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

People Like Us (recommended): This drama elicits fantastic turns from Chris Pine, who played Kirk in “Star Trek,” and Elizabeth Banks, most familiar from “30 Rock” and “Scrubs,” as siblings unaware of each other’s existence who build a rapport after the death of their father. It’s a simply story enhanced by strong storytelling. Now playing in wide release. Read my capsule review from yesterday.

Take This Waltz (mixed bag): This Tribeca Film Festival entry is intriguingly shot, and most notable for the dramatic performances featured by Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman. Michelle Williams is in the lead in a familiar role, and the film often appears to be more captivating than it actually is. Now playing at Landmark Sunshine and Lincoln Center. Read my capsule review from Tribeca.

New to DVD

The Artist (highly recommended): This delightful black-and-white, silent film is wonderfully creative and entirely charming, using its antique form to excellent effect. French performers Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo are magnificent, and the film is fully entertaining from start to finish. Its Oscars were very deserved.

Mirror Mirror (mixed bag): This widely-advertised update of Snow White is an inconsistently modernized, generally entertaining take on the classic story, that features Julia Roberts in the lead role as the Queen, having a grand old time and chewing up scenery. The dwarves are fun, but this movie otherwise isn’t all too worthwhile, though it’s hardly terrible or miserable either.

Movie with Abe: People Like Us (Capsule Review)

People Like Us
Directed by Alex Kurtzman
Released June 29, 2012

“People Like Us” is a great title for a human drama. This particular film follows one particularly motivated, self-interested son, Sam (Chris Pine), whose father’s death leads him to the sister he never knew he had, Frankie (Elizabeth Banks). It follows a traditional and familiar course of events, yet this exploration of a new family dynamic is actually quite moving due to thoughtfully-written characters and exceptional performances from both Pine and Banks. The “Star Trek” star delivers a blisteringly honest portrayal of a man driven to succeed by his loneliness, and Banks, who has proven herself immensely capable of comedy in “30 Rock” and films like “Our Idiot Brother” and “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” gives a fine dramatic performance reminiscent of her part in the little-seen 2005 film “Heights.” Child actor Michael Hall D’Addario shows immense potential as Frankie’s troublesome son as well. This film may not be extraordinary, but it’s certainly very capable and compelling.

B+

Thursday Theoretical Oscar Category

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In my love for everything Oscar, it’s always fun to speculate on who or what might have been included given different circumstances. Though there are twenty-four fields recognized on Oscar night, that still neglects a handful of key players. As a result, I’d like to take a look each week at imagined categories, and who or what might have benefited from their existence.

The category: Best Comedy

Why it should exist: Traditionally, less serious films haven’t been honored by Oscar voters as much as more dramatic material. The Golden Globes have a comedy category that also rewards – and often favors – musicals, and those films usually get relegated to the screenplay race and maybe an acting field. It would be a great way to recognize films that make people laugh and might otherwise not be considered as seriously.

Why it doesn’t exist: Aside from the perception that comedies aren’t as good as dramas, there’s just one top category at the Oscars that rewards films as a whole. It would be jarring to see another big race added, and it might mean that nominees in this category wouldn’t be eligible for, or wouldn’t have as much luck in, the Best Picture race if they got recognized here.

Who might have been nominated the past five years:
2011: The Artist, Bridesmaids, The Guard, Midnight in Paris, Young Adult
2010: Barney’s Version, Easy A, The Kids Are All Right, Love and Other Drugs, Toy Story 3
2009: 500 Days of Summer, The Hangover, It’s Complicated, Julie and Julia, The Proposal
2008: Burn After Reading, Happy-Go-Lucky, In Bruges, Tropic Thunder, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
2007: Charlie Wilson’s War, Juno, Knocked Up, The Savages, Walk Hard

Who do you think might have been nominated?

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Big Snub of 2010

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Big Snub is the second in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed. Since I started this feature back in 2010, I’ll now be filling in the past two years.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several notable omissions. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most shocking snub of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what seemed likely at the time and what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor who didn’t even earn a nomination.

The Big Snub of 2010:

Christopher Nolan for Best Director

Why it was all set to happen: After “The Dark Knight” was shut out in the top categories despite strong precursor performance two years earlier, Nolan finally had a surefire hit that was going to go the distance. His first two DGA nods, for “Memento” and “The Dark Knight,” didn’t lead to anything, but “Inception” was one of the most popular films of the year and had the awards momentum behind it to get there. No one could argue that Nolan was overdue.

Why it probably didn’t: Some people didn’t get the movie, and others probably thought it was overrated. This kick in the pants for Nolan demonstrated that voters only liked the film enough to include in a ten-wide Best Picture field, not to recognize its individual merits aside from technical competence and Nolan’s screenplay. It also didn’t help that the film fits into the science fiction genre, which voters don’t tend to respect, with few exceptions.

What took its place: The Coen Brothers for “True Grit,” receiving their third directorial nomination.

Consolation prize: Two nominations, for producing and writing. If he couldn’t break into the directing race for this, hope isn’t high that he’ll ever be able to do it.

Come back next week for a look at the Surprise Inclusion of 2011!

Tuesday’s Top Trailer: Taken 2

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Tuesday's Top Trailer. One of my favorite parts about going to see movies is the series of trailers that airs beforehand and, more often than not, the trailer is far better than the actual film. Each week, I'll be sharing a trailer I've recently seen. Please chime in with comments on what you think of the trailer and how you think the movie is going to be.

Taken 2 – Opening October 5, 2012

This trailer was just released a couple of days ago, and while this isn’t going to be the best film of the year, expectations are high for different reasons. Liam Neeson, who was actually a pretty great actor in the 1990s with films like “Schindler’s List,” has found a new career as an action hero with an incomparable cool in the most intense of situations. His last effort, “The Grey,” was more over-the-top than not, but the first “Taken” film was good mainly because of its leading star’s awesomeness. It’s not the kind of movie that demands a sequel, but the box office did, and as a result, here it is. The plot seems decently sensible – someone coming after Neeson’s Bryan Mills and his family as revenge for all of the criminals he took out in the first film – and there’s actually the creation of a little franchise evident in some of the lines from the trailer. Bryan telling his daughter that “Your mother is about to be taken” on the phone evokes a similar scene from the first film, which could easily be replicated in an endless number of sequels to come. The reason to see this movie, however, is to see Neeson kick ass, and lines like “You’ll just have to die” are tailor-made for the actor. While I may not rush out to see this out in theatres, I definitely know its entertainment value and would enjoy seeing it at some point.

