A Quick Note About Some 2019 Indy Films

Are you as tired of unnecessary sequels and remakes? Has superhero fatigue set in for you as well? Setting aside how great Toy Story 4 turned out to be there have been some really awesome indy films released this year.

First up is The Mustang.  The movie focuses on a prison inmate in a rehabilitation program working with horses.  Films don’t get much more powerful than this one.

Let’s move on with Stockholm.  Ethan Hawke and Noomi Rapace costar in this bank robbery film that explores the origins of Stockholm syndrome.  The premise of the film is interesting and the plot keeps going like Dog Day Afternoon, keeping the viewer on the edge of the seat.

If you’re into horror and science fiction flicks check out Brightburn.  Yes I mentioned superhero fatigue at the beginning of the blog but this one is different.  It imagines what happens if Superman is a villain instead of a good guy.  The switch makes for some intense moments in the flick.

Then there’s The Last Black Man in San Francisco.  Truth be told the film is about ten minutes too long but still a beautiful drama.  The movie deals a lot about trying to find yourself in the sea of change.  It’s beautifully acted with a very intelligent script.

Are you looking for a comedy? Check out The Dead Don’t Die. It’s a great ensemble zombie comedy.  Yes you read that correct, a great ensemble zombie comedy.  Billy Murray leads the all star cast to some really unique cinematic moments.

There are two releases that deal with music.  First up is Danny Boyle’s love letter to the Beatles, Yesterday.  Following very closely behind is Wild Rose, focusing on a want to be British country singer.  Both films are highly entertaining, dealing with a variety of topics, and feature some really, really great music.

You know the good thing is it’s the end of July and there’s still room for some more indy films between now and the year’s end.

Enjoy the movies!

SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS . . .

Over the past many summers it seems local cineplexes have been bombarded with sequels, remakes, and superhero flicks.  

The sequel slump has set in.  The summer started with the latest Avengers film.  It was three hours, while I was fine with most the movie it didn’t have the lasting power of other films in the Marvel franchise.  This was quickly followed by the one, two punch of John Wick Chapter 3 and Godzilla: King of the Monsters.  Both good films in their own way but nothing that blew me out the water.  This was followed by dud releases of Men In Black International and Dark Phoenix.  Along the way there were the unnecessary remakes of Aladdin and The Lion King and the formulaic SpiderMan sequel.  

Toy Story 4 is the lone exception to the sequel releases.  It doesn’t live up to the incredibly high bar set by it’s immediate predecessor but is still an incredibly beautiful movie.  

Summer also sees the release of some strong indy films.  This year has brought the charming Yesterday, the zombie comedy The Dead Don’t Die, and the drama The Last Black Man in San Francisco.  That’s a feast among a sea of summer sequels and remakes.  

I do have a wish for the future of the summer movie season: original ensemble flicks.  May’s Elton John biopic, Rocketman, and July’s Tarantino flick, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood are both incredible movies that deserve all the success of a summer sequel. They are both great popcorn flicks that are entertaining to watch.  

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind sequels.  Same goes for remakes, as long as they are good.  After all I’m on pins and needles for 2020’s April release of Bond 25.  Do I need them every week?  No and tonight’s almost sold out crowd of the excellent Once Upon a Time in Hollywood proves that.  I wish it all the success at the box office, so hopefully more films like it can be released as summer blockbusters.