VOD Overdose: News on ‘About Cherry’, ‘You, Me & The Circus’, Wolfie Video, & ‘Iron Sky’!

Posted By: Chris McKittrickon: August 01, 2012In: VOD OverdoseNo Comments

VOD Overdose is Movie Buzzers’ coverage of video-on-demand developments and upcoming films premiering on video-on-demand. With an increasing number of studios embracing VOD as a way to premiere and distribute films, this column covers movies that might be worth a look even though they aren’t playing at your local multiplex.

Latest VOD News

Tons of news this week! Special thanks to the VOD distributors who keep me updated with their latest news via Twitter — if you tell me, I will cover it!

Up top you can check out the poster for About Cherry, an IFC Films release about a girl who enters the porn industry (and features Heather Graham, which seems like a callback to her classic Boogie Nights role). The movie is set for a VOD release on August 9 followed by a limited theatrical release on September 21. Check out the description below:

Angelina (Ashley Hinshaw) is an 18-year-old on the verge of finishing high school, rushing to escape her broken family life. After reluctantly taking nude photos at her boyfriend’s (Jonny Weston) behest, she takes the cash to skip town with her best friend (Dev Patel). Angelina gets a job cocktailing in a San Francisco strip club where she meets Frances (James Franco), an affluent lawyer who introduces her to a high-class world beyond her wildest dreams. At the same time, Angelina begins exploring San Francisco’s porn industry, using the moniker Cherry, under the wing of a former performer turned adult film director (Heather Graham). But Angelina’s newfound ideal lifestyle soon comes apart at the seams. ABOUT CHERRY challenges assumptions about sexuality and pornography, while addressing the common struggle of finding one’s role in life.

ABOUT CHERRY was shot in the San Francisco Armory, home of Kink.com. At 250,000 square feet the armory is the largest adult film studio in the world. Stephen Elliott, the director of ABOUT CHERRY is a former sex worker who is also the author of seven books. The movie was written by Stephen Elliott and Lorelei Lee, a porn performer who is also a writer and lecturer at New York University.

So… Lorelei Lee lectures at NYU? Huh, gives a whole new meaning to having fantasies about your teacher, right? Anyway, you can check out the trailer here!

Another interesting-looking film in the pipeline is the drama You, Me & The Circus from GoDigital. Set for a September 4 release date on iTunes, the movie combines dramatic storylines with circus routines that contextualize the characters’ emotional states. Check out the plot description below:

You, Me & The Circus is a sexy and romantic musical. This boldly independent film artistically portrays the emotions of love, jealousy, and regret in a way never seen before. The story centers around four young Angelinos who are simultaneously dealing with the verge of a break-up and the spark of a fresh romance. Set in the real and modern world of inter-ethnic friendship and love, this film offers audiences a sneak peek into modern relationships among America’s newest generation of adults.

While the drama plays out on the streets of Los Angeles, the subtext of each character’s emotions are revealed in a bohemian circus that includes high-flying acrobatics, sexy dancers, and amazing original soundtrack produced by award-winning multi-platinum producer Khao (TI, Snoop Dogg, Lil’ Kim).

Very unique… seems like it’s worth a look!

Like coming of age movies? There’s a lot of positive buzz about The Wise Kids, about three high school friends considering their post-high school options (hint: your lives will probably get a lot better). Wolfie Video has nabbed VOD/DVD rights to the movie, and it will make it out on both in November. Wolfie has also gotten the VOD/DVD rights to Love Free or Die, a documentary about the first openly gay bishop in the United States.

Crazy kids these days will shoot a movie on anything, like a smartphone. King Kelly, the SXSW faux-documentary about internet stardom that Graham called “the worst movie I saw during SXSW and maybe of all time,” has gotten VOD distribution with GoDigital. Maybe the concept intrigues you, but when Graham says, “Best part was that I got some free food and alcohol prior to the film,” I trust him.

Chico & Rita, an animated film that received rave reviews and was the first Spanish-language animated film to be nominated for a Best Animated Film Oscar is finally getting the release it deserves. Cinedigm will be releasing the movie to internet VOD outlets first on August 21, to be followed by a home media and cable VOD release on September 18.

Got an independent film and looking for distribution? Magnolia Pictures, a very successful VOD/theatrical distributor, is looking for a few good films! Send them an e-mail if you’re interested.

Our friends over at Cinemit (Hi Melissa!) are once again teaming up with Tugg to screen a kick-ass genre film, Iron Sky, as a one-night only event. Iron Sky is the infamous Nazis in space movie that Graham saw at SXSW, saying, “I strongly recommend it if the film comes to your city because it might surprise you.” Nazis are the best movie villains because NOBODY feels bad for them.

Now on VOD… And We Reviewed It!

Here’s a sampling of recent VOD movies that Movie Buzzers has viewed and reviewed. Check your cable provider or the below online retailers:

Klown (Review 4/10), available at iTunes.

Get the Gringo (Review 7.5/10), available at Amazon, iTunes, and Vudu

The Do-Deca-Pentathlon (Review 6.4/10), available at Amazon, iTunes, and Blockbuster

Upcoming VOD Releases
(For films premiering on VOD platforms, or hitting VOD after limited theatrical runs. Check out trailers for these and other VOD titles at the Independent Movie on Demand YouTube channel here!)

August 3:
[REC]3 Genesis (Review 5/10)
Another entry into the [REC] found footage horror series, which apparently “decodes” the mysteries in the previous two films. Writer/director Paco Plaza is still with the series, so if you’re a fan you can expect more of the same. It hits theaters on September 7.

August 9:
About Cherry
See above for all the information about this upcoming IFC Film!

August 10:
Bachelorette
This comedy starring Isla Fischer and Kristen Dunst has been pushed hard as the “next Bridesmaids“, though the reviews haven’t been quite as good since it made its premiere at this year’s Sundance (it also stars Rebel Wilson, who appeared in Bridesmaids, too!) But if you were a fan of girls behaving badly, you’ll likely enjoy this, too!

August 14:
Juan of the Dead (Review 6/10)
This zombie comedy that takes place in Cuba has been a big festival hit and is finally getting a bigger release. It’s also playing at reRun’s Gastropub Theater in Brooklyn, one of the best places in the world to watch a movie!

Have news about an upcoming VOD movie? Want to have Movie Buzzers check out your upcoming VOD release? Contact me here!