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What stands out first about The Fountain is the confidence with which Darren Aronofsky establishes its mystery identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Fountain asks Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Fountain is established with useful clarity: As a modern day scientist, Tommy is struggling with mortality, desperately searching for the medical breakthrough that will save the life of his cancer stricken

What stands out first about Facing the Giants is the confidence with which Alex Kendrick establishes its sports drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Facing the Giants asks Alex Kendrick and Shannen Fields to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Facing the Giants is established with useful clarity: A losing coach and his underdog football team face their giants of fear and failure on and off the field, with surprising results. That direc

What stands out first about Scoop is the confidence with which Woody Allen establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Scoop asks Scarlett Johansson and Hugh Jackman to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Scoop is established with useful clarity: An American journalism student in London scoops a big story, and begins an affair with an aristocrat as the incident unfurls. That direct approach lets Scoop use its 1h 36m running t

What stands out first about The Astronaut Farmer is the confidence with which Michael Polish establishes its science fiction film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Astronaut Farmer asks Billy Bob Thornton and Virginia Madsen to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Astronaut Farmer is established with useful clarity: A NASA astronaut, forced to retire years earlier so he could save his family farm, has never given up his dream of sp

What stands out first about Bobby is the confidence with which Emilio Estevez establishes its biographical drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Bobby asks Anthony Hopkins and Demi Moore to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Bobby is established with useful clarity: The destinies of twenty two people of different races, sexes, beliefs and social classes are intertwined on the night that politician Robert F. Kennedy is assassinated. Tha

What stands out first about The Lives of Others is the confidence with which Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck establishes its thriller identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Lives of Others asks Ulrich Mühe and Martina Gedeck to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Lives of Others is established with useful clarity: In 1984 East Berlin, an agent of the secret police conducting surveillance on a writer and his lover finds himself becomin

What stands out first about Material Girls is the confidence with which Martha Coolidge establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Material Girls asks Hilary Duff and Haylie Duff to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Material Girls is established with useful clarity: Two wealthy sisters, both heiresses to their family's cosmetics fortune, are given a wake up call when a scandal and ensuing investigation strip them of their

What stands out first about Something New is the confidence with which Sanaa Hamri establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Something New asks Sanaa Lathan and Simon Baker to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Something New is established with useful clarity: Kenya McQueen, an accountant finds love in the most unexpected place when she agrees to go on a blind date with Brian Kelly, a sexy and free spirited landscaper. Tha

What stands out first about The Last Kiss is the confidence with which Tony Goldwyn establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Last Kiss asks Zach Braff and Jacinda Barrett to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Last Kiss is established with useful clarity: Michael, at 30, has a great job, still has his four best friends, and has a beautiful girlfriend, but his life seems predictable. That direct approach lets The La

What stands out first about Zoom is the confidence with which Peter Hewitt establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Zoom asks Tim Allen and Courteney Cox to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Zoom is established with useful clarity: Former superhero Jack is called back to work to transform an unlikely group of ragtag kids into superheroes at a private academy. That direct approach lets Zoom use its 1h 23m running time for

What stands out first about Freedomland is the confidence with which Joe Roth establishes its thriller identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Freedomland asks Julianne Moore and Samuel L. Jackson to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Freedomland is established with useful clarity: A black police detective must solve a strange case of a kidnapped boy and deal with a big racial protest. That direct approach lets Freedomland use its 1h 53m runni

What stands out first about Idlewild is the confidence with which Bryan Barber establishes its crime drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Idlewild asks André 3000 and Big Boi to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Idlewild is established with useful clarity: At a sexy, sizzling nightclub, pianist Percival lives life by the rules, while Rooster, the club's flashy lead performer, struts his stuff on the stage. That direct approach lets I