The Unconventionals

Chan-wook Park: Thirst
The director's dark revenge trilogy of Sympathy for Mr Vengeance, Oldboy and Lady Vengeance were astonishing examples of the noir thriller. Now the Korean film-maker is exploring the subject of vampires. Following the release of the beautiful Swedish film; Let The Right One In, I have high hopes for Park's foray into the horror genre.

Richard Linklater: Me and Orson Welles
1937, and a young Orson Welles is directing the theatre production of Julius Caesar. Linklater always understands characters and insists on naturalistic performances. Christian McKay is a revelation as Welles and Zac Efron, away from his High School Musical noose, gives a mature performance. The production should also be commended for convincingly portraying 30's America.

James Cameron: Avatar
Combining a titanic (sorry) budget and revolutionary special effects, Avatar looks set to be revelatory. Given Cameron's science-fiction pedigree, at the very least this film should be a mammoth spectacle.

Pixar: UP
Following the magnificent Wall E, Pixar are tackling a decidedly more human story. The elderly protagonist is a first, but as demonstrated in Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle, an aged character works as well as a teenager. Press screenings indicate that Pixar's standards are ever-increasing.

Nicolas Winding Refn: Bronson
Tagged as the Clockwork Orange of the 21st Century, the films cinematography is striking and Tom Hardy, as the titular lead, gives an electrifying performance.

Alex Rivera: Sleep Dealer
Made with a low budget, the film is a disturbing distopian vision of future technologies and social reliance.

Shane Meadows: Somers Town
The flag bearer for British independent film-making, Meadows' latest should be another stark but creative exploration of life in suburban England.