Monday Sequel Spotlight: Bad Boys II

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In this series, I’ll be taking a look at some famous (and infamous) sequels to see how they compare to the original. I'll do my best to alternate between the greats and the best forgotten. Leave your thoughts or a suggestion for a spotlight in the comments!

Bad Boys II
Directed by Michael Bay
Released July 18, 2003

It’s not likely most would consider this as a good film, but as action movies go, it’s pretty satisfying. The first film, in 1995, brought together two occasionally over-the-top comedians and gave them badges. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence actually worked well together, and it was enjoyable to see them take down the bad guys with Tea Leoni at their side. Eight years later, the franchise was back with Gabrielle Union as the new female lead. Much more so than the first film, this one focused on big explosions and all-out action. The plot is not nearly as strong as that of the first film, but it’s still fun, and presented more opportunity for car chases and excessive action sequences. Michael Bay’s reputation back then wasn’t all that much better than it is now since this came after the ill-fated (but not actually so terrible) “Pearl Harbor.” Still, he’s good at blowing stuff up, and there’s a whole lot of that in this film. The action and the comedy balance each other out very well, and this film’s worth a mindless viewing. “We ride together, we die together. Bad boys for life!” Enjoy the trailer above; it’s a perfect snapshot of the film.

Sunday Similar Standards: Kate Winslet

Welcome to a semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Kate Winslet

This thirty-six-year-old British actress has managed to earn an impressive six Oscar nominations and one win, which came in 2008 for one of the below roles. You’ll usually find her playing lonely women yearning for something more, sometimes an extramarital affair. She’s alternately American and British, and she’s one of the best actresses currently out there in terms of masking her accent.

Titanic (1997): Her star-making role saw her as a Titanic traveler engaged to a power-hungry man and wooed by the allure of a steerage traveler.

Iris (2001): She played the younger version of Judi Dench’s spirited novelist who was, for once, able to find romance in her partner John Bayley.

The Life of David Gale (2003): She was on her won as an enterprising reporter fighting to find the truth and save the life of a man on death row.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004): She was unforgettable as a seductive glue-sniffer with ever-changing hair and a penchant for forgetting relationships.

Finding Neverland (2004): She was a widow with lovely children that caught the heart of the famous writer of “Peter Pan.”

All the King’s Men (2006): She was rather forgettable as the love interest of Jude Law’s reporter in this unfortunate remake of the 1949 Best Picture winner.

Little Children (2006): She was subtle and mesmerizing as an unhappy housewife who begins an affair with another parent.

The Reader (2008): Winslet donned a German accent to portray as a mysterious Nazi concentration camp guard on trial for war crimes, and won an Oscar for her troubles.

Revolutionary Road (2008): She was utterly depressed and unstable in her Golden Globe-winning role as a housewife in the suburbs in this beautifully-shot portrait of suburban life.

Carnage (2011): She was funnier than unusual as a mother in a tumultuous marriage not content to let an eccentric woman decry her parenting skills.

Anything different?

Not really, though she did parody herself in an episode of the TV show “Extras.”

What’s next?

A familiar role in the drama “Labor Day,” a starring role as a writer in “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society,” and a part in an untitled ensemble comedy from multiple directors.

The verdict?

Winslet is considered to be one of the best actresses in the business, capable of grace and a stunning American accent. The fact that she’s already earned six Oscar nominations at her age with only twenty years in the business is extremely impressive, and she’s sure to do great things in years to come.

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

There are three films being released this week that I’d like to try to see shortly. The first is To Rome with Love, Woody Allen’s annual summer effort, which should hopefully be very entertaining. The next is Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, a romantic drama which oddly pairs Steve Carell with Keira Knightley. There’s a lot of buzz about Brave, Pixar’s latest, but I’m not sure it looks as good as some of the studio’s past features.

New to DVD

Seeking Justice (anti-recommended): This action thriller starring Nicolas Cage is exactly what you’d expect from such a film: senseless, illogical, infuriating, annoying, and ultimately unfulfilling. If Cage was Liam Neeson, this film might have been better, but, unfortunately, Cage can’t even shelter all the blame. Skip it!

Friday Foreign Films: The Sea Inside

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In the absence of new film reviews for a given week, I’d like to take the opportunity to spotlight a foreign from the past decade or so that might have gone unnoticed or unremembered by most. Theatres in New York City show foreign films almost as often as they show American films, and, as a result, I’d had the chance to see a number of excellent international movies in my six years here. Please add your thoughts on the film and suggestions for future inclusions in the comments section below!

The Sea Inside
Directed by Alejandro Amenabar
Released December 17, 2004

This Oscar-winning 2004 film from the writer-director of “The Others” is a mesmerizing onscreen realization of the story of Ramon Sampedro, a quadriplegic man who fought for his right to die for thirty years. Javier Bardem delivers what may just be his finest performance – counting “No Country for Old Men” – as the subdued, sincere man determined to die a dignified death. The image of him bedridden and balding is contrasted with flashbacks to a younger man with flowing hair diving into the ocean right before a fateful and tragic accident. In addition to its trophy for Best Foreign Film, the film also earned a well-deserved Best Makeup nomination. The film, like “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” after it, is prone to dreamlike sequences, which help to give it a magnetic and captivating feel. Amenabar handles this serious, moving story with delicacy and grace, making it among the most memorable foreign imports from the 2000s. The trailer embedded above perfectly and beautifully captures the film's tone.

