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
First, check out this article from Variety about two recent VOD successes: Arbitrage and Bachelorette, which is only good news for the format. Bachelorette has done absolutely huge business by VOD standards, and it is becoming clear to distributors that VOD is a very promising way to roll out a low-budget film. Why fail in theaters when a VOD release can do better business with less overhead cost? According to the article, the secret seems to be strong promotion — something which several distributors have yet to really master.
Variety is also reporting that Cinedigm has nabbed the VOD rights to Love, Marilyn, a documentary that attempts to be the last word on Marilyn Monroe 50 years after her death. It will have a limited New York/Los Angeles theatrical release at the end of the year to make it eligible for the Academy Awards.
Tribeca Film has proven to be one of my favorite distributors simply because of the quality output. The latest Tribeca acquisition has definitely caught my eye: No Rest for the Wicked, which IndieWire describes as a “Spanish Noir” film, and is a film that Sylvester Stallone has talked about remaking in an America (love ya Sly, but if it’s great as it is leave it be!) It’s set for a release at the end of the year.
IFC Films has picked up the rights for Price Check, a comedy by writer/director Michael Walker, starring Parker Posey. The distributor is rushing it out for an October 11 VOD release followed by a limited theatrical release on November 16.
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:
For Ellen (Review 5/10), available at iTunes and Vudu.
After Porn Ends (Review 6/10), available at Amazon and Vudu.
The Eye of the Storm (Review 6/10), available at Amazon, iTunes, and Blockbuster.
Solomon Kane (Review 5/10), available on Amazon, Vudu, and YouTube.
The Ambassador (Review 6.7/10), available on Amazon and iTunes.
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!)
September 28
Jack and Diane
After appearing at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, this drama about teenage girls in love starring Juno Temple and Riley Keough somehow also involves a werewolf. I really can’t explain it. But don’t think of it as a lesbian Twilight: there’s a lot more too it!
How to Survive a Plague
Though it sounds like a science fiction movie, this documentary is actually about the battle against AIDS and how HIV went from a death sentence to a condition that someone can live a healthy life with for decades. There are several screenings across the U.S. before it debuts on VOD, so if you’re interested check the website.
October 1
Dracula: Reborn
Well, it’s October so we can look forward to a plethora of horror films on the VOD front, including ones starring our favorite classic monsters. This is a modern-day take set in Los Angeles. It gets a DVD release on the same day, too.
October 2
Grassroots
I don’t think I can do a better job that the first sentence from the official plot description: “Based on a true story Grassroots follows the story of Grant, an eccentric, short-tempered, unemployed music critic with a tendency to wear polar bear suits who decides to run for office in Seattle. ” Starring Jason Biggs, Cobie Summers, and Cedric the Entertainer, I imagine this is as out there as it sounds. It also gets a DVD release on the same day.
October 4
Nature Calls
Johnny Knoxville and Patton Oswalt play competitive brothers who try to one-up each other during a scout trip. That alone sounds funny, but many reviewers (including Graham) have given it awful reviews.
October 5
Butter
Though I hear it has been available in some locations for several weeks now, October 5 is still the “official” VOD release date for Butter ahead of its limited theatrical release. This seems to borrow from the Christopher Guest “big hoopla over little stakes” school of comedy, as it focuses on a butter sculpture competition in Iowa.
Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You
Directed by Italian director Roberto Faenza with an American cast, this coming of age story won a number of international awards earlier this year but hasn’t made it to the U.S. until now. It debuts in New York theaters on the same day.
October 9
Heaven’s Neighbors
I don’t know much about this seven year-old movie (!) which originally debuted on the Internet back in 2005, but this study of mental illness is finally getting a VOD release after a long, long wait. Again, VOD proves to be a platform for films that otherwise aren’t able to be distributed tradtionally.
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