Alt Weekly: ‘Any Day Now’ and More

Welcome back to Alt Weekly, a column in which we shine a spotlight on the independent films brave enough to open opposite Hollywood’s behemoth blockbusters before rolling out in wider release.

This week pits “The Girl” and some “Stand Up Guys” against the wee lads of “The Hobbit.”

‘ANY DAY NOW’
Filmmaker Cred: Travis Fine previously directed the 2011 drama “The Space Between.”
Star Power: Alan Cumming, Garret Dillahunt, Frances Fisher.
Festival/Awards Buzz: This gay rights drama premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last April. The majority of reviews since have been positive.
Release Details: Opens in about a dozen markets this Friday.
See This If… You’re open to seeing a real-life custody battle treated with sensitive direction and some strong performances.

‘THE GIRL’
Filmmaker Cred: This is writer/director David Riker’s first film since 1998's “La Ciudad (The City).”
Star Power: Abbie Cornish, Will Patton.
Festival/Awards Buzz: A fellow Tribeca alum, this immigration drama has earned some modest praise for Cornish’s headstrong performance.
Release Details: NY and LA for a one-week qualifying run before releasing wider next year.
See This If… You’re keen to check out a single-mom drama set on the Tex-Mex border, a la “Frozen River.”

‘SAVE THE DATE’
Filmmaker Cred: Director Michael Mohan’s last feature was 2010's “One Too Many Mornings.”
Star Power: Lizzy Caplan, Alison Brie, Mark Webber, Martin Starr, Geoffrey Arend.
Festival/Awards Buzz: We enjoyed the film at Sundance, albeit with some caveats.
Release Details: Currently available on demand, this opens the 14th in NY/LA.
See This If… You’re not yet fed up with the relationship problems of white twentysomethings.

‘STAND UP GUYS’
Filmmaker Cred: This marks the latest directorial effort by actor Fisher Stevens.
Star Power: Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin.
Festival/Awards Buzz: This dark crime comedy made a quiet debut at the Chicago International Film Festival in October, and, as our review indicates, that may have been for good reason.
Release Details: Strictly NY/LA this week to qualify for 2012 awards, due for a wide release come February 1st.
See This If… You’re a die-hard fan of Viagra jokes and nostalgia among crooks.

Categories: Alt Weekly, Columns

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