Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

Welcome back 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 theatres 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

Afternoon Delight (mixed bag): The promising duo of Kathryn Hahn and Juno Temple partner for a film with an alluring premise – a happily married woman meets and befriends a young stripper – that gets a bit lost along the way and never quite finds its footing. Now playing at Landmark Sunshine. Read my review from Sundance.

The Lifeguard (mixed bag): Kristen Bell stars in this lukewarm story about a young woman with a terrific New York City job who moves home to work as a lifeguard. Kristen Bell can’t save this entertaining but aimless entry from Sundance. Now playing at Cinema Village. Read my review from Sundance.

New to DVD

At Any Price (anti-recommended): This excessively familiar and trite story of a father and son with different interests is far from exciting, and an over-the-top performance from Dennis Quaid in the lead role doesn’t help matters much. This could have been an affecting film, but it doesn’t even come close to providing viewers with a lasting emotional connection.

Koch (recommended): This documentary was slated to open yesterday before its subject, famed former New York Mayor Ed Koch, passed away just one month earlier. This chronicle of his time in politics and the way he perceived is less linear that it is focused, and it represents a hard, deep look at a truly interesting man.

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Our Idiot Brother (recommended): This ensemble comedy starring Paul Rudd sounds very appealing, thanks in no small part to those who play the title character’s family members – Emily Mortimer, Zooey Deschanel, and Elizabeth Banks. It’s hardly a classic, but it’s still good fun.

The Road (recommended): This dystopian drama based on a novel by Cormac McCarthy, author of “No Country for Old Men,” is a dark but effective vision of a society long gone, with committed performances from Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to all those who entered the “Olympus Has Fallen” Blu-ray Combo Pack giveaway. I am pleased to announce that a winner has been randomly selected from 23 submissions. Congratulations to woke9774. Please e-mail abe@movieswithabe.com to claim your prize.

Stay tuned for movie reviews and other film-related articles as we inch closer to Oscar season. Over at TVwithAbe.com, catch the 6th Annual AFT TV Awards, beginning tomorrow! Thanks as always for reading!

Tuesday’s Top Trailer: Inside Llewyn Davis

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.

Inside Llewyn Davis – Opening December 20, 2013

I finally got the chance to go pay to see a movie in theatres – something that I haven’t done in a while due to an extremely busy summer – and, lo and behold, they’re advertising for Oscar season already! This film has awards buzz written all over it, due partially to the cast but mainly to the brothers behind the scenes. Of their past four films directed by the Coen Brothers, three have earned Oscar nominations for Best Picture, along with a handful of other accolades (the fourth netted a Golden Globe bid for Best Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical). Their next project slated for release takes an actor mostly relegated to supporting roles, Oscar Isaac, and pairs him with his “Drive” wife and costar Carey Mulligan, whose five big roles – “Never Let Me Go,” “The Greatest,” “Drive,” “Shame,” and “The Great Gatsby” - since her Oscar-nominated breakout in “An Education,” have all demonstrated her talent and her knack for picking great parts. Add to that John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund, Justin Timberlake, F. Murray Abraham, Adam Driver, Alex Karpovsky, and a handful of others, and you have a truly diverse and stellar ensemble. The film’s title invokes the similarly-named Llewelyn Moss from “No Country for Old Men,” portrayed by Josh Brolin, but this seems like a much more stylized, nostalgia-driven piece. The scene at the very end of the trailer, in which Llewyn refuses to start playing right after for Abraham’s Bud Grossman, is most telling of the film’s sense of itself, and this is undoubtedly going to be one of the most thoughtful and memorable films of the year.

