Another year, another raft of unmissable movies. Here are the most hotly anticipated releases for JT film critics Mark Schilling, Kaori Shoji and Giovanni Fazio — get them in your diary now.

"American Hustle" (directed by David O. Russell; opens Jan. 31): After "The Fighter" and "Silver Linings Playbook," director David O. Russell has become such a mainstream success that it's hard to recall that his career began with the tiny 1994 indie "Spanking the Monkey," and stalled out for a decade after 1999's "Three Kings." His latest has Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence and more in a tale of a New Jersey con man enlisted by the FBI to sting some crooked politicians. Heavy on the late 1970s beard, polyester and cocaine vibe that "Argo" picked up on so well. (G.F.)

"Snowpiercer" (directed by Bong Joon-ho; opens Feb. 7): As far as I'm concerned, this is required viewing for every human being on the planet. In a tale of a near-future world encased in permanent ice and snow, the survivors of a climate-change apocalypse board a Noah's Ark-style train called "Snowpiercer." This is fueled by a "permanent engine" that takes the passengers on a never-ending journey around the globe. The catch: No one is allowed off. The train is owned and operated by despot Wilford (Ed Harris), who has divided its passengers into first class (the 1 percenters) and economy. Savor Bong's breathtaking visuals and ponder this parable for our times. (K.S.)