Indie Roundup

The summer movie season is typically dominated by the biggest and most expensive movies. In recent years, that has meant giant robots, men in tights, and all manner of explosions. Studios know that audiences can get tired of these films and will also release smaller movies to balance out the movie-going experience. Unfortunately, a lot of these films don't get the same kind of marketing push because it's really not worth it from a business stand point to spend huge amounts of money marketing a small 5 million dollar (or less) indie film. I thought I'd take some time and spotlight a few films I've seen recently that are still out in theaters and are more than worth your time and money.

The Way Way Back

Directors: Jim Rash and Nat Faxon

Writers: Jim Rash and Nat Faxon

Starring: Liam James, Sam Rockwell, Annasophia Robb, Steve Carell

A lot of indie films are very similar. One of the most common stories is the coming of age tale of a young awkward guy who learns about himself and hooks up with the popular girl. On the surface The Way Way Back is one of those films. This is the story of the summer that changed everything for Duncan, brought to life wonderfully by Liam James. Duncan's parents are divorced and he is being forced to spend the summer with his mother's new boyfriend Trent and his daughter Steph. Trent owns a small little house by the beach and the four of them are going to live there for the summer and try to get used to being a family. Duncan doesn't want to deal with Trent or his delightfully bitchy daughter and finds his mother slipping away as she tries to fit in with Trent's friends. After exploring town Duncan discovers a local water park, Water Wizz, and meets its slacker of a manager Owen. Owen takes Duncan under his wing and gives him at job at Water Wizz, where Owen slowly breaks out of his shell.

What makes this movie work beyond a surface level is the performances. The central performance from Liam James is great. Too often we see actors in their 20's portray teeangers and I think the fact that James is 16 really helps his performance. It's easy to buy him as this young kid struggling to find an adult to look up to. James taps into an underlying anger that you don't typically see in characters like this and turns in a very genuine performance. The other stand out is Sam Rockwell as Owen. Rockwell has a talent for fast talking, off-beat characters. Owen is everything Duncan isn't. He's funny, talkative, laid back, and quickly becomes a kind of father figure for Duncan. At the same time, there's a slight sadness to Owen and you can see how he needs Duncan almost as much as Duncan needs him. The rest of the cast is solid and there are a lot of familiar faces. Steve Carrell plays against type wonderfully as the grating Trent and Allison Janney is hilarious as a boisterous and kind neighbor. Rounding out the cast are Toni Collette, Rob Corddry, Maya Rudolph, Amanda Peet, and Annasophia Robb. Even writing-directing team Jim Rash and Nat Faxon show up in minor roles.

This film doesn't push its particular genre forward but it is well made and supremely enjoyable. It's filled with great performances and great moments; the scenes at Water Wizz in particular are really fun. In a summer full of somber and serious films, The Way Way Back is a refreshing change of pace.

Fruitvale Station

Director: Ryan Coogler

Writer: Ryan Coogler

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer

Most people living in or near the Bay Area are familiar with the Oscar Grant story. On new years day 2009 Oscar Grant was on his way home when he and a couple friends were detained by police after having an altercation with other light rail passengers. The situation escalated and Oscar was shot in the back on the terminal of Fruitvale Station. This film follows Oscar on his last day.

Any picture that dramatizes true events has to strike a tricky balance, especially dealing with such a sensitive situation. Films obviously strive to have something to say and that can be difficult to do without feeling like the film maker is manipulating the truth. I think that for the most part Fruitvale Station straddles that line well. Writer-director Ryan Coogler obviously wanted to tell this story and it's easy to see the level of care he put into making this film. First off, he has a really strong cast. Michael B. Jordan gives a breakout performance as Oscar Grant. It's great to see him garner attention for himself after years on consistently great work on shows like The Wire, Friday Night Lights, and Parenthood. The supporting cast all pull their weight too.

The film can definitely get heavy handed at times but I think that's ok. It's easy to tell how much everyone involved wanted to tell this story. That passion permeates through every aspect of this film. It's a powerful film.

The To-Do List

Director: Maggie Carey

Writer: Maggie Carey

Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Johnny Simmons, Bill Hader

The To-Do list is the latest in a long line of teen sex comedies. What makes it different is that it's written and directed by a woman and is about a teenage girl. Aubrey Plaza is Brandy Clark, a hyper-focused overachiever with very little experience with the opposite sex. After a slightly embarrassing encounter with the town hunk, Brandy decides to make a list of various sex acts for her to perform that summer before going off to college and hilarity ensues.

If you've watched any teen sex comedy before you know exactly where this film is going. Brandy will have awkward moments and crazy adventures before the big climax(no pun intended). The distinguishing factor here is that we've never really seen this from a female character's perspective. To the film's credit, it doesn't make a big deal about that fact. This isn't THE FEMALE TEEN SEX COMEDY, the main character and her friends just happen to be girls. The movie treats them the same way other films treat their male characters.

The plot doesn't amount to much beyond what you think will happen and that's ok. This is a really really funny film. Plaza is a great comedic presence and the rest of the cast is strong as well. Bill Hader can be funny in his sleep and Connie Britton and Clark Gregg get a lot of laughs as Brandy's parents. There's a lot of really raunchy jokes but a lot of the comedy also comes from the awkward situations and conversations between the various characters.

If you enjoy movies of this type I think you'll really enjoy The To-Do List. It's really very funny and enjoyable. I think it has the potential to be one of the more popular sex comedies like American Pie and Superbad before it.

I think all three of these films are great and obviously offer different things. It's always nice to have options at the local multiplex and this weekend there's a lot of good ones.