A Most Violent Year (15A)
J.C. Chandor’s drama is set in New York City during the winter of 1981, statistically one of the most violent years in the city’s history. The film follows the lives of an immigrant Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac), his wife (Jessica Chastain) and family as they try to expand their business and capitalise on opportunities, as the rampant violence, decay and corruption of the city drag them in and threaten to destroy all they have built.
Stars: Oscar Issac, Jessica Chastain, David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola, Albert Brooks
Ex Machina (15A)
Sci-fi thriller starring Domhnall Gleeson as Caleb, a 24-year-old coder at the world’s largest internet company who wins a competition to spend a week at a retreat belonging to the company’s reclusive CEO, Nathan (Oscar Isaac). But when Caleb arrives he finds that he will have to participate in a fascinating experiment with the world’s first true artificial intelligence, housed in the body of a beautiful robot woman, Ava (Alicia Vikander).
Stars: Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac
La Maison de la Radio (PG)
Renowned French filmmaker Nicolas Philibert (Etre et Avoir, Nenette) journeys into the heart of Radio France to discover the mysteries, personalities and everyday oddities of a beloved national institution. Filmed over the course of a six-month period, La Maison de la Radio is a witty, tender and revealing exploration into the airwaves of a nation.
The Gambler (15A)
Mark Wahlberg stars as reckless gambling-addict Jim Bennett who bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (Michael Kenneth Williams) and offers his own life as collateral. Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring (Alvin Ing) and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother (Jessica Lange) in his wake.
Suite Française (15A)
During the early years of German occupation of France, romance blooms between Lucile Angellier, a French villager (Michelle Williams) and Bruno von Falk, a German soldier (Matthias Schoenaerts).
Stars: Michelle Williams, Kristin Scott Thomas, Matthias Schoenaerts, Sam Riley, Ruth Wilson, Lambert Wilson, Margot Robbie
Mortdecai (15A)
Juggling angry Russians, the British MI5 and an international terrorist, debonair art dealer and part time rogue Charlie Mortdecai races to recover a stolen painting rumoured to contain a code that leads to lost Nazi gold.
Stars: Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor
Beyond Clueless
Charlie Lyne's documentary is a nostalgic exploration of the teen movie. Narrated by Fairuza Balk, the film is constructed from clips of more than 200 high-school flicks.
Nominations for the 87th Academy Awards (to take place on Sunday 22nd February) were revealed last week – click here for the list in full
