This is apparently a very popular week for independent distributors to release new titles. I count at least nine films opening in limited release either Wednesday or Friday (though one-third of those are parts of a lumped-together trilogy). And in a way it seems an unfortunate time because a lot of moviegoers will likely spend their time this weekend catching up on movies that just received Oscar nominations instead of seeing anything new.
Of course, two of the new limited releases are up for Academy Awards. The Israeli drama "Ajami," which opens in NYC Wednesday, is nominated for Best Foreign Language Film and "The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers," which is already playing in NYC and will be expanding to other cities on February 12th, is nominated for Best Documentary Feature.
Because I only spotlight three films a week (and I'm actually sort of cheating this week), neither of those titles are getting due attention in this unLimited. I'm also unfortunately excluding two limited-release action movies, the sequel "District B13: Ultimatum" and Jackie Chan's "Shinjuku Incident." I'm certain they'll find their target audience just fine without me. Read More...
This week you're probably not interested in what's opening in theaters, because like me you're too preoccupied with what's going on at Sundance. That's where the real action is for independent cinema right now.
This week brings an interesting clash between wide and limited releases. For example, 
Planning on seeing "
It's the first full week of 2010, and that means it's the beginning of dumping ground season. New movies out of Hollywood will be looking less and less appealing over the next few months, but that shouldn't stop you from going to the movies, especially if you live in a major metropolitan area. Now is the time especially for foreign films hoping for Oscar contention to start rolling out in America, and of course tons and tons of documentaries will continue to see limited release. This week, there's even a hot new exploitation flick opening, for those of you who like that sort of thing. So if you're not too excited about daybreaking vampires, leap years or youths in revolt, read on to see what other options you might have this weekend.
New Year's week is typically a dry time for new releases, which is likely fine by multiplex employees. After 
This Friday is Christmas, a day in which millions will go to the movies following their gift-giving and other holiday rituals, and as usual there are plenty of new releases opening wide for them to choose from. There's something for the kiddies, something for the adults and something for both action-fiends and classic literature buffs. And of course there are those who'll be catching up on or returning to the beautiful 3D world of "
With "
This past weekend, "
Now that December is upon us, you can expect to hear about a lot of new releases you probably won't be able to see right away, unless you happen to live in a major market. Unfortunately, this is how it goes with films vying for year-end awards notice. Some of these hopeful contenders will show up at your multiplex around Christmas, when the marquee will be filled with so many new releases your head is likely to spin. Others will expand in January, and still others won't go wide until the Oscar nominations are announced on February 2. Meanwhile, we'll continue to see some titles released that don't have the benefit of an Oscar campaign and some that don't have the qualifying status to warrant such promotion.