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What stands out first about Texas Rangers is the confidence with which Steve Miner establishes its action film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Texas Rangers asks James Van Der Beek and Rachael Leigh Cook to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Texas Rangers is established with useful clarity: A ragtag group of youngsters band together after the American Civil War to form the Texas Rangers, a group charged with the dangerous, ruthless dut

What stands out first about Son of the Bride is the confidence with which Juan José Campanella establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Son of the Bride asks Ricardo Darín and Héctor Alterio to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Son of the Bride is established with useful clarity: A dissatisfied 40 year old, separated and without time for his own daughter and girlfriend must rethink his life when his father decides to mar

What stands out first about Blow Dry is the confidence with which Paddy Breathnach establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Blow Dry asks Alan Rickman and Natasha Richardson to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Blow Dry is established with useful clarity: In 2000, a small town hosts The British Hairdressing Championship, where a former 2 time winner, his son, his run away wife and his runaway wife's lady lover reside (no

What stands out first about Focus is the confidence with which Neal Slavin establishes its romance identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Focus asks William H. Macy and Laura Dern to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Focus is established with useful clarity: In late WWII, Brooklyn neighbors wrongly think a couple is Jewish. That direct approach lets Focus use its 1h 46m running time for character, atmosphere and consequence. ⁠ A close look a

What stands out first about The Emperor's New Clothes is the confidence with which Alan Taylor establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Emperor's New Clothes asks Ian Holm and Iben Hjejle to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Emperor's New Clothes is established with useful clarity: During Napoleon's exile on St. Helena, some loyalists hire a look alike to swap places with the deposed Emperor. That direct approach

What stands out first about The Caveman's Valentine is the confidence with which Kasi Lemmons establishes its thriller identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Caveman's Valentine asks Samuel L. Jackson and Colm Feore to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Caveman's Valentine is established with useful clarity: A cave dwelling man sets out to track down the killer of a homeless boy, and bring him to justice. That direct approach lets The

What stands out first about Human Nature is the confidence with which Michel Gondry establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Human Nature asks Tim Robbins and Patricia Arquette to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Human Nature is established with useful clarity: A woman is in love with a man in love with another woman, and all three have designs on a young man raised as a chimpanzee. That direct approach lets Human Natur

What stands out first about Metropolis is the confidence with which Rintarô establishes its animated adventure identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Metropolis asks Toshio Furukawa and Scott Weinger to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Metropolis is established with useful clarity: Kenichi and his uncle Shunsaku Ban must find the mystery behind robot girl Tima. That direct approach lets Metropolis use its 1h 48m running time for character,

What stands out first about Fat Girl is the confidence with which Catherine Breillat establishes its drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Fat Girl asks Anaïs Reboux and Roxane Mesquida to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Fat Girl is established with useful clarity: Two sisters confront their sexual attitudes and experiences while on a family holiday. That direct approach lets Fat Girl use its 1h 26m running time for character, atmos

What stands out first about Asoka is the confidence with which Santosh Sivan establishes its action film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Asoka asks Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Asoka is established with useful clarity: The epic tale of King Asoka's life is recounted. That direct approach lets Asoka use its 3h running time for character, atmosphere and consequence. ⁠ The directorial personality

What stands out first about Charlotte Gray is the confidence with which Gillian Armstrong establishes its thriller identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Charlotte Gray asks Cate Blanchett and James Fleet to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Charlotte Gray is established with useful clarity: A young Scottish woman joins the French Resistance during World War II to rescue her Royal Air Force boyfriend who is lost in France. That direct approa

What stands out first about The Devil's Backbone is the confidence with which Guillermo del Toro establishes its horror film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Devil's Backbone asks Marisa Paredes and Eduardo Noriega to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Devil's Backbone is established with useful clarity: After Carlos a 12 year old whose father has died in the Spanish Civil War arrives at an ominous boys' orphanage, he discovers