Thursday Theoretical Oscar Category

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In my love for everything Oscar, it’s always fun to speculate on who or what might have been included given different circumstances. Though there are twenty-four fields recognized on Oscar night, that still neglects a handful of key players. As a result, I’d like to take a look each week at imagined categories, and who or what might have benefited from their existence.

The category: Best Soundtrack

Why it should exist: Currently, two musical categories exist – Best Original Score and Best Original Song. The former was split up in the 1990s into drama and comedy/musical, but nothing exists to award songs and soundtracks that are not original in nature. Stringent rules have discounted some notable scores and original songs over the past few years, and this could be a great way to honor composers and songwriters whose work doesn’t fit into a box, and also a fun way to recognize musicals with great music and less impressive acting and writing.

Why it doesn’t exist: There’s a reason there are rules, and clearly efforts have been made in past years to expand the field to include more choices. Though they’re arguably more interesting to the casual viewer than some of the other technical categories, most of the names aren’t all that known, and honoring even more non-actors during the Oscar ceremony probably wouldn’t go over too well with the general populace. Also, the award for Best Adapted Screenplay represents original material based on a previous work, whereas this category might just reward putting together preexisting music.

Who might have been nominated the past five years: 2011: Drive, Hanna, Midnight in Paris, Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game of Shadows, Super 8
2010: Blue Valentine, Easy A, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Somewhere, Tangled
2009: Away We Go, An Education, 500 Days of Summer, Nine, Watchmen
2008: The Dark Knight, My Blueberry Nights, Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Wanted, The Wrestler
2007: Hairspray, Into the Wild, Once, Sweeney Todd, There Will Be Blood

Who do you think might have been nominated?

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Big Snub of 2011

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Big Snub is the second in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed. Since I started this feature back in 2010, I’ll now be filling in the past two years.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several notable omissions. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most shocking snub of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what seemed likely at the time and what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor who didn’t even earn a nomination.

The Big Snub of 2011:

“The Adventures of Tintin” for Best Animated Feature

Why it was all set to happen: In a year where category juggernaut Pixar had a film that wasn’t well-liked, “Cars 2,” just one of a handful of sequels to past nominees that weren’t as popular as their predecessors, this film had a whole lot going for it. Oscar winner Steven Spielberg adapting classic material into an adventure film for the whole family was a great idea, and it even played out well on screen, earning strong reviews. The film beat out “Rango” for the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature and a PGA Award, putting it at the head of the pack

Why it probably didn’t: Most people allege a bias against motion capture, and that’s probably a big part of it. Some may also feel that Spielberg is past his prime, and others may have just wanted to reward something else. The inclusion of French kids’ movie “A Cat In Paris” and the very adult Cuba-set film “Chico & Rita” also suggest that this category, which is a mere eleven years old, is ripe for change, ready to include a wider array of animated films rather than just honor the most popular animated films of the year.

What took its place: “A Cat in Paris” and “Chico & Rita”

Consolation prize: A nomination for Best Original Score, one of two marking the career 46th and 47th nominations for John Williams.

Come back next week for a look at the Big Snub of 2010!

Tuesday’s Top Trailer: Safety Not Guaranteed

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Tuesday's Top Trailer. One of my favorite parts about going to see movies is the series of trailers that airs beforehand and, more often than not, the trailer is far better than the actual film. Each week, I'll be sharing a trailer I've recently seen. Please chime in with comments on what you think of the trailer and how you think the movie is going to be.

Safety Not Guaranteed – Opened June 8, 2012

I don’t usually feature trailers for films that have already been released, but I only happened upon it after its release, and I’m just so excited that a film like this is being made that I think it’s well worth spotlighting. I love anything to do with time travel, and even if it’s just a guy that might be crazy posting an ad for a companion to time travel with him, that’s more than enough for me. The fact that the girl is Aubrey Plaza and the guy is Mark Duplass just makes things infinitely better. Plaza has been so terrific on “Parks & Recreation” over the past few years, and this is a perfect part for her. The way she tells Kenneth that she wouldn’t have to ask as many questions had his ad specified what kind of weapons would be needed was terrific, and it’s nice to see her express interest in something. Duplass was wonderful in “Your Sister’s Sister,” a Tribeca Film Festival entry out this month, and I love that he’s taking on this role. Jake Johnson has been great as Nick on “New Girl,” and Mary Lynn Rajskub, of “24” and “How to Be a Gentleman,” tends to be very funny as well. This should be an endearing and free-spirited comedy, and I hope to have the chance to see it soon!

Movie with Abe: Extraterrestrial

Extraterrestrial
Directed by Nacho Vigalondo
Released June 15, 2012

This strange little film is an unconventional alien invasion film, one that spotlights four characters living and surviving together in a building with a spaceship visible in the distance. What begins as a one-night stand between two strangers transforms into a bizarre spectacle of lies and deception, as Julio and Julia work to make sense of their surroundings while trying to prevent Julia’s nosy neighbor Angel from blabbing about their affair to Julia’s hotheaded boyfriend Carlos. Watching these characters interact with each other is extremely intriguing, and the film is edited in a way that much of it seems like a dream, as Julio struggles to piece together exactly what’s happened and what’s happened. It’s an inventive, cleverly constructed story with strong performances from Julian Villagran, Michelle Jenner, Carlos Areces and Raul Cimas. As it develops, it becomes much more complex than it originally seems, turning into a nice surprise of a drama and one of the most untraditional takes on alien invasions seen on film.

B

Movie with Abe: The Tortured (Capsule Review)

The Tortured
Directed by Robert Lieberman
Released June 15, 2012

There are certain subjects that have no hope of being pleasant. “The Tortured,” a film whose name doesn’t inspire confidence, is the ultimate example of that, as it follows two parents whose six-year-old child is abducted and murdered by a madman. After that dim, disturbing start, things only get worse when, unable to get over their grief and faced with the notion that their son’s killer may one day be freed, the couple kidnaps him and plots to exact revenge upon him for taking away their child. It’s a miserable, awful premise with no hope of redemption, and watching its protagonists, Craig and Elise, test their limits and explore their ability to inflict pain is entirely unsettling. It’s particularly disturbing to see Erika Christensen, who has found a regular gig playing a mother on NBC’s family-friendly “Parenthood,” in this part, and Jesse Metcalfe should stick to happier, lighter TV fare like “Desperate Housewives” and TNT’s reboot of “Dallas” where murder is a much less dreary and horrible business. The film’s visuals are dark and gloomy, and the editing is choppy and uneven. A major, highly far-fetched plot twist comes late in the film, long after it has descended into depravity and far beyond any saving. 79 minutes has never felt so unbearably long.

