by Larry Richman
October 10, 2006 11:24 PM

There are "movies" and there are "films." "Movies" are what come out of Hollywood and are meant to play in theaters and bring in big audiences. "Films" are what filmmakers make because they have a story to tell and aren't necessarily concerned with blockbuster box office. "Films" are often interchangeable with "indies," and I basically see films, not movies.

"House of D" is an example of a wonderful film. It was written and directed by David Duchovny, who co-stars. His wife Tea Leoni is in it, as well as Robin Williams and a stunning Erykah Badu. But the film is carried largely on the shoulders of young Anton Yelchin (14 at the time), who will soon be seen in "Alpha Dog," one of my top films of 2006 (I saw it at Sundance). It's an indie, and as such was not destined for a stellar theatrical run. But it has done VERY well on cable and in DVD sales and rentals, and that is more rewarding to filmmakers, in my opinion, than the box office. Because it means that word of mouth is spreading and people are appreciating this film for what it is, an excellent piece of work.

By the way, that is not to say that there aren't excellent "movies" as well as "indies" that do well at the box office. What I said above are just generalizations based on my experience in the business.

So why wasn't "House of D" a hit? Why didn't the critics like it?

For one thing, most movies are aimed at young males because that's the group which goes to theaters. Films don't have that constraint.

Critics are another story. Many are failed screenwriters or directors themselves. Others simply want to make a name for themselves by being contrarians. But mostly they are simply doing their jobs, which is to help their employers make money (increase circulation, readership, viewership) and often that means being controversial, which often means going against public opinion.

But by any "real" definition of "hit," "House of D" is one. And an incredible phenomenon at that. Most films' DVD sales & rentals trail off over time. This one is increasing. It wasn't critically acclaimed and didn't do boffo b.o., but there are a million reasons for that as well.

In the world in which I live (independent film buffs, festival goers, people who love good films and tell their friends about it), "House of D" is held in very high regard and that will only increase, especially as Anton Yelchin's career takes off. People are discovering this little gem every day.