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How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days arrives as a comedy directed by Donald Petrie, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey give How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days comes into focus without a long explanation: Benjamin Barry is an advertising executive and ladies' man who, to win a big campaign, bets that he can make a woman

The Italian Job arrives as an action film directed by F. Gary Gray, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Donald Sutherland and Mark Wahlberg give The Italian Job a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Italian Job comes into focus without a long explanation: After being betrayed and left for dead in Italy, Charlie Croker and his team plan an elaborate gold heist against their former ally. Across its 1h 51m

Scary Movie 3 arrives as a comedy directed by David Zucker, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Anna Faris and Charlie Sheen give Scary Movie 3 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Scary Movie 3 comes into focus without a long explanation: Cindy must investigate mysterious crop circles and video tapes, and help the President in preventing an alien invasion. Across its 1h 24m running time, David Zucker keep

Freaky Friday arrives as a comedy directed by Mark Waters, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan give Freaky Friday a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Freaky Friday comes into focus without a long explanation: Tess and her daughter, Anna, do not get along. Across its 1h 37m running time, Mark Waters keeps Freaky Friday clear enough to keep the emotional line visible. ⁠ Th

The Last Samurai arrives as an action film directed by Edward Zwick, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe give The Last Samurai a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Last Samurai comes into focus without a long explanation: In 19th century Japan, Nathan Algren, a US army captain, is hired by the Japanese emperor to train his army in the modern warfare techniques. Across its 2h

Spy Kids 3: Game Over arrives as a comedy directed by Robert Rodriguez, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Daryl Sabara and Alexa PenaVega give Spy Kids 3: Game Over a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Spy Kids 3: Game Over comes into focus without a long explanation: Carmen's caught in a virtual reality game designed by the Kids' new nemesis, the Toymaker. Across its 1h 24m running time, Robert Rodrigue

S.W.A.T. arrives as an action film directed by Clark Johnson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell give S.W.A.T. a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in S.W.A.T. comes into focus without a long explanation: An imprisoned drug kingpin offers a huge cash reward to anyone that can break him out of police custody, and only the L.A.P.D.'s Special Weapons and Tactics team can prev

Seabiscuit arrives as a historical drama directed by Gary Ross, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tobey Maguire and Jeff Bridges give Seabiscuit a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Seabiscuit comes into focus without a long explanation: True story of the undersized Depression era racehorse whose victories lifted not only the spirits of the team behind it but also those of their nation. Across its 2h 20m

Something's Gotta Give arrives as a comedy directed by Nancy Meyers, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton give Something's Gotta Give a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Something's Gotta Give comes into focus without a long explanation: A swinger on the cusp of being a senior citizen with a taste for young women falls in love with an accomplished woman closer to his age. Ac

2 Fast 2 Furious arrives as an action film directed by John Singleton, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Paul Walker and Tyrese Gibson give 2 Fast 2 Furious a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in 2 Fast 2 Furious comes into focus without a long explanation: Former cop Brian O'Conner is called upon to bust a dangerous criminal and he recruits the help of a former childhood friend and street racer who has a

Hulk arrives as an action film directed by Ang Lee, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Eric Bana and Jennifer Connelly give Hulk a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Hulk comes into focus without a long explanation: Bruce Banner, a genetics researcher with a tragic past, suffers a lab accident that makes him transform into a raging, giant green monster when angered, making him a target of forces seeking t

Bringing Down the House arrives as a comedy directed by Adam Shankman, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Steve Martin and Queen Latifah give Bringing Down the House a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Bringing Down the House comes into focus without a long explanation: When a lonely guy meets a woman on the internet who happens to be in prison, she breaks out to get him to prove her innocence, and proce