These Limited Releases are Cursed

August 29, 2014

Swearnet: The Movie poster

It's not a great week for limited releases as there are only two films earning overwhelmingly positive reviews: The Congress and Starred Up. Both of those films are playing on Video on Demand as well, so their box office numbers are likely going to be weaker than their Tomatometer Scores. Cantinflas does have an outside shot at tenth place, so at least there's some good news as far as limited releases are concerned. Swearnet: The Movie might turn out to be the biggest hit of the weekend north of the border, but it doesn't open in the States till next month.

The Calling - Reviews
A small town cop has to deal with a serial killer who believes he is acting on a higher power. The cast is better than most limited releases have, but the reviews are below 50% positive and most limited releases can't survive with a Tomatometer Score that is that low. Additionally, the film is playing in Video on Demand, so that will further hurt its chances at the box office. The Calling opens tonight, but there doesn't appear to be an official site, so it might not be opening tonight.

The Congress - Reviews
Robin Wright plays a fictionalized version of herself, an actress who is unable to get work, so she sells her digital rights so the movie studio can make movies with her in them without having to deal with her. At first this seems like a good deal for her, but then she regrets what she's done. This film's reviews are great, miles above the average, but it is also playing on Video on Demand, so its box office numbers likely won't be great. The Congress opens tonight in 13 theaters in select cities nationwide. Check out the official site for more details.

Canopy - Reviews
Set during World War II, this film is about an Australian fighter pilot who is shot down and must survive in the jungle with the aid of an injured resistance fighter he meets. The reviews are good, but I'm not sure they are good enough for a limited release. Also, because the film is about the Australian efforts in the war, it might not connect with American audiences. Canopy opens tonight at the The Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center in New York City with plans to expand over the coming weeks / months. Check out the official site for more details.

Cantinflas - Reviews
This time last year, Pantelion Films released Instructions Not Included, which became the biggest Spanish-language film of all time. Cantinflas very likely won't have the same run, but it could do very well in theaters. Cantinflas opens tonight in close to 400 theaters and has an outside chance to reach the top ten.

Jamie Marks Is Dead - Reviews
Jamie Marks is a high school outcast who is the target of bullies. At the beginning of the movie, his body is found by Adam McCormick. At first Adam becomes obsessed with Jamie, and then he becomes haunted by Jamie's ghost. The reviews are good, but not great and the film is also playing on Video on Demand, so its theatrical numbers will likely be an afterthought.

The Last of Robin Hood - Reviews
Kevin Kline stars as Errol Flynn, who during the end of his career began a relationship with Beverly Aadland, who was only 15 years old at the time. Beverly was pushed into this relationship by her mother, who craved the fame. The film has a great cast, but so far the reviews are not good. The Last of Robin Hood opens tonight in New York City and Los Angeles before expanding nationwide next weekend.

Last Weekend - Reviews
Patricia Clarkson stars as the matriarch of a rich family who gets her family together for a reunion, but it doesn't go as expected. The reviews for this film are quite weak, weak enough that I doubt it will find an audience in theaters. Last Weekend opens tonight at the IFC Center and on Video on Demand.

Life of Crime - Reviews
This movie is based on a novel by Elmore Leonard. Some of his novels have been turned into great movies, but he's also seen more than a few novels turned into duds. This film is somewhere in the middle. It is also playing on Video on Demand, so its box office numbers will likely be very weak. Life of Crime opens tonight in select cities. Check out the official site for more details.

The Notebook - Reviews
Twin 13-year old boys growing up during World War II write their thoughts in the notebook left to them by their father. The reviews are good, but not great, and limited releases usually need great reviews to thrive. The Notebook opens tonight at the Quad Cinema in New York City.

Starred Up - Reviews
Jack O'Connell stars as Eric Love, a juvenile sent to adult prison early, which is calling being starred up. There he connects with his father, but it is not a happy reunion. I'm of two minds when it comes to this movie's chances at the box office. On the one hand, the film's reviews are nearly perfect. On the other hand, the film is opening on Video on Demand, which usually results in weak box office numbers. Starred Up opened on Wednesday at the IFC Center and the Film Society Lincoln Center in New York City, while it opens on Friday at the Phi Centre in Montreal, Quebec.

Swearnet: The Movie - Reviews
A Canadian movie starring the actors from the Trailer Park Boys TV show and movies, this time playing fictionalized versions of themselves. They find they have trouble finding jobs, because they swear too much. There are not many reviews online, but the film is only opening in Canada this weekend. It doesn't open in the States till September 12th.

Through a Lens Darkly - Reviews
A documentary about photography done by African-American or with African-American subjects and how it shaped race relations. Unfortunately, the reviews are not very good with many critics saying the images in the movie are more engaging than the movie itself. Through a Lens Darkly opened on Wednesday at the Film Forum in New York City.


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Filed under: Limited Releases, The Calling, Life of Crime, The Congress, A nagy füzet, Starred Up, Canopy, The Calling, The Last of Robin Hood, Last Weekend, Cantinflas, Jamie Marks Is Dead, Through a Lens Darkly, Trailer Park Boys, Patricia Clarkson, Dakota Fanning, Kevin Kline, Cameron Monaghan, Jack O'Connell, Susan Sarandon, Robin Wright, Elmore Leonard