Awkward Week for Limited Releases

August 26, 2005

It's that time of year for limited releases. Too late for a long summer run, and too soon for Award Season. Of the eight films on this week's list, only one is earning overwhelmingly positive reviews, a couple are being outright attacked by critics. And some, worse yet, are being ignored.

The Baxter - Reviews
A lot of Indie Cred is wasted on this film, which is currently earning only 9% positive reviews. Most of the negative reviews are not overwhelmingly so, with many calling the film mildly likeable, but with the stiff competition for box office dollars, mildly likeable is not good enough. The Baxter opens in nearly 4 dozen theatres tonight (including the IFC Center), mostly in the New York / New Jersey area and expands nationwide during the upcoming weeks.

Deluxe Combo Platter - Review
No official site, almost no reviews, no ad campaign. Yep, it's a Canadian film alright. It's a pretty formulaic romantic comedy, which is rather redundant thing to say, with a surprisingly well known cast including Marla Sokoloff, Barry Watson, Jennifer Tilly, and Dave Thomas. Well, they are well known compared to most Canadian films. On the plus side, it does have some small town charm and should please those not looking for high art. Deluxe Combo Platter opens tonight at the Granville 7 in Vancouver, Canada.

Dirty Deeds - Reviews
A film produced by a group of baseball players. Many people when hearing that would ask, "What do Baseball players know about the movie industry?" And if the reviews are any indication, the answer is, "Not much." It's battling Undiscovered for worst film of the week. Dirty Deeds opens in more than 5 dozen theatres tonight, mostly in the South California region.

Eternal - Reviews
An erotic vampire movie loosely based on the real life horror of Bathony, and one of two Canadian films on this week's list. Reviews are best described as mixed with the cream-of-the-crop giving the film 0% positive while the run-of-the-mill are giving it 80% positive. The long-delayed Eternal finally opens tonight at the Village East Theatre in New York City before expanding over the coming weeks.

Formula 17 - Reviews
A gay themed film from Taiwan. Formula 17 is only earning mixed reviews with even the positive ones calling the film light fluff. It opens tonight at the Quad Cinema in New York City before touring the nation during the fall.

Memory of a Killer a.k.a. De Zaak Alzheimer - Reviews
The only film on the list this week to earn overwhelmingly positive reviews. The film is about a hitman who is suffering from Alzheimer's. It's hard to describe the film further without spoiling it, and it is definitely one worth seeing. It opens in 6 theatres including the Lincoln Plaza in New York City and a couple in the Laemmle chain in Los Angeles.

Matando Cabos - Reviews
A black comedy from Mexico that too many critics are calling a Pulp Fiction wannabe. Even the positive reviews are not overly positive because of that. It's the widest limited release of the week at 85 theatres, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will be the most successful.

Shoujyo: An Adolescent - Reviews
This film was mentioned a couple of weeks ago when it was supposed to be released. Not much as changed since that time so there's little need to repeat what was previously written.

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Filed under: Limited Releases, De Zaak Alzheimer, The Baxter, Dirty Deeds, Shôjo, Eternal, Formula 17