Posted Dec 19th 2008 5:32PM by Eric D. Snider
Filed under: Independent, New Releases, Columns, Indie Spotlight
The Saturday before Christmas tends to be the biggest shopping day of the year (the idea that it's the day after Thanksgiving is an
urban legend) -- so that's all the more reason to skip the malls and go to the movies instead! The multiplexes have a variety of offerings in store for you, but the
Indie Spotlight is here to tell you about what's happening at the art houses. 'Tis the season for limited-release Oscar-bait!
Today's new offerings are:
The Class,
Moscow, Belgium,
Nothing But the Truth,
Scott Walker: 30 Century Man, and
The Wrestler. Here's the lowdown on each of them:
The Wrestler What it is: OK, it stretches the definition of "indie," but this drama about a washed-up professional wrestler seeking redemption certainly feels like a non-studio film.
What they're saying: This one's been getting raves ever since it won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival in September.
Cinematical's James Rocchi,
reviewing it at Toronto, called it "one of the best American movies of 2008." At
Rotten Tomatoes, all but two of the 58 critics weighing in have praised it -- and one of the two naysayers is
Armond White, who can usually be counted on to have the opposite opinion of everyone else and who I think might be a fictional character anyway.
Where it's playing: New York City (Lincoln Plaza, Landmark Sunshine), Los Angeles (ArcLight Hollywood, The Landmark).
More info: The
official site has a long list of release dates for other cities, including some next week.
Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for Dec. 19
Posted Dec 12th 2008 8:02AM by Eric D. Snider
Filed under: Drama, Foreign Language, Gay & Lesbian, Horror, Independent, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, New Releases, Columns, Cinematical Indie, Indie Spotlight
Not that it's any of my business, but are your halls decked? Is your gay apparel donned? Good! Then you have time to go to the movies, and the
Indie Spotlight is here to tell you what's playing beyond the multiplexes!
'Tis the season for limited-release pictures that are sort of indie films and sort of studio productions. For example, this weekend there's
Doubt (in NY, LA, Chicago, Boston, and San Francisco),
The Reader (NY and LA), and
Che (NY and LA) -- but you've heard plenty about those films elsewhere. There's also
Delgo, which is a truly independent animated film -- but it's opening on 1,800 screens, so you don't need me to tell you about it here.
Our focus is the stuff that might be under the radar, which this week includes:
Adam Resurrected, Dark Streets, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Timecrimes, What Doesn't Kill You, Where God Left His Shoes, While She Was Out, and
Wendy and Lucy. For the details, read on!
Wendy and Lucy (pictured)
What it is: A quiet drama about a penniless woman (Michelle Williams) whose car breaks down in rural Oregon while she's heading West to find a job. Lucy is the name of her dog and traveling companion. The film is not, as I previously believed, a biopic about the red-haired girl from the fast food place and Linus' older sister.
What they're saying: Cinematical raved about it at Cannes earlier this year, and 89% of the critics at
Rotten Tomatoes agree. The consensus is that it's a tender, beautifully shot, emotionally intimate little film.
Where it's playing: New York City (Film Forum), Los Angeles (Laemmle Sunset 5).
More info: The
official site has a list of release dates for a few dozen other cities.
Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for Dec. 12
Posted Dec 5th 2008 2:15PM by Eric D. Snider
Filed under: Comedy, Drama, Gay & Lesbian, Independent, New Releases, Columns, Indie Spotlight
Put down that leftover-turkey sandwich and pay attention! There are movies to be watched! The majors have
Punisher: War Zone,
Cadillac Records, and
Nobel Son to amuse and/or annoy you, but the
Indie Spotlight is here to tell you about the independent flicks opening in limited release today. They are:
The Black Balloon,
Ciao,
Hunger, and
Let Them Chirp Awhile. See what strikes your fancy, and keep an eye out for when it comes to your neck of the woods.
Herewith, the lowdown on each of 'em:
The Black Balloon What it is: An Australian drama about a young man and his autistic brother. Toni Collette plays their mom.
What they're saying: Wow -- that premise sounds fraught with peril, but so far 100% of the review at
Rotten Tomatoes are positive. Now we're intrigued.
Where it's playing: New York City (AMC Empire 25, Clearview's Port Washington, Cinemart Cinemas) and Los Angeles (Laemmle Town Center 5, Majestic Crest).
More info: The
official site is certainly precious-looking.
