I understand that many are independently produced/financed, but if these movies are truly so good, why aren't they shown anywhere? I'd love to see some of the movies in the top 20 list, but I physically can't because not a single theater around here has ever carried any of them! And its not like I live in the middle of nowhere either.

Whats the point of making a good movie if you aren't going to show it anywhere for people to see it? Do they really believe the public is so J6P'ish that they won't appreciate a good movie and would rather see crap? Everybody goes and spends millions on crap movies because thats all they show at major theaters.

Week after week I go to rottentomatoes and look at the new releases. The 3 mainstream movies always have like sub 50% rating while almost all the 'limited-release' movies always have 80% or above (though not as many reviewers). While I think a some of those ratings are film snobbery (being biased towards indies even though they aren't that great), a lot of them are warranted.

I guess this is just a rant towards the whole movie business, but I can't help but think some of the blame has to be placed with the indie film producers not working hard enough to get their films distributed more widely.

Although I completely understand your frustration, it is simply a matter of economics. For every true indie success (and by this a mean truly great success, i.e., respectable even by major release standards) such as the Crying Game or even Blair Witch, there are dozens of films that would (undeservedly) never break $5M, regardless of the esteem in which they are held.

Also, with the exception of virtually paid for studio hack critics, I think most critics simply judge film(s) as they see it. If they seem a wee enthusiastic for some "little" films, it's more than likely due to the fact that they too would love nothing more than to see such films get a wider release and the attention that they feel they deserve.

Call me cynic, but I would be willing to bet that the friggin' talking kangaroo movie I have been seeing advertised will gross more than Far From Heaven, Secretary, and Talk to Her combined. Res ipso loquitur...

Yes, I really believe people would rather see crap than good movies. If I am wrong, then explain to me how movies like Scooby Doo and XXX and plenty of other cookie cutter trash does millions upon millions at the box office but smaller titles get over looked? Constantly and consistently.

Of course, it is the same way with just about any media. I have 1200 CDs and can say that I feel the best songs/artists/songwriters are NOT being played on top 40 radio, and some times when there is a band I like that makes it to radio, it is always their lamest song that makes it to the top of the charts. I think some of the best music in this world is barely heard. But do people care? If I complie a CD on my computer and give it to somebody because I think they may dig the songs on there, they are like, "Why do I want this? I never heard of these people?" Even tho it's better than the craptacular music being passed on top 40 these days, they don't care. I think the same principle goes with movies. People just don't care unless it's a big name/big director/big budget.

I think the pop culture caters to the lowest common denominator, and it's the lowest common denominator that puts their money into this crap so we keep getting more crap.

If enough people see it and buzz the hell out of it (look at what happened to "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"), then I guess an indy could become popular.

For me its because there are no alternatives. If I want to see a movie my only options are whatever heavily advertised "blockbusters" are playing at the local theatres. That usually means Scooby Doo's, XXX's, etc. Hence, if I really want to go to a movie on a date or whatever, I am forced to add to the box office totals of garbage movies. If some of these lesser known films were to actually play here, I'd be more than happy to attend, as I'm sure many others would to. As it is now, I rarely go to the theatre.

If those top 20 movies are truly as good as everyone says they are, by spending some money on advertising and distributing them to major theaters, they could get a large return on their investment. I just don't understand why they don't do it.

But that rarely happens with most of these movies.

These movies just don't have the marketability of the bigger movies. Yes, they are good, but that doesn't change the fact that they quite frankly won't appeal to everyone. Many moviegoers honestly do want simple, dumb entertainment. Is that bad? For us who want to see quality material, yes, but quite frankly that's what many of them want. They don't want to see challenging films with subjects and material that don't fall into the cookie cutter formula. And as much as we hate that and wish people would agree with us, that's just how it is. And I suppose that's ok. Not everyone goes to movies just for the movie, there is more to the experience and has a lot to do with the social experience of going out. Not to mention that these movies don't have stars or flashy visuals or high concepts that make them easy sells. Accolades are great, but movie stars and pretty visuals do a lot more for making money, along with a concept that's easily explained. Many of these great films don't fit into that mold.

We could complain that people should get their acts together and learn to appreciate film properly (how dare those J6Ps not love film like I do!) but they don't, they don't want to, and they take from the movie going experience what they want. Limited release gives films exposure and if it seems that it can make money, it expands. Yes, this limits the ability to see many of these films. But with the cost of releasing a film being so much, if you put yourself into the shoes of these studios would YOU want to take the chance of losing lots of money on these movies? Even a movie as heralded as Fargo only mustered 30 million at the box office. Great cinema does not equal mass popularity. That's the unfortunate truth and it could change, but I doubt it since movie going is mostly just mindless entertainment for most. I look at my Dad, who hated Memento and cited his main complaint against the movie being...too complex, he doesn't want to go to movies to think...he wants to be entertained. Would I consider him a Joe Six Pack? Hell no, he's very educated, very successful, and even works in the entertainment industry on the business side but quite frankly, movies just ain't that important to him. That's just my thoughts, and though I'd like to see every film I'm interested be easily accessible to everyone, it's just not the way right now. The only thing we can do is try to support these smaller films, as really the best way we can help support these movies is to give them our money. And pass the word along and hope it catches on.

They are, if you happen to live in a big city, especially one with a major university. For example, here in Columbus, currently showing in town are:

Far From Heaven
Bowling For Columbine
Spirited Away
Rabbit-Proof Fence
Gangs of New York
Punch-Drunk Love

Coming soon:

About Schmidt
Adaptation

Films that have played here at some point this year:

Y Tu Mama Tambien
Time Out
The Piano Teacher
Fat Girl
Songs From the Second Floor
10
ABC Africa
The Son's Room
Esther Kahn
What Time Is It There?
The Fast Runner
Bloody Sunday
I'm Going Home

and many others...

