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Barbershop arrives as a comedy directed by Tim Story, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ice Cube and Cedric The Entertainer give Barbershop a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Barbershop comes into focus without a long explanation: A day in the life of a South Side Chicago barbershop. Across its 1h 42m running time, Tim Story keeps Barbershop clear enough to keep the emotional line visible. ⁠ The narrat

Gangs of New York arrives as a crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz give Gangs of New York a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Gangs of New York comes into focus without a long explanation: In 1862, Amsterdam Vallon returns to the Five Points area of New York City seeking revenge against Bill the Butcher; his father's killer. Acros

We Were Soldiers arrives as an action film directed by Randall Wallace, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Mel Gibson and Madeleine Stowe give We Were Soldiers a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in We Were Soldiers comes into focus without a long explanation: The story of the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam War, and the soldiers on both sides that fought it, while their wives wait n

Snow Dogs arrives as a comedy directed by Brian Levant, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Cuba Gooding Jr. and James Coburn give Snow Dogs a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Snow Dogs comes into focus without a long explanation: When a Miami dentist inherits a team of sled dogs, he's got to learn the trade or lose his pack to a crusty mountain man. Across its 1h 39m running time, Brian Levant keeps Sno

Blade II arrives as a horror film directed by Guillermo del Toro, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Wesley Snipes and Kris Kristofferson give Blade II a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Blade II comes into focus without a long explanation: Blade forms an uneasy alliance with the vampire council in order to combat the Reapers, who are feeding on vampires. Across its 1h 57m running time, Guillermo del To

Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams 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 2: Island of Lost Dreams a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams comes into focus without a long explanation: The Cortez siblings set out for a mysterious island, where they encounter a genetic scientist and a se

The Scorpion King arrives as an action film directed by Chuck Russell, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Dwayne Johnson and Steven Brand give The Scorpion King a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Scorpion King comes into focus without a long explanation: A desert warrior rises up against the evil army that is destroying his homeland. Across its 1h 32m running time, Chuck Russell keeps The Scorpion K

Red Dragon arrives as a thriller directed by Brett Ratner, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Anthony Hopkins and Edward Norton give Red Dragon a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Red Dragon comes into focus without a long explanation: A retired FBI agent with psychological gifts is assigned to help track down "The Tooth Fairy", a mysterious serial killer. Across its 2h 4m running time, Brett Ratner keep

Two Weeks Notice arrives as a comedy directed by Marc Lawrence, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant give Two Weeks Notice a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Two Weeks Notice comes into focus without a long explanation: A lawyer decides that she's used too much like a nanny by her boss, so she walks out on him. Across its 1h 41m running time, Marc Lawrence keeps Two Weeks Not

Space Station 3D arrives as a documentary directed by Toni Myers, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tom Cruise and James Arnold give Space Station 3D a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Space Station 3D comes into focus without a long explanation: From outer space countries don't exist. Across its 47m running time, Toni Myers keeps Space Station 3D clear enough to keep the emotional line visible. ⁠ What

Maid in Manhattan arrives as a comedy directed by Wayne Wang, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes give Maid in Manhattan a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Maid in Manhattan comes into focus without a long explanation: A Senatorial candidate falls for a hotel maid, thinking she is a socialite, when he sees her trying on a wealthy woman's dress. Across its 1h 45m running t

Panic Room arrives as a thriller directed by David Fincher, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jodie Foster and Kristen Stewart give Panic Room a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Panic Room comes into focus without a long explanation: A divorced woman and her diabetic daughter take refuge in their newly purchased house's safe room when three men break in, searching for a missing fortune. Across its 1h 5