Limited and VOD Releases: Too Many Limited Releases are Cursed with Mixed Reviews

February 23, 2018

It’s not a good week for limited releases. The one I was looking forward to seeing the most was The Lodgers, but its reviews are mixed. Both November and Survivors Guide to Prison have 100% positive reviews, but neither are likely to have success at the box office.

The Cured - Reviews
A zombie movie that takes place after a cure has been discovered and former zombies are trying to reintegrate back into society. It is a more novel twist on a tired genre, but the reviews are mixed. Maybe it will find an audience when it hits the home market.

Half Magic - Reviews
Video on Demand
Like too many films on this week’s list, this one is earning mixed reviews and is also playing on VOD. If you like the premise and the cast, then spending $6 on a VOD rental isn’t a bad idea.

The Lodgers - Reviews
Video on Demand
Twins are cursed to remain in their family home forever. However, when the sister begins to rebel against this curse, the brother’s world begins to unravel. I heard some advance buzz about this film and was excited to see it, but its reviews are merely mixed. That said, mixed reviews are fine for VOD.

Mute - Reviews
Video on Demand
Set in the near future, a mute man goes searching for his missing girlfriend. This wouldn’t be worth talking about, except it is the latest film to come out on Netflix with very little build up. The early reviews are not good, so the surprise release might be the best way to generate interest. However, if Netflix does this too often, it will backfire.

November - Reviews
This film is earning 100% positive reviews, with a lot of critics praising its style. However, its style will likely keep if from finding an audience outside the art house circuit.

Survivors Guide to Prison - Reviews
Video on Demand
This film has almost no shot at the box office, because there are not enough reviews to suggest there is any buzz, while it is also playing on VOD. All six reviews are positive, so if you are into documentaries, it is certainly worth checking out.

The Young Karl Marx - Reviews
A Biopic of Karl Marx, the father of communism. The reviews are mixed with half of the critics saying it doesn’t do enough to stand out compared to the average biopic.

Secondary VOD Releases:
7 Guardians of the Tomb - Reviews - Video on Demand
Beast of Burden - Reviews - Video on Demand
Curvature - Reviews - Video on Demand
Days of Power - Reviews - Video on Demand
There are technically more secondary VOD releases on this week’s list than regular titles, but I included Mute and Survivors Guide to Prison above, because I actually had something to say about them.

C.S.Strowbridge

Filed under: Limited Releases, VOD Releases, Home Market Releases, Half Magic, Days of Power, Le Jeune Karl Marx, 7 Guardians of the Tomb, The Lodgers, The Cured, Beast of Burden, November, Survivors Guide to Prison, Curvature, Mute