Limited and VOD Releases: Avoid Disasters and See a Limited Release this Week

December 1, 2017

The Shape of Water

It’s an incredibly busy week with about 30 films coming out. However, the vast majority of them have too few reviews to be worth talking about. In fact, there would have been more entries in the secondary VOD than the main list, except I bent the rules a little. There are still some releases that are certainly worth checking out, including The Disaster Artist, The Other Side of Hope, A Bad Idea Gone Wrong, and The Shape of Water. If I were to pick just one, it would easily be The Shape of Water.

A Bad Idea Gone Wrong - Reviews
Video on Demand
Two thieves break into a house and then accidentally arm the alarm system. Now they have to break out, but they bump into the housesitter on the way out and this adds another complication. There are only seven reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, but they are 100% positive. That said, it is playing on VOD, so its box office chances are close to zero.

The Dancer - Reviews
A biopic of Loie Fuller, who was an actress, a dancer, and an inventor. The reviews are weak, with many critics making two main complaints. Firstly, the movie changes the story of her life too much. Secondly, it has too many of the usual biopic tropes and doesn’t stand out.

The Disaster Artist - Reviews
This is one of the most talked about films of the month. It is a look at the making of The Room, which is widely considered one of the worst movies ever made. This movie is earning excellent reviews and even picked up an Independent Spirit Awards Nomination. This could be the biggest hit of the week, although I’m rooting for The Shape of Water.

The Other Side of Hope - Reviews
A film about refugees in Finland, as well as a man who left his wife and bought a struggling restaurant. I’ve read three different synopses and I think that’s what it is about. The film’s reviews are amazing, but I fear it will be lost in the crowd.

The Shape of Water - Reviews
Sally Hawkins stars as a mute woman who discovers the secret government facility she works at houses a strange creature. She begins to spend time with the creature and the two fall in love. This movie is not only earning 95% positive reviews, but its average is 8.4 out of 10. This isn’t just good enough for limited release, it’s good enough to be an Awards Season contender.

Titanic - Reviews
One of the biggest box office hits of all time is getting a limited re-release in time for its 20th anniversary.

Wonder Wheel - Reviews
The latest from Woody Allen has a great cast, but mixed reviews, to be kind. There are also bigger limited releases coming out this week, so this one could get lost in the crowd.

Secondary VOD Releases:
24 Hours to Live - Reviews - Video on Demand
Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1 - Reviews - Video on Demand
Gangster Land - Reviews - Video On Demand
Love Beats Rhymes - Reviews - Video on Demand
Remember Me - Reviews - Video On Demand
Slumber - Reviews - Video on Demand
The Tribes of Palos Verdes - Reviews - Video on Demand
There are seven secondary VOD releases this week and only the last one, The Tribes of Palos Verdes, is earning good reviews.

Filed under: Limited Releases, VOD Releases, Home Market Releases, Titanic, The Tribes of Palos Verdes, Slumber, The Disaster Artist, Love Beats Rhymes, La Danseuse, A Bad Idea Gone Wrong, Toivon Tuolla Puolen, The Shape of Water, 24 Hours to Live, Wonder Wheel, Gangster Land, Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1, Remember Me, Woody Allen, Sally Hawkins, Doug Jones