Hunger What it is: A true story about Irish hunger-striker Bobby Sands, shot with brutal, unflinching realism by up-and-coming filmmaker Steve McQueen (no relation).
What they're saying: Cinematical raved about it at Cannes, where it won prizes. At
Rotten Tomatoes, an impressive 93% of the reviews are positive, often saying it's hard to watch but undeniably well-made and unforgettable.
Where it's playing: Only at the Nuart Theatre in Los Angeles. It's there for a one-week run to qualify for Oscar consideration; it'll be released for reals in 2009.
More info: Here's the
U.K. site.
Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for Dec. 5
Posted Nov 21st 2008 8:15AM by Eric D. Snider
Filed under: Documentary, Drama, Gay & Lesbian, Independent, New Releases, Columns, Indie Spotlight
On a normal weekend, there are usually eight or nine new independent films opening in limited release, compared to three four wide releases. But for Thanksgiving, those numbers switch sides -- the multiplexes will be crowded with Twilights and Bolts and Transporters and Christmases and so forth, while the art houses have only a few new titles arriving.
In other words, there's not much to say in this week's
Indie Spotlight, and there won't be any need for a Spotlight next week at all. So enjoy these few limited-release films opening today and next Wednesday:
The Betrayal,
I Can't Think Straight,
Lake City, and
Special.
The Betrayal (Nerakhoon) What it is: A documentary about a family that emigrated to the U.S. after the bombings in their native Laos that occurred during the Vietnam War.
What they're saying: Wow -- all 12 reviews at
Rotten Tomatoes are positive. "Lyrical, expansive, unbearably beautiful," etc.
Where it's playing: New York City (IFC Center).
More info: The
official website has a list of release dates, most of which are several weeks hence.
Lake City What it is: A drama starring Troy Garity as a man who returns to his Southern home and his mom (Sissy Spacek) after a tragedy separated them for many years.
What they're saying: Lake City is a lovely title, but the critics are saying it's all wet, or some other water-related metaphor. With 11 notices at
Rotten Tomatoes, only one is positive, the rest indicating that despite Sissy Spacek's good performance, the movie is too serious, contrived, and banal.
Where it's playing: New York City (Quad Cinema).
More info: I can't find an official site anywhere.
Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for Thanksgiving
Posted Nov 14th 2008 8:02AM by Eric D. Snider
Filed under: Comedy, Documentary, Foreign Language, Gay & Lesbian, Independent, New Releases, Family Films, Harry Potter, Columns, Indie Spotlight
It's a light weekend at the multiplexes, with just one new wide release to take in. The good news there is that once you're done watching James Bond kill and/or sleep with people, you'll have plenty of time to head to the art houses and see what the independent scene has to offer. The
Indie Spotlight is here to round 'em up for you, and there are nine diverse choices opening today:
Bohica, A Christmas Tale, Dostana, The Dukes, Faded Memories, House of the Sleeping Beauties, How About You, Slumdog Millionaire, and
We Are Wizards.
Here's the lowdown on each of them:
Slumdog MillionaireWhat it is: It's the feel-good sensation of the year that has critics raving, that's what! It's about a kid from the streets of Mumbai who somehow makes it to the final round of India's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" -- and in particular about the events of his life that brought him there.
What they're saying: Cinematical's Kim Voynar called it Danny Boyle's best film to date when she
reviewed it at Telluride. It's rocking a 92% approval rating at Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.2 out of 10, making it one of the best-reviewed movies of the year. If this movie doesn't make you feel good it must be because your heart is gnarly and cankered.
Where it's playing: New York City (Angelika, Lincoln Plaza), Los Angeles (The Landmark), Chicago (Landmark Century Centre, Century Evanston 18), San Francsico (Embarcadero).
More info: The official site has a
list of when it opens in other cities. Expansion starts next week.
Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for Nov. 14
Posted Oct 31st 2008 8:02AM by Eric D. Snider
Filed under: Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Horror, Independent, New Releases, Noir, Mystery & Suspense, Columns, Indie Spotlight
Boo! And I mean "boo" in the Halloween sense, not in the "opposite-of-hooray" sense. The multiplexes have plenty of films geared toward this sacred holiday season, but so do the art houses! The
Indie Spotlight is here to tell you what's opening in limited release this weekend, and there are a couple of frightfests in the mix. Just because it's not on 3,000 screens doesn't mean it can't scare the skittles out of you.
