12 Years a Slave (January 10) Ashley Norris
After two grim but very different films, one about the controversial and complicated Bobby Sands conducting a hunger strike in a Northern Irish prison, the second about sex addiction. Their similarities extend to their leading man, Michael Fassbender, and the sheer power that the films packed. Now Steve McQueen moves yet again into the hard hitting with a film about Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who was abducted from New York and sold into slavery. Reactions have been strong but overwhelmingly positive with only a few upset by its strong content. Fassbender is back as well in his partnership that has executed such brilliant performances alongside Michael K Williams, Scoot McNairy, Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry, Kelsey Scott and producer Brad Pitt.