Indie Film Weekly

Send us Fan MailThis week on Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds highlights five indie films worth knowing about: three in theaters, one on demand, and one classic.🎥 Indie Film Reviews:Mouse (2026)Club Kid (2026)Being Heumann (2026)Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause (2026)The Daytrippers (1996)Get the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/ Companies: Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/Listen:Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/Watch:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeeklyConnect:Glen Reynolds - [email protected] Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds and Jason Connell speak with filmmaker James L. Freedman about his documentary Charles Grodin: Rebel With a Cause, which celebrates Grodin’s comedic career (The Heartbreak Kid, Midnight Run, talk shows) while spotlighting his lesser-known decades of social justice work, including helping wrongly convicted women—often mothers of color—get out of prison and pushing reforms to New York’s Rockefeller Drug Laws. Freedman explains how he chose the subject, gained access to Grodin’s archives through his wife Alyssa, and built the film’s balance of humor and advocacy with interviews from figures such as Robert De Niro, Elaine May, Martin Short, Steve Martin, Alan Arkin, and Dabney Coleman. The discussion covers Grodin’s childhood, his approach as a reactive actor, editorial choices like presenting multiple versions of The Graduate story, younger audience reactions, and festival screenings attended by women Grodin helped.Charles Grodin: Rebel With a Cause is available on TCM, Amazon, and Apple TV.00:00 Show Intro and Premise00:59 How the Doc Began02:14 Building the Archive04:29 Casting and Big Interviews05:37 Childhood and Early Activism09:05 Balancing Comedy and Justice11:45 Acting Style and Craft12:29 Editing Choices and Cut Stories16:28 The Graduate Controversy18:51 New Audiences Discover Grodin21:18 Risking Career for Causes22:43 Legacy and Prison Reform Impact26:01 Release and Where to Watch27:21 Quick Cuts Theater Habits31:53 Power of Moviegoing Story34:44 Final Cut and Wrap UpGet the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/ Companies: Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/Listen:Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/Watch:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeeklyConnect:Glen Reynolds - [email protected] Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

Send us Fan MailThis week on Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds highlights five indie films worth knowing about: three in theaters, one on demand, and one classic.🎥 Indie Film Reviews:Closure (2026)On the Road (2026)Christmas at the Kringles (2026)Never After Dark (2026)Lone Star (1996)Get the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/ Companies: Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/Listen:Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/Watch:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeeklyConnect:Glen Reynolds - [email protected] Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds and Jason Connell speak with filmmaker Michal Marczak about his documentary Closure, which follows Polish father Daniel searching the Vistula River after his teenage son Chris disappears, a quest that leads him to help other families living with uncertainty. Marczak explains the film began when Daniel unexpectedly helped his family dock a raft trip on the Vistula; moved as a father himself, he joined the search and proposed filming, beginning a year-long journey. Marczak discusses balancing being a human helper and a one-person crew, filming minimally, and navigating ethical choices while documenting grief. He describes his cinematic, no-talking-head approach, custom lightweight gear, and the Polish documentary tradition. He recounts strong festival reactions, the protagonists’ approval, and the film’s message of presence and appreciating what you have, plus the IFC Center premiere.Closure opened in limited theaters on October 28.00:00 Welcome and Premise00:50 Meeting Daniel on the River04:33 Choosing to Make the Doc05:15 Trust and Responsibility06:40 Filming While Helping10:17 Meaning of Closure11:21 Cinematic Doc Craft14:34 Immersion and Shooting Style17:04 Gear Hacks and One Man Crew17:59 Adding Other Families19:55 Festival Reactions and Release22:08 Personal Grief Connection23:39 Quick Cuts Segment27:13 The Last Cut Reflection28:10 Where to Watch and FarewellGet the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/ Companies: Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/Listen:Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/Watch:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeeklyConnect:Glen