Indie Film Release Guide: April 8th [An ONTD Original]
This weekend sees a little blue hedgehog and company going head to head with Michael Bay and his drone footage, as Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Ambulance both open in wide release. And for those of you who have been lamenting the lack of Everything Everywhere All At Once showings in your area, this could be your lucky weekend - the film is doing a big expansion after a couple of weeks of limited release.
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: April 1st, March 25th, and March 18th.
All the Old Knives
Click to viewStars: Chris Pine, Thandiwe Newton, Laurence Fishburne, Jonathan Pryce
Writer: Olen Steinhauer
Director: Janus Metz
Genre: Thriller
Plot: Two CIA operatives, and former lovers, reunite at idyllic Carmel-by-the-Sea to re-examine a mission six years ago in Vienna where a fellow agent might have been compromised.
What you should know: This is the first narrative feature film from director Janus Metz.
Where to watch: In theaters, and on Amazon Prime
Cow
Director: Andrea Arnold
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A close-up portrait of the daily lives of two cows.
What you should know: Nominated for the Best Documentary BAFTA.
Where to watch: In theaters
Aline
Stars: Valérie Lemercier, Sylvain Marcel, Danielle Fichaud, Roc Lafortune
Writer: Valérie Lemercier, Brigitte Buc
Director: Valérie Lemercier
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Plot: With the support of her family and the man she loves, the 14th child of a modest family will become the most famous singer in the world.
What you should know: This film is an unofficial biopic of the life of Céline Dion, but with invented elements added, hence the artist’s name change to Aline Dieu. Writer, director and star Valérie Lemercier plays the character at almost every age.
Where to watch: In theaters
a-ha: The Movie
Writer: Thomas Robsahm
Director: Thomas Robsahm, Aslaug Holm
Genre: Documentary, Biography, Music
Plot: Following the band on tour, the documentary tells the full story of how three young men followed their impossible dream of becoming Norwegian pop stars. When "Take On Me" reached number 1 on Billboard in the US in 1985 the dream came true. Or did it?
What you should know: Nominated for the Documentary Audience Award at Tribeca Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
Coast
Stars: Fatima Ptacek, Mia Frampton, Mia Xitlali, Ciara Bravo
Writer: Cindy Kitagawa
Director: Jessica Hester, Derek Schweickart
Genre: Drama
Plot: Desperate to escape the trappings of her small coastal farming town, 16-year-old Abby falls for the lead singer of a touring rock band and must decide whether to leave her family and lifelong friends behind in search of a better life.
What you should know: This is the first feature film for both directors.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Metal Lords
Stars: Joe Manganiello, Jaeden Martell, Brett Gelman, Isis Hainsworth
Writer: D.B. Weiss
Director: Peter Sollett
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Plot: Two friends try to form a heavy metal band with a cellist for the Battle of the Bands.
What you should know: Ramin Djawadi scored the film, presumably in part because of his working relationship with D.B. Weiss from Game of Thrones.
Where to watch: Netflix
Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off
Director: Sam Jones
Genre: Documentary
Plot: Follows famous skater Tony Hawk's personal life, career and relationship with skateboarding, including never-before-seen footage and unprecedented access to Hawk, along with interviews with figures from the skateboarding world.
What you should know: Director Sam Jones also directed the 2002 Wilco documentary I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.
Where to watch: HBO Max
Poppy Field
Stars: Conrad Mericoffer, Alexandru Potocean, Radouan Leflahi, Cendana Trifan
Writer: Ioana Moraru
Director: Eugen Jebeleanu
Genre: Drama
Plot: Planning to spend a romantic weekend with his long-distance boyfriend, Christi's tender reunion is cut short when he is called in to handle a crisis at work. A violent outburst forces him to confront the contradictions between his personal and professional life.
What you should know: It’s in Romanian.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Girl and the Spider
Stars: Henriette Confurius, Liliane Amuat, Ursina Lardi, Flurin Giger
Writer/Director: Ramon Zürcher, Silvan Zürcher
Genre: Drama
Plot: As her roommate Lisa prepares to move out of their apartment, Mara contemplates the end of an era. Amid all the hustle and bustle, secret longings and desires come to the surface and coalesce around the roommates as well as around Lisa’s mother Astrid, the movers, the girls’ old neighbors, the neighbors’ cat, Lisa’s new neighbor and an ever-expanding cast of characters.
What you should know: It’s in German.
Where to watch: In NYC; expands to LA and more next week
¡Viva Maestro!
Writer/Director: Ted Braun
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A portrait of the Los Angeles Philharmonic music and artistic director Gustavo Dudamel.
What you should know: Dudamel has been named one of Time's "100 Most Influential People" and serves as music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Where to watch: In theaters
More New Releases
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Trailer) from Paramount
Ambulance (Trailer) from Universal
As They Made Us (Trailer)
Agent Game (Trailer)
High Expectations (Trailer)
Love in Kilnerry (Trailer)
New on Streaming
The Night House (Trailer) on HBO *OP Recommended*
Return to Space (Trailer) on Netflix
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?