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What stands out first about The Good Thief is the confidence with which Neil Jordan establishes its action film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Good Thief asks Nick Nolte and Ralph Fiennes to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Good Thief is established with useful clarity: An aging gambler on a losing streak attempts to rob a casino in Monte Carlo. That direct approach lets The Good Thief use its 1h 49m running time for charact

What stands out first about Laurel Canyon is the confidence with which Lisa Cholodenko establishes its drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Laurel Canyon asks Frances McDormand and Alessandro Nivola to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Laurel Canyon is established with useful clarity: When an uptight young man and his fiancée move into his libertine mother's house, the resulting clash of life attitudes shakes everyone up. That direct

What stands out first about Pinocchio is the confidence with which Roberto Benigni establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Pinocchio asks Roberto Benigni and Nicoletta Braschi to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Pinocchio is established with useful clarity: Despite guidance from the Blue Fairy and the love of his father, a wooden puppet's curious spirit leads him into one wild adventure after another. That direct appro

What stands out first about The Secret Lives of Dentists is the confidence with which Alan Rudolph establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Secret Lives of Dentists asks Campbell Scott and Hope Davis to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Secret Lives of Dentists is established with useful clarity: An introspective dentist's suspicions about his wife's infidelity stresses his mental well being and family life to th

What stands out first about Better Luck Tomorrow is the confidence with which Justin Lin establishes its crime drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Better Luck Tomorrow asks Parry Shen and Jason Tobin to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Better Luck Tomorrow is established with useful clarity: A group of over achieving East Asian American high school seniors enjoy a power trip when they dip into extracurricular criminal activities. T

What stands out first about The Spanish Apartment is the confidence with which Cédric Klapisch establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Spanish Apartment asks Romain Duris and Judith Godrèche to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Spanish Apartment is established with useful clarity: A strait laced French student moves into an apartment in Barcelona with a cast of six other characters from all over Europe. That dir

What stands out first about Secretary is the confidence with which Steven Shainberg establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Secretary asks James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Secretary is established with useful clarity: A timid young woman starts working for a demanding lawyer and finds a new way to deal with her self harming urges. That direct approach lets Secretary use its 1h 47m

What stands out first about Ultimate X: The Movie is the confidence with which Bruce Hendricks establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Ultimate X: The Movie asks Bob Burnquist and Brian Deegan to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Ultimate X: The Movie is established with useful clarity: Made for IMAX documentary about the athletes of ESPN's Summer X games, including skateboarders, BMX riders, motocrossers, and stre

What stands out first about Men with Brooms is the confidence with which Paul Gross establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Men with Brooms asks Paul Gross and Leslie Nielsen to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Men with Brooms is established with useful clarity: Four men take time from their personal problems to reunite as a curling team and compete in a bonspiel that will restore their honour. That direct approach let

What stands out first about The Adventures of Pluto Nash is the confidence with which Ron Underwood establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Adventures of Pluto Nash asks Eddie Murphy and Jay Mohr to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Adventures of Pluto Nash is established with useful clarity: In the future, a man struggles to keep his lunar nightclub out of the hands of the Mafia. That direct approach lets The A

What stands out first about Igby Goes Down is the confidence with which Burr Steers establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Igby Goes Down asks Kieran Culkin and Susan Sarandon to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Igby Goes Down is established with useful clarity: A young man's peculiar upbringing renders him unable to competently cope with the struggle of growing up. That direct approach lets Igby Goes Down use its 1h

What stands out first about Extreme Ops is the confidence with which Christian Duguay establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Extreme Ops asks Rufus Sewell and Devon Sawa to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Extreme Ops is established with useful clarity: While filming an advertisement, some extreme sports enthusiasts unwittingly stop a group of terrorists. That direct approach lets Extreme Ops use its 1h 33m running ti