Movie with Abe: The Butler

The Butler
Directed by Lee Daniels
Released August 16, 2013

Biopics often tell long, sweeping stories encompassing a protagonist’s entire life. The true-life tale of the man who served as the butler to six presidents over the course of almost thirty years is ripe for a cinematic interpretation, and a fitting project for Lee Daniels, who recently struck Oscar gold with “Precious.” At times, it’s just as devastating and heart-wrenching as that film, contrasting Cecil Gaines’ life of servitude with his son’s extensive involvement in the civil rights movement. It’s best compared to another recent biopic with a nonstop array of familiar faces, “Lincoln,” an occasionally moving film that more often gets bogged down by an overindulgent and tedious style.

“The Butler” begins with a young Cecil, later played by Forest Whitaker, witnessing the traumatic death of his father at the hands of an empowered white man, which shapes his attitude towards obedience, duty, and respect. A short spell of guidance and self-discipline later, Cecil is offered a job at the White House, which puts him directly beside presidents from Eisenhower to Reagan. While he spends his long days bringing tea to the President, his wife Gloria (Oprah Winfrey) suffers from a dependency on alcohol, and his older son Louis (David Oyelowo) is compelled to stand up for what he believes in, directly contradicting his father’s purposefully apolitical nature.

Unlike “Lincoln,” this film does not limit itself to one isolated chapter in the course of its main character’s life. Yet by working to encompass so much in just over two hours and fifteen minutes, “The Butler” often skips ahead nearly a decade at a time without filling in any of the blanks, while other less gripping segments bear no sense of timeliness or urgency. The film is at its most potent when Louis’ violence-ridden activities are spliced into the serenity and consistency of Cecil’s daily routine, highlighting the fact that Louis’ story might indeed be the more interesting one.

Whitaker, who delivered a tour de force performance that won him an Oscar in “The Last King of Scotland,” is noticeably thinner than ever before in a muted but effective turn as the eternally loyal Cecil. While Winfrey’s role may garner her awards aplenty, it doesn’t demand much and she responds capably if less than memorably. The performance of the film comes from British actor Oyelowo, who embodies a passionate soul powerfully. Of the parade of random actors recruited to portray presidents, Liev Schreiber’s fiery LBJ is by far the most entertaining. Ultimately, “The Butler” is a comprehensive experience that has its moments but doesn’t always reach a point of relevance or excellence.

B-

Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

Welcome back 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 theatres 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

I’ve been trying to get out to the movies more rather than simply watching DVDs and TV – I hope to see at least one new theatrical release this weekend, and will have more to report on major openings soon!

New to DVD

Amour (recommended): This Oscar winner for Best Foreign Film nabbed some pretty major Oscar nominations last year. Octogenarians Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva deliver realistic and heartbreaking performances as two aging partners dealing with their debilitating conditions. It’s an emotional but worthwhile ride.

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

This is Martin Bonner (recommended): This Sundance gem enjoyed a very brief and low-profile theatrical run, and now it’s available to watch at home. This unassuming, simple film is a compelling story about two men both trying to figure out how to adjust to new circumstances, with a great central performance from Australian actor Paul Eenhoorn, who I had the pleasure of casually chatting with one evening while we were both waiting for the bus home at Sundance.

Movies with Abe Giveaway

I am extremely excited to present the third-ever Movies with Abe giveaway! Most of the films I tend to review are independent and film festival entries, but sometimes it’s well worth taking a look at big-budget blockbusters. This one, “Olympus Has Fallen,” one of two movies this year about enemy combatants invading the White House, certainly fits that bill. It comes from director Antoine Fuqua, whose resume includes “Training Day,” “King Arthur,” and “Shooter.” It’s a loud, violent action piece in the style of “Die Hard,” with Gerard Butler as the lone commando who makes it his mission to save the President and freedom as we know it after the famous American landmark is nearly destroyed by North Korean forces. Butler has just the right temperament to play such a role, and Aaron Eckhart and Morgan Freeman are well-suited to play the President and Speaker of the House, respectively. This may not be the brainiest movie of the year or the most logically supportable, but it is an energetic thrill ride that doesn’t let up from start to finish. For action lovers, it’s a no-brainer.

