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Around the World in 80 Days arrives as a comedy directed by Frank Coraci, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jackie Chan and Steve Coogan give Around the World in 80 Days a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Around the World in 80 Days comes into focus without a long explanation: To win a bet, an eccentric British inventor embarks, with his Chinese valet and an aspiring French artist, on a trip full of ad

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou arrives as a comedy directed by Wes Anderson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Bill Murray and Owen Wilson give The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou comes into focus without a long explanation: With a plan to exact revenge on a legendary shark that killed his partner, oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill

Twisted arrives as a thriller directed by Philip Kaufman, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ashley Judd and Samuel L. Jackson give Twisted a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Twisted comes into focus without a long explanation: Jessica, whose father killed her mother and committed suicide, is a police officer. Across its 1h 37m running time, Philip Kaufman keeps Twisted uncertain about tone and dramatic

Jersey Girl arrives as a comedy directed by Kevin Smith, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler give Jersey Girl a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Jersey Girl comes into focus without a long explanation: A widower must look after his precocious daughter and rebuild his life and career after he's sidelined by an unexpected tragedy and a personal blowup. Across its 1h 42m running ti

Garden State arrives as a comedy directed by Zach Braff, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Zach Braff and Peter Sarsgaard give Garden State a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Garden State comes into focus without a long explanation: A quietly troubled young man returns home for his mother's funeral after being estranged from his family for a decade. Across its 1h 42m running time, Zach Braff keeps Gard

The Prince and Me arrives as a comedy directed by Martha Coolidge, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Julia Stiles and Luke Mably give The Prince and Me a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Prince and Me comes into focus without a long explanation: At college Paige meets Eddie, a student from Denmark, whom she first dislikes but later accepts, likes, and loves; he proves to be Crown Prince Edvard. Acr

After the Sunset arrives as a comedy directed by Brett Ratner, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek give After the Sunset a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in After the Sunset comes into focus without a long explanation: The story of what happens after a master thief achieves his last big score, when the F.B.I. Agent who promised he'd capture him, is about to do just that. Acr

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen arrives as a comedy directed by Sara Sugarman, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Lindsay Lohan and Megan Fox give Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen comes into focus without a long explanation: A teenage girl is convinced that her home city revolves around her until her family packs up and mov

Johnson Family Vacation arrives as a comedy directed by Christopher Erskin, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Cedric The Entertainer and Shannon Elizabeth give Johnson Family Vacation a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Johnson Family Vacation comes into focus without a long explanation: Buckle up for the wildest road trip of the year. Across its 1h 37m running time, Christopher Erskin keeps Johnson Fam

Cellular arrives as an action film directed by David R. Ellis, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kim Basinger and Chris Evans give Cellular a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Cellular comes into focus without a long explanation: A young man receives an emergency phone call on his cell phone from an older woman. Across its 1h 34m running time, David R. Ellis keeps Cellular alive in individual scenes and

Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid arrives as a horror film directed by Dwight H. Little, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Morris Chestnut and KaDee Strickland give Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid comes into focus without a long explanation: A scientific expedition sets out for Borneo to seek a flower called the

Taking Lives arrives as a thriller directed by D.J. Caruso, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Angelina Jolie and Ethan Hawke give Taking Lives a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Taking Lives comes into focus without a long explanation: A murder spree in Montreal, with the killer embracing his victims' identities, leads to an investigation by the FBI agent Illeana Scott. Across its 1h 43m running time,