Indie Film Release Guide: December 31st [An ONTD Original]

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For the final weekend of 2021, there aren’t a ton of new release options, but what is available is listed here in this post. The first couple of weeks of January will probably be slow, too, but releases should pick up again from there.

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 24th, December 17th, and December 10th.

Jockey

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Stars: Clifton Collins, Jr., Moises Arias, Molly Parker, Logan Cormier
Writer: Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar
Director: Clint Bentley
Genre: Drama
Plot: An aging jockey aims for a final championship, when a rookie rider arrives claiming to be his son.
What you should know: Premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters



Hilda and the Mountain King

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Stars: Daisy Haggard, John Hopkins, Lucy Montgomery, Rasmus Hardiker
Writer: Luke Pearson
Director: Andy Coyle
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Plot: When Hilda wakes up in the body of a troll, she must use her wits and courage to get back home, become human again and save the city of Trolberg.
What you should know: Stars the character Hilda from the Netflix show of the same name.
Where to watch: Netflix

Poupelle of Chimney Town

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Stars: Masataka Kubota, Mana Ashida, Shingo Fujimori, Rina Honizumi
Writer: Akihiro Hishino
Director: Yusuke Hirota
Genre: Animation, Family, Fantasy
Plot: A factory town is covered by chimney smoke, and as the townspeople haven't see the sky in centuries, they no longer believe that stars exist. A chimney sweep and a friendly monster named Poupelle decide to prove that stars are real.
What you should know: Based on the book by Akihiro Nishino.
Where to watch: In theaters

Megaboa

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Stars: Eric Roberts, Emilia Torello, Joe Herrera, Michelle Elizabeth O’Shea
Writer: Alex Heerman
Director: Mario N. Bonassin
Genre: Action, Horror
Plot: A group of college students head into the rainforest to look for cave drawings. But a once thought to be extinct fifty-foot boa constrictor is out hungry for blood.
What you should know: Director Mario N. Bonassin’s other feature directorial credit is for 2021’s Alien Conquest.
Where to watch: Available VOD on December 31st

Sensation

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Stars: Eugene Simon, Emily Wyatt, Jennifer Martin, Marybeth Havens
Writer: Magdalena Drahovska, Martin Grof
Director: Martin Grof
Genre: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Plot: When a lowly postman is inducted into a top-secret superhuman DNA program at a research facility, it's revealed that he'll be able to receive, control and send information based on the senses of others.
What you should know: Writer/director Martin Grof also wrote and directed 2018’s Excursion.
Where to watch: Available VOD

New to Streaming

The Lost Daughter

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Stars: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson, Ed Harris
Writer/Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Genre: Drama
Plot: A woman's beach vacation takes a dark turn when she begins to confront the troubles of her past.
What you should know: Based on the book by Elena Ferrante.
Where to watch: Netflix

Lady in the Manor

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Stars: Melanie Lynskey, Judy Greer, Justin Long, Ryan Phillippe
Writer/Director: Christian Long, Justin Long
Genre: Comedy
Plot: A flatulent, aimless ne'er-do-well becomes a tour guide in a historic estate, and winds up befriending the manor's resident ghost.
What you should know: This is writer/actor/director Justin Long’s first feature film.
Where to watch: Hulu

Seal Team

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Stars: J.K. Simmons, Kristen Schaal, Patrick Warburton, Sharlto Copley
Writer: Greig Cameron, Brian Cleveland, Jason Cleveland
Director: Greig Cameron, Kane Croudace
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Plot: Fearless seal Quinn assembles a squad of misfit recruits to stand up to ruthless sharks with razor-sharp teeth and reclaim the open sea.
Where to watch: Netflix, available December 31st

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Happy New Year, ONTD! What have you been watching lately?