“Olympus Has Fallen” arrived on DVD last Tuesday, and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has been kind enough to send me a Blu-ray Combo Pack, which gives you the option to watch the film on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download. To win this cool prize, comment on this post and tell me what your favorite White Houes-related movie is and name your favorite scene that takes place there. Answers can be as creative as you like. Winners will be determined by a random number generator, and only appropriate answers will be counted. The contest officially ends Wednesday, August 28th at 12pm EST. Post your response in the comments below (one per person, please) and spread the word! Check out the trailer for the film below. If you're reading this and would like to sponsor a contest or giveaway on Movies with Abe, please e-mail me.

Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

Welcome back 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 theatres 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

Paranoia (mixed bag): This hi-tech summer flick is just that: something flashy that tries to be exciting and innovative but misses the mark. Liam Hemsworth has the makings of a movie star, while Gary Oldman and Harrison Ford aren’t trying anymore. A decent popcorn film but far from anything original. Now playing in wide release. Read my review from yesterday.

New to DVD

What Maisie Knew (recommended): This emotional story of a young girl whose divorced parents spend so much time fighting and putting each other down that they ignore her is a hard-hitting and powerful tale, with great performances all around and a sunny resolve despite its disheartening premise.

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Enjoy recommendations below for two great films that have been available before but are well worth it if you haven’t seen them yet!

Donnie Darko (highly recommended): This classic 2001 film is nearly impossible to describe, featuring a teenager who interacts with an imaginary man in a bunny suit. Put simply, it’s a complete unique and creative vision of the universe that’s entirely peculiar and absolutely fascinating.

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.

Movie with Abe: Paranoia

Paranoia
Directed by Robert Luketic
Released August 16, 2013

A film’s title is not always the best indicator of its subject matter. Many might assume that “Paranoia” is a fear-filled horror movie, whereas, in reality, it’s merely a dramatic thriller about warring tech companies and their battle to build the ultimate cell phone, with one bright young man caught in the middle. A different genre and different expectations hardly guarantee a great film, and this turns out just to be a run-of-the-mill summer flick with good actors indulging in underdeveloped roles in a movie that isn’t nearly as clever or innovative as it wants to be.

Director Robert Luketic has a short resume that begins with better-than-average romantic comedies “Legally Blonde” and “Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!” More recently, he forayed into somewhat more dramatic territory with “21” and into action with “Killers,” but this is his first full-on drama. At the center of “Paranoia” is Australian actor Liam Hemsworth, who starred in “The Hunger Games” and whose older brother Chris Hemsworth is enjoying an extremely fruitful movie career. Mentoring Hemsworth’s up-and-coming techie are two screen legends who had the opportunity to face off in the unforgettable “Air Force One,” Gary Oldman and Harrison Ford. This adds up to an odd but potentially productive recipe for a fun thriller.

From its first moments, which show Adam (Hemsworth) running aimlessly from an unknown figure, it is painfully clear that, while this film tries to be on the cutting edge of technology, its plot is far less advanced. An overconfident presentation gets Adam and his friends fired by company CEO Nicolas Wyatt (Gary Oldman). When he makes the mistake of charging over $16,000 at a bar to his mysteriously still active discretionary credit card, Adam owes Wyatt, who tasks him with infiltrating the brain trust of his former mentor and sworn enemy, Jock Goddard (Harrison Ford). What ensues should take a familiar moviegoer moments to deduce, and is no more satisfying that it sounds on paper.

Hemsworth, like his brother, definitely has a star quality that will hopefully be put to better use in more sophisticated films. Oldman and Ford are phoning in their performances, and the same can be said of the diverse cast that supports them, including Richard Dreyfuss, Embeth Davidtz, Josh Holloway, and especially Julian McMahon. This is simply an average film, and to see such talent present with no payoff is a true disappointment.

C

Tuesday’s Top Trailer: The Monuments Men

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.

