10 movies to talk about

Gwyneth Paltrow clutches an Iron Man suit that may or may not contain Robert Downey Jr. Credit: Zade Rosenthal Gwyneth Paltrow clutches an Iron Man suit that may or may not contain Robert Downey Jr.
Credit: Zade Rosenthal

1 ‘Iron Man 3’
Shane Black, once the highest paid screenwriter in Hollywood, reunites with his “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” star Robert Downey Jr. to fun up a franchise that got a little doughy in the second installment. And Guy Pearce is in there, too? Boom.

2 ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’
Mohsin Hamid’s novel about a young Pakistani man who goes from Wall Street social climber to maybe radical after being racially ostracized in the wake of 9/11 gets the big screen treatment, with director Mira Nair and stars Riz Ahmed, Kate Hudson and Kiefer Sutherland.

3 ‘In the House’
François Ozon (“Swimming Pool”) once ruled the art house, but it’s gotten to where every film he makes is hailed as a comeback. His latest “comeback” stars Fabrice Luchini as an English teacher who encourages his pupil to invade the lives of a suburban family (whose mom is Roman Polanski’s wife, but whatevs).

4 ‘Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary’
Stephen Vittoria’s documentary takes a look at Mumia’s pre-arrest history of journalism and activism. A pro-Mumia doc is going to go over really well in Philadelphia. Good luck with this one.

5 ‘Pain & Gain’
We wanted another Michael Bay film. And for our sins we got one.

6 ‘Mud’
In the latest from Jeff Nichols (“Take Shelter”) sidelines Michael Shannon into a smaller role, favoring Matthew McConaughey as a wanted man hiding out on an island. Reese Witherspoon, who is somebody, apparently, puts in a few scenes.

7 ‘Angel’s Share’
The latest from English filmmaker Ken Loach (“The Wind That Shakes the Barley”) finds him in one of his comic (or, more likely, semi-comic) moods, this time with Glasweigan working class types trying to steal some rare malt whisky from a Highland distillery.

8 ‘Koch’
Former New York City mayor Ed Koch died the day Neil Barsky’s penetrating look at him was released in the town he once ruled. The accomplishments and controversies of his stint are still debated, and this documentary will no doubt create fresh arguments.

9 ‘The Big Wedding’
Almost none of you saw this last weekend. America, sometimes you’re all right.

10 ‘To the Wonder’
Here’s your timed guilt trip over not seeing the latest from Terrence Malick. The bad reviews are wrong. It’s awesome.