“ ZERO DARK THIRTY” (R) Director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal (“The Hurt Locker”) unite for this tense procedural focusing on a CIA agent (Jessica Chastain) who participated in the post-9/11 hunt for Osama bin Laden for nearly a decade. Already controversial for claiming the CIA’s use of water boarding torture led to useful information (something the agency denies), the movie is also destined to be an Oscar magnet, especially for Chastain, who is the one to beat for Best Actress.

“ THE IMPOSSIBLE” (PG-13) Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor star as a married couple vacationing with their three sons in Thailand when the 2004 tsunami hit. Based on an incredible true story.

“ HYDE PARK ON THE HUDSON” (R) Bill Murray is President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Olivia Williams plays his wife Eleanor as they host the King and Queen of England during a weekend in June 1939. Laura Linney plays the distant cousin having an affair with the president.

“ NOT FADE AWAY” (R) “Sopranos” creator David Chase makes his big-screen directorial debut with this semi-autobiographical story of three best friends growing up in suburban New Jersey who decide to form a rock band in 1964.

Also opening:

“ TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D” (R) - Another reimagining/sequel of the ‘70s slasher flick and the iconic evil-doer Leatherface, with a cast that includes R&B singer Trey Songz.