The World Of Theatrical and Straight-To-Video Films Have Come Full Circle

by **Buscemi** Fri Jul 03, 2009 3:58 pm

The Code, a film with Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas that bypassed theatrical release, is the number one rental in the nation. Though other straight-to-video films, such as In The Electric Mist and The Contract, had finished in the top five in their first weeks of video release, this is the first time in recent memory that a straight-to-video release was number one on the rental charts. Internationally, the film was known as Thick As Thieves and briefly saw theatrical release in some countries but no US distributor saw any interest in the film. Finally, First Look (who distributed The Contract, also with Morgan Freeman) picked it up and retitled it as The Code. They have seen success in distributing straight-to-video since they gave up theatrical distribution last year.

What is your opinion on this sudden interest of quality films for the video market and do you think it will continue?

Meanwhile, here's a list of other recent straight-to-video releases that have been somewhat successful as well as other upcoming straight-to-video releases.

S. Darko (May 12th)
Personal Effects (May 12th, distributed theatrically internationally)
Powder Blue (May 26th)
The Devil's Tomb (May 26th)
Baby On Board (June 2nd)
Spring Breakdown (June 2nd, originally intended for theatres)

Upcoming:
Five Fingers (July 7th)
[Rec] (July 14th)
The Fifth Commandment (July 28th)
Fragments (August 4th, distributed theatrically internationally as Winged Creatures)
Labor Pains (August 4th, initially sold to television but never aired)
The Tiger's Tail (August 11th)
The Meerkats (September 1st, distributed theatrically internationally)
Adam Resurrected (September 22nd)

Also, the remaining titles from the Yari Film Group are said to be going straight-to-video (Possession has been released straight-to-video and The Accidential Husband has a TBA 2009 DVD release date).