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Accepted arrives as a comedy directed by Steve Pink, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Justin Long and Jonah Hill give Accepted a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Accepted comes into focus without a long explanation: A high school slacker who's rejected by every school he applies to opts to create his own institution of higher learning, the South Harmon Institute of Technology, on a rundown piece of pr

16 Blocks arrives as an action film directed by Richard Donner, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Bruce Willis and Yasiin Bey give 16 Blocks a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in 16 Blocks comes into focus without a long explanation: An aging alcoholic cop is assigned the task of escorting a witness from police custody to a courthouse 16 blocks away. Across its 1h 42m running time, Richard Donner keeps 16

Man of the Year arrives as a comedy directed by Barry Levinson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Robin Williams and Laura Linney give Man of the Year a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Man of the Year comes into focus without a long explanation: A comedian who hosts a news satire program decides to run for president and a computerized voting machine malfunction gets him elected. Across its 1h 55m runn

The Wild arrives as an animated adventure directed by Steve 'Spaz' Williams, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kiefer Sutherland and Jim Belushi give The Wild a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Wild comes into focus without a long explanation: An adolescent lion is accidentally shipped from the New York Zoo to Africa. Across its 1h 22m running time, Steve 'Spaz' Williams keeps The Wild unable to tu

The Nativity Story arrives as a romance directed by Catherine Hardwicke, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Keisha Castle Hughes and Shohreh Aghdashloo give The Nativity Story a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Nativity Story comes into focus without a long explanation: A drama that focuses on the period in Mary and Joseph's life where they journeyed to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. Across its 1

Pan's Labyrinth arrives as a fantasy directed by Guillermo del Toro, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ivana Baquero and Ariadna Gil give Pan's Labyrinth a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Pan's Labyrinth comes into focus without a long explanation: In 1944 Spain, a girl is sent to live with her ruthless stepfather. Across its 1h 58m running time, Guillermo del Toro keeps Pan's Labyrinth controlled whi

Last Holiday arrives as a comedy directed by Wayne Wang, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Queen Latifah and LL Cool J give Last Holiday a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Last Holiday comes into focus without a long explanation: Georgia, who leads a life full of unfulfilled desires, is left shocked when she discovers her terminal illness. Across its 1h 52m running time, Wayne Wang keeps Last Holiday a

Gridiron Gang arrives as a crime drama directed by Phil Joanou, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Dwayne Johnson and Xzibit give Gridiron Gang a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Gridiron Gang comes into focus without a long explanation: Teenagers at a juvenile detention center, under the leadership of their counselor, gain self esteem by playing football together. Across its 2h 5m running time, Phil Jo

The Grudge 2 arrives as a horror film directed by Takashi Shimizu, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Amber Tamblyn and Edison Chen give The Grudge 2 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Grudge 2 comes into focus without a long explanation: Three interwoven stories about a terrible curse. Across its 1h 42m running time, Takashi Shimizu keeps The Grudge 2 uncertain about tone and dramatic emphasis. ⁠ T

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning arrives as a horror film directed by Jonathan Liebesman, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jordana Brewster and Matt Bomer give The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning comes into focus without a long explanation: Before being sent to serve in Vietnam, two brothers and their girlfr

The Illusionist arrives as a thriller directed by Neil Burger, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Edward Norton and Jessica Biel give The Illusionist a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Illusionist comes into focus without a long explanation: In turn of the century Vienna, a magician uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman far above his social standing. Across its 1h 50m running time, Neil B

Stranger Than Fiction arrives as a comedy directed by Marc Forster, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Will Ferrell and Emma Thompson give Stranger Than Fiction a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Stranger Than Fiction comes into focus without a long explanation: I.R.S. auditor Harold Crick suddenly finds his mundane Chicago life to be the subject of narration only he can hear: narration that begins to a