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

Drive (highly recommended): This Cannes Best Director winner is an absolutely thrilling, captivating film that’s dark and moody but never sinks too deep. Ryan Gosling is perfectly cast as a near-silent stunt man moonlighting as a getaway driver, and the rest of the ensemble is top-notch as well. Bloody and violent at times, but so worth it. Now playing in wide release. Read my review from yesterday.

Happy, Happy (highly recommended): This Norwegian entry for Best Foreign Film is a fascinating and rich tale of two couples living in adjacent homes whose interactions are less than honest and sincere. It’s a great foreign small-ensemble drama, and definitely recommended for anyone that doesn’t mind subtitles. Now playing at Landmark Sunshine and the Beekman Theatre. My review will be up tomorrow.

New to DVD

Thor (recommended): This loud Marvel action piece is best described as top-heavy. Its first half is furiously thrilling and infinitely exciting, but it peters out and fails to provide much of an ending since everything’s heading towards “The Avengers” anyway. It’s still a good time with some decent laughs and great action, and a fine rental.

Incendies (recommended): This Canadian nominee for last year’s Oscar for Best Foreign Film is among the most depressing and disturbing films you’ll see (also see the rest of the lineup), but it’s made very well and tells a compelling, if horribly disquieting, story.

Hesher (anti-recommended): This miserable mess stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rainn Wilson, and Natalie Portman, but there’s no saving it from the horror of what it is. The mixture of kids and violent behavior is off-putting, and there’s nothing worthwhile to be found here.

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

I haven't had the time to watch it yet, but I was excited to note the availability of Anthony Zimmer, the original French version of "The Tourist."