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

Warrior (highly recommended): This sports movie about two brothers both making separate strides towards an intense mixed martial arts competition really surprised me, since the genre hardly interests me. There are great performances, but more importantly, stellar depictions of the fights. Highly recommended. Now playing in wide release. Read my review from yesterday.

Beware the Gonzo (recommended): It’s not clear to me anymore that this film is actually playing in theatres right now, but it should be available on VOD. It’s a high school movie about a loser uprising which may not be wholly creative but still serves as suitable entertainment. My review will be up on Monday.

I’d very much like to see Contagion and you couldn’t pay me to see Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star. I’d be eager to see Tanner Hall as well.

New to DVD

Everything Must Go (recommended): This quirky film stars Will Ferrell as a down-on-his-luck man who literally ends up with his entire life on his lawn. It may not have some destination or greater purpose, but it’s an enjoyable independent film that’s good for a few laughs and more than a few smiles.

X-Men: First Class (mixed bag): I really wanted to like this new reboot of the X-Men franchise, but such random selection of protagonists and the lack of a compelling plot made this just as disappointing as the series’ third installment from 2006. It still has something to offer, but I had hoped for much better.

Hanna (mixed bag): This loud, violent film boasts an intriguing premise and delivers on it by presenting a far too narrow focus of the world that allows far too many conveniences and posits its protagonist as the center of the universe. It has its moments, but as a whole, it’s a bit of a mess.

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Good Will Hunting (highly recommended): This 1997 Best Picture nominee won Oscars for writers Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, as well as for supporting actor Robin Williams. It’s an extremely moving drama with exceptional performances, and something that hasn’t lost much relevance in nearly fifteen years since its release.

The Missing (mixed bag): This was one of Cate Blanchett’s two 2003 films, and while it’s better than “Veronica Guerin,” it still has its high and low points. At times, it’s an intriguing Western, and Evan Rachel Wood does deliver a strong performance. It may be ultimately unsatisfying, but still interesting.