Limited Releases: Are Any Limited Releases Worth Keeping?
April 5, 2013
As usual, there is an eclectic mix of limited releases, including some that have earned some advance buzz, like Trance and The Company You Keep, which should help them at the box office. The best reviewed film of the week is Upstream Color, but it is probably too weird to thrive outside of the art house circuit. It might be too weird to thrive within the art house circuit.
6 Souls - Reviews
Bert Stern: Original Madman - Reviews
The Brass Teapot - Reviews
The Company You Keep - Reviews
No Place on Earth - Reviews
Simon Killer - Reviews
Trance - Reviews
Upstream Color - Reviews
6 Souls was made in 2008, but it is only getting a limited release this week. That's a bad sign. Unfortunately, the reality is even worse, as there are no positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes at the moment. There are plenty of reviews, it's just that none of them are positive. A lot of critics are comparing this film to Direct-to-DVD schlock. It is also opening in 54 theaters, which is too many for a limited release. I see no hope for this film's box office chances.
A documentary about Bert Stern, a photographer whose commercial talents launched the Golden Age of Advertising. He was also in demand in Hollywood and helped create iconic images of many Hollywood stars. He is certainly an interesting subject, but the reviews are weak and its box office potential is likewise weak. Bert Stern: Original Madman opens tonight at the Cinema Village in New York City.
A couple, Juno Temple and Michael Angarano, are struggling to pay their bills. One day, by accident, they find themselves in an antique shop and are drawn to a brass teapot. They soon learn it can generate money, but like all wish-granters, this one has a high cost. I like several members of the cast, but the reviews are weak, too weak to think it will thrive in limited release. The Brass Teapot opens tonight in theaters, but has been playing on Video on Demand for a month, which will further limit its box office potential.
This film has an incredible cast, including Robert Redford, who does double-duty as director. However, critics are complaining this thriller isn't really a thriller and that it suffers from weak writing. It isn't earning terrible reviews, but they are only mixed, which will likely proof fatal in the limited release market. The Company You Keep opens tonight in New York City and Los Angeles.
A documentary about Esther Stermer, who moved her family from their Ukrainian home to a cave to avoid the Nazis during World War II. A lot of critics are saying this is a fascinating story; however, quite a few of them are also saying it isn't told as well as it could have been. This results in reviews that are good, but not great, and generally limited releases need to have great reviews to thrive. No Place on Earth opens tonight at the Angelika Film Center and the Lincoln Plaza Cinema, both in New York City.
After a bad breakup, Brady Corbet heads to Paris to recuperate. While there, he meets a prostitute, Mati Diop, and decides to blackmail one of her wealthier clients. The film's reviews are among the best of the week, and writer / director Antonio Campos does have some great films on his resume (mostly as producer). Simon Killer opens tonight at the IFC Center in New York City.
James McAvoy teams up with Vincent Cassel to steal a priceless Goya painting. However, after stealing it and hiding it, he suffers a blow to the head and loses his memory. When he can't remember, Vincent Cassel brings in Rosario Dawson, a hypnotherapist, and that's when things get weird. The film is written and directed by Danny Boyle, which should help it at the box office, but its reviews are only good and not great. Trance opens tonight in four theaters, split between New York City and Los Angeles.
From the writer / director of Prime, Shane Carruth. Already this is interesting. Additionally, it is earning the best reviews of the week. However, some critics, even those who are praising it, are saying it is a little too weird. Upstream Color has played a few Film Festivals, but gets its theatrical debut tonight at the IFC Center in New York City.
Filed under: Limited Releases, 6 Souls, The Company You Keep, Trance, No Place on Earth, The Brass Teapot, Bert Stern: Original Mad Man, Upstream Color, Simon Killer, Michael Angarano, Danny Boyle, Shane Carruth, Vincent Cassel, Brady Corbet, Rosario Dawson, James McAvoy, Robert Redford, Juno Temple, Antonio Campos, Mati Diop, Bert Stern