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Exorcist: The Beginning arrives as a horror film directed by Renny Harlin, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Stellan Skarsgård and Izabella Scorupco give Exorcist: The Beginning a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Exorcist: The Beginning comes into focus without a long explanation: In 1947, having abandoned his faith, Father Merrin joins an archaeological excavation in Kenya, where an ancient church has

Spanglish arrives as a comedy directed by James L. Brooks, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Adam Sandler and Téa Leoni give Spanglish a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Spanglish comes into focus without a long explanation: A woman and her daughter leave Mexico for a better life in America, where they start working for a family whose patriarch is a newly celebrated chef with an insecure wife. Across i

Napoleon Dynamite arrives as a comedy directed by Jared Hess, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jon Heder and Efren Ramirez give Napoleon Dynamite a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Napoleon Dynamite comes into focus without a long explanation: A listless and alienated teenager helps his new friend win the class presidency in their small western high school, while dealing with his bizarre family life b

In Good Company arrives as a comedy directed by Paul Weitz, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Dennis Quaid and Topher Grace give In Good Company a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in In Good Company comes into focus without a long explanation: A middle aged ad exec is faced with a new boss who's nearly half his age. Across its 1h 49m running time, Paul Weitz keeps In Good Company clear enough to keep the

Walking Tall arrives as an action film directed by Kevin Bray, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Dwayne Johnson and Ashley Scott give Walking Tall a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Walking Tall comes into focus without a long explanation: A former U.S. soldier returns to his hometown to find it overrun by crime and corruption, which prompts him to clean house. Across its 1h 26m running time, Kevin Bra

Secret Window arrives as a thriller directed by David Koepp, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Johnny Depp and Maria Bello give Secret Window a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Secret Window comes into focus without a long explanation: A successful writer in the midst of a painful divorce is stalked at his remote lake house by a would be scribe who accuses him of plagiarism. Across its 1h 36m running t

Fat Albert arrives as a comedy directed by Joel Zwick, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kenan Thompson and Kyla Pratt give Fat Albert a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Fat Albert comes into focus without a long explanation: Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids come to life and step out of their animated, inner city Philadelphia world. Across its 1h 33m running time, Joel Zwick keeps Fat Albert unable to tur

Home on the Range arrives as an animated adventure directed by Will Finn, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Judi Dench and Cuba Gooding Jr. give Home on the Range a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Home on the Range comes into focus without a long explanation: To save their farm, the resident animals go bounty hunting for a notorious outlaw. Across its 1h 16m running time, Will Finn keeps Home on the R

Resident Evil: Apocalypse arrives as a horror film directed by Alexander Witt, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Milla Jovovich and Sienna Guillory give Resident Evil: Apocalypse a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Resident Evil: Apocalypse comes into focus without a long explanation: Alice wakes up in the Raccoon City hospital after the area has been overrun by zombies, and must now make it out of the

The Phantom of the Opera arrives as a thriller directed by Joel Schumacher, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum give The Phantom of the Opera a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Phantom of the Opera comes into focus without a long explanation: A young soprano becomes the obsession of a disfigured and murderous musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opéra House. Across

A Cinderella Story arrives as a comedy directed by Mark Rosman, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray give A Cinderella Story a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in A Cinderella Story comes into focus without a long explanation: Routinely exploited by her wicked stepmother, the downtrodden Samantha Montgomery is excited about the prospect of meeting her Internet beau at the

Finding Neverland arrives as a biographical drama directed by Marc Forster, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet give Finding Neverland a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Finding Neverland comes into focus without a long explanation: The story of Sir J.M. Barrie's friendship with a family who inspired him to create Peter Pan. Across its 1h 46m running time, Marc Forster keeps