What’s new on VOD and via streaming services
Choose from indie film, documentaries, dark comedy, arthouse pick.
Here’s a look at the most interesting new releases available to rent from cable and digital providers and a few titles that are hitting streaming services this week.
Video on demand
“Finders Keepers”: Already a big hit at Sundance, this is one of the most acclaimed documentaries of the year. It introduces us to two men in North Carolina who are in a legal battle over an amputated and mummified leg. One of the men found it in a grill that he bought at auction and refuses to give it back. It’s truly bizarre. (Cable & digital VOD)
“The Mend”: Writer/director John Magary makes his feature debut with this dark comedy. Josh Lucas (“Sweet Home Alabama”) stars in a story about two estranged brothers in New York City who end up reconnecting and attempt to put their relationship back together. The publicity materials call it a film “for anyone who’s ever loathed and loved a sibling in equal measure.” (Digital VOD)
Available on streaming services
“The Duke Of Burgundy”: In his follow-up to “Berberian Sound Studio,” Peter Strickland’s third feature plays out as an arthouse counterpoint to “Fifty Shades Of Grey.” Exploring a dominant-submissive relationship between two women, the film manages to be intensely erotic without any on-screen nudity. Lavishly shot despite a small budget, the film benefits greatly from clothing designed by frequent Peter Greenaway collaborator Andrea Flesch. (Netflix)
“Ned Rifle”: Indie auteur Hal Hartley returns with the final, and best, film in his trilogy that also includes “Henry Fool” and “Fay Grim.” Parkey Posey, James Urbaniak, Liam Aiken and Martin Donovan reprise their roles from the previous films and are joined by Aubrey Plaza, who perfectly delivers Hartley’s signature dry and carefully constructed dialogue. It’s not vital that you have seen the earlier parts of the story to enjoy “Ned Rifle,” but it will help you to flesh out all of the connections because the film doesn’t dwell much on the backstory. Hartley once again wrote, directed, produced and performed the score here, turning to Kickstarter to fund the project. (Netflix)
“Soul Boys of the Western World”: Best known for their 1983 hit “True” (which went to No. 1 in the U.K. and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard charts in the U.S.), British brothers Gary and Martin Kemp led the pop group known as Spandau Ballet throughout the 1980s. Director George Hencken’s documentary about their history had its world premiere at SXSW last spring and is loaded with archival news footage and interviews from all five band members. The film culminates with footage from a reunion tour in 2010. (Netflix)