Limited Release: The Bane of a Cultured Mississippian

Today, the first trailer for a new comedy "It's Kind of a Funny Story" was released online. You can watch it below. The film is based on a novel of the same name and revolves around 16 year-old Craig (Keir Gilchrist) who checks himself into a mental hospital to deal with his depression. Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) and Emma Roberts (Valentine's Day) play Craig's fellow patients.



And guess who also stars in the movie? Jeremy Davies who played Daniel Faraday from "Lost" and is one of the greatest character actors of his generation (in my opinion). So, still hoping to hold onto anything to do with "Lost" in anyway possible, I was understandably excited to go see the film when it comes out September 24th. Besides, even without Jeremy Davies, the film looks like it will be really good and seems to have the same originality "(500) Days of Summer" carried.

However, I became disappointed when I learned the film would only open in limited release and then may not expand to any theaters near me. Because I live in Starkville, Miss. for the bulk of the year. It's a place where the one cinema we do have doesn't give viewers an option between 2-D and 3-D experiences, and one is forced to pay a higher ticket price.

In September people who live in New York City will be able go see "It's Kind of a Funny Story," while I'm stuck with the Kristen Bell comedy "You Again" and "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." Even though "Wall Street" has gotten good reviews, it's still a sequel starring Shia LaBeouf (something new for Hollywood — not). And even though smaller films like "Slumdog Millionaire" have done well once theaters actually start showing them, it still takes months from the original release for the movies to make their way to states that aren't New York or California.

It's just not fair that it took three months for "Slumdog Millionaire" to make its way to Mississippi from its original release. And "(500) Days of Summer" took from July to August to receive a wide release. I know that offbeat films don't have tested audiences like sequels to big blockbusters or famous directors to bank on but when given the chance, many arise to the occasion.

Because audiences, believe or not corporate Hollywood, do like a change of pace. And if a film is good people will continue to buy tickets. It wouldn't hurt to send a film that isn't a sequel or a movie full of $100 million explosions to Mississippi. Just every once in a while. I'm just sayin'.