Any Day is a Good Day for Limited Releases

December 14, 2012

It is another busy week for limited releases, including some that are earning overwhelmingly positive reviews. Unfortunately, like it usually is at this time of year, unless a limited release is earning Oscar buzz, it is very unlikely to find an audience in limited release. Any Day Now is the film I have the highest hopes for, but even for a film with 88% positive reviews, it will be a challenge.

Any Day Now - Reviews
Alan Cumming and Garret Dillahunt star as a gay couple living in the 1970s. They take in Isaac Leyva, a teenager with down syndrome, after the teenager is abandoned by his mother. When the authorities find out, the couple struggles against the courts to keep their unorthodox family together. There's a lot of competition from Oscar contenders, but perhaps this film will find a receptive audience in limited release. Any Day Now opens tonight in select cities.

The End of Time - Reviews
A Canadian documentary about time. The film talks to scientists about the nature of time while at the same time trying to show how we perceive time and its effects on us. The film opens this week in Toronto and Montreal before opening in the States in the Spring. The reviews are strong, so if you do live north of the border, check it out.

The Girl - Reviews
This film has a one-week Oscar qualifying run starting tonight. However, given its reviews, that's likely not going to result in any nominations. Abbie Cornish stars as a single parent who loses her child to Child Protective Services. She then turns to smuggling Mexicans into America, and decides to help one child find her mother. The film is earning overall positive reviews, but that isn't enough to suggest it will thrive in limited release.

Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet - Reviews
When Jason Becker was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease at age 19, the doctors said he would never play music again and that he wouldn't live to see his 25th birthday. 22 years later, he's unable to speak, but he's still making music with the help of a computer that tracks eye movement. One of the best-reviewed films of the week, and the inspirational subject could be a boon at the box office. On the other hand, it is a documentary, so expanding wide is probably out of the question. Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet opened on Wednesday and is playing in New York City, Portland, and Ottawa.

Let Fury Have the Hour - Reviews
A documentary about the intersection of politics and the creative arts with interviews with countless artists, musicians, writers, comics, etc. This turns out to be the film's biggest weakness, as it is very unfocused, at least according to most critics. Perhaps those that agree with the political message will find something to enjoy here. Let Fury Have the Hour opens tonight at the Quad Cinema in New York City.

Let's Make a Movie - No Reviews
A film school drop-out decides to try and make a real movie to jump start her life. The film was made in 2009 but is finally getting a release this week. There are no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, and there's very little publicity out there.

Save the Date - Reviews
A woman, Lizzy Caplan, dumps her boyfriend, Geoffrey Arend, after he proposes to her in a too public a fashion. She then turns to her best friend, Alison Brie, but her friend is too distracted by her upcoming wedding. The film's reviews are not terrible compared to a lot of romantic comedies, but that's not enough to think it will thrive in limited release. Save the Date opens tonight in two theaters, one in New York City and one in Los Angeles.

Saving Grace B. Jones - Reviews
One of the worst-reviewed new releases of the week. It was written and directed by Connie Stevens, who has been acting since the 1950s. This film is inspired by a part of her real life, but most critics say there are too many characters, too many subplots, and too much going on to draw in viewers. Saving Grace B. Jones opens tonight in seven theaters in select cities nationwide, as well as on Video on Demand.

Stand Up Guys - Reviews
An excellent cast, but weak reviews. Al Pacino stars as a con man just getting out of prison, which he could have avoided if he had ratted out his partner. However, his reunion with his two compatriots, Alan Arkin and Christopher Walken, is tainted by a secret. Stand Up Guys opens tonight in two theaters in New York City and Los Angeles for a one-week Oscar qualifying run. It did pick up a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song, but given its reviews, that's about a prestigious award as it will receive.

Trashed - Reviews
A documentary about pollution and how trash has damaged so many beautiful environments. The film is earning great reviews and it is an important topic, but it will likely still struggle to find an audience. Trashed opens tonight at the Quad Cinema in New York City.


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Filed under: Limited Releases, Saving Grace B. Jones, The End of Time, Stand Up Guys, Let's Make a Movie, Save the Date, Any Day Now, Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet, The Girl, Let Fury Have the Hour, Trashed, Al Pacino, Geoffrey Arend, Alan Arkin, Lizzy Caplan, Abbie Cornish, Alan Cumming, Garret Dillahunt, Christopher Walken, Alison Brie, Jason Becker, Connie Stevens