Coming to a cinema near you, on May 7…

Hello everyone, this is an experimental post.

Starting this week, I’ll (hopefully) try and feature some of the new movies that are releasing this week, so that you can plan your trip to the theatre.

I still haven’t figured out how I’ll get the list of ‘new movies’ each week, so if anyone have any pointers or know someone who can help, I’ll be very grateful. Send me a PM or comment on the section.

1. Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet

Voice cast: Salma Hayek, Liam Neeson, John Krasinski, Alfred Molina

Genre: Animation/family

The movie has a Qatari connection as the Doha Film Institute played a major role in bringing the movie to life. The Prophet, inspired by the beloved classic, tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a young, mischievous girl and an imprisoned poet.

Roger Allers, director of Disney classic The Lion King, is in charge of direction and Salma Hayek too has given it her all in the voice department. This will be a must watch.

2. Piku

Cast: Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, Irrfan Khan

Genre: Family drama

Piku (Padukone) is a successful architect who also takes care of her 70-year-old father Bhashkor Banerji (Bachchan). Weighed down by multiple responsibilities, her life is a constant mental struggle. Banerji forces Piku to go on a road trip with him to his native Kolkata, and she agrees to it half-heartedly. Rana (Khan), owner of a local cab company, agrees to drive them there. It is a heartwarming tale of a father and daughter’s relationship.

3. Hot Pursuit

Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sofia Vergara

Genre: Comedy

Vergara plays the character of Daniella Riva, a mobster's wife who is being escorted by an honest police officer Rose Cooper (Witherspoon) from San Antonio to Dallas. Riva is on her way to testify against the head of a major drug cartel, who of course wants her silenced forever. Thus begins a cat-and-mouse game, pitting the unlikely pair against thugs and corrupt police officials.

4. It Follows

Cast: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist

Genre: Horror

Premiered at the 2014 Cannes Festival, the movie has received rave reviews. The story follows a girl who is pursued by a supernatural entity. The film, which unfurls slowly, will terrify viewers with its atmospheric build-up. The film has a lot of graphic, mature content. How much of the film will actually be seen in the theatre is anybody’s guess. Anyhow, keep the children far, far away from it.

5. Backcountry

Cast: Missy Peregrym, Jeff Roop

Genre: Survival thriller

Though made on a shoestring budget, the movie has been critically acclaimed. A young couple goes away on a romantic camping trip and as it always does, things turn deadly. A man-eating bear is out to get them and they should outrun and outwit one of nature’s fiercest predators.

6. Absolution

Cast: Steven Seagal, Vinnie Jones, Adina Stetcu

Genre: Action thriller

Seagal plays the role of a contract killer, who meets a girl who is fleeing from a dangerous drug lord (Jones), who operates a human trafficking ring on the side. He wants to protect the girl, while also remaining loyal to the government agency that sent him.