Limited and VOD Releases: Prospects for Limited Releases are Never, Rarely this Dire
March 13, 2020
The COVID-19 outbreak hangs heavily over the film business this weekend, and raises a lot of questions about how much business we will see at the box office. It is going to affect family films most of all, because families are more likely to stay home than adults when it comes to diseases like this. However, the second group to be affected could be art house films, because these tend to only play in large cities, and large cities have been hit harder by the outbreak so far. The advise is to stay three feet away from anyone else, which is impossible if you are using the New York City subway system, for example. I don’t think any of the films on this week’s list are going to thrive, at least not in theaters. That’s too bad, because there are several that deserve audiences, including Big Time Adolescence, Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always, and others.
Big Time Adolescence - Reviews
Dark Star - Reviews
The Dog Doc - Reviews
Human Nature - Reviews
The Informer - Reviews
Lost Girls - Reviews
Lost Transmissions - Reviews
Miss Fisher & The Crypt of Tears - Reviews
Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always - Reviews
Slay the Dragon - Reviews
Tokyo Godfathers - Reviews
Secondary VOD Releases:
A coming-of-age story in which a high school kid gets bad advice from a well-meaning college drop-out. The reviews are strong, but I fear it will be a victim of COVID-19. It reportedly comes out on the home market next week, so just wait until then to see it.
A re-release of the John Carpenter Sci-fi comedy from the mid-1970s. It is not among the best films the director made, but it is a fun movie nonetheless. That said, you can watch it on VOD, so maybe don’t risk going to a crowded theater to see it.
A documentary about a veterinary doctor known for a holistic approach for treating sick animals. The reviews suggest it could find an audience, but it will have to wait until the home market to do so.
A documentary about CRISPR and how it will affect us on a fundamental level. The film is earning 100% positive reviews, but documentaries rarely have breakout success at the best of times and these are certainly not the best of times.
This film has more reviews than almost all other films on this week’s list, which suggests louder buzz. Unfortunately, those reviews are mixed and I don’t think people are going to go out and risk contact with COVID-19 for a film with mixed reviews.
Video on Demand
A mother becomes desperate when her daughter goes missing and while trying to find her uncovers a series of unsolved cases involving sex workers. The reviews are merely good, but not good enough for limited release. That said, it is good enough for Netflix.
Video on Demand
A music producer has a mental lapse and his friend chase him around as they try and get him the help he needs. The reviews are good, but likely not good enough for limited release. On the other hand, they are good enough for a VOD rental and with COVID-19 panic, VOD is the way to go.
A theatrical release for the popular murder mystery series from Australia. Unfortunately, it has a mediocre script and “disappointing for fans of the series” is not a good sales pitch for newcomers. Just stick with the TV show. You can even watch it on VOD .
This film is earning 100% positive reviews. Not only that, but its average score is nearly 9 out of 10, so not only does it have positive reviews, they are enthusiastically positive. I just wish it wasn’t opening the week COVID-19 began shutting down public events, because this movie deserves to be seen by plenty of people. I guess it will have to wait until it hits VOD to find an audience.
A documentary about a group of political activists trying to end the practice of gerrymandering. I hope they and the movie succeed.
This anime re-release earned over $100,000 during special engagements on both Monday and Wednesday and it begins a regular theatrical release today in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. It is widely considered a classic and it is worth checking out, even if you are not a fan of anime most of the time.
Cruel Peter - Reviews - Video on Demand
My Senior Year - No Reviews - Video on Demand
The Postcard Killings - Reviews - Video on Demand
The Roads Not Taken - Reviews - Video on Demand
Tuscaloosa - Reviews - Video on Demand
Tuscaloosa is the only secondary VOD release that looks like it could be an undiscovered gem.
Filed under: Limited Releases, Home Market Releases, VOD Releases, Tokyo Godfathers, The Postcard Killings, The Informer, Big Time Adolescence, Lost Girls, The Roads Not Taken, Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always, The Dog Doc, Slay the Dragon, Human Nature, Dark Star, Cruel Peter, Miss Fisher & The Crypt Of Tears, My Senior Year, Tuscaloosa, Lost Transmissions, John Carpenter, Amy Ryan, Thomasin McKenzie