Here's the lineup today:
Able Danger,
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father,
Eden Lake,
The First Basket,
The Matador,
The Other End of the Line, and
Splinter. And here's the lowdown on each of them, in my own highly subjective order of preference.
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His FatherWhat it is: An emotionally devastating documentary made by a man after his best friend was murdered.
What they're saying: We've been
raving about this film ever since Erik Davis saw it at Slamdance back in January. It's one of the most powerful films I've ever seen, and I know about a dozen people who've seen it who would say the same thing. A few of them are at
Rotten Tomatoes, where the film currently stands at 100%.
See this movie. Where it's playing: New York City (Cinema Village).
More info: The
official site lists upcoming release dates in other cities
SplinterWhat it is: A grisly horror flick about four young people who are terrorized by a parasitic creature.
What they're saying: Ten out of twelve critics at
Rotten Tomatoes give it a thumbs-up, saying it's an efficient, creative B-movie -- exactly what it's supposed to be.
Where it's playing: New York City (City Cinemas Village East), Austin (Dobie Theatre), Los Angeles (Mann Chinese), Dallas (Studio Movie Grill), Oklahoma City (Museum of Art).
More info: The
official site has upcoming release dates, plus info on how you can watch the film through some cable systems' on-demand service.
Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for Oct. 31
Posted Oct 24th 2008 8:02AM by Eric D. Snider
Filed under: Animation, Documentary, Drama, Foreign Language, Horror, Independent, New Releases, Mystery & Suspense, Columns, Cinematical Indie, Indie Spotlight
'Tis the season for cinematic horrors, but a fright-seeker's options aren't limited to
Saw V or
High School Musical 3. The
Indie Spotlight has the lowdown on a batch of limited-release films opening today that may also terrify or amuse you. Four of the five have gotten almost nothing but great reviews, too.
Here's what's new today:
Fear(s) of the Dark,
I've Loved You So Long,
Let the Right One In,
Roadside Romeo, and
Stranded: I Have Come from a Plane That Crashed on the Mountains. Those are some great titles, if nothing else. Here's the scoop on each of them.
Let the Right One In What it is: Twelve-year-old boy develops a crush on a girl who might be a vampire. It's
Twilight, but with the genders reversed, and in Swedish.
What they're saying: Raves all around the board, including
Cinematical's
Scott Weinberg. At
Rotten Tomatoes, the acclaim is almost universal. (Owen Gleiberman: Welcome to Contraryville, population 1.) Everybody I know who has seen it says it's something special -- scary, twisted, witty, and even sweet.
Where it's playing: New York City (Angelika Film Center), Los Angeles (Laemmle Sunset 5, Laemmle Playhouse 7, Edwards University Town Center in Irvine).
More info: The
official site has a list of upcoming playdates in other cities. Let's make this one a hit, people!
I've Loved You So Long What it is: A French drama about a woman released from prison after 15 years who must try to reconnect with her sister and her sister's family. (Does the title make anyone else think of
Full Metal Jacket? "Me love you long time!")
What they're saying: Cinematical gushed effusively when the film played at Telluride, calling it a "masterpiece." The
Rotten Tomatoes score is overwhelmingly positive (90% at the moment), and the buzz is that Kristin Scott Thomas is a lock for an Oscar nomination and a solid bet for a win.
Where it's playing: New York City (Lincoln Plaza, Angelika Film Center), Los Angeles (Laemmle Town Center 5, Laemmle Playhouse 7, Laemmle Royal, Regency South Coast Village in Costa Mesa).
More info: Sony Classics'
official site.
Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for Oct. 24
Posted Oct 17th 2008 8:02AM by Eric D. Snider
Filed under: Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Gay & Lesbian, Independent, Columns, Indie Spotlight
Here at the
Indie Spotlight, we treat your multiplex woes with a healthy dose of limited-release independent flicks. Being an indie film doesn't automatically make it better than a mainstream movie -- but if it's bad, at least you know it didn't cost $100 million to make. Frugality is important in these trying economic times.
It's a rather light week for indies, with just four for our perusal:
The Elephant King, Filth and Wisdom, Tru Loved, and
What Just Happened. There's also
Morning Light, a documentary about competitive open-sea sailing, which, while not an indie (it's from Disney), is opening on a limited number of screens.
Cinematical's Jeffrey M. Anderson has a review
here.