F

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

Rock of Ages (mixed bag): This wild, star-filled musical is rather preposterous, but it’s not supposed to be rocket science. Fans of music from the 1980s will enjoy the tunes, and as long as expectations for dramatic content or acting aren’t high, this film should prove highly enjoyable to most audiences. Now playing in wide release. Read my review from yesterday.

The Tortured (anti-recommended): This awful film follows a couple, played by Erika Christensen and Jesse Metcalfe, as they kidnap the murderer of their six-year-old son. There’s no reason to see this horrible, extraordinarily disturbing movie. Now playing at the IFC Center and also available on VOD. My capsule review will be up on Sunday.

Extraterrestrial (recommended): This intriguing Spanish film is a strange, interesting exploration of four people living in close quarters with a spaceship and plenty of uncertainty hovering in the distance. It’s an unexpected and original drama with a sharp, smart script and creative editing. Now playing at the reRun Gastropub Theater in Brooklyn and on VOD. My capsule review will be up on Monday.






New to DVD

The Assault (recommended): This dramatization of the 1994 hijacking of an Air France flight is, like “United 93,” a literal story-to-screen adaptation that doesn’t feature much filmic creativity, which is fine and makes for a powerful and relatively captivating experience.

In Darkness (recommended): This Best Foreign Film Oscar nominee from Poland tells the story of Jews hidden in the sewers during the Holocaust. It’s an affecting tale that’s not nearly as strong of a film, but it’s still worthwhile viewing.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (highly recommended): This sequel is actually much better than the original film, casting Jared Harris from “Mad Men” as villain Professor Moriarty and featuring nonstop action throughout. It’s long, but thoroughly exciting and worthwhile.






Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Adventureland (anti-recommeneded): This 2009 dramatic comedy starring Jesse Eisenberg – not the one set in Zombieland – acts just like its main character, unenthusiastic and uninterested in doing much of anything. Instead of summer fun, it’s relatively boring and unengaging.

The Cider House Rules (mixed bag): This 1999 Best Picture winner, which won Oscars for its screenplay and for supporting actor Michael Caine, is a sweet but ultimately unexceptional tale that’s generally light but has a dramatic undercurrent to it.

Life is Beautiful (highly recommended): This Oscar-winning 1998 Italian film is an exceptionally moving story of a man, played by Roberto Benigni in a magnificent performance, determined to hide the seriousness of the Holocaust from his young son by pretending that it’s all a game.

Rounders (recommended): This 1998 drama follows Edward Norton and Matt Damon as gamblers. It’s not a superb film, but it’s definitely fun and should prove especially enjoyable for card game fans.

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.

Movie with Abe: Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages
Directed by Adam Shankman
Released June 15, 2012

In musicals, there’s always singing and dancing. Sometimes, there’s a bit more too. On Broadway, performers belt out songs and bring down the house with energetic, powerful renditions. In films where the music is pre-recorded and the players are clearly just lip-synching, that element is lost, and the level of excitement depends on the strength of the songs and the supporting plot. “Rock of Ages,” based on a long-running musical that weaves together popular hits from the 1980s, is short on story and heavy on substituting songs for plot developments. As a result, it’s an inconsistent, jumbled saga with a whole lot of great music.

Simply put, “Rock of Ages” tells the most familiar music-related story ever told. Its central characters are classic naïve youngsters with a boatload of talent starting out as bar employees in the city’s hottest club. Their romance is uncomplicated and immediate, and it’s not until well into the film that any real drama begins, and it’s a predictable yarn of fame and glory versus true love. Julianne Hough, whose background is “Dancing with the Stars,” and TV guest star Diego Boneta, of “Pretty Little Liars” and “90210,” are likely to build their movie careers around these breakout roles, which makes much better use of their singing talents than their acting abilities.

This heavy fictionalized film isn’t meant to be taken seriously. Its presentation of most of the songs comes from choice dialogue meant to segue into a musical number in the least subtle fashion. That’s most evident when two non-singers get the chance to break into song, comically opening their mouths and bopping their heads along to the beat: Paul Giamatti’s egomaniacal manager and Alec Baldwin’s long-haired club owner Dennis Dupree. Comedian Russell Brand is also on tap as Dupree’s right-hand man, and Tom Cruise takes center stage in his most ridiculous role since “Tropic Thunder” as rock icon Stacee Jaxx, who boasts, among other things, a pet monkey named Hey-Man.

There is some talent to be found in the cast, and certain performers are used better than others. Mary J. Blige gets a musical showcase as a strip club owner in a plotline that seems uncomfortably inserted into the overarching story, while Catherine Zeta-Jones’ crusading mayoral candidate’s wife has a reasonable purpose in the story but her musical numbers are excessive and forced. Bumps aside, “Rock of Ages” is an entertaining spectacle, and if not too much thought or expectations are put into the viewing experience, it’s plenty fun and generally harmless.

C

Thursday Theoretical Oscar Category

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In my love for everything Oscar, it’s always fun to speculate on who or what might have been included given different circumstances. Though there are twenty-four fields recognized on Oscar night, that still neglects a handful of key players. As a result, I’d like to take a look each week at imagined categories, and who or what might have benefited from their existence.

The category: Best Trailer

Why it should exist: This is an already an AFT Award category, designed to recognize movies that look the best from the outset in a theatrical trailer. My choices don’t fully jive with Oscar voters’, but the main thing that could be achieved with this category is to reward films with Oscar pedigree that don’t end up being Oscar-caliber. There are awards for short films and editing; this is a masterful and appetizing combination of both.

