DVD Releases of the Week: 'Noah', Cameron Diaz's 'The Other Woman' Lead New Releases
On Tuesday, a number of films will be released on home video attempting to reach a greater audience they did not get theatrically. The films include documentaries, comedies, actioners and dramas.
Noah
The highly-controversial biblical film comes out after a successful run in theaters. The Darren Aronofsky film, which stars Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly, tells the story of a man who is chosen by his world's creator to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.
The Paramount feature was met with very good reviews, but religious organizations banned the film for being unfaithful to the bible. After a terrific opening, the film ended up making $101 million at the domestic box office and over $300 million worldwide. "Noah" is likely to continue to appeal to film buffs, especially to Aronofsky fans. However, the controversy of the film will continue, and it will likely be banned within more organizations.
The Other Woman
Cameron Diaz's latest flick was one of the biggest surprises of the box office in the spring. The feature tells the story of a Carly who meets the wife of her boyfriend. When yet another love affair is discovered, three women team up to plot revenge on their man.
The feature saw the acting debut of Kate Upton and also played well with woman audiences. With very little comedies in theaters at the moment, Fox will most likely target audiences who are looking for an alternative to Diaz's "Sex Tape" and for those not interested in action flicks.
The Amazing Catfish
The Mexican comedy feature will get another life on home video. The film tells the story of Claudia, a lonely young woman who works in a supermarket. One night, she ends up in the hospital with a severe case of appendicitis.
The feature was a huge hit at the festival circuit and won numerous awards. However, it failed to garner a successful box office run. The movie is likely to play toward audiences who enjoy foreign film and toward Latin American audiences.
Finding Vivian Maier
The critically-acclaimed documentary about the late Vivian Maier, a nanny whose previously unknown cache of 100,000 photographs earned her a posthumous reputation as one the most accomplished street photographers, will finally come out on home video.
The film played in the festival circuit, where it won awards at the Palm Spring International Film Festival and Miami Film Festival. It also scored rave reviews and IFC scored a huge box office. As a result, the film is likely to show up on many top 10 lists and garner award attention.
Half of a Yellow Sun
Back in May, Monterey Media released the film about sisters Olanna and Kainene, who return home to 1960s Nigeria, where they soon diverge on different paths. As civil war breaks out, political events loom larger than their differences as they join the fight to establish an independent republic.
The feature stars Academy Award nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton. During its short theatrical run, the movie scored mixed reviews and had very little publicity. While it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, it was unlikely to obtain enough buzz, and on DVD, it will probably fall into obscurity.
It Felt Like Love
Variance's critically acclaimed drama hits DVD and VOD after a short theatrical run. The film tells the story of Lila who wants to emulate the sexual exploits of her more experienced best friend. When she fixates on a tough older guy who will "sleep with anyone," she tries to insert herself into his world, putting herself in a dangerously vulnerable situation.
The film played at the Sundance and Rotterdam Film Festivals, and thanks to rave reviews, the feature could easily play well with indie filmmakers.
Lullaby
After "The Fault in Our Stars" scored a big box office, it was expected that this cancer-driven film would also be a hit. However, the opposite occurred. The feature, starring Richard Jenkins, Garrett Hedlund, Jennifer Hudson, Terrence Howard and Amy Adams, tells the story of a man who receives word that his father has chosen to take himself off life support within 48 hours.
The movie not only scored negative reviews, but also flopped. While it has a star-studded cast, the feature will most likely be overshadowed by other cancer films. It could appeal to the cast's fans, but with so many dramas in the market, this will not be audience's first choice.
Other features that will be released on home video include "Cuban Fury," "The French Minister," The Protector" and "Shirin in Love."