And now, the rundown!
What Just HappenedWhat it is: Barry Levinson directs an all-star cast (Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis, Stanley Tucci, John Turturro) in this Hollywood satire about a fading producer.
What they're saying: Cinematical's Scott Weinberg gave it a lukewarm
review at Sundance, basically saying that if you're a big movie buff who already knows how Hollywood works, there won't be much new to laugh at. At
Rotten Tomatoes, the reviews are 2-to-1 in favor of the flick.
Where it's playing: A few dozen screens in several major markets: New York, L.A., San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, and Phoenix.
More info: The
official site has a complete list of theaters, as well as where it's opening next.
The Elephant KingWhat it is: A drama about two American brothers sexing their way through Thailand one summer.
What they're saying: All four reviews at
Rotten Tomatoes are scathing, calling it naive and desperate. But
Variety's
review, for some reason not yet posted at RT, has high praise for the acting and says the movie "deserves to find an audience."
Where it's playing: New York City (Angelika Film Center).
More info: The
official site.
Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for Oct. 17
Posted Oct 10th 2008 8:03AM by Eric D. Snider
Filed under: Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Foreign Language, Gay & Lesbian, Independent, New Releases, Family Films, Columns, Cinematical Indie, Indie Spotlight
Welcome to the
Indie Spotlight, our weekly roundup of the limited-release films opening outside the multiplexes all over this great land of ours. There are quite a few indie films debuting today, and while it's especially good news for movie buffs in New York City, the rest of us can make a note of the ones that look good and keep an eye out for when they come to our neck of the woods (wherever that neck may be).
Today we have, in alphabetical order:
Ashes of Time Redux, Billy: The Early Years, Breakfast with Scot, Choose Connor, Fraude: Mexico 2006, Good Dick, Happy-Go-Lucky, Nights and Weekends, and
Talento de Barrio. Here's the scoop on each of them, from widest opening to smallest.
Billy: The Early Years What it is: A friendly, faithful biopic about the Rev. Billy Graham.
What they're saying: Nothing so far. If I had to guess, I'd reckon fans of the good reverend will find it pleasant, while those unfamiliar with or uninterested in him will find it boring. That's if I had to guess.
Where it's playing: About 300 locations throughout the southeastern quadrant of the United States, below the Mason-Dixon line and east of Amarillo.
More info: Here's the
official site.
Talento de BarrioWhat it is: Puerto Rican drama starring Daddy Yankee as a drug dealer who falls in love and becomes a reggaeton singer. I guess it's like a Puerto Rican
Hustle & Flow.
What they're saying: The only
two reviews available so far are very, very negative.
Where it's playing: About 20 screens in the greater New York City and Los Angeles areas.
More info: The
official site lists the theaters it's playing in.
Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for Oct. 10
Posted Oct 3rd 2008 8:02AM by Eric D. Snider
Filed under: Comedy, Drama, Foreign Language, Independent, New Releases, Columns, Indie Spotlight
Did you hear there are like a million new films opening in wide release today? Well, there are. Some of them are pretty good, too. But just in case that's not enough to keep you occupied, here's the
Indie Spotlight with several
more titles that might interest you, most of them in limited release and a bit under the radar.
Now, "indie" can be a hard thing to pin down. Bill Maher's
Religulous (opening today on 500 screens) might qualify, but you've probably already heard about it. Same goes for
Blindness (1,700 screens). You don't need me for those. Instead, here are the five that we're shining the indie spotlight on:
Allah Made Me Funny, An American Carol, Ballast, Kidnap, and
Rachel Getting Married.
Rachel Getting MarriedWhat it is: One of the big hits at the Toronto International Film Festival, it's a naturalistic drama about an addict (Anne Hathaway) who gets out of rehab just in time for her sister's wedding.
What they're saying: Cinematical's James Rocchi had almost
nothing but good things to say about it in Toronto, particularly with regard to the screenplay and Hathaway's performance. (There's a bit of Oscar buzz around both.) At
Rotten Tomatoes, the film stands at a solid 76%.
Where it's playing: New York City (Lincoln Plaza Cinemas, City Cinemas, Regal Union Square), Los Angeles (ArcLight Sherman Oaks, ArcLight Hollywood, Laemmle Playhouse in Pasadena, Edwards Westpark in Irvine, The Landmark), and International Falls, Minn. (Cinema 5).
