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.
CanIStream.It — Another Way to Find the Movies You Want To See
In my last column I mentioned GoWatchIt.com, a website that allows you to search for films you want to see over various platforms. Not too long afterward I was contacted about a similar, and in my opinion superior, search database — Can I Stream It? I’ve been using both services since, and I’ve found that Can I Stream It is more updated — although it doesn’t list RedBox. Either way, both services will allow you to find the movies you want to see — particularly the ones that aren’t playing at your local theater.
Tugg Lets You Help Choose the Movies Screening at Your Local Theaters
In a “why didn’t I think of that” idea, a new service called Tugg allows moviegoers to book screenings of both indie and previously-released films for event screenings at your local movie theater. As long as you get a number of RSVPs beforehand you’ll be able to see the movie in your theater. Though this isn’t VOD exactly, it does serve as yet another alternate distribution model for filmmakers and an opportunity for fans to get a group together via social media to have a film screen at a local theater if it isn’t playing anywhere near them. Participating chains include Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, AMC Theatres, Bow Tie Cinemas, Cinemark Theatres, Goodrich Quality Cinemas, Rave Cinemas and Regal Cinemas, so Tugg has gotten some of the big boys involved. For more information, check out Tugg’s website here.
NetFlix Competition on Its Way
While NetFlix’s controversial moves in 2011 didn’t kill the service (as some predicted), it’s obvious that there is plenty of room for competition. Comcast has announced that it will be launching Streampix, a streaming service for its cable customers, which will supplement Comcast’s VOD service, Xfinity. Though it’s doubtful Streampix will have the selection of Netflix for quite some time, it will retail for $4.99 a month — $3 cheaper than Netflix.
Curiously though, on the same day Netflix announced a multi-year agreement with the Weinstein Co. — which not only expands that company’s huge streaming library, but will allow Netflix to premiere Oscarr winners The Artist and Undefeated before they hit premium cable channels — a pretty big “get” for NetFlix.
Additionally, GoDigital — which has a distribution deal with NetFlix, along with VOD outlets like iTunes, Amazon, and Hulu — has secured VOD rights to the library of Latin Anywhere, a Spanish-language company that owns “comedies, action/adventure, drama and Mexican rodeo.” Can’t wait for that Mexican rodeo to come up on my NetFlix.
Latest VOD News
We’re still seeing lots of VOD acquisitions, which shows that an increasing number of studios are committing to premiering films via VOD. Some of the latest acquisitions are:
30 Beats, starring Boardwalk Empire’s Paz de la Huerta about “a group of New Yorkers whose lives interconnect via a series of sexual encounters during the summer” will be distributed by Lionsgate and Roadside for a June 1 day-and-date release.
28 Hotel Rooms, a Sundance films about “a raw and candid look at an intense sexual affair that evolves from a one-night stand into a powerful relationship”, will be released by Oscilloscope on VOD first before its theatrical release
Super Size Me director Morgan Spurlock will release his next documentary, Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope, which documents the insanity of Comic-Con, for a day-and-date VOD release on April 6, with a theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles and a roadshow tour starting in Atlanta on April 5.
GoDigital and PMK*BNC Films will release Nesting, a romantic comedy about a couple who breaks into one of their previous apartments to restore the spark in their relationship on VOD. A limited theatrical release is still be ironed out.
Upcoming VOD Releases
(For films premiering on VOD platforms, or hitting VOD after limited theatrical runs.)
[D2V] denotes movie that is also being released direct to DVD and/or Blu-ray on the same day.
March 2:
ATM
I saw a trailer for this claustrophobic horror film while seeing Sherlock Holmes 2, and I think it’s a pretty clever concept for a horror movie — being trapped in one of those free standing ATM kiosks while a killer tries to reach you. Of course, it’ll all depend on the execution, but casting Brian Geraghty (The Hurt Locker) and the beautiful Alice Eve (She’s Out of My League) is a good start. It will have a limited theatrical release on April 6.
March 5:
The Melancholy Fantastic
After debuting at the New York International Latino Film Festival back in August, this fantasy/horror film has made the film festival rounds. The trailer seems darkly effective.
March 6:
The Frontier Boys [D2V]
A basketball drama seemingly in the vein of The Basketball Diaries, in which four high school friends find their lives changed by a drive-by shooting.
March 8:
Dark Tide
Directed by John Stockwell (Blue Crush) and starring Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez, this shark movie will premiere on VOD on March 8, nearly two weeks before its March 30 theatrical release. Lots of Berry in a bikini, apparently!
March 9:
The Decoy Bride
Perhaps seeking the title of VOD Queen, Alice Eve stars in this romantic comedy alongside David Tennant (Dr. Who) and Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire). Though it’s officially being released on March 9 (with a limited theatrical run), it is already available on Amazon Instant Video (although the price right now is a bit steep).
March 13:
Fancypants
A professional wrestling comedy that was a hit at several festivals, starring newcomer Patrick Gleason and wrestling legend “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Though it hit VOD in February, Fancypants will be released on *all* providers on March 13, so don’t miss it! (Check out the official Twitter page here!)
The Dish and the Spoon
I caught a screening for The Dish and the Spoon at Brooklyn’s fantastic ReRun Theater, which I think every movie fan needs to visit at least once. I wasn’t a big fan of the movie (way too quirky for me), but if you’re a fan of quirky romantic comedies and want to see one in which its the guy, not the girl who fills the Manic Pixie Dream stock character role, it’s worth a look.
Brooklyn Boheme
Brooklyn Boheme explores the cultural arts movement that exploded in Brooklyn in the 1980s and 1990s, which produced such talent as Spike Lee, Chris Rock, and Talib Kweli. Though it’s supposed to have a limited run in New York City soon, it will be released on iTunes on March 13 for those who can’t make it to Brooklyn.
March 20:
The Moth Diaries
Another horror entry from IFC Midnight, The Moth Diaries features an eerie “new girl at school” storyline based on the novel by Rachel Kline.
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