Limited Releases: Maisie Knew You Should See Limited Releases

May 3, 2013

There are not a lot of top-notch releases on this week's list, as Iron Man 3 is scaring away all of the competition. Dead Man's Burden is earning great reviews, but it doesn't have a lot of buzz. The Iceman has better buzz, but only good reviews and limited releases generally need great reviews to thrive. What Maisie Knew has great reviews and some strong buzz, so perhaps it will be the biggest hit on this week's list.

Cinco de Mayo: The Battle - No Reviews
A drama about the most important battle in Mexico's history. There are no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, which is normally a bad sign, but this movie is aimed at a particular target demographic with little to no desire for crossover appeal, so reviews from mainstream critics are unnecessary. Cinco de Mayo: The Battle opens tonight in 20 theaters.

Dead Man's Burden - Reviews
A western set in a post-Civil War America focusing on two siblings trying to decide what to do with the family ranch after their father's death. There are not a lot of reviews on Rotten Tomatoes so far, but they are almost all positive. It doesn't have the most buzz on this week's list, but it might find a receptive audience in theaters. Dead Man's Burden opened tonight at the The Village East Cinema in New York City.

Generation Um - Reviews
This movie does have some big names in the cast, but it is currently earning 0% positive reviews and it is playing on Video on Demand. I just don't see it being a factor at the box office.

Greetings from Tim Buckley - Reviews
A biopic about Jeff Buckley, who followed in his father's footsteps, both in terms of his musical career, and in terms of his tragic death at a young age. The film is earning good reviews, but not great reviews, while it is currently playing on Video on Demand, which will further hit its box office chances. Greetings from Tim Buckley opens tonight in two theaters, one in New York City, The Village East Cinema, and the other in Los Angeles, Laemmle Noho 7.

The Iceman - Reviews
Michael Shannon stars as a family man who leads a normal life, at least by outward appearances. He is actually a notorious hit man and his family has no idea about his double-life. The film has a great cast, but the reviews are only good and not great. I really like a lot of the cast members, so I want it to find an audience in theaters, but I'm not overly hopeful. The Iceman opens tonight in four theaters, split between New York City and Los Angeles.

Kiss of the Damned - Reviews
A vampire romance movie that is only earning mixed reviews. Its the wrong genre for limited release and the reviews are too weak to expect it to thrive. Finally, Kiss of the Damned is already playing on Video on Demand, so there's little chance it will find an audience in theaters.

Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's - Reviews
A documentary about a store with many, many, many celebrities singing its praise. The film is only earning good reviews, but not great reviews, and I'm not sure it will find success in limited release. Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's opens tonight in four theaters.

Something in the Air - Reviews
A coming of age story written and directed by Olivier Assayas and inspired by his real life. This film is earning some of the best reviews of the weekend, and French cinema is generally supported by the art house circuit. However, its chances to expand are more limited than What Maisie Knew's are. Something in the Air opens tonight in three theaters, split between New York City and Los Angeles, before expanding to Video on Demand next week. It is this expansion that will kill its box office chances.

What Maisie Knew - Reviews
A modern re-telling of the Henry James' novel of the same name. It deals with a marriage falling apart and how the bitter divorce affects the couple's young child the most. The film has a strong cast and strong reviews, plus its box office prospects are boosted by buzz from last year's debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. It should be the biggest limited release hit of the weekend. What Maisie Knew opens tonight at the Angelika Film Center in New York City.


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Filed under: Limited Releases, Generation Um, Iron Man 3, Dead Man's Burden, What Maisie Knew, Kiss of the Damned, The Iceman, Après Mai, Cinco de Mayo, La Batalla, Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's, Greetings from Tim Buckley, Michael Shannon, Olivier Assayas, Henry James