Indie Film Release Guide: January 7th [An ONTD Original]
As Omicron continues to dominate headlines, the January release schedule gets more and more sparse. This leaves fairly slim pickings among new releases, but the ones that will be available are detailed in full below.
The films listed are usually from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Studios, Universal, Columbia/Sony and Disney. This week, the sole major studio release is also included. 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 31st, December 24th, and December 17th.
A Hero
Click to viewStars: Amir Jadidi, Mohsen Tanabandeh, Fereshteh Sadre Orafaiy, Sarina Farhadi
Writer/Director: Asghar Farhadi
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: Rahim is in prison because of a debt he was unable to repay. During a two-day leave, he tries to convince his creditor to withdraw his complaint against the payment of part of the sum. But things don't go as planned.
What you should know: Official submission of Iran for the Best International Feature Film category of the 94th Academy Awards in 2022.
Where to watch: In theaters; on Prime January 21st
See For Me
Stars: Skyler Davenport, Kim Coates, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Laura Vandervoort
Writer: Adam Yorke, Tommy Gushue
Director: Randall Okita
Genre: Thriller
Plot: When blind former skier Sophie cat-sits in a secluded mansion, three thieves invade for the hidden safe. Sophie's only defense is army veteran Kelly. Kelly helps Sophie defend herself against the invaders and survive.
What you should know: Director Randall Okita is Japanese Canadian, and has premiered work at several major film festivals.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
June Again
Stars: Noni Hazlehurst, Claudia Karvan, Stephen Curry, Di Adams
Writer/Director: JJ Winlove
Genre: Drama
Plot: During a fleeting bout of lucidity from her dementia, June Wilton has precious little time to bring together her estranged children, save the family business, and rekindle an old flame.
What you should know: Director JJ Winlove, who has also directed many short films, hails from New Zealand.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Road to Perth
Stars: Tommy O’Brien, Hannah Lehmann, Rachel Scott, Ellen Grimshaw
Writer: Hannah Lehmann, Tommy O’Brien, Chad Peter
Director: Chad Peter
Genre: Drama
Plot: Rejected after a marriage proposal, Alex finds himself alone on a journey from Los Angeles to Melbourne, Australia, on what was supposed to be a happy vacation with his new fiancée. Stuck in a mild state of shock, Alex crosses paths with Ronnie - a woman on an adventure of her own - and together they take a grand road trip across Australia's Nullarbor Plain, on their way to Perth.
What you should know: Filmed in Western Australia.
Where to watch: In theaters; coming to VOD January 18th
Pharma Bro
Director: Brent Hodge
Genre: Documentary
Plot: A documentary profiling Martin Shkreli, the financial entrepreneur and pharmaceutical tycoon from Brooklyn, New York, known for raising the price of an AIDS drug 5500% overnight, buying the sole copy of a Wu-Tang Clan album for $2 million dollars and being convicted of securities fraud.
What you should know: Director Brent Hodge also directed A Brony Tale.
Where to watch: Hulu
The Commando
Stars: Mickey Rourke, Brendan Fehr, Michael Jai White, Jeff Fahey
Writer: Asif Akbar, Al Bravo, Koji Steven Sakai
Director: Asif Akbar
Genre: Action, Thriller
Plot: A DEA agent with PTSD returns home after a botched mission and must now protect his family from a home invasion after a recently freed convict and his henchmen come after their stash of millions inside of the agent's home.
What you should know: A direct quote from John Enos III the IMDB trivia section is as follows - Fourth appearance that John Enos III and Mickey Rourke have made together. They first appeared in Bullet, FTW, then Ashby and now The Commando. They have maintained a strong friendship since Bullet with Rourke nicknaming his friend 'Handsome John'.
Where to watch: In theaters
King Car
Stars: Luciano Pedro Jr., Matheus Nachtergaele, Okado do Canal, Jules Elting
Writer: Sergio Oliveira, Renata Pinheiro, Leo Pyrata
Director: Renata Pinheiro
Genre: Sci-Fi
Plot: A young man’s ability to surreally “be one” with and speak to cars sparks a revolution that could save his community. When his invention inadvertently accelerates the underlying problems of the community, our hero’s quest must grow bigger than his own personal ambitions and a fight for survival ensues with the zombies of capitalism.
What you should know: Nominee at the 2021 Fantasia Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Legend of La Llorona
Stars: Autumn Reeser, Danny Trejo, Antonio Cupo, Josh Zaharia
Writer: Cameron Larson, Jose Prendes
Director: Patricia Harris Seeley
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: While vacationing in Mexico, a couple discovers their son's disappearance is tied to a supernatural curse.
What you should know: This is director Patricia Harris Seeley’s first feature film.
Where to watch: In theaters; available VOD January 19th
Embrace Again
Stars: Bo Huang, Ling Jia, Yilong Zhu, Fan Xu
Writer/Director: Xiaolu Xue
Genre: Drama
Plot: The movie tells the love stories of ordinary people during the COVID-19 lockdown in Wuhan, from January to March 2020.
What you should know: It's in Chinese.
Where to watch: In theaters
Major Studio Release
The 355
Stars: Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong’o, Diane Kruger, Penélope Cruz
Writer: Theresa Rebeck, Simon Kinberg, Bek Smith
Director: Simon Kinberg
Genre: Action, Thriller
Plot: When a top-secret weapon falls into mercenary hands, a wild card CIA agent joins forces with three international agents on a lethal mission to retrieve it, while staying a step ahead of a mysterious woman who's tracking their every move.
What you should know: The film was the hottest-selling item in the Cannes market in May 2018..
Where to watch: In theaters
New on Streaming
The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard (Trailer) on HBO Max
Source 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1718 19 20 21
What have you been watching lately, ONTD?