Son of Limited Releases

May 2, 2008

The opening of Iron Man marks the unofficial start of the summer blockbuster season. It also helped to scare away limited releases and there are only a handful of these films on this week's list. But this includes one or two that have the real potential to expand wide.

The Cry - No Reviews
A horror / thriller opening in limited release. ... There's really no need to say anything more when it comes to its box office potential, as there hasn't been such a film to expand wide since Open Water, or perhaps The Blair Witch Project. The few reviews out there are mostly positive, but even so, it will have to wait till the home market to find an audience.

Fugitive Pieces - Reviews
A Canadian / Greek co-production set during World War II. This coming of age story is earning good reviews, but not the great reviews that are normally needed to escape limited release. That doesn't mean it won't expand, it just has a more difficult road ahead of it. Fugitive Pieces opens tonight in 10 theaters, mostly in the Los Angeles area, while it expands next week into its native Canada.

Mister Lonely - Reviews
The third feature film directed by Harmony Korine. This movie is earning better reviews that his previous releases, but it is still not being greeted warmly by the critics. It's not as controversial as his other films, but boring. He has developed a bit of a following, and it could do respectable business during its opening, but I'm not bullish about its chances for expansion. Mister Lonely opens tonight at the IFC Center in New York City.

Redbelt - Reviews
Chiwetel Ejiofor is one of those actors that makes me want to watch a movie as soon as signs on to be in it. Not everything he's been in was wonderful, but his track record is strong enough that his name alone elevates my interest in the movie. In this movie he plays a mixed martial arts instructor who is forced into a tournament. This is an action movie, but an action movie with some brains behind it. It is not entirely successful, but it is a set above the average film in its genre. Redbelt opens tonight in six theaters and expands nationwide next week.

Son of Rambow - Reviews
A coming of age story set in the 1980s with two young boys are how they are influenced by First Blood and inspired to make a movie of their own. Like many limited releases coming out this week, it is earning good reviews, but not great reviews. It is close to the 80% positive level usually associated with the real potential for wide expansion, so hopefully it will have some mainstream success before it reaches the home market. Son of Rambow opens tonight in five theaters, mostly in the Los Angeles area, and should expand over the coming weeks / months.


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Filed under: Limited Releases, Redbelt, Son of Rambow: A Home Movie, Fugitive Pieces, Mister Lonely, The Cry