More info: Sony Classics'
official site.
BallastWhat it is: A bleak drama about life and death among the lower classes on the Mississippi Delta.
What they're saying: Cinematical's James Rocchi
praised the film at Sundance (and interviewed the writer/director, Lance Hammer,
here). At
Rotten Tomatoes, 75% of the critics agree with The Rocch. It won prizes for its directing and cinematography at Sundance, too.
Where it's playing: New York City (Film Forum).
More info: The
official site says it will expand to "select cities" in two weeks.
Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for Oct. 3
Posted Sep 12th 2008 2:03PM by Eric D. Snider
Filed under: Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Foreign Language, Independent, New Releases, Columns, Cinematical Indie, Indie Spotlight
Do I smell like Toronto? That's because I just got back from the film festival they have up there, and the scent of independent film still lingers. (It smells like Patricia Clarkson.) So I am very much in the mood for this week's edition of the
Indie Spotlight, which is all about what's opening beyond the multiplexes this weekend!
Six flicks hit the big screen today:
Flow: For Love of Water,
Forgiveness,
Greetings from the Shore,
Moving Midway,
Proud American, and
Towelhead. Here's the scoop on each of them.
Towelhead What it is: A dark comedy from
Six Feet Under creator (and
American Beauty writer) Alan Ball, based on Alicia Erian's novel about an adolescent Arab-American girl living in Texas during the first Gulf War.
What they're saying: Cinematical liked it when it premiered at Toronto last year under the title
Nothing Is Private. At
Rotten Tomatoes, the critics are split 50/50 as I write this, some applauding its audacity and wit, others calling it reprehensible. (Personally, I'm in the first camp.)
Where it's playing: New York City (Angelika Film Center, AMC Loews Lincoln Square), Los Angeles (ArcLight Hollywood, The Landmark), and Garland, Texas (Walnut Theaters). I assume the random Texas location is because the film was shot there? Maybe?
More info: The
official site has a list of when the film opens in other cities. It's rolling out pretty heavily in the next few weeks, so people outside of New York, L.A., and Garland will be able to see it soon.
Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for Sept. 12
Posted Sep 5th 2008 8:02AM by Eric D. Snider
Filed under: Comedy, Drama, Foreign Language, Gay & Lesbian, New Releases, Family Films, Columns, Indie Spotlight
Look, I don't want to make it sound like an either/or thing. You can see wide-release films AND art-house indies. I'm just saying that on this
particular weekend, the only wide release is something starring Nicolas Cage in a mullet, and it wasn't screened for critics. So if it
were an either/or thing, this would be a good time to become an art-house fanatic, and the
Indie Spotlight is here to let you know what your options are.
Seven films are opening in limited release today:
August Evening, Everybody Wants to Be Italian, Mister Foe, Ping Pong Playa, Save Me, A Secret, and
Surfer, Dude. Here's the scoop on each of them.
Everybody Wants to Be Italian What it is: A romantic comedy about a man and woman who both pretend to be Italian because they think the other is. OK, maybe this doesn't actually sound any better than the Nicolas Cage/mullet thing.
What they're saying: At
Rotten Tomatoes, all of the reviews so far are giving it a big ol' kick in the meatballs.
Where it's playing: A few dozen theaters all over New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and ... Salt Lake City? Well, OK.
More info: The
official site has a handy list of theaters where it's playing.
Ping Pong Playa What it is: A light, clean comedy about an Asian-American kid who has to step in when his family's ping pong championship is threatened.
What they're saying: Cinematical's Monika Bartyzel found it
simply adorable last year at Toronto, saying it's predictable but charming. The reviews at
Rotten Tomatoes are mixed so far -- it's either sweet and likable, or an annoying
Napoleon Dynamite retread.
Where it's playing: New York City, plus the California cities of San Francisco, Alhambra, Berkeley, Glendale, Hollywood, Irvine, and San Jose.
More info: The
official site has upcoming playdates, too.
Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for Sept. 5
Posted Aug 29th 2008 11:03AM by Eric D. Snider
Filed under: Action, Animation, Comedy, Foreign Language, Independent, New Releases, Quentin Tarantino, Cinematical Indie, Indie Spotlight
The last weekend of the summer means the multiplexes will be crammed with Hollywood's leftover products, most of them rolled out without being screened for critics (never a good sign). But don't despair! The
Indie Spotlight is here to fill you in on the limited-release, art-house films opening this weekend, and if they're not playing where you live, you can keep an eye out for when they do arrive. See, it gives you something to look forward to!
