Jack Reacher (U.S.)
Opened Jan. 17
Action. Mystery. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie. The film begins in the middle of the street, when a mysterious lone gunman fires six shots that leave five dead in front of PNC Park in Pittsburgh during rush hour. The city is thrown into a state of horror and within hours cops gather around the crime scene to gather evidence. The evidence leads police to a former U.S. army sniper, James Barr (Joseph Sikora). But the accused man says, “You got the wrong guy, get Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise).” Soon, Jack Reacher who has also seen the news report turns up at the crime scene, where he is startled when Barr spills out more than he bargained for. With the help of Helen (Rosamund Pike), James’ lawyer, Jack tries to unravel the truth behind the atrocity.
Hotel Translyvania (U.S.)
Opened Jan. 17
Animation. Comedy. Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky. Dracula (Adam Sandler) has just retired from public life to open Hotel Translyvania, a high-end resort, where monsters and their families can live in peace without any humans to bother them. On one special weekend, Dracula invites his famous monster friends Frankenstein (Kevin James), Frank’s bride Eunice (Fran Drescher), Murray the Mummy (Cee Lo Green), Griffin the Invisible Man (David Spade), Wayne and Wanda Werewolf (Steve Buscemi and Molly Shannon) to celebrate the 118th birthday of his daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez). But the vampire’s well-organized party is disrupted when a human backpacker Jonathan (Andy Samberg) accidently stumbles into the hotel and builds up a friendship with Mavis.
Cloud Atlas (U.S. Germany)
Opened Jan. 9
Science Fiction. Directed by Lana, Andy Wachowski and Tom Tykwer. The film consists of six stories, set across centuries and continents. In the 1840s on a voyage through the Pacific Islands, Adam Ewing (Jim Sturgess) befriends a scheming doctor (Tom Hanks) and falls into trouble. In the 1930s, young composer Robert Frobisher (Ben Whishaw) is hired to assist the legendary musician Vyvyan Ayrs (Jim Boradbent) as he seduces Ayr’s wife while also writing his letters to his true love, Sixsmith (James D’arcy). In 1970s San Francisco, an investigative reporter (Halle Berry) uncovers the truth about a nuclear power plant. In the present day, publisher (Broadbent) is confined to an old-people’s home staffed by a brutal nurse (Hugo Weaving). In Neo-Seoul, Sonmi-451 (Doona Bae) rises up against the system that bred her. Lastly, Zachary (Tom Hanks) befriends a woman (Berry) who holds the last knowledge of civilization.
Life of Pi (U.S.)
Opened Jan. 1
Drama. Action. Adventure. Directed by Ang Lee. Pi (Suraj Sharma)’s family prepares to move upon hearing that the government’s financial aid for the family’s zoo will be cut off. The family boards a ship to Canada with their zoo animals. But an unexpected storm sinks the ship and only Pi, who gets on a lifeboat, survives the deadly accident. On the lifeboat, an injured zebra, a starved hyena and an orangutan with a handful of bananas increase the tension. However, the real surprise is unveiled when Richard Parker, a Bengal tiger, appears from the bottom of the boat. As time goes on, starved animals attack and eat each other until Pi and Richard Parker are the only ones left. Pi finds a survival guidebook on board and learns to live with the tiger on a lifeboat.
Tower (Korea)
Opened Dec. 25
Drama. Action. Directed by Kim Ji-hoon. Mr. Jo (Cha In-pyo) has plans for a “White Christmas” party for tenants and VIPs at Tower Sky, the super-luxurious landmark building complex he owns in Seoul. Part of the event will involve helicopters circling above, sprinkling snow on everyone below. Lee Dae-ho (Kim Sang-kyung) is a single father and manager of the 120 story luxurious landmark building complex, Tower Sky in Seoul. He is an earnest employee liked by his colleagues and is secretly in love with Seo Yoon-hee (Son Ye-jin), a restaurant manager. Dae-ho has promised to spend the day at an amusement park with his daughter Ha-na, but has to cancel the event when he is needed at the party. Whilst the party is in full swing one of the helicopters crashes into the building and the building catches fire.