Why it doesn’t exist: A trailer is not a complete film, feature-length or short subject, and as a result it’s a strange thing to honor. It might also be too disparate from the rest of the awards which recognize concrete excellence in production, and trailers are often so disconnected from, and unlike, the movies themselves. Also, are teasers eligible too? It would be a cool inclusion, but I can’t imagine it ever being given out.

Who might have been nominated the past five years:
2011: The Artist, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Tree of Life, War Horse
2010: 127 Hours, Black Swan, Inception, The Social Network, True Grit
2009: Inglourious Basterds, Invictus, The Lovely Bones, Nine, Up
2008: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight, Doubt, Revolutionary Road, The Wrestler
2007: American Gangster, Atonement, Juno, Michael Clayton, There Will Be Blood

Who do you think might have been nominated?

Movie with Abe: Prometheus

Prometheus
Directed by Ridley Scott
Released June 8, 2012

There’s a certain tested formula to making certain science fiction movies. A diverse crew ends up trapped somewhere in deep space as they start meeting an unknown enemy with abilities far beyond their own. There are some believers onboard, and others that doubt that there is any real danger - those are, of course, the first to die. This standard was established by films like director Ridley Scott’s “Alien” in 1979, and it works just as well today, in films like this that thrill and chill just as much while boasting astonishing cinematography and visual effects.

What’s most crucial in updating an old-age format is a positive and creative vision of the future. “Prometheus” sets most of its action in 2093, as a crew of seventeen awakens from cryostasis after two years to find themselves on a scientific expedition to find an alien race that may have created humankind. Their ship is massive and filled with the most modern, and more importantly, futuristic technology, and the landscapes on the planet are awe-inspiring and magnificent. It may be a familiar story with expected twists and turns, but when it’s told in such an elegant, invigorating fashion, it’s well worth another version.

The characters aboard the mission are also quite recognizable – the firm believer scientist (Noomi Rapace), the doubtful scientist (Logan Marshall-Green), the cocky pilot (Idris Elba), the humorless corporate commander (Charlize Theron), and, of course, the robot (Michael Fassbender). The character tropes are perfect for this particular story, as its terror comes from the disparity of beliefs and degrees of panic expressed by the various personalities. Casting strong international actors works to the film’s advantage since it makes them more three-dimensional, adding superb acting to a film in which that’s hardly essential.

“Prometheus” deserves special commendation for Fassbender, who had a banner year in 2011 playing a sex addict and Magneto in the newest X-Men movie. Here, he plays cyborg David with the utmost specificity, moving around awkwardly but excitedly and smiling at even the smallest of intriguing words or events. His curiosity knows no bounds, and he’s by far the most interesting character in the entire film. That said, the whole cast, including Rapace, who earned her fame from the Swedish version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” is on their best behavior. Over thirty years after he made his first classic sci-fi film, Ridley Scott has done it again with this engaging, compelling, and truly cool trip back into space where, once again, no one can hear you scream.

B+

Tuesday’s Top Trailer: Django Unchained

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Tuesday's Top Trailer. One of my favorite parts about going to see movies is the series of trailers that airs beforehand and, more often than not, the trailer is far better than the actual film. Each week, I'll be sharing a trailer I've recently seen. Please chime in with comments on what you think of the trailer and how you think the movie is going to be.

Django Unchained – Opening December 25, 2012

The long-anticipated first look at Quentin Tarantino’s new film was finally released last week, and it’s quite a sight. For all his fame and notoriety, Tarantino has only ever made six full-length feature films (plus segments in a few more), and his last effort, “Inglourious Basterds,” was nothing short of spectacular. Now, he’s making a bona fide western, which is particularly exciting given his professed love for Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns and their obvious influences in his previous projects. Reusing Christoph Waltz, whose international career was made by his astonishing, Oscar-winning, quadralingual turn in “Inglourious Basterds,” is a fantastic idea, and it looks like he has a similarly awesome part as the man responsible for unchaining the protagonist, played by Jamie Foxx, who, after a banner year in 2004 with an Oscar win for “Ray,” hasn’t had the ideal follow-up role until now. Leonardo DiCaprio’s wild part looks especially entertaining and unlike what the character actor tends to do. Tarantino films are certain to be brutally violent, and this one looks no different, given that Django is an avenging angel with a quick trigger finger and a desperate desire to be reunited with his wife, played by Kerry Washington. Familiar TV faces James Remar (“Dexter”), M.C. Gainey (“Lost,” “Justified”), and Walton Goggins (“The Shield,” “Justified”) are all in the supporting cast, as is Tarantino favorite Samuel L. Jackson. This film is sure to be irreverent and strange, but it’s also likely to be excellent.

Monday Sequel Spotlight: Fast Five

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In this series, I’ll be taking a look at some famous (and infamous) sequels to see how they compare to the original. I'll do my best to alternate between the greats and the best forgotten. Leave your thoughts or a suggestion for a spotlight in the comments!

Fast Five
Directed by Justin Lin
Released April 29, 2011

The “Fast and the Furious” franchise is a particularly interesting one because it doesn’t follow the logical progression of most series with such a staggering number of installments. The first film, released in 2001, was an adrenaline-fueled hit. “2 Fast 2 Furious” swapped out tough guy Vin Diesel, who opted to make a sequel to “Pitch Black” instead, for funny guy Tyrese, and it served as little more than a guilty pleasure. This reviewer skipped the third film, which was subtitled “Tokyo Drift” and was missing both Diesel and Paul Walker. The fourth entry, which boasted the same title as the first without the definite articles, reunited the entire cast for a fun thrill ride, and then came the fifth film. Its title presumed intimate knowledge of the franchise, and not only were Diesel and Walker still on board, but members of the ensembles from all of the previous films were also on hand. This fifth installment demonstrated that this franchise has grown rather than withered with age, understanding full well how to tell an occasionally over-the-top, action-driven story with superb albeit ridiculous characters. Adding The Rock to the cast as the new lawman was an excellent choice, and having him go head-to-head with Diesel’s character an even better one. The action scenes and twists in this film are magnificent, and it makes the wait for the forthcoming sixth film, slated for release in May 2013, all the more unbearable.

