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Awesome Indie

Balatro

Balatro

Balatro is your next gaming addiction – but not because it’s a poker game. It merely uses the card game’s hands as a starting point, and then it quickly goes off the rails. Like fellow indie hit Vampire Survivors, this fast-paced roguelike keeps you hooked with lots of shiny rewards that will help you rack up scores on the edge of math.

Villains Inc. (Trailer)

Villains Inc. (Trailer)

This indie comedy follows a group of henchmen (henchpeople?) who find themselves unemployed after their villainous boss dies. Tired of scraping along the bottom, they decide to stand up and become villains. The cast and crew include members of the JK! Studios team, along with comedy legend Colin Mochrie. Help fund its distribution on Kickstarter.

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The Soup

The Soup

This charming animated short by 16-year-old CG artist John Torres looks at a day in the life of a robotic farmer as it patiently waits to harvest vegetables to put into a pot of homemade soup. John says his film “highlights the virtues of perseverance, mindfulness, and the joy that can be found in the simplest of tasks.” Created with Blender.

The Court Jester

The Court Jester

Actor and comedian Pauly Shore bears more than a passing resemblance to Richard Simmons. In this short film by Jake Lewis, Shore takes on the role with aplomb, celebrating Simmons’ boundless positivity, love for life, and ability to inspire others. It also serves as a teaser for Shore’s upcoming, unauthorized biopic about the fitness guru. (Thanks, Rob!)

A Firm Handshake

A Firm Handshake

Do you like offbeat indie games? Check out Torfi’s A Firm Handshake. This wacky casual game challenges players to reach out to NPCs and get them to shake hands. As you do your handshake business deals, you march around looking to build an empire of corporate drones. And then things get really weird. SMii7Y provides an in-depth demo of the game.

Poor Things (Trailer)

Poor Things (Trailer)

Filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite, The Lobster) applies his offbeat style to this movie about a mad scientist (Willem Dafoe) who brings a young woman back to life. But Bella (Emma Stone) is anything but the well-mannered lady of the times and runs off on a wild adventure with a slick and rakish lawyer (Mark Ruffalo). We’re getting a Tim Burton vibe here.

Next Goal Wins (Trailer)

Next Goal Wins (Trailer)

Writer/director Taika Waititi takes a break from big-budget superhero movies with a return to indie form. Next Goal Wins is a lighthearted underdog comedy about a coach (Michael Fassbender) who reluctantly relocates to American Samoa to help fix the world’s worst international soccer team.

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Linoleum (Trailer)

Linoleum (Trailer)

Jim Gaffigan and Rhea Seehorn star in this offbeat indie film about the host of a failing children’s science show who has dreamed his whole life about becoming an astronaut. After a series of strange encounters, a pile of space junk lands in his yard, and it could finally be his chance. In theaters 2.24.23.

White Noise (Trailer)

White Noise (Trailer)

Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig, and Don Cheadle star in this indie comedy about a modern family whose distracted and noise-filled existence is disrupted by an industrial accident. Based on the book by Don DeLillo, written for the screen and directed by Noah Baumbach. Coming to Netflix and theaters 12.30.22.

Funny Pages (Trailer)

Funny Pages (Trailer)

Actor Owen Kline’s directorial feature debut is a coming-of-age indie comedy that follows the story of a young man who wants to pursue a career as a comic book artist. While pursuing his dream, he encounters some truly colorful characters.

Waikiki (Trailer)

Waikiki (Trailer)

Most of us think of Hawaii as an idyllic vacation paradise and a place of majestic natural beauty. But filmmaker Christopher Kahunahana’s Waikiki changes that, presenting a dark portrait of a woman tormented by an abusive ex, and the odyssey that unfolds after she hits a homeless man with her van.

Nine Days (Trailer)

Nine Days (Trailer)

A man spends his days watching people’s lives on Earth through a wall of televisions. When one of them dies, it’s his job to interview the souls of other candidates to decide whether they are qualified to be born. Edson Oda’s award-winning film looks like an intriguing study of human nature, presented artfully.

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Bundle for Racial Justice & Equality

Bundle for Racial Justice & Equality

Indie gaming platform itch.io and more than 500 game creators are away access to over $3400 worth of games for anyone who donates at least $5 to their campaign. All proceeds will donated to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and Community Bail Fund, and split 50/50.

Superorganism: Tiny Desk Concert

Superorganism: Tiny Desk Concert

“Have you ever seen a prawn cause a world war?” Indie pop band Superorganism brought their irresistibly cute music and performance to NPR Music. They played The Prawn Song, Night Time and Something for Your M.I.N.D., all from their self-titled album.

Parekh & Singh: Ghost

Parekh & Singh: Ghost

“Change my life just upon a whim, jump into the ocean and learn to swim.” The indie Indian duo’s bittersweet, yet fluffy sounds not only belong in a Wes Anderson movie, their music videos look the part. Don’t believe us?

Jay Som Live

Jay Som Live

“I’ll be your old broken TV, your stuttering baby, your puppy when nobody’s home.” Rising indie pop star Jay Som charms NPR Music. She played The Bus Song, Baybee, Lipstick Stains (all from her new album Everybody Works) and I Think You’re Alright.

Waxahatchee: Out in the Storm

Waxahatchee: Out in the Storm

“I move delicately, I slowly choose my words, and when my presence is felt, I’ll fly away just like a bird.” The latest album from Katie Crutchfield and her band drops the lo-fi, but it’s still indie rock through and through – quick, specific, and sincere.

Dave Made a Maze (Trailer)

Dave Made a Maze (Trailer)

A frustrated artist builds himself a maze out of cardboard boxes, and ends up with something that works much like a TARDIS – it’s much bigger on the inside. We’re getting a Being John Malkovich kind of vibe off of Bill Watterson’s offbeat comedy. Screening dates here.

Francis Lung Live

Francis Lung Live

La Blogotheque caught up with WU LYF bassist Tom McLung in Paris for a short outdoor set featuring songs from his indie folk alter ego, Francis Lung. He performed Back One Day and Where Life Come to Live, from his 2015 EP Vol. 1.

No Man’s Sky (Gameplay)

No Man’s Sky (Gameplay)

The E3 2014 trailer for No Man’s Sky shows off even more of the incredible procedurally-generated worlds from this survival and exploration title headed to PS4 (and possibly other platforms). We cannot wait to play this.

The Stanley Parable

The Stanley Parable

A first-person exploration game in which you navigate a perplexing and monotonous office space where small, non-obvious choices result in dramatic changes to the environment. Launched in October on PC, it’s now available for Mac.

Papo & Yo

Papo & Yo

Rooted in traditional Latin American storytelling, Papo & Yo is an indie gaming title from Minority Media that looks to reconnect players with their imaginations through a mix of fantasy and reality.

Indie Game: The Movie (Trailer)

Indie Game: The Movie (Trailer)

(NSFW: Language) Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky’s video game documentary has garnered favorable reviews after its Sundance debut. HBO now has plans to make a series based on the film.

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