INDIE FILM GUIDE: December 2009-January 2010

News and upcoming titles being released December 2009 through January 2010 in indie film.

NEWS

Indies plan 2012-related DVDs before world ends
Releases timed around Sony’s upcoming theatrical. Full story

Virgil and B-Side float beer pong sports doc
Contest winners can compete in Vegas tournament. Full story

Vivendi signs deal for IndieVest films
Pact includes all home entertainment rights. Full story

New Video adds Arthouse Films DVD distribution
First title in deal, Herb and Dorothy, out Dec. 15. Full story

Gravitas inks deals for indie films on VOD
Digital movie distributor will deliver more than 250 films to major cable, online platforms. Full story

UPCOMING TITLES

Dec. 1

Aaron … Albeit a Sex Hero WATER BEARER FILMS prebook now; DVD $29.95 Action: When Aaron is stung by a scorpion, kidnapped and chased by homicidal maniacs, he rises to the challenge.

Sticks and Stones PHASE 4 prebook now; DVD $19.99 Family: The captain of a hockey team organizes a tournament to make amends for the horrible treatment of an American team in 2003.

Valley of the Heart’s Delight INDICAN prebook now; DVD $24.99 Crime drama: A young reporter tries to prevent the lynching of two men whom he believes are innocent of kidnapping.

Dec. 8

Beautiful Losers OSCILLOSCOPE prebook now; DVD $29.99 Documentary: Featuring Shepard Fairey, Ed Templeton and Mike Mills, this film examines the do-it-yourself art culture.

Brick City FIRST RUN prebook now; DVD $29.95 Documentary: This five-part miniseries on Sundance Channel looks at the problems in the city of Newark, N.J.

Moonlight Serenade BARNHOLTZ/MAGNOLIA prebook now; DVD $26.98 Drama: Amy Adams stars as a coat check girl with an amazing voice who is hired to perform at a local jazz club.

Partners SKD/E1 prebook now; DVD $19.98 Crime drama: Two New York cops (Christopher Iengo, Adam Piacente) take on a crime boss (Aaron Katter) as they struggle to reclaim the streets.

Dec. 15

Best of the B’s Collection 1: Hot Bikes, Cool Cars & Bad Babes INFINITY prebook now; DVD $29.98 Adventure: Roger Corman presents this four-DVD collection of films, including Naked Angels, Bury Me an Angel and five others.

Dec. 22

As Seen Through These Eyes PASSION RIVER prebook 11-24; DVD $29.95 Documentary: Maya Angelou narrates this film about a group of people who used art to fight against Hitler.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt ANCHOR BAY/STARZ prebook 11-19; DVD $29.98, BD $34.98 Drama: Michael Douglas, Jesse Metcalfe and Amber Tamblyn star in this film about a writer’s plan to expose a corrupt district attorney.

Wadja, Man of Cinema FACETS prebook 11-24; DVD $39.95 Foreign-language drama: This two-pack from director Andrzej Wajda contains Lotna and Innocent Sorcerers; in Polish with English subtitles.

Dec. 29

Half-Life WOLFE prebook now; DVD $24.95 Drama: A Korean adoptee struggles with his closeted gay relationship, while his best friend and her brother cope with their mother’s manipulative boyfriend.

Jan. 5

Below the Earth’s Surface MAVERICK prebook 12-4; DVD $24.98 Thriller: Geologists discover a dark secret that could take the lives of thousands, but no one will listen to them.

Jan. 12

Breaking Point BARNHOLTZ/LIONSGATE prebook 12-16; DVD $26.98 Drama: Tom Berenger, Busta Rhymes and Armand Assante star in this film about a criminal defense attorney who takes on a high-profile murder case, which forces him to confront his own demons.

The Hurt Locker SUMMIT prebook 11-24; DVD $26.99, BD $34.99 War drama: An elite bomb squad struggling to survive Baghdad’s urban combat zone endures 24 hours of tension, chaos and death.

Pretty Ugly People OSIRIS prebook 12-16; DVD $24.98 Romantic comedy: Missi Pyle stars as a dying woman who reunites her college friends in this limited-release film.

The Riverman NORTH AMERICAN MOTION PICTURES prebook 12-8; DVD $26.98, three-DVD/BD $69.99 Thriller: In this TV movie based on real-life events, authorities enlist the help of serial killer Ted Bundy to find the “Green River Killer.”

Jan. 19

Che CRITERION/IMAGE prebook 12-22; DVD or BD $49.95 Biopic: Steven Soderbergh’s film about Che Guevara (Benicio Del Toro), the socialist leader who overthrew the Batista dictatorship.

No Greater Love LIONSGATE prebook 12-23; DVD $19.98 Drama: After a happily married couple has a son, the mother vanishes and then reappears in the most unusual place.

Streamers SHOUT! FACTORY prebook 12-22; DVD $24.99 War drama: Four recruits about to be sent to Vietnam confront their prejudices against each other when one turns out to be homosexual.

Jan. 26

$5 a Day IMAGE prebook 12-29; DVD $27.98, BD $35.98 Comedy: Christopher Walken stars as an eccentric con-artist and deadbeat dad who is trying to reconnect with his son (Alessandro Nivola).

Fuel VANGUARD prebook 12-18; DVD $19.95, BD $29.95 Drama: In this film marking Vanguard’s Blu-ray debut, a man who can run fast seeks a scholarship to get out of his hometown.