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

Winnie the Pooh (recommended): It’s always a pleasure to see Christopher Robin and all his imagined friends back for another classic tale. This isn’t a remake or a reboot, just another fun and wonderful story involving the honey-obsessed Pooh for audiences of all ages. Read my capsule review from yesterday.

Salvation Boulevard (anti-recommended): This zany religious comedy goes downhill incredibly fast moments into its run, and doesn’t recover at any point after that. Jennifer Connelly and her onscreen daughter Isabelle Fuhrman are trying hard, but no one else gives much effort, which, coupled with a poor script, doesn’t offer a particularly meaningful experience. My review will be up tomorrow.

Of course, all the buzz this weekend is about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. I missed the press screening earlier this week and will probably see at some point when all the fuss has died down and it won’t be crazy crowded.

New to DVD

Brother’s Justice (anti-recommended): This Tribeca entry starring Dax Shepard as himself is like an overtly scripted “I’m Still Here” which doesn’t pretend to be anything but that and fails to do anything but annoy, infuriate, and bore to no end, even after only eighty minutes.

Miral (anti-recommended): This film from director Julian Schnabel (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”) caused a stir for its political content and its highly publicized premiere at the UN. Related criticisms are valid, but this film is plagued by plenty of other problems, including a dull story and poor characters.

White Irish Drinkers (anti-recommended): This two-brothers-in-Brooklyn story is about as familiar and tried-and-true as they come, not offering too much in the way of new or innovative contributions to cinema. Unless it’s a particularly interesting subject to you, don’t bother.

I imagine I’ll get around to watching Rango and maybe the Russell Brand remake of Arthur at some point soon.

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (recommended): The late Sidney Lumet, who passed away three months ago, made his final film at the age of 82. It’s a smart, sleek, and unnerving thriller with captivating performances from Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, and Marisa Tomei.