Happy New Year. No blockbusters were released over the New Years holiday weekend. Most likely other studios anticipated that the juggernauts “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol” and “Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows” would be clean up at the box office and they were right. However, there are a few independent and foreign films that were rolled out to fight the underdog fight.

“Pariah” is an indie about a teenage girl dealing with her lesbianism amidst a harsh Brooklyn environment. This film looks to be a stylized look into the life of an adolescent going through all the stages of development. Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell star in the film.

“Angels Crest” is a drama about the consequences surrounding a horrible decision. After a young father leaves his son unattended in his truck, the boy is found dead. The resulting trial tears the local town apart. The film stars Jeremy Piven, Mira Sorvino, and Kate Walsh.

“A Separation” is a foreign film about an Iranian couple who want to leave the country, but find it more difficult than expected. This is a touching film about marriage, love, and the ties that bind. Already a winner of the Best Picture Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival, this film looks amazing. Go see it.

That's it for this week. Be sure to check back here every week for more info about the new releases on the horizon.