Venice Film Festival: Must-see films

Country: United Kingdom

Director: Madonna

Cast: Andrea Riseborough, Abbie Cornish, James D’Arcy, Oscar Isaac

Synopsis: A closer look at the romance between Baltimore native Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough, above) and England’s King Edward VIII (James D’Arcy) that eventually forced him to give up his crown. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

March 18, 2014 8:46 AM PT

Country: United States

Director: Al Pacino

Cast: Al Pacino, Jessica Chastain and Kevin Anderson

Synopsis: Oscar Wilde’s controversial play “Salome” is revisited in this lusty interpretation about King Herod (Al Pacino) and his wild stepdaughter (Jesica Chastain). (Pictured: The 2006 stage production at Wadsworth Theatre in Los Angeles.) (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)