Paterson (15, 118 mins)
ADAM Driver delivers a compelling lead performance as a poetic bus driver in Jim Jarmusch's offbeat character study. Unfolding over the course of one week in the city of Paterson, New Jersey, the film centres on happily married Paterson (Adam Driver), who shares his home with his wife Laura (Golshifteh Farahani) and their dog Marvin.
Every day, Paterson follows the same routine: he goes to work early in the morning, listening to passengers' conversations from behind the wheel of his bus.
Then he returns home to listen to Laura's latest pipe dream – setting up a cupcake business, playing a guitar – before walking the dog via the local tavern, where he trades witticisms with owner Doc (Barry Shakaba Henley) over a beer or two.
In moments of calm, Paterson draws inspiration from his favourite poet, William Carlos Williams, to pen his own handwritten verse in a notebook. Laura urges her husband to publish his writing and he eventually agrees to make copies of his heartfelt musings.
:: Released November 25
Almost Christmas (15, 111 mins)
WALTER Meyers (Danny Glover) and his wife Grace (Rachel Kylian) proudly preside over their extended family and, every Christmas, they host a picture postcard get-together laden with food and good cheer.
A few months before the festivities, Grace passes away and grief-stricken Walter pledges to continue the Yuletide tradition on his own.
His sister-in-law May (Mo'Nique) arrives first, closely followed by his eldest son Christian (Romany Malco), his wife Sonya (Nicole Ari Parker) and their children. Feuding daughters Rachel (Gabrielle Union) and Cheryl (Kimberly Elise) clash from the moment they walk through the front door and youngest son Evan (Jessie Usher), who is a sporting star, arrives with painkillers in his pocket that he continues to pop to dull a recent injury.
The Meyers must spend five days together under the same roof to honour Grace's memory and it is immediately evident that they will need a miracle to maintain peace and good will.
:: Released November 25