The Monuments Men – Opening December 18, 2013

It seems that the cinema world is never finished with World War II, yet each trip back has a distinctly different feel. This interesting take presents a less than fully serious picture of the war without going to the lengths of something like “Inglourious Basterds,” assembling an odd but determined group to prevent great works of art from being destroyed or falling into Hitler’s hands. At the head of this team is the incomparable duo of George Clooney and Matt Damon, reunited after their great work together in the “Ocean’s Eleven” films. In the supporting roles, however, are where the real brilliance can be found, with the casting of John Goodman, Bill Murray, and the underrated Bob Balaban as team members. Also to be found in the cast are Jean Dujardin, Hugh Bonneville, and Cate Blanchett, all of whom are sure to make memorable appearances. This is Clooney’s fifth feature film as director, and the second that he’s helped to adapt from source material, which in this case is Robert M. Edsel’s book “The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History,” itself a narrative of true events. This looks to be a largely entertaining film dealing with a fun subject far lighter than its serious surrounding universe.

Movie with Abe: What Maisie Knew

What Maisie Knew
Directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel
Released May 3, 2013 / August 12, 2013 (DVD)

Marriage is a very common film subject, and it’s no surprise that divorce would be as well. While it might most frequently be a film’s unfortunate outcome, it can also be the basis for a coming-of-age story of a child molded by his or her parents’ breakup and forced to grow up all too quickly. In the case of “What Maisie Knew,” an affecting drama from the directing duo behind “Uncertainty” and “The Deep End,” its protagonist is extremely young and must mature at an impossible rate to deal with parents who completely ignore her in their bitter battle for custody and who can make the other suffer more.

This film is based on an 1897 novel of the same name by Henry James, and it’s interesting to see an adaptation that comes over a century after the source material and still feels painfully relevant. Julianne Moore’s Susanna is a mother more concerned with her singing career than with making sure her daughter is well taken care of, and Steve Coogan’s Beale travels far too much to pay her any attention. Their separation has already begun at the film’s start, and Susanna’s quick marriage to the kindhearted but odd Lincoln (Alexander Skarsgard) and Beale’s union with Maisie’s nanny Margo (Joanna Vanderham) result in Maisie being shuttled constantly but inconsistently between two less-than-capable homes.

What ensues is a bittersweet scenario in which Lincoln and Margo develop a stronger relationship with their stepdaughter than her biological parents. Their situation is far from ideal, and it’s difficult to watch them thrust into their respective positions, where Lincoln must figure out what to do with Maisie while he works nights bartending and Margo struggles to cope with being abandoned by her husband in the same manner that he abandoned Maisie. It’s just as affirming to see the two non-parents spring into affectionate action as it is disheartening to see Susanna and Beale neglect Maisie.

At the heart of everything is Maisie herself, played by newcomer Onata Aprile, who responds extraordinarily capably to the challenge of such a demanding and mature role. The adults in her life as strongly-portrayed as well, with Moore and Coogan turning in particularly harsh and troublingly realistic performances as disinterested and unsuitable petty parents, and Skarsgard and Vanderham more optimistic portraits of kinder souls. This is an honest, real film that captures the brutal emotions of a splintered family and the minimal efforts being made to put it back together without excessive glamorization.

B+

Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

Welcome back 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 theatres 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 a World… (recommended): Actress Lake Bell steps behind the camera for this fully entertaining cinematic realization of the profession of voiceover artists. It’s an enjoyable if inconsequential movie with some sincerely funny moments. Now playing at Landmark Sunshine. Read my review from Sundance.

Lovelace (mixed bag): This biopic isn’t nearly as compelling as another Sundance entry that will be out later this year that looks and sounds very much the same, “The Look of Love.” Amanda Seyfriend turns in a decent performance as the infamous star of “Deep Throat” in a film that never quite captures the spirit of its subject matter and involved characters. Now playing at AMC Empire and Film Society Lincoln Center. Read my review from Sundance.

