Limited and VOD Releases: One Plus One

June 14, 2019

Plus One

It’s a terrible week for limited releases. Half the films on this week’s list are playing on VOD, while most of the rest have very limited box office chances either due to weak reviews, or because they are foreign-language films. Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese and Plus One are among the two biggest / best releases of the week, but both are playing on VOD, so I don’t think either will find an audience in theaters. In fact, I suspect none of the films on this week’s list will find an audience in theaters.

5B - Reviews
 A documentary about the early days of the AIDS crisis and the doctors and nurses who took care of the early patients. The film’s reviews are 100% positive and it is Pride Month, so that could help its box office chances. That said, 2019 hasn’t matched 2018 when it comes to documentary box office success.

American Woman - Reviews
 This film’s reviews are right on the border between merely good and good enough for limited release. It does have more star power than a lot of limited releases have, but I still think it is wise to downplay its box office chances.

Being Frank - Reviews
 A film about a teenage boy who learns his overbearing father has a secret life with a second family. I heard some good pre-release buzz about this film, but its reviews are mixed.

Hampstead - Reviews
 Video on Demand
This is one of the biggest films on this week’s list, at least as far as pre-release buzz is concerned. However, its reviews are mediocre and it is playing on VOD, so its box office chances are approximately zero.

In the Aisles - Reviews
 A German drama about a reclusive man who gets a job at a big box store and begins to connect with one of his co-workers and that helps his personal growth. However, when she goes on sick leave, he slips back into bad habits. The reviews are great, but it is one of several foreign-language films on this week’s list.

Our Time - Reviews
 A Mexican movie about life on a ranch where an open marriage crumbles due to jealousy. The reviews are merely good, but not good enough to thrive in limited release.

The Outsider - Reviews
 Video On Demand
This film has some of the worst reviews on the main list and it is playing on VOD. It has no chance of finding box office success.

Paris is Burning - Reviews
 A re-release of a documentary about the African-American, Latinx, and LGBT subcultures in New York during the 1980s. The reviews are 100% positive and the topic is very relevant today.

Plus One - Reviews
 Video on Demand
A Romantic Comedy about a pair of friends who agree to be each others Plus One at a series of upcoming weddings. The reviews are great, so it should find an audience... on VOD. Because it is playing on VOD, it likely won’t do any real business in theaters.

The Reports on Sarah and Saleem - Reviews
 An illicit affair between an Israeli and a Palestinian threatens to destroy both of their lives. This is one of the best-reviewed films on this week’s list, but it is a foreign-language film, so its chances of escaping the art house circuit are very limited.

Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese - Reviews
 Video on Demand
Last year was an amazing year for documentaries, but we haven’t had many breakout successes this year. This could be an exception, except for one problem. Not only are the reviews stellar, the film is about a very popular musician and directed by one of the greatest working directors. That said, it is playing on Netflix, so it won’t find an audience in theaters.

Secondary VOD Releases:
Avengers of Justice: Farce Wars - No Reviews - Video on Demand
Clinton Road - Reviews - Video on Demand
Head Count - Reviews - Video on Demand
Saving Flora - No Reviews - Video on Demand
Say My Name - Reviews - Video on Demand
Vault - Reviews - Video on Demand
Head Count and Say My Name are the two best choices when it comes to secondary VOD titles.

Filed under: Limited Releases, VOD Releases, Home Market Releases, Hampstead, Saving Flora, Being Frank, Vault, The Outsider, In den Gängen, Nuestro tiempo, American Woman, The Reports on Sarah and Saleem, Plus One, Say My Name, 5B, Head Count, Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese, Avengers of Justice: Farce Wars, Clinton Road, Paris is Burning