A run down of films coming out this January including shiny stuff from Hollywood, grittier independent flicks and essential documentaries.
In cinemas everywhere
Gangster Squad
Here's a fun fact: did you know the Hollywood sign used to read 'Hollywoodland' until 1949? True story. That's one of the most interesting things you'll learn in Gangster Squad as it's light on the plot and heavy on the showdowns between secret police and New York gangsters. But fear not, it's aesthetically impressive on a lot of levels and its cast, including Sean Penn, Giovanni Ribisi, Josh Brolin, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, can convince you you're watching a great film.
11th January
Les Misérables
Directed by Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), Les Miserables will be nothing if not rousing. But if you haven't twigged yet, this is a musical people, and as such, it will feature Anne Hathaway singing 'I Dreamed a Dream' and a show-stealing Eddie Redmayne.
25th January
Lincoln
This Steven Spielberg-directed film looks at a turning-point chapter in the life of one of America's most iconic presidents. Although cinematography from Janusz Kaminski is as fantastic as ever, this film has as much hold as Clint Eastwood's J.Edgar. But if you're really into history, dirty politics and Sally Field, this could be two and a half hours well spent.
January 18th
Django Unchained
Quentin Tarantino uses America's history of slavery and plantations to weave a heightened spaghetti western story of love, revenge, manipulation and violence starring Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson and Kerry Washington. Reviewers have mostly said this is pretty self-indulgent but if you're a Tarantino fan, that's a good thing, right?
25th January
Zero Dark Thirty
Too soon to celebrate American heroism? We'll leave judgement until we've seen it but critics seem pleased that Kathryn Bigelow has looked as much at the failure as she has at the success of the killing of Osama Bin Laden in May 2011.
9th January
Texas Chainsaw
Not to be confused with Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Or actually yes, to be confused with TCM a lot. Good-looking young people plus a big spooky house in the middle of nowhere, plus, Leatherface is still alive in the basement!! Oh, it's in 3D in case you hadn't guessed.
Independent Drama
31st January
No
Starring Gael Garcia Bernal as an ad-exec in 1988 when Pinochet still ruled Chile, this film looks at public manipulation amidst regime change. It's a far more interesting take on marketing campaigns than the satirical farces that fill the small screen at the moment. Plus, it roots for the underdog. (Language: Spanish)
January 18th
The Wee Man
Scottish gangsters get violent in this very familiar take on the hard life. But it does star the fantastic Martin Compston and John Hannah, so may be worth a punt if urban corruption is your thing.
Documentary
In cinemas now
McCullin
To help you wade your way through 50 years of modern atrocities, this documentary about 77 year-old photographer Don McCullin looks at the work of a man who doesn't like being called a war photographer. But he has captured decades of conflict and is himself conflicted about his life's work.
31st January
A Russian Fairytale at Riverside Studios, DocHouse
After the collapse of communism in 1989, 75 million people across the Soviet Union fell into poverty. This observational documentary looks at the lives of a handful of people who live on the streets and were born in the years just after that time.
More on Spoonfed
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Hero at Royal Court Theatre
The Seagull at Southwark Playhouse
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