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 and Netflix. I invite you to add in your thoughts on any films I haven’t seen in the comments below.

Now Playing in Theatres

Asthma (mixed bag): This story of a directionless drug addict who takes a ride with a tattoo artist in a stolen car starts from an intriguing vantage point but doesn’t head anywhere terribly interesting. Krysten Ritter is always a reason to see a movie, but this isn’t anywhere near her best work. Now playing at IFC Center. Read my review from Wednesday.

Difret (recommended): This Ethiopian film about a fourteen-year-old girl ostracized and put on trial for killing a man when he and others were trying to abduct her as part of societal tradition is a powerful and effective story with an important message and strong performances from its actors. Now playing at Lincoln Plaza. Read my review from Sundance 2014.

I Smile Back (mixed bag): Sarah Silverman gets serious in this film about a wife and mother whose life is defined by her addictions. Silverman’s performance is good but the film never achieves a sense of itself, aimlessly following Silverman’s character on her downward spiral. Now playing at the Angelika. Read my review from Thursday.

Nasty Baby (mixed bag): This is inarguably one of the weirder movies I’ve seen recently, but it actually starts off pretty well, with Kristen Wiig and director Sebastian Silva delivering engaging semi-serious performances, but a turn midway through the film prevents it from staying coherent and interesting. Now playing at IFC Center. Read my review from Sundance.

Suffragette (recommended): Carey Mulligan stars as an early 1900s British woman who gradually becomes an active and outspoken member of the suffragette movement in the United Kingdom. The story is an inspiring one, but the film doesn’t always capture the energy and feeling of the work being done. Now playing at AMC Lincoln Square and Landmark Sunshine. Read my review from yesterday.

New to DVD

Z for Zachariah (recommended): Margot Robbie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Chris Pine are all terrific in this decent depiction of a post-apocalyptic world that doesn’t involve zombies, mutants, or anything of the sort.