DVD Releases of the Week: 'Woman in Gold,' '71' and Michael Fassbender's 'Slow West' Among Impressive New Releases
This week a number of acclaimed Indie films will be released on home video countering the big blockbusters currently at the box office. While a number of these films flopped at the box office, they should find some following on DVD and VOD.
"Woman in Gold": The Weinstein Company's latest film starring Helen Mirren may have score mixed reviews when it was released, but it was a success at the box office. The drama tells the story of Maria Altmann, an octogenarian Jewish refugee, who takes on the Austrian government to recover an artwork that she believes belongs to her family. The Weinstein Company is hoping the film will catch on after its theatrical run as it plans on making an awards run for Mirren. While it may have come out too early for any serious awards recognition, Mirren is beloved by the Academy, and she is a TV presence audiences love to see. "Woman in Gold" will definitely be embraced by older audiences, but it could have some mainstream appeal.
"Slow West": The Sundance International Grand Jury Prize winner may have been a critical hit, but audiences did not embrace it in its theatrical run. Starring Michael Fassbender, the western tells the story of a young Scottish man who travels across America in pursuit of the woman he loves. However, he attracts the attention of an outlaw who is willing to serve as a guide.
The film world premiered at Sundance where it was acquired by A24 April. At Sundance, it surprised, winning the international competition and quickly thereafter became one of the most anticipated films of the season. However, it never caught on with audiences. Critics are hailing it as one of the best films of the year, and "Slow West" will definitely be enjoyed by western fans but could have a hard time with mainstream audiences.
"'71": Hailed as one of the best of the year, Jack O'Connell's war drama was a specialty box office success and one film that is likely to end up on many end of the year lists. The latest film by Yann Demange, the drama tells the story of a young British soldier who is accidentally abandoned by his unit following a riot on the deadly streets of Belfast in 1971. The movie was nominated at the BAFTA awards this past January for Best British Film and also competed at the Berlin Film Festival, where it made its world premiere last year. The movie quickly became one of the most important festival films of last year and one of the most anticipated films of this year. With strong reviews and word-of-mouth, this film will have a long life span on DVD and VOD and will definitely appeal to a number of audiences.
Other releases this week include Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Maggie," which comes a week after "Terminator Genisys" flopped and Morgan Freeman's Focus Features release "5 Flights Up."
Mary Elizabeth Winstead's "Alex of Venice" will also be available for audiences as well as "Kill Me Three Times" with Simon Pegg.
"Absolution" with Steven Seagal and "Echoes of War" with James Badge Dale will also be available for action fans.