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 NYC

The Past (recommended): Director Asghar Farhadi’s follow-up to his Oscar-winning Best Foreign Film “A Separation” is an extremely involving, human film. Terrific lead performances from Bérénice Bejo, Tahar Rahim, and especially Ali Mosaffa anchor an emotional and gripping story. Now playing at Lincoln Plaza and Film Forum. Read my review from yesterday.

New to DVD

The Family (mixed bag): This mobster comedy from French director Luc Besson casts Robert De Niro as a mobster in living in the Witness Protection Program in France with his family. It’s far from ambitious but does provide an entertaining if unfulfilling experience.