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
The 3rd annual VOD My French Film Festival will take place January 17 through February 17, 2013, and offers ten recent French films and ten shorts, plus an additional film and short from Quebec on VOD as well as iTunes and VOD. Each film has never been released in the United States but is subtitled in English. For descriptions of each film, visit MyFrenchFilmFestival.com.
One of the best films I saw at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival was Rubberneck, which stars Alex Karpovsky (who is best know for HBO’s Girls), who also wrote and directed the film (check out my review here). It’s a compelling thriller about what unrequited love does to the psyche of a timid man who has already been damaged from a childhood horror. I’m happy to see that Rubberneck and another one of Karpovsky’s films, Red Flag (this one a comedy), have been picked up by Tribeca Films for a February 2013 limited theatrical release and, of course, across-platform VOD distribution. It’s only a matter of time before Kaprovsky becomes a “name”, so you might want to get to know him before knowing him is cool by checking out these films.
Speaking of Tribeca, the distributor has partnered with Focus World to put out Greetings from Tim Buckley, a biopic about musician Jeff Buckley in the days leading up to his public debut at a 1991 tribute show to his father, Jeff Buckley — someone who Tim barely knew. Starring Penn Badgley (Margin Call), the film premiered at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival and is set for a 2013 limited theatrical release and across-platform VOD distribution.
IndieWire reports that An Oversimplification of Her Beauty, which was written and directed by newcomer Terence Nance and won the Gotham Award for “Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You” will go for a VOD release in 2013 after a small theatrical run.
Probably the only thing that disappointed me about The Expendables 2 was the fact that after a kick-ass opening scene Jet Li disappeared from the film. If you’re like me and want to see more Jet Li, his latest film, The Sorcerer and the White Snake, will be hitting VOD on January 3 before a February theatrical release. Please note that it has nothing to do with the classic hard rock band that did “Here I Go Again” –instead, it’s about a sorcerer who battles against an evill snake woman. You can check out the trailer below:
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:
The Fitzgerald Family Christmas (Review 8/10)
Attack of the Jurassic Shark (Review 0.5/10)
Beast (Review 7/10)
Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (Review 2/10)
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!)
December 18
Our Beloved Month of August
After receiving a limited theatrical release in the U.S. in 2010, this 2008 Portuguese film never made it out for home release stateside. Thanks to VOD, this acclaimed film directed by Miguel Gomes (Tabu) will finally get more exposure.
Gandu
New distributor Artsploitation Films is actively promoting the VOD release of Gandu with its “Banned in India” status. This rap-musical is a clear sign that Indian filmmakers are starting to go against the trends of their home country’s cinema.
December 19
No Rest for the Wicked
Struck By Lightning
A pair of Tribeca releases that couldn’t be anymore different! No Rest for the Wicked, an award-winning “Spanish noir” film that has gotten huge praise. Meanwhile, Struck By Lightning was written by and stars Glee’s Chris Colfer about the events in a teen’s life shortly before he’s killed be a bolt of lightning. It’ll be followed by a very limited theatrical release in January.
December 21
On The Road
An ambitious adaptation of the “unadaptable” Jack Kerouac novel, this film is mostly getting buzz because it stars Kristen Stewart. That’s unfair to the rest of the production, but to be honest I saw the film and didn’t think much of it (my review will be up in a few days). Still, I give the filmmakers credit for trying. On The Road will also have a limited theatrical release.
December 25
Morning
I guess if you have nothing else to do on December 25, you could watch this drama that IMDb says is about “A married couple’s descent into alcoholism and infidelity following the accidental death of their child.” Well, Christmas isn’t happy for everyone!
December 27
John Dies at the End
This quirky movie has gotten a ton of advance buzz, and I’ll be checking out a screening of it next week. Obviously, I’ll let you know what I think!
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