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Van Wilder arrives as a comedy directed by Walt Becker, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ryan Reynolds and Tara Reid give Van Wilder a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Van Wilder comes into focus without a long explanation: The most popular kid on campus meets a beautiful journalist who makes him realize that maybe he's afraid to graduate. Across its 1h 32m running time, Walt Becker keeps Van Wilder u

Bowling for Columbine arrives as a documentary directed by Michael Moore, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Michael Moore and Charlton Heston give Bowling for Columbine a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Bowling for Columbine comes into focus without a long explanation: Filmmaker Michael Moore explores the roots of America's predilection for gun violence. Across its 2h running time, Michael Moore keeps

Darkness arrives as a horror film directed by Jaume Balagueró, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Anna Paquin and Lena Olin give Darkness a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Darkness comes into focus without a long explanation: There's something in this house Something ancient and dark that remains still, hidden and silent. Across its 1h 28m running time, Jaume Balagueró keeps Darkness uncertain about to

City by the Sea arrives as a thriller directed by Michael Caton Jones, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Robert De Niro and James Franco give City by the Sea a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in City by the Sea comes into focus without a long explanation: Vincent Lamarca, whose father was executed for a 1950s kidnapping of a child, grew up to become a police officer, only to see his own son become a murd

Adaptation. arrives as a comedy directed by Spike Jonze, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Nicolas Cage and Meryl Streep give Adaptation. a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Adaptation. comes into focus without a long explanation: A lovelorn screenwriter becomes desperate as he tries and fails to adapt 'The Orchid Thief' by Susan Orlean for the screen. Across its 1h 55m running time, Spike Jonze keeps A

Eight Crazy Nights arrives as an animated adventure directed by Seth Kearsley, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider give Eight Crazy Nights a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Eight Crazy Nights comes into focus without a long explanation: Davey Stone, an alcoholic with a criminal record, is sentenced to community service under the supervision of an elderly referee. Across it

The Sweetest Thing arrives as a comedy directed by Roger Kumble, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Cameron Diaz and Thomas Jane give The Sweetest Thing a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Sweetest Thing comes into focus without a long explanation: Christina Walters spent years avoiding men, then suddenly met her perfect match while hanging with her best friends, Courtney and Jane. Across its 1h 24m

The Transporter arrives as an action film directed by Louis Leterrier, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jason Statham and Shu Qi give The Transporter a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Transporter comes into focus without a long explanation: Frank Martin, who "transports" packages for unknown clients, is asked to move a package that soon begins moving, and complications arise. Across its 1h 32m ru

Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie arrives as an animated adventure directed by Phil Vischer, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki give Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie comes into focus without a long explanation: When the singing Veggies encounter some car trouble, they are stranded at an old rundown seafood joint, where nothi

Frida arrives as a romance directed by Julie Taymor, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Salma Hayek and Alfred Molina give Frida a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Frida comes into focus without a long explanation: A biography of artist Frida Kahlo, who channeled the pain of a crippling injury and her tempestuous marriage into her work. Across its 2h 3m running time, Julie Taymor keeps Frida clear enoug

All About the Benjamins arrives as a comedy directed by Kevin Bray, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ice Cube and Mike Epps give All About the Benjamins a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in All About the Benjamins comes into focus without a long explanation: Bounty hunter Bucum chases bail jumper Reggie, who runs right into the scene of a diamond heist and murder and gets shot at as well. Across its 1h

Blood Work arrives as an action film directed by Clint Eastwood, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Clint Eastwood and Jeff Daniels give Blood Work a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Blood Work comes into focus without a long explanation: Still recovering from a heart transplant, retired F.B.I. profiler Terry McCaleb returns to service when his own blood analysis offers clues to the identity of a serial