Everyone knows about the latest Marvel movie release date, or reads daily headlines about who will or won’t star in the next James Bond film, but there are many, many movies that are released without much fanfare that viewers may only stumble upon if they’re lucky. In what I hope becomes a regular article, I’ll shed some light on some lesser-known movies that may not have mass appeal, but are certainly deserving of an audience. Check out some of the hidden gems for September below.
Mind Game
Weird doesn’t begin to describe Mind Game. If you’re tired of the same old animation you’re used to from Hollywood and would rather see a modern spin on something with animation like Heavy Metal, then you need to check out the new GKIDS and Shout Factory Blu-ray release of Mind Game (2004). Creative storytelling and otherworldly artistry drive the Masaaki Yuasa’s tale of a loser with a crush on his childhood girlfriend who goes to heaven and back, embarking on a psychedelic self-discovery experience with her and his friends following a deadly encounter with two Yakuza. Not appropriate for younger kids, this NR flick is begging for a second (or third) viewing. Get a jump on your September viewing as this one released August 28 and is now available for purchase.
Five Fingers for Marseilles
If you think the only good movies come from the American film industry, I need to introduce you to international cinema. The press release describes Five Fingers for Marseilles: “From filmmaker Michael Matthews and screenwriter Sean Drummond comes a thrilling western set against the backdrop of post-Apartheid South Africa. Five Fingers for Marseilles takes place in a small town “governed” by dubious local officials, living in fear of a lawless mob; when an exiled outlaw returns home in search of solace and redemption, brotherhood and loyalty are fused with vengeance.” I love a good western, and the red band trailer makes me want to see this fresh, ultra-gritty take on the genre. The film opens in select theaters September 7, and expands to others later in the month, so keep a lookout for a theater near you or wait for VOD down the pipeline.
Beyond the Sky
An in-your face alien abduction movie that includes Dee Wallace and Peter Stormare? Sign me up! Beyond the Sky tells the tale of disbeliever Chris Norton (Ryan Carnes) who sets out to disprove the alien abduction phenomenon once and for all by attending a UFO convention to meet alleged abductees and reveal the truth behind their experiences. It is only when he meets Emily (Jordan Hinson), who claims to have been abducted every seven years on her birthday, that Chris realizes there may be more to these claims than meets the eye. With Emily’s 28th birthday only days away, Chris helps her to uncover the truth as they come face to face with the reality that we are not alone. A sci-fi thriller in the vein of Fire in the Sky, Beyond the Sky opens in theaters, on VOD, and digital HD September 21.
Maximum Impact
Who doesn’t love an action-packed beat-’em up? From the director of Romeo Must Die and Doom comes an in-your-face movie that just won Russian film star and producer Alexander Nevsky “Best Action Film of the Year,” “Best Action Sequence,” and “Best Special Effects” at Action on Film 2018’s MEGAFest this past weekend. Maximum Impact features familiar action stars Mark Dacascos, Danny Trejo, Eric Roberts, and more tells the tale of a secret summit in Moscow between the US and Russia which forces agents from both countries to work together to prevent a full-scale international crisis. If you watch the trailer, and are still on board this movie was made for you! Check out the action in theaters September 28 and on digital and On Demand October 2, 2018.
Beyond the sky was just an awesome movie which really made me think about the wonders shown in the movie and maximum impact is yet another movie which is the best one in action packed stuff.