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

30 Beats (mixed bag): This sex-filled drama jumps from character to character in its two-person scenes, following a chain of people through a heat wave in New York City. It’s a cool concept that boasts plenty of intrigue but not nearly as much actual depth. Now playing at the Village East Cinema and Clearview’s 62nd. Read my capsule review from yesterday.

The Well-Digger’s Daughter (recommended): This French period drama tackles a love story, family relationships, and class dynamics with grace, featuring excellent performances by director Daniel Auteil and the rest of his cast. It’s a simple but worthwhile and rewarding film. Now playing at the Quad Cinema. My capsule review will be up tomorrow.

I did not end up getting to see The Dark Knight as I had originally planned, and I’m not sure when I will get the chance, but I’m extremely horrified and saddened to hear about the brutal shooting in Colorado.

New to DVD

Nothing new to rent this week!

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Life During Wartime (recommended): This quirky and peculiar film from director Todd Solondz boasts some truly intriguing and mesmerizing dialogue and scenes, and some interesting content related to pedophiles, even if there’s something missing in the unification of the storylines.

Me and You and Everyone We Know (highly recommended): This delightful offbeat film from writer-director Miranda July is truly unique, weaving together a number of complex, extraordinarily interesting stories and eliciting stellar performances from John Hawkes and July herself. Not for everyone, but a treat for those to whom it appeals.

Paranoid Park (anti-recommended): This depressing Gus Van Sant feature is most reminiscent of his 2003 film “Elephant,” and that’s the best frame of reference to use for recommendation. Like that film, its slow, repetitive nature ends up being grating and unproductive rather than meaningful.