Limited and VOD Releases: Little Men leads Big List of Limited Releases

August 5, 2016

The Little Prince

There are quite a few limited releases on this week’s list that are earning good reviews. Little Men is the biggest new release, but there are many that should be seen. This includes The Little Prince, which is on Netflix starting today.

Bazodee - Reviews
A Bollywood film about a woman, Anita, who has to choose between marrying a rich man to save her father’s business, or marrying a poor musician she is in love with. Both reviews on Rotten Tomatoes are positive, so that’s a good sign.

Elevator to the Gallows - Reviews - Video on Demand
This is a re-release of the classic French Film Noir about a pair of lovers trying to kill the husband so that they can be together. If you like the genre, it is a must see. However, it is also playing on VOD and odds are it is not playing in a theater near you, as it is only playing in New York City this weekend. Check out the official site for more cities and dates.

Embers - Reviews - Video on Demand
A worldwide epidemic causes the population to lose their memories. This movie follows five inter-related stories that take place in the aftermath. The reviews are good enough to think it has a chance in limited release, but it is also playing on VOD, so that’s unlikely. On the other hand, if you don’t feel like going out this weekend, spending $5 to rent the film on VOD is a good choice for entertainment.

Five Nights in Maine - Reviews - Video on Demand
A man is still reeling from the accidental death of his wife when his estranged mother-in-law contacts him. She has a terminal illness and wants to meet with him. The reviews are bad and it is playing on VOD, so it has almost no chance in theaters.

Little Men - Reviews
The film takes place in New York city and involves two boys who become friends, but their respective families begin to feud. This film is earning the best combination of reviews and buzz on this week’s list. Unfortunately, Little Men is only playing in two theaters in New York City this weekend, so most people reading this won’t be able to see it until it begins to expand next week. Check out the official site for more details.

The Little Prince - Reviews - Netflix
This is a bit of an unusual entry, as it is not actually playing in theaters, but is being streamed on Netflix. Tt was originally set for a wide release before being pulled from the schedule just a week away from its debut and then sold off to Netflix. Normally this would be a sign that it is a complete disaster, but the reviews are actually really good. They are good enough that it should earn an Oscar nomination, assuming it is still eligible. It probably isn’t, because the rules are weird. That said, if you are looking for a family-friendly film this weekend, I would avoid Nine Lives and see this one instead.

Multiple Maniacs - Reviews
John Waters was unavailable for a long time, but it is getting a theatrical release this weekend. It is considered a classic of the genre, but its genre can be best described as “Trash”. If you like the genre, then this movie is a must see. However, I think most people reading this will likely want to stay away.

Richard Linklater: Dream is Destiny - Reviews - Video on Demand
A documentary about Richard Linklater and how he helped create the Austin movie scene in the 1980s. The reviews are excellent and fans of art house cinema have given a lot of love to Richard Linklater’s films over the years, so this could do well in theaters. On the other hand, it is playing on VOD.

Secondary VOD Releases:
Citizen Soldier - Reviews - Video on Demand Vudu or Amazon Pre-Order
The Mind’s Eye - Reviews - Video On Demand
Citizen Soldier is earning good reviews, but there are not a lot of them. Also, it is playing on VOD and that’s another bad sign for its box office chances.

Filed under: Limited Releases, VOD Releases, Home Market Releases, Ascenseur pour l'échafaud, Nine Lives, Citizen Soldier, The Mind’s Eye, Little Men, Bazodee, Five Nights in Maine, Richard Linklater: Dream is Destiny, Embers, Multiple Maniacs, Richard Linklater, John Waters, David Oyelowo, Dianne West, Natalie Perera