Reynolds - [email protected] Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds and Jason Connell speak with director Kevin Lewis and actor/executive producer Don Worley about the holiday horror-comedy Christmas at the Kringles, in which year-round Christmas-obsessed neighbors become increasingly sinister while a family tries to reconnect. Lewis describes receiving Zack Imbrogno’s script four years earlier, protecting its ensemble horror-comedy tone, and finally producing it with Tom and Andrew Wartenberg; Worley joined through them, helped raise financing, and acted in the film after a career pivot from acting and stand-up to law. They discuss balancing comedy and scares through extensive prep, improvisation, “Kringle cut” editing rhythms, and a Beetlejuice/Amblin-style tone, plus casting Ron Livingston, Thomas Lennon, Arden Myrin, Donald Faison, and Rob Riggle as Drunk Santa. They explain releasing October 30 to catch Halloween audiences ahead of Christmas streaming, touch on potential sequels, and end with rapid-fire theatergoing questions and the film’s message about being present.Christmas at the Kringles is scheduled to release in theaters on October 30.00:00 Show Intro and Premise01:01 Origins of the Script01:38 Don Joins as EP02:53 Second Chance Careers03:51 Why This Holiday Mashup05:09 Nailing the Horror Comedy Tone06:42 Casting and Improv Energy14:24 Directing Under Indie Constraints16:53 Production Design and Team Vibe18:26 On Set Problem Solving Stories21:06 Rob Riggle as Santa21:55 Finding the Heart22:25 Halloween Release Strategy24:35 Racing Post Production25:23 Festival Crowd Reactions27:43 Sequels and Next Projects30:00 Quick Cuts Theater QandA35:02 How Movies Get Made36:51 Final Cut and Where to WatchGet the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/ Companies: Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/Listen:Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/Watch:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeeklyConnect:Glen Reynolds - [email protected] Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

Send us Fan MailThis week on Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds highlights five indie films worth knowing about: three in theaters, one on demand, and one classic.🎥 Indie Film Reviews:The Only Living Pickpocket in New York (2026)Wicker (2026)Fatherland (2026)Cold War in Philly (2026)Bound (1996)Get the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/ Companies: Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/Listen:Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/Watch:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeeklyConnect:Glen Reynolds - [email protected] Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds and Jason Connell speak with filmmaker Segan about his film The Only Living Pickpocket in New York. The film stars John Turturro as Harry Layman, an aging pickpocket whose old-school skills are fading in a changing city; after stealing from the wrong person, he races across New York’s five boroughs to recover something unexpectedly valuable, risking his life and his family, including his invalid wife Rosie.Segan explains building empathy for a flawed criminal, balancing humor and tension, and drawing inspiration from filmmakers including Lumet, Spike Lee, Jonathan Demme, and films like Friends of Eddie Coyle and Mikey and Nicky. He recounts casting Turturro (plus Buscemi, Esposito, Maslany), pickpocket training with Apollo Robbins, shooting challenges in real neighborhoods and on the subway, editor Hilda Rosula’s role in pacing, and music choices featuring Gary Lionelli’s score, LCD Soundsystem, “Native New Yorker,” and Bobby Short. Segan describes premieres at Sundance and Toronto, and securing distribution with Sony Pictures Classics.The Only Living Pickpocket in New York opens in NY & LA October 23 and nationwide on October 30.00:00 Show Intro And Premise01:07 Meeting Noah Segan01:37 Building Harry Layman03:05 New York Film Influences04:36 Family Blind Spots Theme05:42 Casting John Turturro07:20 Ensemble Chemistry08:47 Pickpocket Training09:56 Rosie Relationship Craft11:15 Shooting In The Boroughs13:46 Editing Pace And Tone15:59 Dylan Comic Contrast17:11 Music Score And Needle Drops20:18 Dancing for Rosie20:40 Landing the Opening Song21:30 Designing the Ending23:00 Sundance Premiere Rush24:53 Audience Love and Awards25:50 Sony Classics Deal27:56 Quick Cuts Theater Habits30:14 Movie Memories and Favorites32:53 Final Cut New York Legacy34:03 Release Dates and GoodbyeGet the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/ Companies: Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/Listen:Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/Watch:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeeklyConnect:Glen Reynolds - [email