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Dreamer arrives as a sports drama directed by John Gatins, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kurt Russell and Dakota Fanning give Dreamer a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Dreamer comes into focus without a long explanation: Cale Crane catalyzes the rescue and rehabilitation of Sonador, a race horse with a broken leg. Across its 1h 46m running time, John Gatins keeps Dreamer clear enough to keep the e

Bad News Bears arrives as a comedy directed by Richard Linklater, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Billy Bob Thornton and Greg Kinnear give Bad News Bears a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Bad News Bears comes into focus without a long explanation: A grizzled little league coach tries to turn his team of misfits into champs. Across its 1h 53m running time, Richard Linklater keeps Bad News Bears engag

In Her Shoes arrives as a comedy directed by Curtis Hanson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Toni Collette and Cameron Diaz give In Her Shoes a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in In Her Shoes comes into focus without a long explanation: Strait laced Rose breaks off relations with her party girl sister, Maggie, over an indiscretion involving Rose's boyfriend. Across its 2h 10m running time, Curtis Hanson

The Constant Gardener arrives as a thriller directed by Fernando Meirelles, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz give The Constant Gardener a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Constant Gardener comes into focus without a long explanation: A widower's transcontinental quest to find answers about his wife's death leads him to explosive secrets. Across its 2h 9m running time

Hostage arrives as an action film directed by Florent Emilio Siri, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Bruce Willis and Kevin Pollak give Hostage a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Hostage comes into focus without a long explanation: When a family is held hostage, former hostage negotiator Jeff Talley arrives at the scene. Across its 1h 53m running time, Florent Emilio Siri keeps Hostage engaging in burs

The Ringer arrives as a comedy directed by Barry W. Blaustein, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Johnny Knoxville and Katherine Heigl give The Ringer a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Ringer comes into focus without a long explanation: A young guy's only option to erase a really bad debt is to rig the Special Olympics by posing as a contestant. Across its 1h 34m running time, Barry W. Blaustein ke

The Island arrives as an action film directed by Michael Bay, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Scarlett Johansson and Ewan McGregor give The Island a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Island comes into focus without a long explanation: In 2019, a mercenary pursues a man and woman who escaped a research facility after learning their true fate. Across its 2h 16m running time, Michael Bay keeps The Is

Derailed arrives as a thriller directed by Mikael Håfström, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston give Derailed a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Derailed comes into focus without a long explanation: When two married business executives having an affair are blackmailed by a violent criminal, the two must turn the tables on him to save their families. Across its 1h 48m runni

Beauty Shop arrives as a comedy directed by Bille Woodruff, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Queen Latifah and Alicia Silverstone give Beauty Shop a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Beauty Shop comes into focus without a long explanation: A determined hairstylist (Queen Latifah) competes with her former boss (Kevin Bacon) after opening her own business in Atlanta. Across its 1h 45m running time, Bille

The Brothers Grimm arrives as a horror film directed by Terry Gilliam, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Matt Damon and Heath Ledger give The Brothers Grimm a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Brothers Grimm comes into focus without a long explanation: Will and Jake Grimm are traveling con artists who encounter a genuine fairy tale curse which requires true courage instead of their usual bogus exorc

Pride & Prejudice arrives as a romance directed by Joe Wright, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen give Pride & Prejudice a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Pride & Prejudice comes into focus without a long explanation: Sparks fly when spirited Elizabeth Bennet meets single, rich, and proud Mr Darcy. Across its 2h 9m running time, Joe Wright keeps Pride & Prejudice a

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants arrives as a comedy directed by Ken Kwapis, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel give The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants comes into focus without a long explanation: Four best girlfriends hatch a plan to stay connected with one another as their lives start off i