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

Beast (mixed bag): There’s a lot whole of intrigue to be found in this dark, dreary tale of a young woman who falls in love with a mystery man believed to be a mass murderer. Lead actress Jessie Buckley is great, but this film is off-putting and far from pointed in the slow burn to its conclusion. Now playing at the Landmark at 57 West and the Angelika. Read my review from Sundance.

The Seagull (mixed bag): This Chekhov adaptation isn’t the slam dunk it should be given the impressive cast - which includes Annette Bening, Saoirse Ronan, Elisabeth Moss - and instead serves as the kind of fare that is likely enjoyable for devotees of the original story and its author only. Now playing at the Angelika and the Paris Theatre. Read my review from Tribeca.

New to DVD

In Search of Israeli Cuisine (recommended): This documentary, which I saw at the AIPAC Policy Conference a few years ago, is certainly appetizing, navigating a country known for many things and highlighting a very diverse range of food options prepared by different cultures living within its borders.

Now Available on Instant Streaming

Faces Places (highly recommended): This was my pick to win the Oscar for Best Documentary this year, a marvelous exploration of the French countryside by a young photographer and a veteran filmmaker designed to shed some light - literally, through pictures - on unsung heroes.

Dirty Girl (recommended): This 1980s-set dramedy from early on in Juno Temple’s career features a fabulous central performance from the talented actress and an endearing, surprisingly fresh take on two teenage runaways.