Limited Releases Spice Things Up
May 25, 2007
Looking at this week's list of limited releases and there are not many that really strike me as strong contenders for mainstream success. There is the Anime offering, Paprika, but while it has the reviews, these films are still niche market films.
9 Star Hotel - Reviews
Amu - Reviews
Angel-A - Reviews
Boss of It All - Reviews
Cheeni Kum - No Reviews
The Golden Door - Reviews
I Have Never Forgotten You: The Life & Legacy of Simon Wiesenthal - Reviews
Paprika - Reviews
Shootout at Lokhandwala - No Reviews
A documentary about the Palestinian plight specifically looking at workers living in a border town. The film does give a very close look to its subjects, but lacks an analytical edge. 9 Star Hotel opened on Wednesday at the Film Forum in New York City.
An Indian film about a woman returning from America to her family. Family secrets turn to political intrigue and the mysteries surrounding genocide that happened years past. The mix of family drama and political intrigue is uneven at times, but mostly satisfying, but it does not a strong shot at box office success. Amu opens tonight in two theaters in New York City, including the ImageAsian.
Written and directed by Luc Besson, the second of his films to be release here this year. His previous effort was not well welcomed, (Luc Besson complained that this was due to the studios interference in an attempt to make it more American). This film is earning better reviews, but not by enough to make success with the art house crowds likely. Angel-A opens tonight in seven theaters, mostly in the Los Angeles area.
An owner of an IT firm invents an imaginary boss he can blame for all of the unpopular decisions he has to make. The plan works brilliantly, until he wants to sell the company and the perspective buyers want to meet the top man. The satire here is sharp, and the target deserves the slings and arrows, but it will still have trouble finding an audience here. Boss of It All opened on Wednesday at the IFC Center.
A Bollywood film set in the world of restaurants when an Indian woman has a run in with an arrogant restaurateur. This romantic comedy should do well with its target audience, but I can't see it escaping its niche. Cheeni Kum opens tonight in 45 theaters in major cities.
With the backing of Martin Scorsese, the film seems to have a leg up on the competition. However, with a Tomatoemeter 69%, it will need this edge. This is not a terrible score by any stretch of the imagination, but it is lower than one would like for a limited releases and their much more demanding target audience. The Golden Door opens tonight at the Angelika Film Center and the Lincoln Plaza, both in New York City.
A documentary about Simon Wiesenthal, a Jewish-Austrian man who survived the Holocaust and afterwards became a Nazi hunter. One of the best films to come out this weekend, but will still struggle to find an audience. I Have Never Forgotten You opens tonight at the Quad Cinema in New York City.
One of the most visually stunning films to come along in a long, long time. This is a film that shows 2-D animation is still relevant and this medium can tell stories for adults. It is also a movie that offers a wide range of wonderful visuals; one that also demands to be seen in a theater. Paprika opens tonight in two theaters, both in New York City, before expanding.
The second Indian film to come out this week, this one is more of a drama. I'm not sure the niche market can support two such film's in one weekend, but the 33 theater owners who are taking a chance on this film certainly hope so.
Filed under: Limited Releases, Nuovomondo, Paprika, Cheeni Kum, Shootout at Lokhandwala, Angel-A, I Have Never Forgotten You: The Life & Legacy of Simon Wiesenthal, Direktøren for det hele, Amu, Malon 9 Kochavim