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America's Sweethearts arrives as a comedy directed by Joe Roth, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Julia Roberts and John Cusack give America's Sweethearts a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in America's Sweethearts comes into focus without a long explanation: A movie publicist deals with the messy public split of his movie's co stars while keeping reporters at bay while a reclusive director holds the film

Legally Blonde arrives as a comedy directed by Robert Luketic, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Reese Witherspoon and Luke Wilson give Legally Blonde a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Legally Blonde comes into focus without a long explanation: Fashionable sorority queen Elle Woods follows her ex boyfriend to law school, where she discovers that there is more to her than just looks. Across its 1h 36m

The Others arrives as a horror film directed by Alejandro Amenábar, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Nicole Kidman and Christopher Eccleston give The Others a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Others comes into focus without a long explanation: In 1945, immediately following the end of Second World War, a woman who lives with her two photosensitive children on her darkened old family estate in the

Vanilla Sky arrives as a thriller directed by Cameron Crowe, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tom Cruise and Penélope Cruz give Vanilla Sky a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Vanilla Sky comes into focus without a long explanation: A self indulgent and vain publishing magnate finds his privileged life upended after a vehicular accident with a resentful lover. Across its 2h 16m running time, Cameron Cr

The Princess Diaries arrives as a comedy directed by Garry Marshall, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway give The Princess Diaries a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Princess Diaries comes into focus without a long explanation: Mia Thermopolis has just found out that she is the heir apparent to the throne of Genovia. Across its 1h 55m running time, Garry Marshall keeps

Black Hawk Down arrives as an action film directed by Ridley Scott, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Josh Hartnett and Ewan McGregor give Black Hawk Down a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Black Hawk Down comes into focus without a long explanation: The story of 160 elite U.S. soldiers who dropped into Mogadishu in October 1993 to capture two top lieutenants of a renegade warlord, but found themselves

Spy Kids arrives as a comedy directed by Robert Rodriguez, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Alexa PenaVega and Daryl Sabara give Spy Kids a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Spy Kids comes into focus without a long explanation: Two kids become spies in attempt to save their ex spies parents from an evil mastermind. Across its 1h 28m running time, Robert Rodriguez keeps Spy Kids engaging in bursts but u

Dr. Dolittle 2 arrives as a comedy directed by Steve Carr, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Eddie Murphy and Cedric The Entertainer give Dr. Dolittle 2 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Dr. Dolittle 2 comes into focus without a long explanation: Dolittle must save a forest and a bear's life. Across its 1h 27m running time, Steve Carr keeps Dr. Dolittle 2 uncertain about tone and dramatic emphasis. ⁠

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider arrives as an action film directed by Simon West, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Angelina Jolie and Jon Voight give Lara Croft: Tomb Raider a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider comes into focus without a long explanation: Video game adventurer Lara Croft comes to life in a movie where she races against time and villains to recover powerful ancient artifa

The Fast and the Furious arrives as an action film directed by Rob Cohen, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker give The Fast and the Furious a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Fast and the Furious comes into focus without a long explanation: Los Angeles police officer Brian O'Conner must decide where his loyalty really lies when he becomes enamored with the street racing wor

American Pie 2 arrives as a comedy directed by J.B. Rogers, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jason Biggs and Seann William Scott give American Pie 2 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in American Pie 2 comes into focus without a long explanation: Jim and his friends are now in college, and they decide to meet up at the beach house for some fun. Across its 1h 48m running time, J.B. Rogers keeps American P

Hannibal arrives as a thriller directed by Ridley Scott, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Anthony Hopkins and Julianne Moore give Hannibal a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Hannibal comes into focus without a long explanation: Living in exile, Dr Hannibal Lecter tries to reconnect with now disgraced F.B.I. Agent Clarice Starling, and finds himself a target of revenge from a powerful victim. Across it