Indie Film Release Guide: July 5th [An ONTD Original]
This holiday weekend, the minions are back, with Despicable Me 4 making its theatrical debut. Ti West has also returned with the third film in his horror trilogy featuring Mia Goth, MaXXXIne, so there are a few different genre options to choose from, along with the indies featured below.
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: June 28th, June 21st, and June 14th.
MaXXXine
Click to viewStars: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan
Writer/Director: Ti West
Genre: Crime, Horror
Plot: In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past…
What you should know: The third part of the X trilogy, after X (2022) and Pearl (2022).
Where to watch: In theaters
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Stars: Eddie Murphy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylour Paige, Judge Reinhold
Writer: Danilo Bach, Daniel Petrie, Jr., Will Beall
Director: Mark Molloy
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
Plot: Axel Foley returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter's life is threatened.
What you should know: This is the fourth film in the series,
Where to watch: Netflix
Kill
Stars: Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, Tanya Maniktala, Abhishek Chauhan
Writer: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, Ayesha Syed
Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot: During a train trip to New Delhi, a pair of commandos face an army of invading bandits.
What you should know: Premiered at TIFF 2023.
Where to watch: In theaters
Space Cadet
Stars: Emma Roberts, Tom Hopper, Poppy Liu, Gabrielle Union
Writer/Director: Liz W. Garcia
Genre: Comedy
Plot: Rex, a Florida party girl, turns out to be the only hope for the NASA space program after a fluke puts her in training with other candidates who may have better resumés, but don't have her smarts, heart, and moxie.
What you should know: This is writer/director Liz W. Garcia’s third directing effort.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Mother, Couch
Stars: Ewan McGregor, Ellen Burstyn, Rhys Ifans, Taylor Russell
Writer/Director: Niclas Larsson
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Three children are brought together when their mother refuses to move from a couch in a furniture store.
What you should know: Won an award at the 2024 Göteborg Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Nature of Love
Stars: Magalie Lépine-Blondeau, Pierre-Yves Cardinal, Monia Chokri, Francis-William Rhéaume
Writer/Director: Monia Chokri
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot: Sophia's life is turned upside down when she meets Sylvain. She comes from a wealthy family, while Sylvain comes from a family of manual workers. Sophia questions her own values after abandoning herself to her great romantic impulses.
What you should know: It’s in French.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Secret Art of Human Flight
Stars: Paul Raci, Grant Rosenmayer, Lucy DeVito, Nican Robinson
Writer: Jesse Orenshein
Director: H.P. Mendoza
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Plot: In the wake of a tragedy, a grieving widower turns to a mysterious self help book from the dark web written by an eccentric guru, which promises to unlock the power to fly.
What you should know: Nominee at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
This Closeness
Stars: Zane Pais, Jessie Pinnick, Kit Zauhar, Ian Edlund
Writer/Director: Kit Zauhar
Genre: Drama
Plot: Tensions rise when a couple stays at the home of a reclusive host, with the three entering an intimate battle to gain and reclaim territory.
What you should know: Kit Zauhar last directed 2021’s Actual People.
Where to watch: Mubi
Escape
Stars: Song Kang, Lee Je-hoon, Koo Kyo-hwan, Shin Dong Hyeon
Writer/Director: Lee Jong-pil
Genre: Action
Plot: Follows the struggles of a North Korean sergeant who is chased by a ruthless major after he defects.
What you should know: It’s in Korean.
Where to watch: In theaters
Seven Samurai Re-release
Stars: Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima, Yukiko Shimazaki
Writer: Akira Kurosawa
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot: Farmers from a village exploited by bandits hire a veteran samurai for protection, who gathers six other samurai to join him.
What you should know: This is a 4K restoration of the 1954 film.
Where to watch: In theaters
More New Releases
Despicable Me 4 (Trailer) from Universal
Boneyard (Trailer)
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?