Limited and VOD Releases: We have a Colorful List of Films this Week

January 24, 2020

Color Out of Space

Color Out of Space is the latest Nicolas Cage film to come out and unlike most of his films, this one is earning great reviews and is worth checking out. It isn’t the only high-quality film on this week’s list, with Detective Chinatown 3, Zombi Child, and even a secondary VOD release piquing my interest.

Assassin 33 A.D. - Reviews
A group of Muslim extremists use a time machine to go back in time and kill Jesus. … Jesus is one of the most important prophets in Islam, so this is like a bunch of Christians going back in time to kill Joshua. Although I sure the so-called Christians who made this so-called movie don’t even know who I’m referring to. On the other hand, this movie does have a “so bad it’s good” vibe, so maybe if you are into that, you should check it out when you can watch it for free.

Color Out of Space - Reviews
Video on Demand
Nicolas Cage is one of the most frustrating actors working today, because his choice in film projects is so inconsistent. He makes so many bad movies, but he also makes films like this that make you want him to have a real career resurgence. However, this film is playing on VOD, so it likely won’t go anywhere in theaters. It deserved better.

Detective Chinatown 3 - Reviews
This is the third film in the Detective Chinatown franchise. The first two films were massive hits internationally and even found some success here. This film is opening in 150 theaters, making it the second-widest release on this week’s list. There are almost no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, but Chinese films rarely open with a large number of reviews, so this isn’t a bad sign. On the other hand, the lack of reviews means it is impossible to tell if audiences will like the film as much as they liked the first two.

The Last Full Measure - Reviews
This film was supposed to open truly wide, but now it is coming out in 614 theaters. Furthermore, while its reviews are fine for wide release, they are not strong enough to lift a film opening in such an awkward theater count. I fear this film will open below the Mendoza Line and then quickly disappear from theaters.

Panga - No Reviews
A sports film from India about a woman returning to her sport, kabaddi, after years of retirement. The film has no reviews, but that’s not uncommon for an Indian film, while it is opening in over 100 theaters, making it one of the wider limited releases of the week.

Zombi Child - Reviews
A Haitian high school student living in Paris tells her friends about her family’s history with voodoo. The movie is called Zombi Child, so you can probably guess what happens next. The reviews are excellent, but this is the wrong genre for limited release. Perhaps it will find an audience on the home market.

Secondary VOD Releases:
Elsewhere - Reviews - Video on Demand
My Name is Myeisha - Reviews - Video on Demand
Speed of Life - Reviews - Video on Demand
Speed of Life is the best secondary VOD release on this week’s list and I really hope it finds an audience.

- Theater Counts

Filed under: Limited Releases, VOD Releases, Home Market Releases, The Last Full Measure, Speed of Life, My Name is Myeisha, Color Out of Space, Assassin 33 A.D., Zombi Child, Elsewhere, Panga, Detective Chinatown, Nicolas Cage