The point is, if you live in a small town you're probably out of luck. I grew up in Ashland KY, a town of about 25,000 people. There's no way I'd have had the opportunity to see any of the above films, except for maybe Gangs Of New York and Punch-Drunk Love, if I still lived there, unless I wanted to drive for 2-3 hours for the opportunity.

You hit the nail on the head....it's because studios think that people are stupid, plain and simple. THEY decide that we won't go to see Talk to Her, and thus they put Hot Chick on two screens instead of offering something of substance....it's the continuing slippery slope of a self-fulfilling prophecy - if you only offer crap, then crap is what they'll like, then you only have to continue to make crap and you'll be succesfull. It's all a problem of the sources, not the audience in my opinion. I'm as cynical as they come in a lot of ways, but I truly believe that if they would actually market many of these wonderful films and make them accessible then the public at alrge might actually start to stem the growing tide of dumbing-down that continues to plague this country and perhaps actually get a few people to think for a change....

FWIW, the absolute greatest frustration for me is when these crap movies like scooby doo get TWO friggin screens and 87 showtimes for the week, while Punch Drunk Love et al never even get a chance....it's a crying shame, and all on the studios/theaters.

I like your explanation, very well thought out. I'm glad you just didn't say that "people are too dumb to watch movies." Sometimes we forget that maybe movies aren't such an important part of life as it is to other people.

Because the studios either own or control the theater chains in America. They also control the distribution networks. Why would they be stupid enough to allow their competition show a film that only cost $5million (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) vs. their $85million blockbuster (XXX). Especially when the viewing public might actually like their competitors' films over theirs?

The studio suits may be stupid, but they aren't idiots.

I think the mainstream audience has different viewing habits and expectations than the serious film buff.

For most of us here, we feel a movie is something special. Whether it's a foreign horror movie, an indie drama, a quirky comedy, or a well made big budget hollywood movie loaded with A list stars, we expect a certain level of respect from the filmmaker and appreciate the craft.

The average teenager/20 something these days (Hollywood's target audience) has been bombarded by so many blockbusters/HBO/video rentals that movies are disposable entertainment little different than television. Many people will watch whatever's on television without really paying attention to it. This has been proven in studies over and over again. Movie viewing is becoming the same thing. A lot of people go to see everything, whether it's a personal film like Greek Wedding, a well thought out epic like LOTR, or an abortion like Scooby Doo. Their tastes don't discriminate because they don't see it as anything other than disposable entertainment.

A lot of people here probably pass on movies like Maid in Manhattan because we consider it a waste of time, but for a lot of people, the whole point of movies is that they are a pleasant way to waste time.

I live in Waco, TX and travel to either Austin or Dallas all the time to watch quality films. It's about a one and a half hour drive each way. Every once in a while, they will show a quality film here in Waco, but it is rarely and it will only last 5 days. About Schmidt opened up today and I was pleasantly surprised.

I actually missed out on seeing Frida due to some loud teens talking throughout the movie. I left hoping to see it later in the week, but it was replaced.

We have two 16 screen multiplexes and two 6 screen discount cinemas. One time, they actually showed a total of 7 first run films at the two multiplexes combined and all the discount screens were showing films that were released on video that week.

Perhaps, in the future, small indie films will be available in hi-res form on the internet -- free for those worldwide to download and watch. Then, those who really like the flick can show their appreciation by doling out 20 bucks or so for a nice DVD with great extras to add to their collection. This is a great way of overcoming the distribution problems involved with indie films today. I have friends who, essentially, do this now. In any event, until such time as my vision comes to fruition, Netflix and others are great ways to cost effectively peruse films you might otherwise not have a chance to see.

A local theatre in my town is about to be torn down due to lack of buisness (it was a small theatre that only played mainstream stuff), a friend worked there and told me that they might turn it into a indie theatre. I was jumping off the wall and this point, now where is the theatre now? waiting to be destroyed

It seems that most critically acclaimed movies frequently have an 'exclusive engagement' for the first couple weeks at an art house theatre, then go wide. At least that's how it frequently happens here. A friend of mine and I had this same conversation the other night and we concluded that it all came down to bidding rights - which theatre would pay more to offer the exclusive engagement.

But then again, why a film like About Schmidt, with the star power of Jack Nicholson, wouldn't get a wide release right off the bat is beyond me.

Can you say Oscar? I knew you could... It looks like it was part of the Oscars-Game.... Get the movie out in time for the current Oscar run. Worry about full release when it won't have to compete with the Holiday/Year-End BlockBuster-Release-Game.

The amount of people who enjoy movies for what they are is pretty slim. I work in a company that has about 10 young, outgoing people, some who at one point or another have been involved in the entertainment industry on the side. You'd think we're all in the top 25% percentile of what's hip and happening. TWO people here have seen The Two Towers. TWO, myself included.

And I'm the only one that would be remotely interested in seeing Talk to Her in theatres (paitently waiting for it to come to Philadelphia). I'd love to see Gangs of New York but I don't know if I have the time. Same with About Schmidt and Adaptation. Plus, going more than likely involves my gf who also doesn't have time. The Hours can be playing in four screens 10 ft. from my house and that doesn't guarantee I would see it, eventhough I really want to -- sometimes other things come first.

My point is there's a small % of people than have the interest, time, energy, and budget to see films like these. Hence, these movies play in large markets or places where there's an audience for it (college towns).

Everyone else just wants to sit down for two hours, not have to think, and be wowed by the pretty colors.