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

Enemy (recommended): Jake Gyllenhaal does impressive double duty as a man who sees someone who looks just like him in a movie and becomes obsessed with finding him. The film has a great suspenseful feel throughout, and it’s a captivating story that’s easy to get into and hard to shake. Now playing at the Angelika. Read my review from yesterday.

Ernest and Celestine (highly recommended): This French Oscar nominee for Best Animated Feature, which screened at Sundance as part of the new Sundance KIDS category, is a wonderful and enthralling story about the friendship between a mouse and a bear. It’s great for kids and adults alike. Now playing at IFC Center. Read my review from Sundance.

Le Week End (recommended): Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan star in this entertaining film about a couple celebrating their thirtieth anniversary with a weekend trip to Paris. Both performers are great, and the story around them is solidly interesting if occasionally uncomfortable. Now playing at the Angelika and Lincoln Plaza. Read my review from Thursday.

New to DVD

Inside Llewyn Davis (mixed bag): The Coen brothers’ latest film got almost entirely ignored by Oscar voters after an early strong start during awards season. It’s an intriguing film with great music and technical elements, though it’s not as resounding or effective overall as some of their previous films.

Now Available on Netflix

Gattaca (mixed bag): This 1997 sci-fi film starring Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman is an intriguing look at a world where social class is determined by genes. It’s a hypnotic vision that isn’t altogether even but does include some memorable, haunting moments. Read the comment on my review for an impassioned defense of the film from my friend Ross.