Umm, Cook County has already been shopped around, opened in "so few theaters" and gained notoriety well before HH became the distributor. Remember, that the original plan was "straight to DVD".
In addition, the Academy Award nomination process is not "just word of mouth and hope". According to TDGI's filings HH hired at least one consultant conversant with the awards process to give Cook County it's best possible chance. If Cook County gets a nomination it will be a total PR bonanza for HH with only minimal cash outlay.
If there is no nomination then Eric will have plenty of time to rethink Cook County's release strategy.
For now I believe the HH is taking the best possible course of action. Especially if they don't go overboard with theatrical release promotions until they know that they absolutely need to.
They will know what to do next in early January...
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