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King Arthur arrives as an action film directed by Antoine Fuqua, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Clive Owen and Stephen Dillane give King Arthur a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in King Arthur comes into focus without a long explanation: A demystified take on the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Across its 2h 6m running time, Antoine Fuqua keeps King Arthur alive in individual s

Blade: Trinity arrives as a horror film directed by David S. Goyer, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Wesley Snipes and Kris Kristofferson give Blade: Trinity a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Blade: Trinity comes into focus without a long explanation: Blade, now a wanted man by the FBI, must join forces with the Nightstalkers to face his most challenging enemy yet: Dracula. Across its 1h 53m running

Crash arrives as a thriller directed by Paul Haggis, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Don Cheadle and Sandra Bullock give Crash a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Crash comes into focus without a long explanation: Los Angeles citizens with vastly separate lives collide in interweaving stories of race, loss and redemption. Across its 1h 52m running time, Paul Haggis keeps Crash careful about tone and g

Saw arrives as a horror film directed by James Wan, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Cary Elwes and Leigh Whannell give Saw a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Saw comes into focus without a long explanation: Two men awaken to find themselves on the opposite sides of a dead body, each with specific instructions to kill the other or face consequences. Across its 1h 43m running time, James Wan keeps Saw

13 Going on 30 arrives as a comedy directed by Gary Winick, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo give 13 Going on 30 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in 13 Going on 30 comes into focus without a long explanation: Unpopular schoolgirl Jenna Rink makes an unusual wish on her birthday. Across its 1h 38m running time, Gary Winick keeps 13 Going on 30 engaging in bursts but unab

The Chronicles of Riddick arrives as an action film directed by David Twohy, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Vin Diesel and Judi Dench give The Chronicles of Riddick a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Chronicles of Riddick comes into focus without a long explanation: The wanted criminal Richard Bruno Riddick arrives on a planet called Helion Prime and finds himself up against an invading empire c

Shall We Dance? arrives as a comedy directed by Peter Chelsom, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez give Shall We Dance? a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Shall We Dance? comes into focus without a long explanation: A romantic comedy where a bored, overworked Estate Lawyer, upon first sight of a beautiful instructor, signs up for ballroom dancing lessons. Across its 1h 46m

The Butterfly Effect arrives as a thriller directed by Eric Bress, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ashton Kutcher and Amy Smart give The Butterfly Effect a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Butterfly Effect comes into focus without a long explanation: Evan Treborn suffers blackouts during significant events of his life. Across its 1h 53m running time, Eric Bress keeps The Butterfly Effect engaging

Without a Paddle arrives as a comedy directed by Steven Brill, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Matthew Lillard and Seth Green give Without a Paddle a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Without a Paddle comes into focus without a long explanation: After their friend dies, three men decide to fulfill their childhood dream by going on a camping expedition for the lost D. B. Cooper bounty, with calamitous

Dawn of the Dead arrives as a horror film directed by Zack Snyder, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sarah Polley and Ving Rhames give Dawn of the Dead a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Dawn of the Dead comes into focus without a long explanation: A nurse, a policeman, a young married couple, a salesman and other survivors of a worldwide plague that is producing aggressive, flesh eating zombies, take

The Stepford Wives arrives as a horror film directed by Frank Oz, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Nicole Kidman and Bette Midler give The Stepford Wives a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Stepford Wives comes into focus without a long explanation: The secret to a Stepford wife lies behind the doors of the Men's Association. Across its 1h 33m running time, Frank Oz keeps The Stepford Wives more pr

Hellboy arrives as a horror film directed by Guillermo del Toro, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ron Perlman and Doug Jones give Hellboy a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Hellboy comes into focus without a long explanation: A demon raised from infancy after being conjured by and rescued from the Nazis, grows up to become a defender against the forces of darkness. Across its 2h 2m running time, Guill