Limited and VOD Releases: There are some Glorious Films to Watch this Weekend

March 8, 2019

Gloria Bell

There are not many releases on this week’s list. However, most of the ones here are earning reviews that are well over 90% positive, so it is a week where quality reigns over quantity. Of these films, Gloria Bell has the best shot at earning some measure of mainstream success.

3 Faces - Reviews
 An Iranian movie about an actress who travels to a small town to help a girl who made an internet video talking about her family’s refusal to let her study drama in Tehran. This is the first of five films on this week’s list close to 100% positive. It is a foreign-language film, so its chances of expanding beyond the art house circuit are limited.

An Elephant Sitting Still - Reviews
 A Chinese film about four people who run away for various reasons. The film was written and directed by Bo Hu, and was adapted from a story he wrote. Sadly, he committed suicide shortly after completed the movie, which adds to the emotional impact of the film.

Babylon - Reviews
 This film is nearly 40 years old, but it has never been seen in North America. It was banned when it first came out for fear of inciting racial tensions. That’s one hell of a sales pitch. Furthermore, its reviews on Rotten Tomatoes are currently 100% positive, so it could find a receptive audience in limited release.

Black Mother - Reviews
 A documentary about Jamaica, focusing on several residents of the island nation. The film’s reviews are 100% positive and documentaries have been doing well at the box office, so perhaps this one will be able to find an audience in theaters.

Gloria Bell - Reviews
 The latest release from A24 is earning nearly 100% positive reviews and could become one of the biggest limited release hits of the year so far. Maybe it will do well enough at the box office that Awards Season voters will remember it at the end of the year.

I’m Not Here - Reviews
 Video on Demand
One of several films on this week’s list that was earning louder than average pre-release buzz, but that is earning much weaker than needed reviews. This film’s reviews are so weak that I can’t even recommend a VOD rental.

The Kid - Reviews
 One of the few films on this week’s list that is earning some measure of pre-release buzz. Unfortunately, while it has a good cast, the reviews are currently below 50% positive, so its box office chances are nearly zero.

Triple Frontier - Reviews
 This film has an impressive cast and lots of buzz for a limited release; however, its reviews turned out to be merely good. They are not good enough for limited release, but they are not so bad that it will hurt its Netflix run starting next week.

Secondary VOD Releases:
Among the Shadows - No Reviews - Video on Demand
Boy Band - Reviews - Video On Demand
There are only two secondary VOD releases this week and combined they have two reviews. Both of those are for Boy Band and one of those is positive, so maybe it is worth a VOD rental.

Filed under: Limited Releases, VOD Releases, Home Market Releases, Triple Frontier, Se Rokh, Black Mother, Gloria Bell, Da xiang xi di er zuo, I’m Not Here, Babylon, Boy Band, The Kid, Among the Shadows, Bo Hu