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

I’ve got plenty coming out in the next few weeks covered, but nothing from this week. I’m sure “Noah” and “Sabotage” have their merits, but I’m not rushing to see either.

New to DVD

The Great Beauty (recommended): This Italian Oscar winner for Best Foreign Film is certainly a treat to look at, and there’s something about its visual and creative style that’s truly magnetic. Its story isn’t quite as strong, but this lengthy film is worth a watch for any fans of cinema and/or Italy.

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.

The Wolf of Wall Street (mixed bag): This widely talked-about Oscar-nominated film is an undeniably entertaining if enormously excessive portrait of one man’s obsession with money. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill are good, but this isn’t the masterpiece that many say it is, nor is it DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese’s best collaboration.

Now Available on Netflix

Nothing notable this week, sadly!