Science Leads a Renaissance of Limited Releases
September 22, 2006
With an eclectic mix of movies opening in limited release this week, there's should be something for everyone here. However, none seem to have what it takes to escape the limited release label and earn some mainstream success, but a couple Renaissance and The Science of Sleep, could surprise.
American Hardcore - Reviews
Feast - Reviews
Khosla Ka Ghosla - No Reviews
Renaissance - Reviews
The Science of Sleep - Reviews
Solo Con Tu Pareja - Reviews
A documentary look at the early 80s hardcore Punk scene, which continues to have a major influence over Rock to this day. One of the best reviewed releases this week, in nonetheless will struggle to find an audience. The typical documentary / art house film connoisseur is not a huge fan of Punk music while the Punk aficionados outs there can't sit through a whole documentary without gnawing on the furniture. (Please note, the preceding was a joke and there's no reason to send any angry letters. Thank you.) American Hardcore opens tonight at the Angelika Film Center in New York City.
This film in playing in two midnight shows this weekend before heading to DVD on October 17th. (This is the first of two limited releases opening this weekend than are scheduled to come out on DVD on that day.) Since the film is only playing twice compared to the 10+ screenings the average film will have, it will struggle to reach even $2000 per screen average, and when you compare that to the price of prints, you have to wonder if this is a wise financial decision. On the other hand, it might be enough for the film not to be stuck with the direct-to-DVD stigma and that could help it on the home market. Feast starts its two-day midnight run in 146 theatres nationwide.
The latest Bollywood musical to be release here and in its native market. Like most, it is coming out with no publicity, no reviews, etc. but should still find an audience within its target demographic. Khosla Ka Ghosla opens tonight in 10 theatres.
One of the most stylistically unique films to come out in a long, long time. The film uses a motion capture process to create a immersive experience. Add in the very stylized use of Black and White, (the film is almost 100% Black or White with very little gray and only a few highlights of color), and you have an experience that moviegoers won't forget. On the other hand, many critics have complained that the story is entirely forgettable. The visuals will be enough to grab a lot of people, but the movie will still have to wait till the home market to find this audience. Renaissance opens tonight in two theatres in the Landmark Theatres chain, one in New York City and the other in Los Angeles.
The follow-up to Michael Gondry to 2004's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, (yes, he did film Dave Chappelle's Block Party, but those film's have very little in common). This film seems like it was made for those who felt Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind lacked imagination, but for some it will be seen as imagination run wild without enough focus to be a satisfying experience. Also, the theatre count is a little high for a limited release, even with Michael Gondry's growing drawing power. The Science of Sleep opens tonight in 14 theatres and while it might not expand much past that, it should earn a second life of the home market.
This award-winning film from Mexico was released in its native country 15 years ago, but it is finally earning a theatrical release Stateside before coming out on DVD in a few weeks. The film is the directorial debut of Alfonso Cuaron, and while he has matured in his craft since then, it is still worth checking out. Solo Con Tu Pareja, a.k.a. Love in the Time of Hysteria or Only With Your Partner, opened on Wednesday at the IFC Center in New York City.
Filed under: Limited Releases, La science des rêves, Renaissance, Feast, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Solo Con Tu Pareja, American Hardcore