LADDER 49

Firefighter drama set in Baltimore, with Joaquin Phoenix as a rookie who works and grows under a veteran chief, played by John Travolta.

THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING

Ghost tale, with a doctor suspecting his late wife’s spirit inhabits the body of a troubled woman in his hospital. At the same time, he gets mixed up with a fortune teller.

GOING UP RIVER: THE LONG WAR OF JOHN KERRY

Kerry-friendly documentary on the Democratic presidential candidate. Filmmaker George Butler also directed the Schwarzenegger opus “Pumping Iron.”

WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED

A young woman’s battle to triumph over poverty, based on the inspirational book by Bishop T.D. Jakes.

TYING THE KNOT

Documentary on same-sex marriage in the U.S.

DEADLINE

Death-penalty documentary looks at ex-Illinois Gov. George Ryan and how he called a halt to executions in his state near the end of his term.

THERESE

Real story of motherless-girl-turned-Carmelite-nun who goes on to sainthood.

DIG!

Rockumentary on two bands, the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Dandy Warhols, and their complex relationships.