The six films opening today are, in alphabetical order:
Ballet Shoes, I Served the King of England, My Mexican Shivah, Sukiyaki Western Django, Year of the Fish, and
Young People F***ing. In a slightly more subjective order, here's the scoop on each of them.
Sukiyaki Western Django What it is: A comedic Japanese tribute to the spaghetti Westerns, featuring Quentin Tarantino in a small role and directed by the twisted
Takashi Miike.
What they're saying: The reviews are about evenly split at
Rotten Tomatoes. Some say it's a one-joke movie that's all style and no substance; others say the sheer insanity of it makes it entertaining.
Where it's playing: New York City (Landmark Sunshine Cinema). Opens in L.A. on Sept. 12.
Official site: Taste the sukiyaki.
I Served the King of England What it is: A comedy/drama about a man working at a fancy Prague hotel under the Nazis and then under the communists. It was the Czech Republic's official Oscar entry this year, though it didn't wind up getting nominated.
What they're saying: Every single review at
Rotten Tomatoes is positive ("darkly humorous," "intelligent," "witty") -- every single review except for one, that is, by
Jeffrey M. Anderson, who is also one of
Cinematical's finest writers. Why you gotta be different, Jeff?
Where it's playing: New York City (Lincoln Plaza Cinemas, Quad Cinemas), Los Angeles (Laemmle Royal, Regency South Coast Village in Costa Mesa, Laemmle Playhouse 7 in Pasadena), San Francisco (Embarcadero Center Cinemas).
Official site: It's in English!
Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for August 29
Posted Aug 22nd 2008 8:03AM by Eric D. Snider
Filed under: Documentary, Horror, Independent, New Releases, Cinematical Indie, Indie Spotlight
These are the times (i.e., late August) that try movie-lovers' souls. But if this week's multiplex offerings are lackluster, don't forget about the art houses! The
Indie Spotlight is here every Friday to let you know what's opening in "select cities," keeping you informed so you know which titles to look out for when you're in the mood for something different.
This week's indie releases, in alphabetical order, are:
Cthulhu,
I.O.U.S.A.,
Momma's Man, and
Trouble the Water. Here's the scoop on each of them:
I.O.U.S.A. What it is: A documentary about America's debt crisis, from the director of the crossword puzzle documentary
Wordplay.
What they're saying: All the reviews at
Rotten Tomatoes so far are positive, praising it for making a dull subject lively and for getting its point across effectively.
Where it's playing: About 20 theaters in and around New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas, Miami, Kansas City, Omaha, Chicago, and Washington D.C.
Official site: You
owe it to yourself.
Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for August 22
Posted Aug 15th 2008 8:02AM by Eric D. Snider
Filed under: Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Foreign Language, Independent, New Releases, Columns, Indie Spotlight
A few bright spots aside, the August calendar of wide releases is generally pretty grim. (Do not speak to me of
Clone Wars.) Luckily, there are always a few worthwhile flicks playing at the art houses, and the
Indie Spotlight is here to tell you about them. We have the lowdown on what's opening "in select cities" this weekend, and if your city wasn't selected, at least you can file a mental note and keep an eye out for the film later.
Alphabetically, this week's new indie releases are:
Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer,
Bachna Ae Haseeno,
A Girl Cut in Two,
Henry Poole Is Here, and
Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer. Note that all of those titles fit in the first half of the alphabet, and three of the five contain people's full names. Fascinating! My OCD is fascinating! Here's the scoop on each of them.
Henry Poole Is Here What it is: A gentle drama (with comedic elements) about a forlorn man (Luke Wilson) whose house develops a water stain that some people think is a sign from Jesus.
What they're saying: It's always noteworthy when a movie takes a pro-religion, pro-faith-in-God point of view -- and even rarer that such a film debuts at Sundance -- but this one doesn't seem to have done it very well. The critics are split down the middle at
Rotten Tomatoes, while
Cinematical's Jeffrey M. Anderson
calls it "lackadaisical" and "too uninspired to be inspirational." (I've seen it, and I say amen to that.)
Where it's playing: Pretty much everywhere -- it's opening on 500 screens. So keep the faith, indie filmmakers! It could happen to you!
Official site: OMG you guys, it has a
MySpace page!
Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for August 15
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