has a voice only cameo.
Where to watch: In theaters
New to Streaming
Don’t Look Up (Trailer) on Netflix
The Suicide Squad (Trailer) on HBO
Being the Ricardos (Trailer) on Amazon
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?