Indie Film Release Guide: January 21st [An ONTD Original]
Getting into the dregs of a COVID-era January, the new release pickings are slim. There are no formidable opponents entering the ring this weekend, so last weekend’s debut Scream will battle with Spider-Man for the top two spots at the box office.
The films listed are (mostly) 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: January 14th, January 7th, and December 31st.
Redeeming Love
Click to viewStars: Abigail Cowen, Tom Lewis, Famke Janssen, Logan Marshall-Green
Writer/Director: D.J. Caruso
Genre: Drama, History, Romance
Plot: Sold into prostitution as a child, Angel knows nothing but betrayal. Can her heart ever be mended?
What you should know: Based on the novel by Francine Rivers.
Where to watch: In theaters
The King’s Daughter
Stars: Pierce Brosnan, William Hurt, Benjamin Walker, Kaya Scodelario
Writer: Ronald Bass, Barry Berman, Laura Harrington
Director: Sean McNamera
Genre: Action, Adventure, Family
Plot: King Louis XIV's quest for immortality leads him to capture and steal a mermaid's life force, a move that is further complicated by his illegitimate daughter's discovery of the creature.
What you should know: This was filmed in 2014, and is somehow just now getting a release.
Where to watch: In theaters
Simple Passion
Stars: Laetitia Dosch, Sergei Polunin, Lou-Teymour Thion, Caroline Ducey
Writer/Director: Danielle Arbid
Genre: Drama, Romance
Plot: A mother falls into an addictive relationship with a Russian diplomat, with whom she has nothing in common.
What you should know: Based on the novel by Annie Ernaux
Where to watch: In theaters
Stop-Zemlia
Stars: Maria Fedorchenko, Arsenii Markov, Yana Isaienko, Oleksandr Ivanov
Writer/Director: Kateryna Gornostai
Genre: Drama
Plot: Navigating the emotional turmoil of waiting for life to begin while hanging around with classmates - a radical, authentic, and sensitive insight into the unsettling feeling of being young and an inside perspective on Ukrainian youth.
What you should know: Won several awards, including five at the 2021 Ukrainian Film Critics Awards.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
A Shot Through the Wall
Stars: Kenny Leu, Ciara Renée, Fiona Fu, Tzi Ma
Writer/Director: Aimee Long
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Plot: A Chinese-American police officer's life unravels after he accidentally shoots an innocent Black man. Facing trial, he wades through his guilt as he navigates the complicated worlds of media, justice, racial politics and his own morality.
What you should know: This is writer/director Aimee Long’s first feature film.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Salt in My Soul
Director: Will Battersby
Genre: Documentary
Plot: Offers a look inside the mind of a young woman trying to live while dying. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, Mallory turned to a secret diary to record her thoughts.
What you should know: Based on the posthumously published memoir of Mallory Smith.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD January 25th
Warhunt
Stars: Mickey Rourke, Robert Knepper, Jackson Rathbone, Josh Burdett
Writer: Mauro Borrelli, Reggie Keyohara III, Scott Svatos
Director: Mauro Borrelli
Genre: Action, Horror, Thriller
Plot: A military commander dispatches an elite team of American soldiers on a deadly rescue mission after a WWII plane crashes. Trapped behind enemy lines in Germany's Black Forest, the men are confronted by a coven of witches.
What you should know: Due to travel restrictions related to Coronavirus, Mickey Rourke was temporarily stranded in Latvia during pre-production.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Munich: The Edge of War
Stars: George MacKay, Jannis Niewöhner, Jeremy Irons, Liv Lisa Fries
Writer: Ben Power
Director: Christian Schwochow
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Plot: A British diplomat travels to Munich in the run-up to World War II, where a former classmate of his from Oxford is also en route, but is working for the German government.
What you should know: Based on the novel by Robert Harris.
Where to watch: Netflix
The Last Thing Mary Saw
Stars: Rory Culkin, Isabelle Fuhrman, Stefanie Scott, Carolyn McCormick
Writer/Director: Edoardo Vitaletti
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Plot: Winter, 1843. A young woman is under investigation following the mysterious death of her family's matriarch. Her recollection of the events sheds new light on the ageless forces behind the tragedy.
What you should know: This is writer/director Edoardo Vitaletti’s directorial debut.
Where to watch: Shudder
Major Studio Release
The Tiger Rising
Stars: Dennis Quaid, Queen Latifah, Katharine McPhee, Sam Trammell
Writer/Director: Ray Giarratana
Genre: Family
Plot: A young boy discovers a caged tiger in the woods near his home.
What you should know: Based on the book by Kate DiCamillo.
Where to watch: In theaters
New to Streaming
Monday (Trailer) on Showtime
American Boogeywoman (Trailer) on Netflix
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?