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Road to Perdition arrives as a thriller directed by Sam Mendes, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tom Hanks and Tyler Hoechlin give Road to Perdition a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Road to Perdition comes into focus without a long explanation: A mob enforcer's son in 1930s Illinois witnesses a murder, forcing him and his father to take to the road, and his father down a path of redemption and reven

8 Mile arrives as a music drama directed by Curtis Hanson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Eminem and Brittany Murphy give 8 Mile a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in 8 Mile comes into focus without a long explanation: Follows a young rapper in the Detroit area, struggling with every aspect of his life; he wants to make it big but his friends and foes make this odyssey of rap harder than it may seem. A

The Sum of All Fears arrives as an action film directed by Phil Alden Robinson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ben Affleck and Morgan Freeman give The Sum of All Fears a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Sum of All Fears comes into focus without a long explanation: CIA analyst Jack Ryan must stop the plans of a Neo Nazi faction that threatens to induce a catastrophic conflict between the United S

The Bourne Identity arrives as an action film directed by Doug Liman, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Franka Potente and Matt Damon give The Bourne Identity a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Bourne Identity comes into focus without a long explanation: A man is picked up by a fishing boat, bullet riddled and suffering from amnesia, before racing to elude assassins and attempting to regain his mem

Mr. Deeds arrives as a comedy directed by Steven Brill, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Adam Sandler and Winona Ryder give Mr. Deeds a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Mr. Deeds comes into focus without a long explanation: A sweet natured small town guy inherits a controlling stake in a media conglomerate and begins to do business his way. Across its 1h 36m running time, Steven Brill keeps Mr. Deeds

Sweet Home Alabama arrives as a comedy directed by Andy Tennant, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Reese Witherspoon and Patrick Dempsey give Sweet Home Alabama a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Sweet Home Alabama comes into focus without a long explanation: A young woman who has reinvented herself as a New York City socialite must return home to Alabama to obtain a divorce from her husband after seve

The Ring arrives as a horror film directed by Gore Verbinski, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Naomi Watts and Martin Henderson give The Ring a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Ring comes into focus without a long explanation: A journalist must investigate a mysterious videotape which seems to cause the death of anyone one week to the day after they view it. Across its 1h 55m running time, Gore Ve

Minority Report arrives as an action film directed by Steven Spielberg, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tom Cruise and Colin Farrell give Minority Report a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Minority Report comes into focus without a long explanation: John works with the PreCrime police which stop crimes before they take place, with the help of three 'PreCogs' who can foresee crimes. Across its 2h 25m

The Santa Clause 2 arrives as a comedy directed by Michael Lembeck, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tim Allen and Spencer Breslin give The Santa Clause 2 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Santa Clause 2 comes into focus without a long explanation: Scott Calvin has been a humble Santa Claus for eight years, but it might come to an end if he doesn't find a Mrs Claus. Across its 1h 44m running time

xXx arrives as an action film directed by Rob Cohen, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Vin Diesel and Asia Argento give xXx a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in xXx comes into focus without a long explanation: The US government recruits extreme sports athlete Xander Cage to infiltrate a Russian criminal ring, which is plotting the destruction of the world. Across its 2h 4m running time, Rob Cohen keeps x

Lilo & Stitch arrives as an animated adventure directed by Dean DeBlois, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Daveigh Chase and Chris Sanders give Lilo & Stitch a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Lilo & Stitch comes into focus without a long explanation: A young and parentless girl adopts a 'dog' from the local pound, completely unaware that it's supposedly a dangerous scientific experiment that's taken r

Scooby Doo arrives as a comedy directed by Raja Gosnell, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Matthew Lillard and Freddie Prinze Jr. give Scooby Doo a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Scooby Doo comes into focus without a long explanation: After an acrimonious break up, the Mystery Inc. gang are individually brought to an island resort to investigate strange goings on. Across its 1h 26m running time, Raja