Limited Releases: Looking Stylish
May 1, 2015
Two points before we get to the films on this week's list. One, the column is late. Sorry. Two, anyone else noticing a decrease is stability with Firefox? It has been crashing a lot the past few days, hence the delay with this column. This week’s list is filled with many films that are earning good reviews, but not great reviews, and are playing on Video on Demand. Iris is the best film coming out this week, but Far from the Madding Crowd is probably going to be the biggest hit.
Far from Men - Reviews
Far from the Madding Crowd - Reviews
Gerontophilia - Reviews
Hyena - Reviews
Iris - Reviews
Marie’s Story - Reviews
Ride - Reviews
Soul Boys of the Western World - Reviews
Welcome to Me - Reviews
One of many films on this week’s list that are earning reviews that are good, but not great. This is a French film set in 1950s during the Algerian War. It stars Viggo Mortensen, which could help its box office chances here, but it is also playing on Video on Demand, so I wouldn’t bet on it.
This is the fourth adaptation of this novel. I don't know which version is the best, but this film’s reviews suggest it has a shot at finding an audience in limited release. Period pieces tend to play well with art house crowds and Carey Mulligan has had some success with limited release. Far from the Madding Crowd opens tonight in nine theaters in select cities with planned expansions over the coming weeks. Check out the official site for more details.
A Canadian movie about a 18-year man who has a fetish for senior citizens. He gets a job at an old folks home, but when he learns the people running it are over-medicating the residents, he helps one escape and they go on a road trip. Unfortunately, the reviews are mixed and its chances at the box office are very limited. Gerontophilia opens tonight at the City Cinemas Village East 7 in New York City.
A British crime thriller about corrupt cops and the gangs they are dealing with. This isn’t an original idea and the reviews are only good and not great. Additionally, it is playing on Video on Demand, so its box office chances are trivial.
A documentary about 93-year old fashion icon Iris Apfel, which is directed by 87-year old Albert Maysles. Wow. That's a lot of experience and one look at the reviews shows it paid off. On the downside, documentaries rarely have breakout success in limited release. Iris opened on Wednesday in two theaters in New York City and expands to four more theaters in the Los Angeles area on Friday. Check out the official site for more details.
A French film about a girl who was born blind and deaf and the nun who helped her learn to communicate. Like so many films on this week’s list, the reviews are good, but not great. Marie’s Story opens tonight at the Lincoln Plaza Cinema in New York City with planned expansions in a few weeks. Check out the official site for more details.
The second film directed by Helen Hunt. Here she also stars as the mother whose son drops out of college to become a surfer, so she follows him to California. The reviews are mixed and it is playing on Video on Demand, so its box office chances are very weak.
A documentary about Spandau Ballet. I grew up in the 1980s and I actually remember this band, but I never thought they were a big enough presence in the music scene to need a documentary. Additionally, the reviews are not as strong as a limited release needs to thrive and it is playing on Video on Demand.
Kristen Wiig stars as a woman who won $86 million in the lottery and who decides to make a reality TV show about herself. The film is earning reviews that are good, but not great, and it is playing on Video on Demand. Yeah, that's something I've said a lot this week.
Filed under: Limited Releases, Welcome to Me, Far from the Madding Crowd, Gerontophilia, Marie's Story, Ride, Hyena, Iris, Loin des hommes, Soul Boys of the Western World, Helen Hunt, Viggo Mortensen, Carey Mulligan, Kristen Wiig, Albert Maysles, Iris Apfel