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What stands out first about The Cooler is the confidence with which Wayne Kramer establishes its romance identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Cooler asks William H. Macy and Maria Bello to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Cooler is established with useful clarity: In an old school Las Vegas casino, its top gambling jinx breaks his curse when he falls in love, much to his boss' consternation. That direct approach lets The Cooler us

What stands out first about The Barbarian Invasions is the confidence with which Denys Arcand establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Barbarian Invasions asks Rémy Girard and Dorothée Berryman to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Barbarian Invasions is established with useful clarity: During his final days, a dying man is reunited with old friends, former lovers, his ex wife, and his estranged son. That direct a

What stands out first about The Divorce is the confidence with which James Ivory establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Divorce asks Kate Hudson and Naomi Watts to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Divorce is established with useful clarity: French vs. American social customs and behaviors are observed in a story about an American visiting her sister and French brother in law and niece in Paris. That direct app

What stands out first about Duplex is the confidence with which Danny DeVito establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Duplex asks Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Duplex is established with useful clarity: A young couple has a chance to move into a gorgeous duplex in the perfect New York neighborhood. That direct approach lets Duplex use its 1h 29m running time for character, atmosphere

What stands out first about Seducing Doctor Lewis is the confidence with which Jean François Pouliot establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Seducing Doctor Lewis asks David Boutin and Lucie Laurier to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Seducing Doctor Lewis is established with useful clarity: A much needed boost, in the form of a new factory, is promised to the residents of the tiny fishing village St. Marie La Mauderne

What stands out first about Swimming Pool is the confidence with which François Ozon establishes its thriller identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Swimming Pool asks Charlotte Rampling and Charles Dance to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Swimming Pool is established with useful clarity: A British mystery author visits her publisher's home in the South of France, where her interaction with his unusual daughter sets off some touchy dynamic

What stands out first about House of the Dead is the confidence with which Uwe Boll establishes its horror film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, House of the Dead asks Jonathan Cherry and Tyron Leitso to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of House of the Dead is established with useful clarity: A group of college students travels to a mysterious island to attend a rave, which is soon taken over by bloodthirsty zombies. That direct approach

What stands out first about Girl with a Pearl Earring is the confidence with which Peter Webber establishes its romance identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Girl with a Pearl Earring asks Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Girl with a Pearl Earring is established with useful clarity: A young peasant maid working in the house of painter Johannes Vermeer becomes his talented assistant and the model for on

What stands out first about Confidence is the confidence with which James Foley establishes its thriller identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Confidence asks Edward Burns and Dustin Hoffman to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Confidence is established with useful clarity: Jake Vig is a consummate grifter about to pull his biggest con yet, one set to avenge his friend's murder. That direct approach lets Confidence use its 1h 37m running ti

What stands out first about House of 1000 Corpses is the confidence with which Rob Zombie establishes its horror film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, House of 1000 Corpses asks Sid Haig and Karen Black to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of House of 1000 Corpses is established with useful clarity: Two young couples traveling across the backwoods of Texas searching for urban legends of murder end up as prisoners of a bizarre and sadistic

What stands out first about Gods and Generals is the confidence with which Ron Maxwell establishes its biographical drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Gods and Generals asks Stephen Lang and Robert Duvall to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Gods and Generals is established with useful clarity: The rise and fall of confederate general Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, as he meets with military success against the Union from 1861 to 1863,

What stands out first about House of Sand and Fog is the confidence with which Vadim Perelman establishes its crime drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, House of Sand and Fog asks Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of House of Sand and Fog is established with useful clarity: An abandoned wife is evicted from her house and starts a tragic conflict with her house's new owners. That direct approach lets