Sunday Similar Standards: Daniel Craig

Welcome to a semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Daniel Craig

This hot British actor has become almost universally recognizable to American audiences over the past eight years as a tough-as-nails, cunning, creative mystery man with superb physical abilities. Taking on the iconic role of super-agent James Bond just further shows that he’s extraordinarily skilled at playing slick, cool guys that women can’t possibly resist.

Layer Cake (2004): His pre-Bond agent XXXX was slick but hardly as sure of himself, nearly thrown off the side of a building by enemies yet confident enough to figure out a solution to the complicated, violent life.

Munich (2005): He was merely one of the supporting characters in this powerful drama about the Israeli-sponsored hunt for the architects of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, as a South African driver committed to the cause.

Infamous (2006): He wasn’t a good guy in this less famous dramatization of the Truman Capote story as Perry Smith, the murderer who forged a deep personal connection with the author chronicling his story.

Casino Royale (2006) & Quantum of Solace (2008): His hair color may have been lighter than past portrayers’, but Craig easily assumed the age-old part of 007, boasting extensive hand-to-hand combat experience and a penchant for getting himself into and then creatively out of trouble.

The Golden Compass (2007): In this adaptation of the popular Philip Pullman novel, Craig played Lord Asriel, the formidable father of the curious main character, with a secretive past and a commanding presence, loyal to his daughter above all.

Defiance (2008): Craig was firmly committed to his cause as real-life freedom fighter Tuvia Bielski, who led a large group of Polish Jews through the forest during the Holocaust and enabled them to survive persecution and avoid certain death at the hands of the Nazis.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011): Craig played second fiddle to Rooney Mara’s prickly hacker, as Mikael Blomkvist, a dedicated journalist obsessed with finding the truth and clearing his name following false accusations.

Anything different?

Not that I’ve seen, though his early British work in the 1990s may include other roles.

What’s next?

The next James Bond film, “Skyfall,” is slated for release this November.

The verdict?

It’s hard not to find Craig irresistibly cool, and there’s a reason he tends to do action films rather than straight dramas – he has the right physical presence and he’s believable in tough guy parts without being unlikeable.

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

I can’t wait to see Prometheus and plan to do so as soon as possible next week. That’s about it.

New to DVD

Nothing to report this week!

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Changing Lanes (mixed bag): This 2002 thriller about the less-than-calm reactions by two men involved in a car accident isn’t terribly memorable, and features decent but unspectacular performances from Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson. It’s very missable.

Chasing Amy (mixed bag): This Ben Affleck film from Kevin Smith is a staple of the 1990s, featuring a Golden Globe-nominated lead performance from the soft-spoken Joey Lauren Adams. I don’t have much to say about it other than that it’s an intriguing film not quite made for me.

Darfur Now (mixed bag): Before Don Cheadle played a slimy management consultant on “House of Lies,” he was the star of this so-so 2007 documentary, which aimed to be a call to action but wasn’t nearly as on-message or focused as it hoped to be.

A Home at the End of the World (recommendation): This little-seen 2004 drama was one of the first films I ever reviewed, based on a Michael Cunningham novel and telling an intriguing love triangle tale with strong performances from Colin Farrell, Dallas Roberts, Robin Wright, and Sissy Spacek.

Lbs. (anti-recommended): I did not like this story of an overweight man whose life is ruled by his weight, presenting a sad sack premise without many memorable moments. Its protagonist’s journey is only mildly inspiring, and the film never manages to be interesting enough to be sustainable.

Paradise Now (mixed bag): This controversial 2005 Oscar nominee, billed as coming from Palestine, tells the story of two suicide bombers. Its unsettling premise is inarguably intriguing, but the film isn’t without its problems.

The Pianist (highly recommended): This 2002 Best Picture nominee won very deserved Oscars for its direction, writing, and lead acting by Adrien Brody in the performance of a lifetime as a pianist kept alive by his musical talents in the Warsaw ghetto during the Holocaust. Extremely disturbing but well worth it.

The Ten (mixed bag): This series of vignettes was David Wain’s follow-up to “Wet Hot American Summer” before he made the far superior “Role Models.” Entertaining at times, this film is all over the place, and some segments prove much funnier than others.

Toast (anti-recommended): This food movie is highly appetizing and looks pretty good, but its story suffers profoundly from a lack of depth, presenting mouth-watering recipes from failing to create compelling characters.

Friday Foreign Films: Beyond the Walls

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In the absence of new film reviews for a given week, I’d like to take the opportunity to spotlight a foreign from the past decade or so that might have gone unnoticed or unremembered by most. Theatres in New York City show foreign films almost as often as they show American films, and, as a result, I’d had the chance to see a number of excellent international movies in my six years here. Please add your thoughts on the film and suggestions for future inclusions in the comments section below!

Beyond the Walls
Directed by Uri Barbash
Released February 15, 1985

I had the privilege to host a screening of this film with guest speaker Professor Miri Kubovy as part of Temple Israel of the City of New York’s Reel Judaism summer film series. This 1984 nominee for Best Foreign Film from Israel is a profoundly engaging, extensively disturbing depiction of life within an Israeli prison. Its depiction of the Israeli criminals and Palestinian terrorists doesn’t favor either group, but definitely does dig deep into the complex relationships the two parties have as they find themselves united in hatred against the guards. What’s most intriguing about this film is that, though it feels dated in many respects, these characters and these sentiments could well exist today. Like a number of films coming out of Israel today, it’s not easy to digest, nor does it portray Israel or Israelis in the most positive light, and it’s that very complexity that makes it most compelling as a portrait of one segment of Israeli society. This film is not easy to find in the United States, but if it sounds worthwhile, try an Israeli version with English subtitles.

