The 100 key films of 2013 - part 6

Les Misérables: Tom Hooper’s whopping adaptation of the much-loved musical comes to the big screen on a wave of adoration and awards hope. Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Eddie Redmayne and a shorn-headed Anne Hathaway belt out the big tunes, while Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter lend light relief Photograph: PR

Lincoln: Daniel Day Lewis’s restrained turn as the Pres has been praised for its unshowy nuance and gentle touch in a film that could threaten to go all gung-ho, War Horse-style, about Abe’s efforts to end slavery (and the Civil War). Sterling support from Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field and James Spader lends more light and shade Photograph: David James/AP

London Project: Mystery surrounds the upcoming drama from the great Joanna Hogg, who memorably documented the foibles of the English middle-class on Unrelated and Archipelago. All we know is that it’s a “London Project” that finds roles for Viv Albertine, Liam Gillick and her regular collaborator Tom Hiddleston. Last month the producers provided us with a further clue by releasing a still from the film. This makes it look like a hoot and a half. Photograph: Sophie Molins Photograph: Sophie Molins/PR

Lovelace: Linda Boreman (aka Linda Lovelace) was an American porn actor (above) best known for her role in 1972’s Deep Throat. Now she is played by Mamma Mia! star Amanda Seyfried, with Peter Saarsgard co-starring as her abusive husband and supporting roles for the likes of James Franco, Chloe Sevigny and Sharon Stone. The biopic comes in flashbacks, charting Lovelace’s rise, fall and eventual redemption. Photograph: AP

The Look of Love: Way back in the 1970s, London’s Soho neighbourhood was a notorious red-light district and Paul Raymond was its king. Michael Winterbottom’s portrait of the late publishing, property and porn mogul reunites him with the actor Steve Coogan, the star of The Trip, A Cock and Bull Story and the great 24-Hour Party People. “Like very few films these days it’s actually about something without being portentous,” explains Coogan. “And there’s lots of naked ladies in it too.” Photograph: Sam Hollenshead/Polaris

Magic Magic: Showcasing Michael Cera’s transformation from slight, charming boy-man to slight, alarming man-man. Sebastián Silva’s Chilean indie drama sees Cera (pictured, above, in Youth in Revolt) play one of a group of 20-somethings who turn a blind eye to a friend who’s slowly losing her sanity. He reportedly spent five hours a day learning Spanish for the role, while stills from the shoot reveal he’s swapped his lo-fi indie band Ts for The Killing-style chunky knitwear). Our little Mikey’s all growed up Photograph: Bruce Birmelin/Photo Credit: Bruce Birmelin

Malavita: Luc Besson’s adaptation of Tonino Benacquista’s book, Badfellas, will see Robert de Niro (who else?) head the Manzoni family. They’re a mafia clan relocated to Normandy under a witness protection programm who can’t yet give up the more-ish thrills of gangster life. Benacquista has form when it comes to writing compelling stories about mob guys trying to leave the bad behind - he co-wrote The Beat That My Heart Skipped with Jacques Audiard. Photograph: Adrien Veczan/REUTERS

Maleficent: A version of the Sleeping Beauty story told from the point of view of Maleficent, the wicked fairy out to make sure the snoozy stunner hits the big sleep. Or - if you prefer - the misunderstood older woman trying to make headway against a shallow, lazy youth. Angelina Jolie plays the good/bad guy, Elle Fanning’s on board as Beauty. Photograph: PR

Man of Steel: Henry Cavill dons tights again (after starring in The Tudors) to play the be-caped Superman in this reboot also featuring Russell Crowe as his papa. But is the comic book field looking a little crowded? Or can Cavill fill the boots left empty by Batman? Photograph: Clay Enos/AP

Man of Tai Chi: He knows kung fu. And surviving bad movies. And looking sad with sandwiches. Now here’s Keanu Reeves: director, musing on the state of film and gearing up for the release of his debut feature, Man of Tai Chi. It’s a Sino-American co-production shot in Mandarin and English featuring Reeves as the baddie and - if the behind the scenes footage is anything to go by - a lot of limb-cracking, head-spinning fight scenes Photograph: Canadian Press / Rex Features/Canadian Press / Rex Features