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Blow arrives as a crime drama directed by Ted Demme, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz give Blow a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Blow comes into focus without a long explanation: The story of how George Jung, along with the Medellín Cartel headed by Pablo Escobar, established the American cocaine market in the 1970s in the United States. Across its 2h 4m running time, T

Don't Say a Word arrives as a comedy directed by Gary Fleder, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Michael Douglas and Sean Bean give Don't Say a Word a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Don't Say a Word comes into focus without a long explanation: When the daughter of a psychiatrist is kidnapped, he's horrified to discover that the abductors' demand is that he break through to a post traumatic stress diso

A Knight's Tale arrives as an action film directed by Brian Helgeland, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Heath Ledger and Mark Addy give A Knight's Tale a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in A Knight's Tale comes into focus without a long explanation: After his master dies, a peasant squire, fueled by his desire for food and glory, creates a new identity for himself as a knight. Across its 2h 12m running

Rat Race arrives as a comedy directed by Jerry Zucker, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Breckin Meyer and Amy Smart give Rat Race a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Rat Race comes into focus without a long explanation: A Las Vegas casino magnate determined to find a new avenue for wagering sets up a race for money. Across its 1h 52m running time, Jerry Zucker keeps Rat Race engaging in bursts but unab

Moulin Rouge! arrives as a romance directed by Baz Luhrmann, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor give Moulin Rouge! a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Moulin Rouge! comes into focus without a long explanation: A poor Bohemian poet in 1890s Paris falls for a beautiful courtesan and nightclub star coveted by a jealous duke. Across its 2h 7m running time, Baz Luhrmann keeps M

The Animal arrives as a comedy directed by Luke Greenfield, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Rob Schneider and Colleen Haskell give The Animal a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Animal comes into focus without a long explanation: After receiving organ transplants from various animal donors, a man finds himself taking on the traits of those animals. Across its 1h 24m running time, Luke Greenfield k

Ali arrives as a biographical drama directed by Michael Mann, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Will Smith and Jamie Foxx give Ali a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Ali comes into focus without a long explanation: A biography of sports legend Muhammad Ali, focusing on his triumphs and controversies between 1964 and 1974. Across its 2h 37m running time, Michael Mann keeps Ali dependable even when the m

Behind Enemy Lines arrives as an action film directed by John Moore, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Gene Hackman and Owen Wilson give Behind Enemy Lines a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Behind Enemy Lines comes into focus without a long explanation: A disillusioned pilot shot down over war torn Bosnia goes on the run from the local military and an assassin, as his commanding officer risks all to s

The Wedding Planner arrives as a comedy directed by Adam Shankman, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey give The Wedding Planner a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Wedding Planner comes into focus without a long explanation: Mary Fiore is San Francisco's most successful supplier of romance and glamor. Across its 1h 43m running time, Adam Shankman keeps The Weddin

Spy Game arrives as an action film directed by Tony Scott, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Robert Redford and Brad Pitt give Spy Game a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Spy Game comes into focus without a long explanation: Retiring CIA agent Nathan Muir recalls his training of Tom Bishop while working against agency politics to free him from his Chinese captors. Across its 2h 6m running time, Tony Sc

Down to Earth arrives as a comedy directed by Chris Weitz, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Chris Rock and Regina King give Down to Earth a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Down to Earth comes into focus without a long explanation: After dying before his time, an aspiring black comic gets a second shot at life by being placed in the body of a wealthy white businessman. Across its 1h 27m running time,

The Mexican arrives as a comedy directed by Gore Verbinski, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts give The Mexican a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Mexican comes into focus without a long explanation: A man tries to transport an ancient gun called The Mexican, believed to carry a curse, back across the border, while his girlfriend pressures him to give up his criminal ways