Looking for the Perfect Limited Release
June 30, 2011
Transformers: Dark of the Moon will be overshadowing everything else at the box office, but that doesn't mean there are no limited releases coming out this weekend. But are any of them worth checking out? There are a couple with overwhelmingly positive reviews, plus a couple have earned some pre-release buzz, but none that have managed both.
Crime after Crime - Buy from Amazon
Delhi Belly - Reviews
Love, Etc. - Reviews
The Mountie - No Reviews
The Perfect Host - Reviews
Terri - Reviews
A documentary about Debbie Peagler, who was in an abusive relationship and forced into prostitution by her boyfriend and when he died, she was wrongfully convicted of his murder and spent more than 25 years in jail. So far this film's Tomatometer Score is perfect, while the only other new release with overwhelmingly positive reviews is a niche market film, so it could do very well at the box office, for a documentary. Crime after Crime opens tonight at the IFC Center in New York City before expanding over the coming weeks / months.
A Bollywood film with reviews on Rotten Tomatoes? And they are good? Granted, it only have five reviews, but these films are generally ignored by critics, as they are niche market films with no appeal outside of their target demographic. I keep hoping that will change, and maybe if this film does well here, it will be a sign that this is changing, but I've been proven wrong enough times in the past that I'm not willing to bet on that. Delhi Belly opens tonight in 88 theaters.
A documentary about five love stories set in New York City. The film's subject matter isn't as serious as many of documentaries, which could help set it apart. However, its reviews are far too weak to suggest it will do well at the box office. Love, Etc. opens tonight in two theaters, Landmark Sunshine and City Cinemas 86th Street.
Andrew W. Walker as the titular Mountie traveling into the Canadian wilderness to scout locations for a new garrison for the North West Mounted Police. But when he gets to his destination, he discovers illegal opium growers. As a Canadian movie, it should come as no surprse that there are no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, but there were a few reviews online, but are mostly mixed. Maybe it will succeed thanks to the Canada Day celebrations up here, but I have my doubts. The Mountie opens tonight in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.
Clayne Crawford plays a bank robber who is injured and on the run. He shows up at the house of David Hyde Pierce, and pretends to be a friend of a friend who was just mugger. Fortunately he is just in time to be part of David's dinner party. Unfortunately, David seems to have a few secret of his own. This film actually had some good buzz going into it; however, the reviews have been disappointing. Normally limited releases need exceptionally high Tomatometer Scores to thrive. This film isn't even near the overall positive level. Maybe it will find an audience on the home market. The Perfect Host opens tonight in three theaters in New York City, Los Angeles, and Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.
This film earned a lot of buzz at the Sundance Film Festival this year, but its Tomatometer Score is just a hair below what I would like to see for a film opening in limited release. Jacob Wysocki plays the titular character in this coming of age story, while John C. Reilly plays the principal who takes an interest in him. Like I said, the reviews are good, but not not great, but it might still have the best per theater average on this week's list thanks to the advance buzz. Terri opens tonight in six theaters, mostly in the Los Angeles area, but also in New York City.
Filed under: Limited Releases, The Perfect Host, Terri, Love Etc., Delhi Belly, Crime after Crime