Indie Film Release Guide: May 26th [An ONTD Original]
Disney’s live-action version of The Little Mermaid is the only real big new release this weekend, and it is expected to swim to first place at the box office with ease. But as usual, there are also plenty of indie releases, so read on for more information on those.
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: May 19th, May 12th, and May 5th.
You Hurt My Feelings
Click to viewStars: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies, Michaela Watkins, Arian Moayed
Writer/Director: Nicole Holofcener
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: A novelist's longstanding marriage is suddenly upended when she overhears her husband giving his honest reaction to her latest book.
What you should know: The song at the end of the trailer is Rilo Kiley’s “Silver Lining”.
Where to watch: In theaters
Being Mary Tyler Moore
Writer: James L. Brooks, Allan Burns, Susan Silver
Director: James Adolphus
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Examines the extraordinary life, career, and legacy of the actress and activist.
What you should know: Moore died in 2017 at the age of 80.
Where to watch: Max
Kandahar
Stars: Gerard Butler, Navid Negahban, Ali Fazal, Bahador Faladi
Writer: Mitchell LaFortune
Director: Ric Roman Waugh
Genre: Action, Thriller
Plot: Tom Harris, an undercover CIA operative, is stuck deep in hostile territory in Afghanistan. After his mission is exposed, he must fight his way out, alongside his Afghan translator, to an extraction point in Kandahar, all whilst avoiding elite enemy forces and foreign spies tasked with hunting them down.
What you should know: No, you’re not seeing double - Guy Ritchie’s recent film The Covenant has the same sort of storyline.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Hole in the Fence
Stars: Lucciano Kurti, Eric David Walker, Yubah Ortega, Valeria Lamm
Writer: Lucy Pawlak, Joaquin del Paso
Director: Joaquin del Paso
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: At a secluded exclusive summer camp in the Mexican countryside, under the watchful eyes of their adult guardians, boys from a prestigious private school receive physical, moral and religious training to turn them into tomorrow’s elite. The discovery of a hole in the fence sets in motion a chain of disturbing events.
What you should know: It’s in Spanish.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD.
100 Years of Warner Bros
Writer/Director: Leslie Iwerks
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Takes a historical look at the legacy of one of America's leading studios. The documentary explores the origin, evolution and endurance of Warner Bros. - from a family affair to a global juggernaut.
What you should know: Features interviews from celebrities and filmmakers.
Where to watch: Max
About My Father
Stars: Sebastian Maniscalco, Robert DeNiro, Leslie Bibb, Kim Cattrall
Writer: Austen Earl, Sebastian Maniscalco
Director: Laura Terruso
Genre: Comedy
Plot: When Sebastian tells his old-school Italian immigrant father Salvo that he is going to propose to his all-American girlfriend, Salvo insists on crashing a weekend with her tony parents.
What you should know: Filmed in Alabama.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Wrath of Becky
Stars: Lulu Wilson, Seann William Scott, Denise Burse, Jill Larson
Writer: Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote, Nick Morris
Director: Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote
Genre: Action, Horror, Thriller
Plot: Two years after she escaped a violent attack on her family, Becky attempts to rebuild her life in the care of an older woman - a kindred spirit named Elena. But when a group known as the Noble Men break into their home, attack them, and take her beloved dog, Diego, Becky must return to her old ways to protect herself and her loved ones.
What you should know: Sequel to 2020’s Becky.
Where to watch: In theaters
White Balls on Walls
Writer/Director: Sarah Vos
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: How can we be more inclusive? That is a question that many companies ask themselves, including the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. And there, the search for more diversity turns out to be more difficult than expected.
What you should know: It's in Dutch and English.
Where to watch: In NYC theaters; expands to LA on 6/2
Influencer
Stars: Emily Tennant, Cassandra Naud, Sara Canning, Rory J. Saper
Writer: Tesh Guttikonda, Kurtis David Harder
Director: Kurtis David Harder
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: While struggling on a solo backpacking trip in Thailand, social media influencer Madison meets CW, who travels with ease and shows her a more uninhibited way of living, but CW's interest in her takes a darker turn.
What you should know: Filmed in Thailand.
Where to watch: Shudder
Close to Vermeer
Director: Suzanne Raes
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Go behind the scenes of the largest Vermeer exhibition ever mounted, now on view at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Discover what goes on behind the scenes at exhibitions of this scale, from the latest techniques for determining what makes a Vermeer truly a Vermeer, to new discoveries while searching for the master’s paintings around the world.
What you should know: It’s in Dutch and English.
Where to watch: In theaters
More New Releases
The Little Mermaid (Trailer) from Disney
The Machine (Trailer) from Sony
New to Streaming
Violent Night (Trailer) on Amazon Prime
Three Thousand Years of Longing (Trailer) on Amazon Prime
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (Trailer) on Max
Broker (Trailer) on Hulu
Source 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?