Prince Avalanche (recommended): The third of this week’s theatrical releases from Sundance is a perfectly entertaining if directionless 80s movie about two men, one driven by determination and the other by laziness, featuring fun performances from Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch. Now playing at the IFC Center and Lincoln Plaza. Read my review from Sundance.

New to DVD

Mud (highly recommended): This popular Sundance film, from “Take Shelter” director Jeff Nichols, is a superb and completely engaging movie that features a strong performance from Matthew McConaughey in the lead role as well as great turns from Reese Witherspoon and child actors Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland. This intriguing, gripping film is not to be missed.

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Arbitrage (recommended): This film, which earned raves and a Golden Globe nomination for star Richard Gere’s performance, is a surprisingly competent and engaging thriller that takes a simple and familiar premise and turns it into a nail-biting and energizing experience.

Erased (anti-recommended): This brainless thriller posits that Aaron Eckhart’s scientist goes into work one day to discover that the life he thinks he’s living doesn’t exist. Predictable twists and turns reveal a surprising lack of coherence or satisfaction.

Tuesday’s Top Trailer: American Hustle

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.

American Hustle – Opening December 25, 2013

It’s not hard to find the concept of “American Hustle” appealing. What Oscar-nominated director David O. Russell is doing is taking the casts of his two most recent films and merging them together, along with a few new faces, like Jeremy Renner, thrown in for good measure. Every cast member is outfitted with far-out hair, makeup, and clothing, and it looks like a fully immersive blast. The trailer wisely chooses just one scene on which to focus, in which Christian Bale brings Bradley Cooper to a painting and reveals to him that it is a forgery, setting the scene for what is sure to be an intellectual crime film that is more about people than anything else. Bale and Jennifer Lawrence are particularly big gets considering they won Oscars for their work in Russell’s films, and both Cooper and Amy Adams were nominated the last time around, so this is a cast that’s quite ripe for Oscar attention (Renner was also nominated twice in the past five years). The moments showcased briefly on screen indicate plenty of partying and presumable drug use, but also some more violent scenes with more lasting repercussions. Like both “Silver Linings Playbook” and “The Fighter,” this film has secured an undeniably terrific release date – December 25th – and given Russell’s track record, I can’t imagine this will be anything but a critically-adored smash success.

Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

Welcome back 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 theatres 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

The Spectacular Now (recommended): This dramedy features terrific performances from young stars Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley. It’s not a typical high school movie but at times proves to be very effective. Now playing at Landmark Sunshine and AMC Lincoln Square. Read my review from Sundance.

New to DVD

Between Us (mixed bag): This drama from Slamdance Film Festival co-founder Dan Mirvish, who generously sent me a copy of his film after I wrote about it in a Tuesday’s Top Trailer feature, feels very much like the format that its source material is based on: a play. Julia Stiles, Taye Diggs, Melissa George, and David Harbour turn in strong performances in an intriguing if ultimately unfulfilling look at the ups and downs of marriage.

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Do the Right Thing (highly recommended): This 1989 classic from director Spike Lee is a complex, furiously interesting look at race relations on the hottest day of the summer in Brooklyn. It’s definitely a must-see.

I Am (anti-recommended): This documentary about director Tom Shadyac, whose works include “Ace Ventura” and “Bruce Almighty,” is a glaringly unintelligent and completely uninvolving film that did not need to made in the first place and surely shouldn’t be seen by anyone else.

Lore (recommended): This past year’s Australian Oscar submission for Best Foreign Film is a Holocaust movie from a different perspective, following the children of an arrested Nazi officer trying to safely pass through post-war Germany. It’s a miserable but generally effective and worthwhile film.

Zodiac (mixed bag): I’m not a fan of this moody, dark thriller from director David Fincher, usually just the man for this kind of thing, about a journalist writing about the Zodiac killer in the 70s. It has its strong points, and might deserve to be seen if the subject matter appeals.