I guess Lionsgate would contribute to alot of these among others. So many are stinkers, but every now and then there is a descent find. Post your buy worthy finds.
Frankenfish. I loved Abominable although (minor spoiler) ever since Rue Morgue pointed out the Bigfoots (or would that be Bigfeet?) look like pissed off Jack Elams I haven't been able to watch it without a giggle or two.
Abominable Killer Rats Mimic 3 Sentinel Mosquitoman Monster Man Feast Spiders Crocodile Toolbox Murders The Plague Dagon Dead Birds
Abominable actually had a theatrical run last year. It played only in one theater for one week though. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=abominable.htm Dead Meat (2004) gets my vote for better DTV flicks. *edit* Just read it had a limited theatrical release as well, damnit.
I would count anything that doesn't play in the mainstream, and goes straight to video as direct to video.FEAST only played in something like one theater for one or two nights,same with ABOMINABLE, so I wouldn't count them as theatrical releases. They were special showings of those movies. I'd like to add FRANKENFISH as well, cool b-movie with a cool concept.
Actually from 1999, but one of my favorite "direct to video" movies is THE ITEM. It's one of the very few movies where the cover art and goofy jacket summary looked great and surprisingly lived up to its pitch compared to most crap that disappoints (Lionsgate especially).
As I recall,FEAST played at least 100 theaters (perhaps more) as a special weekend late show in some markets(screened Friday and Saturday night) on top of several advance screenings and festival runs.I saw the film in a theater with a packed house,the audience really enjoyed it.
Straight to Vid here in Aussie. Movie called THE BREED. Same story as Blade, but for mine actually Better and wayyy more intelligent.
sorry i was misinformed, we don't get that lucky to have midnight shows out here in the sticks. i definitely wish i had seen it in a theater though.
