Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

Welcome to a 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

Horrible Bosses (recommended): This comedy is even more hilarious than it looks in the trailers, thanks to spot-on performances from all of the cast members, both the protagonists and the bosses. Most impressively, it knows when not to go over the top and manages to stay consistent and funny the entire time. Read my enthusiastic review from yesterday.

The Ledge (mixed bag): This film, now playing at the IFC Center, involves an intriguing premise and a rather interesting back story, but the way the plot is executed just doesn’t work. The debate between religion and atheism is compelling, but not effective in this thriller setting. Read my review and feature tomorrow.

New to DVD

Of Gods and Men (highly recommended): This New York Film Festival entry was shut out of the Best Foreign Film race, but was easily one of the strongest and most moving films of this or last year, depending on when you saw it. A thought-provoking, extraordinarily well-acted and powerful film.

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Secretariat (recommended): This horse movie offers about what you’d expect from a film of its kind, a sense of adventure, pride, and excitement mixed in with more than a bit of periodic melodrama. It’s easily better than it could have been, but hardly essential viewing.