Limited Releases Don't Need Instructions
August 30, 2013
There are not a lot of limited releases on this week's list, and even fewer that might thrive. Instructions Not Included is the biggest release, but with only one review on Rotten Tomatoes, I'm worried the buzz won't be enough. I Declare War is a Canadian film opening in the States. Its reviews are good, but not great. Our Nixon is earning the best reviews, but as a political documentary, its chances to expand significantly are very limited.
Afternoon Delight - Reviews
American Made Movie - Reviews
I Declare War - Reviews
Instructions Not Included - Reviews
Last Flight of the Champion - Reviews
The Lifeguard - Reviews
Our Nixon - Reviews
Passion - Reviews
Kathryn Hahn stars as a woman whose marriage has cooled down too much. She tries something new, going to a strip club. There she meets a stripper, Juno Temple, and she decides to help the woman, even hiring her as the family's live-in nanny. The reviews are only mixed, which is a really bad sign for a limited release. Afternoon Delight opens tonight in two theaters, Sunshine Cinema in New York City and the Landmark in Los Angeles.
A documentary about the American Manufacturing base and how its disappearance is causing plenty of problems. The reviews are weak with many critics saying it lacks the depth needed to discuss this topic. American Made Movie opens tonight in two theaters, one in Chicago and the other in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
I talked about this film when it opened in Canada, so there's not much more that needs to be added. I Declare War opened tonight in just over a dozen theaters, while it is also playing on Video on Demand. Check out the official site for more details.
A manchild in Mexico gets a major surprise when a former girlfriend drops off his infant daughter and tells him to raise her. He tracks her down to Los Angeles, looking to get her to take the child back. Instead, he decides to raise her. Six years later, the pair have become a family, but that's when the former girlfriend returns to take back their daughter. There is only one review on Rotten Tomatoes, but it is positive. It is opening in 347 theaters, which is a huge amount for limited release. But it is aimed at a targeted demographic, Hispanics, so that might help.
A kids movie opening in limited release. Do you know how rare it is for films like this to survive? Additionally, this film has no reviews, which is another bad sign. Practically no one is talking about it, so the buzz is absolutely silent. Maybe it will find an audience on the home market. Last Flight of the Champion opens tonight in 15 theaters.
I really like Kristen Bell and think she is a good actress, but she needs to find better projects. Here she plays a nearly 30-year old woman whose life crashes around her and she returns to her hometown and begins to relive her high school days. A lot of critics who gave the film a negative review praise Kristen Bell's performance, but complain harshly about the script. The Lifeguard opens tonight in theaters, but it has been playing on Video on Demand for a month.
A documentary about the Nixon presidency, filmed by three of his top aides. The film's reviews are great, with a few critics complaining that the film tries too hard to be neutral. (It's okay to have a negative opinion of someone who tries to subvert democracy. If someone calls you biased because of that, they are the ones with a problem, not you.) Our Nixon opens tonight in three theaters, one in New York City, one in Los Angeles, and one is on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Written and directed by Brian De Palma. That used to be more impressive, but he's been on a slow streak for a while. This film likely won't thrive, because its reviews are just too weak for a limited release. It is a remake of Love Crime, which made more than $500,000 here. I doubt this film will match that. Passion opens tonight in 14 theaters in select cities nationwide.
Filed under: Limited Releases, Last Flight of the Champion, Passion, Our Nixon, The Lifeguard, American Made Movie, Afternoon Delight, No se Aceptan Devoluciones, I Declare War, Kristen Bell, Brian De Palma, Kathryn Hahn, Juno Temple