Parade of Limited Releases for Thanksgivings

November 24, 2004

Several films open in limited release, both tonight and on Friday. Of all the films coming out, the one to watch, both in terms of box office and potential Oscar glory is A Very Long Engagement.

Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst - Reviews
A documentary dealing with the Symbionese Liberation Army and their kidnapping or Heiress, Patty Hearst. The film does an excellent job of telling a compelling story without slipping into the sensational, which would have been an easy route to take with the subject matter. The film opens on Friday in four theatres in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Our Music - a.k.a. Notre Musique - Reviews
Tells the story of the effect of modern warfare on the world in three parts: Hell, Purgatory and Paradise. From legendary French director Jean-Luc Godard the film uses archive footage and filmed scenes, real-life literary figures and actors to emphasize the natural dichotomies like dark and light, good and bad, imaginary and real. The film opens tonight at the Film Forum in New York City.

Purple Butterfly - Reviews
Zhang Ziyi burst onto the scene with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and stars in next week's House of Flying Daggers. However, this film is not likely to be nearly as successful as those two as it is a muddled story set against the backdrop of the Japanese occupation of China in the 1930s. The film opens on Friday at the Cinema Village in New York City.

Straight Jacket - Reviews
A box office star of the 50s marries a secretary in order to hide is homosexuality. Unfortunately, no one told his new wife about the plan. The film is earning good reviews, although most reviews are pointing out that it is a lighthearted, campy film. The film opens in 3 theatres in California on Friday before expanding nationwide during December.

A Very Long Engagement - Reveiws
The latest from Audrey Tautou, who is arguably the most recognizable French film star Stateside. Critically the film is not as strong as some of her previous work, but at the box office it should challenge Amelie, which was also directed buy Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The film opens in four theatres in New York and Los Angeles on Friday.

Viva Laldjerie - Reviews
Another Friday release, this film tells the story of three women in Algiers: a mother, her daughter and a prostitute. Only the second film from director, Nadir Moknèche, who's is being compared to Pedro Almodovar by some.

The Work and the Glory - Reveiws
A Mormon themed movie opening in 30 theatres in Utah tonight. Mormon cinema is growing in popularity within the religion, but still has almost zero crossover appeal.


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Filed under: Limited Releases, Purple Butterfly