Some "realistified" screenshots.

What do modern-day in game graphics need to become more cinematic or realistic?

Polygon count will become less important as processor power continues to grow.
The next area that should/will be targeted is that of lighting and rendering.
Videocard manufacterers are now introducing new features such as Anti Aliasing, Motion Blur and Bump Mapping, technology previously only available for pre-rendered animations.

The gap between pre-rendered animations and real time in-game graphics is closing rapidly...