Limited and Virtual Releases: Shirley, You Can’t be Serious
June 5, 2020
It is actually a busy week for limited and virtual releases with a handful of higher profile films hitting theaters. This includes Shirley, which has enough appeal that it could have expanded wide, and earned some level of mainstream success under normal circumstances. Tommaso has more limited appeal, but it could have been a hit on the art house circuit. As theaters open up around the country, this weekend is going to be the biggest test yet of how the theatrical market might grow in the next few months.
2040 (Virtual Release) - Reviews
Dreamland - Reviews
Shirley - Reviews
Tommaso (Virtual Release) - Reviews
Yourself and Yours (Virtual Release) - Reviews
Also opening this weekend:
The Collini Case - Reviews
Among the other films on this week’s list, Parkland Rising, which follows the high school students and families who became fierce leaders of a national movement for gun reform following the shooting of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in 2018, is the one I most want to succeed.
A documentary about the climate change issue in which documentarian Damon Gameau talks about what can be done now to save the planet for his four-year old daughter. Unlike most documentaries about climate change, this one has an optimistic tone. So if you need some optimism in your life (and who doesn’t right now?), it might be worth checking out. The official site has more information where you can see it, depending on the country you live in.
In theaters, and
Video on Demand
The latest from Bruce McDonald, best known for Hard Core Logo, Pontypool, and others. Its reviews are merely good, but not good enough to thrive in limited release. Fans of the director, or of the film’s star, Stephen McHattie, will want to check it out, but they will likely want to rent it on VOD and not head to the theaters to see it.
A thriller based on real events from the life of Shirley Jackson (Elisabeth Moss), author of many novels and short stories, including The Haunting of Hill House. The arrival of newlyweds upends her meticulous routine and heightens tensions in her already tempestuous relationship with her philandering husband. The middle-aged couple, prone to ruthless barbs and copious afternoon cocktails, begins to toy mercilessly with the naïve young couple at their door. This film has some of the best reviews on this week’s list with a Tomatometer Score in the 90%-positive range and an average score of nearly eight out of ten. If things were normal right now, I would be talking about this film’s chances of expanding significantly, perhaps even becoming a sleeper hit at the box office. As it is, it’s an interesting next step in the rollout of new films, as Neon joins IFC Films to become the second major distributor releasing films with broad commercial appeal.
The latest from writer / director Abel Ferrara features a powerhouse performance from Willem Dafoe. Nearly all critics agree his performance is the best part of the movie; however, not all agree it is enough to save the film. Additionally, its average review score is barely more than 6 out of 10, so it is good, but not great. You can check out the official site to see the virtual screens where it is playing.
A South Korean film about the highs and lows of a relationship. The reviews are solid, but it is getting a virtual release, which is still very much a niche market. You can check out the official site for theaters you can support by watching it.
The Fox Hunter - Reviews
Parkland Rising (Virtual Release) - Reviews
Sex and the Future - No Reviews
SHEPHERD: The Story of a Jewish Dog - Reviews
Ursula von Rydingsvard: Into Her Own (Virtual Release) - Reviews
Filed under: Limited Releases, Weekend Preview, Yourself and Yours, Shirley, Der Fall Collini, 2040, Parkland Rising, Sex and the Future, SHEPHERD: The Story of a Jewish Dog, Dreamland, The Fox Hunter, Tommaso, Ursula von Rydingsvard: Into Her Own, Willem Dafoe, Abel Ferrara, Stephen McHattie, Elisabeth Moss, Damon Gameau, Bruce McDonald