Every calendar year has its highs and lows in terms of movies that garner commercial success and critical appreciation. English language films, which are churned out of the USA and the UK, are not an exception. However, it is safe to conclude that American cinema had more reason to celebrate — thanks to the movies' variety and bold themes — than lament. With six more months to go before the end of this year, hitlist takes a peek at some noteworthy efforts that hit the marquee.

The Raid 2

Director: Gareth Evans
Cast: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Arifin Putra
Lowdown: If you thought Raid 1 was epic, then this sequel is sheer delight. Indonesian in thought and global in approach, Evans has single-handedly revived the idea of raw bloody action by keeping it as real — agonisingly real — as possible.