Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. I'm going to be 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

The Whistleblower (recommended): This disturbing drama is based on the true story of a Nebraska cop who went to Bosnia in 1999 to become a UN peacekeeper and discovered an excessive amount of human trafficking going on in the area. It may be unsettling, but it’s a strong, powerful film. Now playing at the AMC Empire, Landmark Sunshine, and Lincoln Plaza. Read my review from yesterday.

Gun Hill Road (recommended): This film follows Esai Morales as Enrique, a man recently released from prison who discovers that his son prefers dressing as a woman. It features a breakout performance from Harmony Santana as his child and a moving family story. Now playing at the AMC Empire and Angelika. My review will be up tomorrow.

The Change-Up (mixed bag): I enjoyed this silly comedy considerably more than I expected to, and while it’s hardly a great movie, it’s much funnier than I thought it would be. Not a must-see by any means, but you will laugh a bit, even if you aren’t planning on it. My review will be up on Monday.

The trailer for Rise of the Planet of the Apes impressed me much more than I thought it would, so I wouldn’t mind seeing that but have no plans to do so anytime soon.

New to DVD

Last Night (mixed bag): This Tribeca selection features Keira Knightley and action star Sam Worthington as partners both contemplating affairs. It’s a slow-paced, directionless film that isn’t necessarily bad but also doesn’t evoke the proper emotion and empathy for the characters that it should.

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Check out two classic thrillers from the 90s that have just arrived if you haven’t already, both of which won acting Oscars, for Kevin Spacey and Kathy Bates, respectively: The Usual Suspects and Misery.