Interview with Abe: Spoiler Alert

“Spoiler Alert,” coming to theaters tomorrow, is a romantic comedy-drama based on TV critic Michael Ausiello's real life. I got to speak for Cinema Daily US with Ausiello - watch our conversation in full below!

Movie with Abe: All That Breathes

One of this year's most acclaimed documentaries “All That Breathes,” didn't wow me but still has plenty of thought-provoking content. I reviewed the film for ShockYa - head over there to read my review.

Movie with Abe: The Territory

One of this year's best documentaries, “The Territory,” comes to National Geographic and Disney+ this week. I reviewed the film for AwardsWatch - head over there to read my review.

DOC NYC with Abe: Louis Armstrong's Black and Blues

Now streaming on Apple TV+, the comprehensive documentary “Louis Armstrong's Black and Blues” is also on the DOC NYC Short List. I reviewed the film for CinemaDailyUS.com - head over there to read my review.

Movie with Abe: Everything Everywhere All at Once

I'm very late to the party, but “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is one of the best movies of the year. I reviewed the film for ShockYa - head over there to read my review.

Movie with Abe: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

I'm so happy to have finally seen “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On,” which is a pure delight. I reviewed the film for ShockYa - head over there to read my review.

Weekend Movie Recommendations with Abe

Every Friday, I'll be uploading a Minute with Abe: Weekend Movie Recommendations Edition, surveying new releases in theaters, on DVD, and on streaming services. Check it out, and subscribe to the movieswithabe channel!

New to Theaters: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, White Noise
New to DVD: Bros, Hold Me Tight, The Good House
New to Netflix: The Swimmers, The Boxtrolls
New to Prime Video: Good Night Oppy, Cyrano
New to Hulu: Dual

Movie with Abe: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

While it's not quite as good as the original film, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” now playing in theaters, is a sequel that still delivers. I reviewed the film for ShockYa - head over there to read my review.

DOC NYC with Abe: Closed Circuit

The DOC NYC entry “Closed Circuit” presents a powerful look back at a terrorist attack captured on surveillance cameras. I reviewed the film for ShockYa - head over there to read my review.

Movie with Abe: Disenchanted

“Disenchanted,” now streaming on Disney+, is a fun sequel to 2007's “Enchanted.” I reviewed the film for CinemaDailyUS.com - head over there to read my review.

Interview with Abe: Women Talking

I had a superb conversation with cinematographer Luc Montpellier about one of the best movies of the year, “Women Talking,” opening December 2nd. Check out the interview at Below the Line.

Movie with Abe: The People We Hate at the Wedding

“The People We Hate at the Wedding,” now streaming on Prime Video, is a light but enjoyable dysfunctional family comedy. I reviewed the film for CinemaDailyUS.com - head over there to read my review.

Weekend Movie Recommendations with Abe

Every Friday, I'll be uploading a Minute with Abe: Weekend Movie Recommendations Edition, surveying new releases in theaters, on DVD, and on streaming services. Check it out, and subscribe to the movieswithabe channel!

New to Theaters: The Inspection, The Menu, She Said, 200 Meters, Bones and All
New to Theaters and VOD: There There
New to DVD and VOD: Three Thousand Years of Longing
New to DVD: Sharp Stick, Jerry and Marge Go Large, Queen of Glory
New to Netflix: The Wonder
New to Prime Video: The People We Hate at the Wedding
New to Hulu: Catch the Fair One, My Old School, The Forgiven
New to Disney+: Disenchanted

Movie with Abe: Argentina, 1985

“Argentina, 1985,” streaming on Prime Video, is Argentina's official Oscar entry this year. I reviewed the film for The Film Experience - head over there to read my review.

DOC NYC with Abe: January 6th

“January 6th,” screening at DOC NYC and coming to discovery+ on January 5th, is a very worthwhile and informative look at a horrifying day. I reviewed the film for AwardsWatch - head over there to read my review.

DOC NYC with Abe: The Return of Tanya Tucker - Featuring Brandi Carlile

In addition to currently playing in theaters, “The Return of Tanya Tucker - Featuring Brandi Carlile” is also on the DOC NYC Short List. I reviewed the film for CinemaDailyUS.com - head over there to read my review.

Interview with Abe: The Estate

I had a great conversation with cinematographer Darin Marin about his work on “The Estate,” which is now playing in theaters. Check out the interview at Below the Line.

DOC NYC with Abe: Maya and the Wave

This year's opening night film at DOC NYC is “Maya and the Wave,” about surfer Maya Gabeira. I reviewed the film for CinemaDailyUS.com - head over there to read my review.

Weekend Movie Recommendations with Abe

Every Friday, I'll be uploading a Minute with Abe: Weekend Movie Recommendations Edition, surveying new releases in theaters, on DVD, and on streaming services. Check it out, and subscribe to the movieswithabe channel!

New to Theaters: The Fabelmans, The Swimmers, The Son, Homebody
New to DVD: I Love My Dad, The Power of the Dog
New to Netflix: Captain Phillips
New to Prime Video and Hulu: Warm Bodies
New to Disney+: Fire of Love

Other Israel Film Festival Spotlight: Lady Amar

I’m delighted to be returning for the eighth time to cover the Other Israel Film Festival, which features a diverse crop of thought-provoking and often difficult, complex, Israeli and Palestinian cinema and is hosted by the JCC Manhattan. The 16th Annual Other Israel Film Festival runs virtually and in-person November 3rd-10th, 2022.

Lady Amar
Directed by Yigael Sachs and Noam Gil
Ticket Information

The loss of mental capacity typically comes at a point that it’s no longer possible to recognize that change for the person in question. They may believe that they are lucid and aware of what is happening around them, yet the way in which they communicate their perception of reality indicates that’s not the case. Memory loss and confusion can often set in and lead to someone mistaking others for figures from their past and, at times, believing themselves to be someone else. “Lady Amar” explores one woman’s disassociation from her identity and how that affects her three adult children.

A woman (Orly Tabaly) is picked up off the street at night and brought into a house. She insists to her apparent abductors that she is Pauline Weiss, a high-powered woman who does not belong in a place like this and should be freed immediately. Those around her attempt to persuade her that they are her children: Israel (Itzik Golan), Yarden (Liz Rabian), and Levanon (Victor Sabag), and all she needs to do to remember them is to take her medicine. She appreciates that they think she is their mother but continues to repeat what she believes is the truth, that she is not the woman that they think she is.

As the sole narrative selection at this year’s Other Israel Film Festival, “Lady Amar” represents a different kind of journey. Pauline, whose children tell her she is Jacqueline Amar, comments multiple times that she has nothing against Moroccan immigrants, as if her position is one that makes her evolved and compassionate. But instead it reveals a buried self-hatred and embarrassment of her own heritage that manifests itself when she takes on a new identity, newly able to comment on how she sees herself since she, in that moment, isn’t Moroccan and enjoys a different kind of existence within Israeli society.

The way in which Jacqueline, as Pauline, talks down to and invalidates her children who are pleading with her to do what they say she most needs is painful to watch, and those who have experienced relatives suffering through dementia and other degenerative diseases will surely find this film even more difficult and honest. It’s amplified by the fact that Pauline appears perfectly healthy and competent, with her affliction affecting only her perception of who she is and not her physical health. Understanding that she is suffering from something else is a rollercoaster process enhanced by strong performances from all four cast members. This portrait of lost identity is stirring and haunting, effectively channeling the often miserable process of degenerative aging.

B+