Cinematic

A list of films I need to see as soon as possible (recently released, out now or upcoming):

Once (dir. John Carney) - with Glen Hansard of The Frames. Musicals can be a sketchy proposition, but this one about buskers in Dublin is getting fantastic reviews and seems just different enough that it might work.

Starting Out in the Evening (dir. Andrew Wagner) - with Frank Langella, Lauren Ambrose and Lili Taylor. Not a surprising pick from someone who really enjoyed Wonder Boys and Finding Forrester.

The Savages (dir. Tamara Jenkins) - with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney. I have mixed feelings about these two actors. I think it's their intensity. That they are skilled actors isn't the issue, it's whether their characters will be likeable enough to enjoy a few hours with. But I'm too curious to see what the director of Slums of Beverly Hills has cooked up to let a little trepidation get in the way.

Boy A (dir. John Crowley) - When time-shifting stories are done well, the layered suspense of the slow reveal is highly satisfying. Fingers crossed here.

Amal (dir. Richie Mehta) - You can't go wrong with a story about one man's decency, especially when the setting lets you armchair travel along the way.