The list of big name actors whose work heads straight to video is growing.
This October, Oscar-winner Catherine Zeta-Jones’ film “Houdini’s Death Defying Acts” hits DVD. The 2007 feature co-stars Guy Pearce (”L.A. Confidential”) and Saoirse Ronan (”Atonement”), and I don’t believe it ever hit theaters. If it did, it was in only a few at most.
How could Zeta-Jones not warrant a theatrical push? The film’s director, Gillian Armstrong, previously gave us “Charlotte Gray,” “Mrs. Soffel” and “Little Women.” So her track record is nothing to sneeze at.
Major movie stars must be getting nervous about the state of the industry.
(Photo: Catherine Zeta-Jones won an Oscar for her performance in “Chicago”)
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Ken Bendor 08.07.08 at 1:35 pm
So with that level of talent in front of AND behind the camera (not to mention a rather intriguing premise) , “Houdini…” can’t get a theatrical release but “Disaster Movie” will? (nothing else to add; just looking for a working oven to place my head in ;( )
cftoto 08.07.08 at 1:37 pm
Make sure that oven can fit two heads, Ken. I can’t figure it out, either. “Disaster Movie??” Yes, yes, 3,000 screens!
Ken Bendor 08.07.08 at 8:41 pm
Upon further research, I found out the Houdini movie DID get a (very) limited release, based on the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes (including Kyle’s) which initially eluded me, as did the movie’s release…
cftoto 08.07.08 at 8:50 pm
I did see that, too, Ken. Often these unloved/unwanted movies get very token theatrical showings and then beeline to DVD. I count that as a straight to vid, since most cities/towns never have a chance to see them.