protected] Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds and Jason Connell speak with filmmaker/distributor Joe Amodei about his documentary Cold War in Philly: Flyers versus Russia 1976, recounting the Philadelphia Flyers’ Broad Street Bullies facing the Soviet Red Army team in a widely watched Cold War-era game. Amodei explains how the Ukraine war and a Flyers alumni event sparked the idea, his goal of preserving the players’ stories, and his access to nearly all surviving Flyers from the game. He describes the Flyers’ coach studying Soviet hockey, the controversial Ed Van Impe hit that preceded the Russians leaving the ice, and the film’s humor and archival footage process with Comcast/NBC and Flyers archives. Amodei discusses sold-out Philly-area screenings with player Q&As and distribution realities.Cold War in Philly is available on Apple TV, Amazon, and YouTube.00:00 Show Intro and Setup00:56 Joe Origin Story02:20 Why This Game Mattered04:13 Building the Documentary05:27 Miracle on Ice Connection07:46 Coaching and Game Plan08:46 The Hit and Walkout10:56 Getting Rights and Footage12:50 Wild Off Ice Stories15:43 Interviewing Childhood Heroes18:59 Distribution Reality Check19:40 Finding the Film’s Humor21:04 Turning Screenings Into Events23:01 Beyond Philly Screenings25:24 Marketing in a Crowded World26:55 Quick Cuts Theater Habits28:21 First Movies and Favorites30:50 Lessons as Filmmaker Distributor32:42 Where to Watch and WrapGet the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/ Companies: Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/Listen:Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/Watch:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeeklyConnect:Glen Reynolds - [email protected] Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

Send us Fan MailThis week on Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds highlights five indie films worth knowing about: three in theaters, one on demand, and one classic.🎥 Indie Film Reviews:Trust Me, I’m a Doctor (2026)You Can See Everything (2026)Once Upon a Time in Harlem (2026)Let’s Have Kids! (2026)Swingers (1996)Get the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/ Companies: Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/Listen:Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/Watch:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeeklyConnect:Glen Reynolds - [email protected] Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds and Jason Connell speak with filmmaker Thane Economou about his dark-comedy true-story film Trust Me, I’m a Doctor, starring Kal Penn as Dr. Kapoor amid the Anna Nicole Smith media circus, with Linda Hamilton and Abbie Cornish. Economou explains discovering the project through Kapoor’s memoir, shaping an unreliable-narrator structure with lawyer interruptions, and balancing heartbreak with humor inspired by films like Goodfellas, The Social Network, I, Tonya, plus thematic touchstones Quiz Show and Shattered Glass. He details extensive research into Smith’s life and court records, casting Penn and Hamilton, directing key scenes like the diary reading, and filming inside the actual WeHo Pride Parade. He discusses mixed-media visuals, a 2005–2007 soundscape with composers Daniel Stockdale and Niles Dwyer (DJ KASHMIR) and Briarcliff’s theatrical release plan of hitting around 600 screens.Trust Me, I’m a Doctor opens October 16.00:00 Welcome and Premise00:41 Finding the Story02:02 Choosing Dark Comedy03:14 Unreliable Narrator Setup04:21 Film Inspirations06:27 Deep Research Process08:01 Casting Kal and Linda09:49 Directing the Diary Scene11:01 Shooting Pride Parade14:34 Narration Rules and Edit15:55 Building the Soundtrack17:15 Nailing the 2000s Look18:56 Distribution and Briarcliff19:46 Briarcliff Takes the Risk21:11 Mixed Media and Poking Bears21:37 Is Kapoor Sympathetic23:56 Quick Cuts Theater Habits24:49 The Vista Theater Memories26:06 Repeat Watches and The Room27:46 IMAX Odyssey and Parenting29:34 Final Cut Family Secrets32:12 Where to Watch and FarewellGet the free Indie Film Weekly newsletter here - https://newsletter.CircusRoadFilms.com/ Companies: Circus Road Films - https://www.CircusRoadFilms.com/Just Curious Media - https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/Listen:Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indie-film-weekly/id1786274754Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8CzZ19BfM6lRfFAobxRu?si=29bf8ec6da5b44d0Buzzsprout - https://IndieFilmWeekly.buzzsprout.com/Watch:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IndieFilmWeeklyConnect:Glen Reynolds - [email protected] Film Weekly - https://www.instagram.com/CircusRoadFilms/#indiefilmweekly #independentfilm #indiemovies #filmreviews #movierecommendations #circusroadfilms #justcuriousmedia #glenreynolds