Time flies and 2014 is rapidly hurtling toward 2015, but the year continues to squeeze out new cinematic releases…

Attila Marcel

French comedy with Guillaume Gouix as a cosseted piano genius raised by his two aunts. When an elderly and eccentric neighbour gives him some of her special home-brew tea, it allows him to unlock his past and learn to live in the real world. Sounds a tricky concept; the official Pathe International website is here for those who speak French, the official trailer is on Youtube and the film will show on  a limited UK release only so check your local art house cinemas for any screening details.

Before I Go To Sleep

Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth and Mark Strong appear in this film from Rowan Joffe, a thriller about a woman who wakes up every day remembering nothing—the result of a traumatic accident in her past—until one day, new terrifying truths emerge that force her to question everyone around her. The film will be playing at most UK screens and the official Studio Canal webpage has links to some of the cinemas.

Finding Fela

Documentary about the Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the creator of the ‘Afrobeat’ sound and the political influences that helped shape his music. The official website is here. Rather helpfully, it also has details of screening locations here.

The Guest

Downton Abbey‘s Dan Stevens makes his big, post-DA movie appearance as a mysterious stranger who shows up at a deceased army colleagues home and inveigles his way into their lives. But his violent past catches up with him. The film will be showing at most UK cinemas and the official website is here.  And if you want to find out a bit more about the film, Stevens and a smidgen of info about Downton, he spoke to The Guardian’s Viv Groskop earlier this week here.

The Hundred-Foot Journey

Young chef Manish Dyal and his grandfather Om Puri open up an Indian restaurant in the south of France, undeterred by the fact that Helen Mirren’s michelin starred rival is only 100 feet away from them. A battle of wills developed between them. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom, the film will have a wide release and the official Facebook page is here.

Island of Lemurs: Madagascar (3D)

Documentary, filmed in IMAX quality 3D, about the life of Lemurs and the work of anthropologists who are helping the endangered animals survive in a modern world. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, the official website is here and screening locations are here.

Life Of Crime

Based on Elmore Leonard’s novel The Switch, about the double-crosses that ensue when crime boss Tim Robbins decides he would rather not pay the ransom to a couple of common criminals who have kidnapped his trophy wife Jennifer Aniston. The official website is here, the film will be playing at key cities only.

M

Fritz Lang’s classic 1931 thriller about a child murderer (Peter Lorre) chased across Weimar Berlin by the police and the underworld. Director Fritz Lang and star Lorre would soon transplant their careers, with much success, to Hollywood. Further details about the film and screening details can be found on the BFI’s website here.

They Came Together

Paul Rudd reunites with his Role Models (2008) director David Wain for this rom-com. When Joel (Paul Rudd) and Molly (Amy Poehler) meet, it’s hate at first sight. Despite these initial misgiving, they fall in love, until they break up about two thirds of the way through, and Molly starts dating her accountant (Ed Helms). Possible you may see the ending a mile off, but if rom-coms are your thing, the official web page is here and the film will play at key cities only.

Watermark

Eco-documentary feature by Jennifer Baichwal and Edward Burtynsky bringing together a number of stories from around the world about our relationship with water, how we use it and the consequences of that use. The aerial visuals look incredible. The official website is here; it will be on a limited run only.

White Settlers

Scottish, Straw Dogs style thriller in which to urbanites buy an isolated farmhouse to start a new life. But it becomes clear that not only are they not alone they are not wanted there…at all. The official website is here and includes screening locations and booking info here.