Limited Release: Vice as Nice

December 12, 2014

Inherent Vice poster

We are deep into Awards season with three major awards nominations already handed out. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of limited releases coming out this week that will be part of Awards Season. Inherent Vice is the biggest release of the week, but its reviews are only good and not great, while there are a lot of great films in theaters at the moment.

After the Fall - Reviews
A man turns to a life of crime after he's fired. The reviews are mixed and there's little to no buzz for this film. After the Fall opens tonight in select theaters, as well as on Video on Demand.

The Captive - Reviews
Ryan Reynolds plays a man whose young daughter goes missing and eight-years later clues surface that she is still alive. I actually heard some good pre-release buzz for the movie, but looking at the reviews it is obvious the film doesn't live up to the hype. This is a shame, as it has a good cast and it is written and directed by Atom Egoyan, who has made some great movies. The Captive opens tonight in New York City and Los Angeles, as well as on Video on Demand.

The Color of Time - Reviews
This is an interesting film. It is 12 stories from C. K. Williams' life written and directed by students from the New York University. However, while that is certainly an unusual aspect, the reviews are nearly universally negative. The Color of Time opens tonight in New York City and Los Angeles, as well as on Video on Demand.

Immoral Tales - Reviews
A film from 1974 that tells the erotic stories of some of historic villains. The reviews are mixed and I don't know if there is a major market for this film, even in limited release. Immoral Tales opens tonight as a midnight show at the IFC Center in New York City. It is also playing on Video on Demand.

Free the Nipple - Reviews
A comedy about the civil rights movement to allow women to go around topless in New York City. This might seem frivolous; however, places where women can walk around topless have a lower rate of sex crimes, among other benefits. Unfortunately, this film isn't telling their story, as the reviews are currently less than 20% positive. Free the Nipple opens tonight at the IFC Center in New York City, as well on Video on Demand.

Inherent Vice - Reviews
Joaquin Phoenix stars as a private eye who tries to help an ex-girlfriend find her missing boyfriend, but quickly gets over his head. It is the biggest film on this week's list, but not the best. Its reviews are not bad, but I don't think they are good enough to thrive in limited release. Inherent Vice opens tonight in 5 theaters with a planned wide expansion on January 9th.

Little Feet - Reviews
Two kids travel through Los Angeles to find the river so they can free their pet goldfish. This is one of the best-reviewed films of the week, but its buzz is a little quiet, so I'm not optimistic when it comes to its box office chances. Little Feet opens tonight at the IFC Center in New York City.

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Wells - Reviews
A documentary about Orson Welles, who made some amazing movies, but whose career was not as prolific as some would have liked. The reviews for this film are good, but not great, with critics complaining that there is not enough depth to the film Magician opened on Wednesday in two theaters, one in New York City and the other in Los Angeles. Check out the official site for more details.

Maidan - Reviews
A documentary about the civil unrest on Ukraine that turned into a rebellion against then leader Victor Yanukovich. This is the best-reviewed film on this week's list, plus the political events are still playing out, so this could help the box office numbers. Maidan opens tonight at the Film Society Lincoln Center in New York City.

Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks - Reviews
A retired woman hires a dancer for private lessons. They start out not liking each other, but soon a friendship blooms. Unfortunately, the critics are more ambivalent to the movie and its Tomatometer Score is just under the overall positive level. Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks opens tonight in seven theaters, mostly in the Los Angeles area. Check out the official site for more details.

Tip Top - Reviews
A comedy / mystery about two internal investigators who travel to a small town after the death of an confidential informant. The reviews are weak and there's not enough buzz to compensate. Tip Top opens tonight at the Film Society Lincoln Center in New York City.

We Are the Giant - Reviews
A documentary about the Arab Spring. It is not the first such film on the subject and the reviews are merely good, as many critics complain that they don't go into the causes of the Arab Spring in enough details. We Are the Giant opens tonight in two theaters, one in New York City and the other in Los Angeles. Check out the official site for more details.


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Filed under: Limited Releases, The Captive, Inherent Vice, Tip Top, We Are the Giant, After the Fall, Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Wells, The Color of Time, Free the Nipple, Little Feet, Contes immoraux, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, Maidan, Orson Welles, Atom Egoyan, Joaquin Phoenix, Ryan Reynolds