INDIE FILM GUIDE: October-November 2009

News and upcoming titles being released October through November 2009 in indie film.

NEWS

Severin launches Blu-ray with Inglorious Bastards
Company plans more high-definition releases. Full story

Virgil offers documentary Chops to educators
Film will street on DVD on Oct. 6. Full story

Tartan launches contest for Asian Extreme fans
Two winners will fly to London for the premiere of Thirst. Full story

Former TLA execs start Breaking Glass
New label will release two titles in November. Full story

Starz tests VOD first with El Superbeasto
Rob Zombie movie coming to theaters, DVD later. Full story

Docurama celebrates its 10-year anniversary
Label to host screening series in New York. Full story

UPCOMING TITLES

Oct. 13

Jack Brown Genius BARNHOLTZ/LIONSGATE prebook 9-16; DVD $26.98 Action: A modern-day inventor struggles with a medieval monk, who wants wings so he can be freed from purgatory.

Red Roses and Petrol WORLD WIDE prebook now; DVD $12.95 Drama: A dysfunctional Irish family gathers after the death of their patriarch.

Oct. 20

Chef’s Special TLA prebook 9-22; DVD $19.99 Comedy: Javier Camara stars as a chef who tries to maintain his chic restaurant as well as a steamy relationship with a closeted soccer player.

The Elephant King E1 prebook 9-22; DVD $24.98 Drama: Two American brothers finds themselves adrift in the exotic world of Thailand, where nothing is at it seems in this film starring Ellen Burstyn, Tate Oliver and Josef Sommer.

Hurricane in the Rose Garden MAVERICK prebook 9-18; DVD $19.98 Drama: A man must try to reconcile his Nigerian family and his headstrong bride.

Unmistaken Child OSCILLOSCOPE prebook 9-22; DVD $29 Documentary: This film follows the search for the reincarnation of Lama Konchog, a world-renowned Tibetan master.

Wings of Desire CRITERION/IMAGE prebook 9-22; DVD $39.99, BD $39.99 Foreign-language fantasy: An angel perched atop buildings high over Berlin can hear the thoughts, fears, hopes and dreams of all the people living below; German with English subtitles.

Oct. 27

The Asphyx HEN’S TOOTH prebook 10-6; DVD $19.95 Horror: Robert Stephens stars as Sir Hugo Cunningham, a 19th century amateur scientist and dabbler in psychic phenomena who tries to find the secret to immortality.

Criminal Ways BARNHOLTZ/MAGNOLIA prebook 9-29; DVD $26.98 Crime drama: When a thief falls for a head burglar’s daughter (Isla Fisher), the heist gets bungled.

Death in the Garden MICROCINEMA prebook 9-29; DVD $29.94 Foreign-language adventure: Amid a revolution in a South American mining outpost, fugitives are forced to flee for their lives into the jungle; in French with English subtitles.

Double FACETS prebook 9-29; DVD $24.95 Foreign-language comedy: Two hapless tourists from Warsaw meet at a wedding in Sicily, where they run into members of a powerful Mafia family; Polish with English subtitles.

Monty Python: Almost the Truth EAGLE ROCK prebook 9-29; DVD $29.99, BD $34.99 Documentary: John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle and Michael Palin recount their comedic exploits as part of Monty Python.

Perestroika STRAND prebook 9-29; DVD $27.99 Drama: An astrophysicist returns to Russia during the Perestroika period years after emigrating to the U.S.

Supernova ASYLUM prebook 10-13; DVD $24.95 Sci-fi: When a supernova threatens Earth, a government astrophysicist puts together a dangerous plan to save the planet.

Nov. 3

Command Performance FIRST LOOK prebook 9-29; DVD $28.98, BD $29.98 Action: Dolph Lundgren stars as a drummer whose band is about to make it big, but the venue where they are about to perform is attacked by armed terrorists.

Crutch: Director’s Cut VICTORY prebook 10-6; DVD $24.98 Drama: Based on a true story, this film follows a troubled teen who falls under the alluring spell of his teacher, entering into the dark world of addiction.

Nov. 10

Familiar Strangers PHASE 4 prebook 10-13; DVD $29.99 Drama: This film looks at how family relationships change between parents and children.

Nov. 17

Seal Team SCREEN MEDIA/UNIVERSAL prebook 10-20; DVD $24.98 Action: When their covert mission is compromised, Seal Team VI must face betrayal and death.

A Wink and a Smile FIRST RUN prebook 10-20; DVD $24.95 Documentary: This program follows 10 women who learn the art of burlesque dancing and striptease.

Nov. 24

An American in China OSIRIS prebook 10-28; DVD $24.98 Drama: An aimless college graduate travels to Shanghai, where he finds direction and love.

David & Layla VANGUARD prebook 10-15; DVD $19.95 Romantic comedy: A Jew and a Muslim fall in love in New York and must face their families, who are dead set against their relationship.

He Walked Through the Fields SISU prebook 10-27; DVD $29.95 Foreign-language drama: In this Hebrew film, a young man in love with a Holocaust refugee is drafted to fight for the Palmach armed forces; with English subtitles.

My Brilliant Career BLUE UNDERGROUND/RYKO prebook 10-30; BD $29.95 Drama: The 1979 film about a headstrong woman who is determined to become a writer.