Limited Releases Grace Theaters
February 25, 2011
With the Oscars being handed out this weekend, the target audience most interested in art house films might have their attention divided. This explains why the list of limited releases is a little on the soft side. There is one films that is opening wider than most limited releases, but there's also only one that is earning overwhelmingly positive reviews.
The Grace Card - Reviews
Heartbeats - Reviews
Of Gods and Men - Reviews
Ultramarines - Review
The latest Christian film aimed squarely at the churchgoing set. The previous such film, The Genesis Code, bombed hard last weekend. This film is opening in far more theaters and with reviews that are far from positive. It might earn a better per theater average, if it can translate its slightly louder buzz into ticket sales. (The Genesis Code still has no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, while this film has 14.) Also, while The Genesis Code dealt with religion and science, this one deals with religion and morality, which is a much better fit. Still, I'm not overly optimistic. The Grace Card opens tonight in more than 300 theaters.
A Canadian film about three friends (Francis, Nicolas, and Marie) who get involved in a love triangle. The film's reviews are good, but not great. It is also a foreign language film, which further limits its audience. On the other hand, it did quite well during its release in Quebec last year. Also, its writer / director / star, Xavier Dolan, previously made I Killed My Mother, which earned many awards at film festivals around the world, so people who loved that movie might be more interested in seeing this one. Heartbeats opens tonight at the IFC Center in New York City.
A group of French Christian Monks must decide to leave when civil war threatens their peace, or stay to protect the villagers that rely on them for medical treatment and protection. The best reviewed release of the week, it was France's official selection for the Foreign Language Oscar, although it didn't earn a nomination. If it had earned a nomination, the timing of its release couldn't be better. As it is, it could still be the best limited release, as far as the per theater chart is concerned. Of Gods and Men opens tonight in three theaters, two in New York City and the other in Los Angeles.
I previously reviewed this direct-to-DVD release and enjoyed many aspects of the movie (mood, music, voice-acting, overall story) while I was less impressed by others (stiff animation, lack of character development). After being released as a giftset, the film is getting special free screenings in six theaters over the weekend. Those theaters are:
And remember, they are free screenings, so get your tickets here.
Followed by a Q&A with producer Bob Thompson, so that is extra cool.
Followed by another Q&A with producer Bob Thompson.
Filed under: Limited Releases, Les amours imaginaires, The Grace Card, Des Hommes et Des Dieux, Ultramarines