Thursday Theoretical Oscar Category

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In my love for everything Oscar, it’s always fun to speculate on who or what might have been included given different circumstances. Though there are twenty-four fields recognized on Oscar night, that still neglects a handful of key players. As a result, I’d like to take a look each week at imagined categories, and who or what might have benefited from their existence.

The category: Best Multiple Performances

Why it should exist: Perhaps this category needs a better name, like Hardest-Working Actor, something to explain that it cites a performer who has turned in several (at least two) quality performances in a calendar year. It would reward those that might not fit neatly into one category or that might not have one solo performance that enables them to break into one of the acting races. Nathaniel from The Film Experience already gives out this trophy, so check out his nominees for a great argument for this category’s existence.

Why it doesn’t exist: The rule, as it currently stands, is a performer may only be nominated once in a single category. Rewarding a diverse year or work could result in honoring those that have made many movies and not necessarily underline quality. There are plenty of questions: Would there just be one gender-blind category? Would having three or four films get you more points than having only two? Also, could a performer be nominated here and also earn a single-performance nomination? I don’t make the rules, I just dream them up.

Who might have been nominated the past five years:
2011: Jessica Chastain, Michael Fassbender, Ryan Gosling, John C. Reilly, Mia Wasikowska
2010: Ben Affleck, Annette Bening, Ryan Gosling, Rosamund Pike, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts
2009: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Clive Owen, Paul Schneider, Stanley Tucci, Sam Worthington
2008: Josh Brolin, Penelope Cruz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ben Kingsley, Kate Winslet
2007: Casey Affleck, Johnny Depp, Tommy Lee Jones, James McAvoy, Paul Schneider

Who do you think might have been nominated?

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Forgotten Five of 2010

Welcome to a returning weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Forgotten Five was the first in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed. Since I started this feature back in 2010, I’ll now be filling in the past two years.

Each year, a number of films are left off of Oscar’s Best Picture list. This year, even with ten nominees, films still didn’t make the cut. What I’m interested in looking at is the Forgotten Five – five films that probably came closest to getting nominated for Best Picture and ended up without a single nomination.


The rules are that the film cannot have earned any Oscar nominations at all. These are the movies that came so close and had buzz but just couldn’t ultimately cut it. If you disagree with my choices or think I missed one, please leave a note in the comments. This is designed to be a fun look back at some of the movies that may have been great (or not) and just missed the mark.


The Forgotten Five of 2010

Conviction was a November Hilary Swank movie, and late-breaking Hilary Swank movies have a tendency to catch Oscar voters by surprise and overwhelm them to discard other films. This story of a woman who becomes a lawyer to get her brother out of jail didn’t, and a SAG nod for Swank and diddly-squat for supporting Sam Rockwell were the only results.

The Ghost Writer was directed by Roman Polanski, who won an Oscar for helming “The Pianist” over two decades after fleeing the United States to avoid statutory rape charges. In France and other international awards groups, this film did well, but its politically-charged mystery was entirely forgotten by Oscar voters after a February release.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was ignored by Oscar voters long before the American remake fell short of a Best Picture nod but earned five nods (and one win) instead. Without a familiar director like David Fincher, this film probably felt too foreign – and violent – for voters’ tastes, though it was definitely popular, and given the lukewarm reception of the remake, this may just not have been Oscar-friendly material.

Made in Dagenham earned five BAFTA nominations and a handful of other British prizes, but it didn’t make any noise in the United States. Category confusion for this light-hearted dramatic story may have been the reason, but two-time Oscar nominee Miranda Richardson should have been able to overcome that for her fantastic supporting role.

Shutter Island br /> stands as the only Martin Scorsese-directed feature film in the past ten years not to earn a Best Picture nomination (the other four did). It wasn’t typical Scorsese material, trading gangsters for a gloomy, haunted prison, but this February release should still have garnered some consideration based on its director and star.

Take a look at past editions of the Forgotten Five, and other Wednesday Oscar Retrospective series.

Tuesday’s Top Trailer: Les Misérables

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Tuesday's Top Trailer. One of my favorite parts about going to see movies is the series of trailers that airs beforehand and, more often than not, the trailer is far better than the actual film. Each week, I'll be sharing a trailer I've recently seen. Please chime in with comments on what you think of the trailer and how you think the movie is going to be.

Les Misérables – Opening December 14, 2012

Like “The Great Gatsby” last week, we have an extraordinarily vivid and colorful rendition of a classic story being brought to the screen just as awards season is really getting going and sure to garner plenty of acclaim. After proving on Broadway and during awards shows that he is immensely capable of singing and dancing, Jackman gets his first major musical role here as Jean Valjean, constantly running from the clutches of Javert, played by Russell Crowe, who could use a good part in a film these days since it’s been a long time since he was on top. Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, and Helena Bonham Carter comprise the main female cast, and they’re all sure to be terrific. This is an exceptionally dramatic tale, and this looks like a fitting screen representation, full of gorgeous scenery and abundant costumes. Even if this isn’t the most excellent film, it’s an event, and a musical one that’s sure to be on par with the last decade’s most memorable musicals, like “Chicago” and “Sweeney Todd,” probably more like the latter since the stories are more similar. Directing this particular feature is Tom Hooper, an Oscar winner last year for helming “The King’s Speech” and an appropriate dose of awards bait to ensure that this one gets taken seriously. I think it looks fantastic.

Monday Sequel Spotlight: The Empire Strikes Back

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In this series, I’ll be taking a look at some famous (and infamous) sequels to see how they compare to the original. I'll do my best to alternate between the greats and the best forgotten. Leave your thoughts or a suggestion for a spotlight in the comments!

