American Hustle

Director David O. Russell continues his exploration of underground Americana with this entertaining romp through the ‘70s (cue some seriously cool retro tunes and outlandish costumes and hairdos) about con artist Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale after putting on a massive amount of weight for the film) and his tumultuous relationships with partner-in-crime Sydney (Amy Adams) and wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence in yet another sure-fire Oscar-winning turn). Continuing

Inside Llewyn Davis

The Coen Brothers return with an equally nostalgic trip back to the ‘60s. Oscar Isaac plays the titular role of a struggling musician trying to get his work heard and played in Greenwich Village. Co-stars Carey Mulligan and Justin Timberlake. Opens Jan 16

Mood Indigo

When you mix Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) and Audrey Tautou (Amelie), you can only expect magic. Tautou plays the whimsical Chloe, who develops a rare disease (a water lily grows in her lungs) and begins a surreal adventure with husband Colin (Romain Duris). Opens Jan 23

I’m So Excited

This much delayed comedy (it was originally scheduled for release in August last year) features director Pedro Almodovar at his most playful. A group of travelers on board a plane to Mexico City get entertained and life checked by a bunch of gay flight attendants when their journey takess a life-threatening turn. Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz are equally infectious in their supporting roles. Opens Feb 13

Charlie Countryman

Before his gritty turn (in the buff) in Lars Von Trier’s Nymphomaniac, Shia Lebouf plays troubled traveller Charlie who falls for a mysterious Romanian beauty (Evan Rachel Wood). Expect sizzling chemistry between the two. Opens Mar 27

A Most Wanted

Man Director Anton Corbijn (Control) returns to the big screen with this intense war on terror morality tale set in Hamburg about Chechen Muslim migrants. Stars Rachel McAdams and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Opens May 29