Indie Watch: Robert Pattinson in 'How To Be' and 'Little Ashes'

Plus: Sam Mendes' 'Away We Go' and 8 'Rudo y Cursi' clips

By Gregory Ellwood Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 2:48 AM

Robert Pattinson in "How To Be."

Credit: IFC Films

He may be reprising his role as Edward in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" as production of the "Twilight" sequel continues in Vancouver, but Robert Pattinson also has a pair of independent movies opening over the next two weeks. On May 8, Pattinson stars as Salvador Dali in "Little Ashes," but starting today the actor's UK dramedy "How To Be" becomes available on IFC Direct (i.e., video on demand) via your local cable provider.

"How" finds Pattinson playing a loser who hires a self-help guru to become his personal life coach and help make his dreams of becoming a professional singer come true. Shot long before Pattinson even was being considered for "Twilight," the picture received an honorable mention at last year's Slamdance Film Festival. Still, IFC didn't want to jump on Pattinson-mania and attempt a theatrical release like "Little Ashes." Needless to say, it's the sort of release pattern that requires a "you've been warned" before downloading.

An indie that's really worth keeping an eye on is Sam Mendes first venture in to "comedy" (or so he claims) "Away We Go" which features John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph as a couple trying to deal with a new baby and the horrors of being your early to mid 30s. In what could be good news for distributor Focus Features, the trailer seems to play very well in theaters. The flick hits theaters June 19.

Last up, eight clips from the Sundance Film Festival entry "Rudo y Cursi." A big hit last year in Mexico, the comedy features the first onscreen reunion of Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal since 2001's new classic "Y tu mama tambien." The duo play two competitive brothers whose lives intertwine on the professional football field. The Sony Classics release opens May 8 in New York and Los Angeles.

Check out all the clips below.

"How To Be" Trailer

"Little Ashes" Trailer

"Away We Go" Trailer

Eight Clips from "Rudo Y Cursi"

Gregory Ellwood
Editor-in-Chief, Co-Founder

With over a decade of experience in the movie industry, Ellwood survived working for two major studios and has written for Variety, MSN and the LA Times. A co-founder of HitFix, Ellwood spends his time relaxing hitting 3’s on the basketball court and following his beloved Clippers.