Indie Film Release Guide: March 17th [An ONTD Original]
St. Patrick’s Day brings a Shazam sequel from Warner Bros to the box office, but despite a lackluster rollout, no other big studios are trying to compete. Box office holdovers like Scream VI and Creed III will be looking to capitalize on this lack of competition.
The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Five” - Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Walt Disney Pictures, and Columbia Pictures.. 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: March 10th, March 3rd, and February 24th.
Inside
Click to viewStars: Willem Dafoe, Gene Bervoets, Eliza Stuyck, Josia Krug
Writer: Ben Hopkins
Director: Vasilis Katsoupis
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: Nemo, a high-end art thief, is trapped in a New York penthouse after his heist doesn't go as planned. Locked inside with nothing but priceless works of art, he must use all his cunning and invention to survive.
What you should know: This is the second feature film from director Vasilis Katsoupis.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Magician’s Elephant
Stars: Noah Jupe, Brian Tyree Henry, Mandy Patinkin, Miranda Richardson
Writer: Martin Hynes
Director: Wendy Rogers
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Plot: An orphaned boy is told by a fortune teller that an elephant will help him find his lost sister.
What you should know: Based on the novel by Kate DiCamillo.
Where to watch: Netflix
Boston Strangler
Stars: Keira Knightley, Carrie Coon, Chris Cooper, Alessandro Nivolo
Writer/Director: Matt Ruskin
Genre: Crime, Drama, History
Plot: Loretta McLaughlin, a reporter for the Record-American newspaper, becomes the first journalist to connect the Boston Strangler murders. As the mysterious killer claims more and more victims, Loretta attempts to continue her investigation alongside colleague and confidante Jean Cole, yet the duo finds themselves stymied by the rampant sexism of the era. Nevertheless, McLaughlin and Cole bravely pursue the story at great personal risk, putting their own lives on the line in their quest to uncover the truth.
What you should know: This is Keira Knightley’s first film since 2021’s Silent Night.
Where to watch: Hulu
Moving On
Stars: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Malcolm McDowell
Writer/Director: Paul Weitz
Genre: Comedy
Plot: Two old friends reconnect at a funeral and decide to get revenge on the widower who messed with them decades before.
What you should know: Writer/director Paul Weitz also directed 2002’s About a Boy.
Where to watch: Netflix
Rodeo
Stars: Julie Ledru, Yannis Lafki, Antonia Buresi, Cody Schroeder
Writer: Antonia Buresi, Lola Quivoron
Director: Lola Quivoron
Genre: Drama
Plot: Julia, a young misfit who is passionate about riding, meets a crew of dirt riders who fly along at full speed and perform stunts. She sets about infiltrating their male-dominated world, but an accident jeopardizes her ability to fit in.
What you should know: It’s in French.
Where to watch: In theaters
Wildflower
Stars: Kiernan Shipka, Dash Mihok, Jean Smart, Ryan Kiera Armstrong
Writer: Jana Savage, Matt Smukler
Director: Matt Smukler
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: A coming-of-age film that follows Bea Johnson from birth to graduation as she navigates life with an intellectually disabled parent and an extended family who can't quite agree on the best way to help.
What you should know: Premiered at TIFF 2022.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Innocent
Stars: Louis Garrel, Roschdy Zem, Noémie Merlant, Anouk Grinberg
Writer: Louis Garrel, Tanguy Viel, Naïla Guiguet
Director: Louis Garrel
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Romance
Plot: When Abel learns that his mother is about to marry a man in prison, he freaks out. With the help of his best friend, he will do whatever it takes to protect her. But meeting his new stepfather may well offer him a new perspective.
What you should know: Won Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress at the 2022 César Awards.
Where to watch: In theaters
Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game
Stars: Mike Faist, Crystal Reed, Dennis Boutsikaris. Christopher Convery
Writer/Director: Austin Bragg, Meredith Bragg
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: The story of Roger Sharpe, the young midwesterner who overturned New York City's 35 year-old ban on pinball machines.
What you should know: Won a couple of awards at the Heartland International Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD.
A Snowy Day in Oakland
Stars: Nicole Ari Parker, Evan Ross, Arden Myrin, Roger Cross
Writer/Director: Kim Bass
Genre: Comedy
Plot: A beautiful psychologist from San Francisco decides to end a stalled romance with her long-time, high-profile, psychiatrist boyfriend/business partner. She moves on with her life by opening her own private practice in a vacant, street-front office space in the middle of a small commercial block located across the bay in Oakland, turning the neighborhood on its emotional ear.
What you should know: The film was formerly known as HeadShop.
Where to watch: In theaters
Full River Red
Stars: Teng Shen, Jackson Yee, Yi Zhang, Jiayin Lei
Writer: Yu Chen, Yimou Zhang
Director: Yimou Zhang
Genre: Comedy, Drama, History
Plot: A pawn tries to get rid of a traitorous minister, Qin Hui, when he leads an army to the border for talks with a Jurchen mission.
What you should know: It’s in Mandarin.
Where to watch: In theaters
More New Releases
Shazam: The Fury of the Gods (Trailer)
Rimini (Trailer)
All The World is Sleeping (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Summit Fever (Trailer) on Hulu
Rubikon (Trailer) on Hulu
There There (Trailer) on Hulu
In His Shadow (Trailer) on Netflix
Still Time (Trailer) on Netflix
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This may be posted a little earlier than usual this week, but next week it'll be back to regularly scheduled programming. What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?