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A Man Apart arrives as an action film directed by F. Gary Gray, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Vin Diesel and Timothy Olyphant give A Man Apart a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in A Man Apart comes into focus without a long explanation: A man known as Diablo emerges to head a drug cartel after the previous leader is imprisoned. Across its 1h 49m running time, F. Gary Gray keeps A Man Apart unable to

Basic arrives as a thriller directed by John McTiernan, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson give Basic a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Basic comes into focus without a long explanation: D.E.A. Agent Tom Hardy investigates the disappearance of legendary Army Ranger Drill Sergeant Nathan West and several of his cadets during a training exercise gone severely awry at F

The Missing arrives as a thriller directed by Ron Howard, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett give The Missing a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Missing comes into focus without a long explanation: In 1885 New Mexico, a frontier medicine woman forms an uneasy alliance with her estranged father when her daughter is kidnapped by an Apache brujo. Across its 2h 17m run

Johnny English arrives as a comedy directed by Peter Howitt, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Rowan Atkinson and John Malkovich give Johnny English a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Johnny English comes into focus without a long explanation: After a sudden attack on MI7, Johnny English, Britain's most confident, yet unintelligent spy, becomes Britain's only spy. Across its 1h 27m running time, Peter

The Fighting Temptations arrives as a comedy directed by Jonathan Lynn, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyoncé give The Fighting Temptations a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Fighting Temptations comes into focus without a long explanation: A New York advertising executive travels to a small Southern town to collect an inheritance but finds he must create a gospel choir and

Honey arrives as a romance directed by Bille Woodruff, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jessica Alba and Mekhi Phifer give Honey a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Honey comes into focus without a long explanation: Honey is a sexy, tough music video choreographer who shakes up her life after her mentor gives her an ultimatum: sleep with him or be blacklisted within their industry. Across its 1h 34m ru

Open Water arrives as a horror film directed by Chris Kentis, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis give Open Water a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Open Water comes into focus without a long explanation: Based on the true story of two scuba divers accidentally stranded in shark infested waters after their tour boat has left. Across its 1h 19m running time, Chris Kentis k

Hollywood Homicide arrives as a comedy directed by Ron Shelton, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett give Hollywood Homicide a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Hollywood Homicide comes into focus without a long explanation: Two LAPD detectives who moonlight in other fields investigate the murder of an up and coming rap group. Across its 1h 56m running time, Ron Shelton keep

Calendar Girls arrives as a comedy directed by Nigel Cole, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Helen Mirren and Julie Walters give Calendar Girls a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Calendar Girls comes into focus without a long explanation: Best friends Chris and Annie are members of a charitable institute. Across its 1h 48m running time, Nigel Cole keeps Calendar Girls careful about tone and generally e

The Core arrives as a comedy directed by Jon Amiel, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank give The Core a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Core comes into focus without a long explanation: The only way to save Earth from catastrophe is to drill down to the core and set it spinning again. Across its 2h 15m running time, Jon Amiel keeps The Core unable to turn workable ingr

Darkness Falls arrives as a horror film directed by Jonathan Liebesman, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Chaney Kley and Emma Caulfield Ford give Darkness Falls a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Darkness Falls comes into focus without a long explanation: A vengeful spirit has taken the form of the Tooth Fairy to exact vengeance on the town that lynched her 150 years earlier. Across its 1h 26m running

Dreamcatcher arrives as a horror film directed by Lawrence Kasdan, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Morgan Freeman and Thomas Jane give Dreamcatcher a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Dreamcatcher comes into focus without a long explanation: Friends on a camping trip discover that the town they're vacationing in is being plagued in an unusual fashion by parasitic aliens from outer space. Across its 2h