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

Grassroots (recommended): Jason Biggs and Joel David Moore star in director Stephen Gyllenhaal’s entertaining adaptation of a true story about a eccentric Seattle politician. It’s a light-hearted and affecting political story that elicits great serious performances from its comic actors. Now playing at the Village East Cinema. Read my review from yesterday.

The Imposter (anti-recommended): This documentary uses actors and staged interviews to tell the true story of a con artist posing as a 16-year-old missing Texas boy in the 1990s. Unfortunately, its devices serve to make an intriguing story completely uninteresting, and leave multiple questions unanswered. Now playing at the Landmark Sunshine. My review will be up tomorrow.

New to DVD

All In: The Poker Movie (highly recommended): This documentary is a winning and informative depiction of the evolution of poker and the culture it has created. As a recent regular poker player, I heavily enjoyed it, but it think it will entertain a diversity of audiences. Highly recommended for all.

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (recommended): The final film from director Sidney Lumet, then 82, is a chilling and fantastic crime thriller featuring strong performances from Marisa Tomei, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Ethan Hawke.

Far From Heaven (recommended): This 2002 period piece from Todd Haynes is beautifully shot and decorated, featuring wonderful performances from Julianne Moore and Dennis Quaid, and an affecting and moving story.

Into the Woods (highly recommended): This isn’t exactly a film, but it’s recorded on video and now available in your home! This recording of the 1991 play featuring Bernadette Peters is a real blast, and a definite must-see for any fan of musicals.

Memento (highly recommended): Christopher Nolan may be on top now for “The Dark Night Rises,” but his second feature film is probably his best. The carefully-plotted, out-of-order tale of a man whose memory is falling apart is absolutely exceptional, and while its content is not for the faint of heart, it’s among the best-edited thrillers ever made.