The Empire Strikes Back
Directed by Irvin Kershner
Released May 21, 1980

Here’s a sequel that almost everyone likes. Objectively, this was quite the feat, since the first “Star Wars” film in 1977 was immensely popular. After a failed TV “Star Wars Holiday Special” the year after, the franchise returned to the big screen with a new director, Irvin Kershner, and an exciting premise. The major new characters were Yoda, Boba Fett, and Lando Calrissian, and the film was full of memorable scenes, including the big reveal at the end about the truth identity of Luke Skywalker’s father. Most actually consider this to be the best film in the series, since it’s not quite as campy as the first and doesn’t feature the Ewoks that many didn’t love in the third film. Its opening on the ice planet of Hoth with the giant AT-AT walkers scouring the place was formidable, and Luke’s training on Dagobah was rather legendary. Han Solo being frozen in carbonite and that final sequence with the Millennium Falcon rescuing a now-handless Luke Skywalker were both classic as well. The third film provided a fitting conclusion to the saga, but as everyone knows, that wasn’t the end of this particular universe. Unadvisedly, George Lucas returned to direct the prequels himself, and while I’m of the opinion that Episode I and Episode II are decent films, I know I’m in the minority. Rebooting a franchise two decades later with entirely new characters isn’t a smart move, and I imagine that at least ninety-nine percent of avid fans will tell you things would have been better off without Jar Jar Binks. Enjoy the fan-made trailer for this one above.

Sunday Similar Standards: Ellen Page

Welcome to a semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Ellen Page

This spunky Canadian actress, now 25, has established herself in less than a decade in the United States as a go-to for sarcastic, comedic girls with an above-average maturity and vocabulary. She’s rarely the cool girl at the party, but being the outcast doesn’t usually turn out to be so bad.

Hard Candy (2006): Page was incredible and terrifying as a lonely, psychopathic teenager so prepared for a statutory rapist that she planned to punish one man before he even did anything to her.

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006): In this superhero sequel, Page took on the role of Kitty Pryde, also known as Shadowcast, an outcast by default who can walk through walls.

Juno (2007): Page’s signature role as a pregnant teenager garnered her an Oscar nomination, and for good reason. This is the kind of part Page was born to play, and she delivers Diablo Cody’s dialogue with precise excellence.

Smart People (2008): Page was at her most antisocial and pretentious as the daughter of a disgruntled professor, talking down to her uncle and not boasting very many friends.

Whip It (2009): Page proved individualistic once again as a witty teenager desperate to be part of a roller derby, a life choice her parents didn’t quite approve.

Inception (2010): Her intelligence was definitely on show as she proved able to build impressive dream worlds as part of the top-secret scientist team charged with engineering an original thought in someone’s mind.

Super (2011): This awful superhero comedy featured Page as Boltie, the excitable apprentice to Rainn Wilson’s horrific hero The Crimson Bolt. She was, unsurprisingly, a comic book nerd.

Anything different?

Just a melancholy role in the TV movie “An American Crime,” in which she found herself brutalized by her adoptive mother and as a result didn’t deliver much witty dialogue.

What’s next?

A part in Woody Allen’s new movie “To Rome With Love,” due out this month, and a lead role in a cool thriller called “The East” with “True Blood” star Alexander Skarsgard.

The verdict?

Some may find her irritating, but the truth is that she’s a delight, and while she might eventually move on to other roles as she grows up and stops looking quite so young, right now these kinds of parts are just right for her.

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

Going to the movies has unfortunately not happened for me all that much lately, and thus I’m lamentably behind on new releases. I could see but have no real enthusiasm for Snow White and the Huntsman since its subject matter has been obnoxiously omnipresent lately, and I don’t think that For Greater Glory looks terribly worthwhile.

New to DVD

Coriolanus (mixed bag): Ralph Fiennes’ directorial debut, which was one of the Forgotten Five of 2011 featured in my series this past Wednesday, is full of Shakespearean dialogue but modern-day imagery and clothing. For Shakespeare devotees, it should be an interesting exercise, but for those less inclined, it’s incomplete and relatively unsatisfying, even if Fiennes is trying his hardest.

We Need to Talk About Kevin (recommended): This is easily one of the most disturbing films made in recent years, chronicling out of order the childhood of a deeply troubled boy with a hateful relationship towards his mother. Ezra Miller and Tilda Swinton, who earned Golden Globe and SAG nominations for the role, deliver excellent and truly unsettling performances in this film not recommended for anything but the most serious of moods.

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

The Killer Inside Me (recommended): This dark, moody 2010 film from director Michael Winterbottom, who made “A Mighty Heart” and “Code 46,” is hardly a perfect film yet it still remains worthwhile for the intrigue of its main character and some of its scenes which indicate a stronger film. There’s no actor quite like Casey Affleck either, and he’s typically terrific here.

Lost in Translation (recommended): This 2003 Best Picture nominee was the film that showed Bill Murray could be serious (and earn his first Oscar nomination) and that put Scarlett Johannson on the map. Sofia Coppola’s dreamlike tour through Tokyo is captivating and hypnotic, and only truly comparable to other Sofia Coppola films.

Friday Foreign Films: Avenue Montaigne

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In the absence of new film reviews for a given week, I’d like to take the opportunity to spotlight a foreign from the past decade or so that might have gone unnoticed or unremembered by most. Theatres in New York City show foreign films almost as often as they show American films, and, as a result, I’d had the chance to see a number of excellent international movies in my six years here. Please add your thoughts on the film and suggestions for future inclusions in the comments section below!

Avenue Montaigne
Directed by Danièle Thompson
Released February 16, 2007

I saw this film at the Angelika Film Center just weeks before I first started Movies With Abe, and wrote in my second-ever post that the film was “a fabulously entertaining story filled with great characters and a simultaneously amusing and dramatic storyline.” Released as “Fauteils d’orchestre,” or “Orchestra Seats,” in France, England, and Australia, this movie features a whimsical ensemble with tales of music, marriage, cinema, work, and love all along one street in Paris. At its heart is the lovely Cécile De France, who will be most recognizable to American audiences for her role in Clint Eastwood’s “Hereafter.” Valérie Lemercier, Albert Dupontel, and American Sydney Pollack also stand out in a superb cast. This is a purely delightful film with a decent amount of depth, and it’s a shame that it didn’t make it into the final five after being included in the nine-wide shortlist for Best Foreign Film for the 2006 Oscars (“The Lives of Others” ultimately took home the prize).