Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. Absent a wealth of new film reviews during the weekend, I’d like to start providing a handy guide to a few choice movies currently playing in NYC as well as several films newly released on DVD. I’ll also aim to comment on those films I have not yet had the chance to see, and I invite you to add in your thoughts on any films I haven’t seen in the comments below. Understandably, some weeks will have considerably fewer releases to address than others.

Now Playing in NYC

Win Win (recommended): This new dramatic comedy from writer-director Thomas McCarthy (“The Visitor,” “The Station Agent”) stars Paul Giamatti and Amy Ryan. Read my review from yesterday, and definitely check this one out at either Angelika or Lincoln Plaza.

The Adjustment Bureau (recommended): I finally caught this film last weekend and can officially recommend it. Check out my review from last Sunday, and enjoy this part sci-fi film, part romance, and part NYC scavenger hunt. This one’s playing pretty much everywhere.

Hall Pass (mixed bag/anti-recommended): For some reason, I caught this comedy last weekend. The friend I went to see the film with would certainly recommend you skip it, and I would probably agree. Read the review tomorrow night.

I Am (anti-recommended): You’ll read my capsule review of this tomorrow and that, coupled with the trailer, should be enough to explain why you should steer clear of this documentary playing at Regal Union Square.

I’m still not so caught up. I might be interested in seeing Limitless, could probably pass on Paul, and didn’t opt for buying a $6 ticket to The Lincoln Lawyer because I just don’t care. The Last Lions isn’t my style, and I doubt I’ll get to Kill the Irishman. I promise you I will never see Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son. The only Martin Lawrence projects I’ve ever enjoyed are the “Bad Boys” films.

New to DVD

The Fighter (recommended): I don’t need to sell this Best Picture nominee and double Oscar winner (for supporting actors Christian Bale and Melissa Leo). If you haven’t seen it, now’s your chance. It’s terrific.

Hereafter (mixed bag): Unlike another supernatural drama starring Matt Damon, this one has quite a few issues. After a promising, intriguing start, Clint Eastwood’s latest just doesn’t quite deliver.

Hemingway’s Garden of Eden (anti-recommended): This movie is a superb visualization of excess and pretentiousness, and not much else. It’s a film that quickly devolves into being just like its characters: vain and only interested in itself.

Oscar-nominated documentary Waste Land, one of the five films nominated for an Oscar this past year that I missed, is now out. I haven’t seen it yet; has anyone? I will not be seeing “The Switch.”