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.